| Abstract: | The purpose of this document is to fulfil the requirements to get necessary environmental
clearance from the Environmental Protection Agency to carry out the proposed slipway
construction in Kudahuvadhoo, Dhaalu atoll. The proponent of this project is Job Market
Maldives Pvt Ltd.
The main rationale for the project is to provide a safe environment for vessel mooring, repair and
maintenance works at Kudahuvadhoo, while providing a source of employment and income for
the island.
The project involves construction of slipway on the north east side of Kudahuvadhoo island.
Main components of the project include dredging and deepening of existing entrance channel
and boat landing area, construction of slipway and construction of auxiliary service buildings.
The development is designed based on environmental best practices suitable for slipway
construction in Maldives.
Kudahuvadhoo has a moderately large number of fishing and passenger vessels. At present, lack
of availability of a slipway in Kudahuvadhoo and within Dhaalu atoll means that boat owners
are required to use slipways in other atolls for vessel maintenance, which involves a substantial
cost. Construction of a slipway in Kudahuvadhoo will reduce the cost of boat repair maintenance
for Kudahuvadhoo locals and for boat owners in Dhaalu atoll in general.
All project activities will be 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, Dredging and
Reclamation regulation and Environmental Impact Assessment Regulation 2012. Dredging and
reclamation approval from EPA is required before commencement of project activities.
Significant impacts of this project during construction phase of the project are potential
significant impacts on coastal processes, impacts on the terrestrial flora and fauna, significant
impacts on marine environment due to excessive sedimentation, turbidity and direct excavation
related to deepening of the existing reef entrance, and impacts on marine water quality. Positive
impacts of the construction phase include improved business and employment opportunities for
the public. Significant impacts during operation of the slipway include impact of intense boating
activities on marine biodiversity, degradation of air quality from dust-born particles and vessel
emissions, noise, adverse impacts of solid waste and waste oil on terrestrial environment and
increased demand for resources especially waste management services. Socioeconomic impacts
of the operation phase include improvement in employment and business opportunities, adverse
impacts on health and safety of workers and general public, and potential resource use conflict
due to loss of recreational beach and volleyball court.
Key mitigation measures for the construction and operation stage include construction of a 15
feet tall wall along the boundary to reduce the amount of dust-borne particles, undertaking beach
monitoring and beach replenishment to mitigate beach erosion, use of biodegradable cleaning
and disinfecting agents for service and maintenance, preparation and use of standard operation
manual for handling hazardous materials, and specifying the routes for excavator movement.
Consultations were undertaken with kudahuvadhoo public, Kudahuvadhoo Island Council,
Dhaalu Atoll council, Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure and Health Protection Agency.
Stakeholders consulted in Kudahuvadhoo were generally in favour of slipway construction
project.
The alternatives evaluated for the project were the no project option, alternative erosion
mitigation plan, alternative measures for sediment containment and use of alternative material
for construction of breakwater. The no project option is not viable socially as there will be
significant public discontent if the project is stopped. Options proposed for erosion mitigation
include doing nothing, undertaking beach replenishment and building a groyne field. It was
recommended to monitor the coastal changes before considering erosion mitigation.
The monitoring plan has been designed with a focus to analyse the significant impacts over time,
particularly the effect on coastal processes, water quality and impacts on marine life.
A management framework has been proposed and it is essential that this framework be used in
the construction stage of the project. The operation stage management can fall within the overall
environmental management framework.
In conclusion, project mainly has beneficial socio-economic impacts. |
