| Abstract: | This document is submitted to the Environment Protection Agency, by the proponent to fulfil the
requirement of an EIA under the Environmental Protection and Preservation Act (EPPA) of the
Maldives (4/93). This report provides the background to the proposed project components as
well as an assessment of their likely environmental and social impacts, both beneficial and
adverse. The proposed enhancement and mitigation measures are outlined where necessary
together with an environment management plan and a monitoring programme.
This project was initiated by the Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure with the aim of
providing an adequate and safe harbouring and beaching area for the locals of Mahibadhoo
island while providing coastal protection for the immediate surroundings. The present harbour is
unable to facilitate the growing size of vessels using the harbour, particularly the increased
number of small vessels on the island. Similarly, the make-shift beaching area (boat yard area)
which the locals are currently using does not have the proper facilities to service the island’s
fleet.
The scope of this project comprises of the following activities:
1. Maintenance dredging at the entrance channel and basin
2. Expanding the existing north harbour basin
3. Re-constructing quay wall, revetment and breakwater
4. Paving around quay wall landing areas
5. Installing road lights and navigation lights around harbour
6. Constructing beaching area
7. Backfilling and reclamation
This EIA has found that the proposed backfill volume required do not match the available
dredged material. Hence, an alternative site plan has been proposed whereby reclamation
activities are restricted to backfilling purposes only and the required sand volume within the
available limits.
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, Employment Act
(2/2008), Immigration Act (1/2007), Environmental Impact Assessment Regulation 2012,
Dredging and Reclamation Regulation, Waste Management Regulation 2013, and the
Environmental Liability Regulation. The project parameters cannot adhere to the dredging
reclamation regulation as is states that no dredging shall be undertaken within 50 m of the
vegetation line or 500 m from the ocean side reef edge. The harbour proposed in this project is located within both these restricted zones. For projects of economic or social importance, the
regulations allow for exceptions to be made. Therefore, discussions must be held between the
proponent and the EPA before the commencement of the project in order to resolve this issue.
The assessment shows that the proposed developments result in significant positive socioeconomic
benefits during the operational phase. However, both the construction phase and the
operational phase of the development result in negative impacts on the marine and coastal
environment. The main impacts from the project are on sediment movement patterns around the
island, marine biodiversity due to sedimentation and turbidity related to the construction
activities, potential marine and groundwater contamination, and noise pollution. While the
construction of the quay wall and shore protection measures will prevent erosion around the
harbour basin thereby facilitating better usage of the harbour, there will be residual impacts
around the project site in the medium term as the island works towards obtaining equilibrium
with the new shore protection measures. It is unlikely that the construction stage of this project
will result in significant damage to live coral colonies due to the enclosed nature of the harbour
basin and limited live coral cover within vicinity of the project site.
Key mitigation measures for the construction stage include finding options to minimise turbidity
and sedimentation through the use of sediment control measures especially during the dredging
and reclamation works, carrying out project activities only in the allocated areas, and ensuring
that activities are a carried out in as short a time period as possible to allow normal conditions to
re-establish in the area. The construction staff should also be properly educated on the sensitivity
of the reef system and measures which can be taken to minimise impacts on the marine
environment.
Operational stage impacts are mainly related to changes in the coastal hydrodynamics arising
from the coastal modifications of the proposed harbour. It is not possible to accurately predict
erosion accretion patterns without high level modelling. Therefore, appropriate mitigation
measures and actions will be decided after monitoring the changes.
Consequently, environmental monitoring is crucial, particularly changes to hydrodynamics,
shoreline, and water quality.
The management plan for this project is designed to produce a framework for anticipated
impacts, including practicable and achievable performance requirements and systems for
monitoring, reporting and implementing corrective actions. In addition provide evidence of
compliance to legislation, policies, guidelines and requirements of relevant authorities.
The main conclusion of this report is to move forward with the proposed development with the
suggested mitigation measures. |
