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Title: | Environmental impact assessment report for the proposed reclamation works at Dh. Maadheli |
Authors: | Land and Marine Environmental Resources Group Pvt. Ltd. |
Issue Date: | Mar-2008 |
Publisher: | Maadheli Poultry and Fisheries Pvt Ltd |
Citation: | Land and Marine Environmental Resources Group Pvt. Ltd. (2008). Environmental impact assessment report for the proposed reclamation works at Dh. Maadheli. Male' : Maadheli Poultry and Fisheries Pvt Ltd |
Abstract: | 1. This Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report is to fulfil the regulatory
requirement under the environmental preservation act of Maldives prior to the proposed
reclamation works at Maadheli , Dh. Atoll
2. Major component of the proposed development is reclamation of two separate land
masses under two phases (phase one, 155,168m2
and phase two, 339527m2
) and
construction of revetments at the western side of the reclaimed land masses
3. Borrow area for the reclamation works is located at the eastern side of the reclamation
area and area in between phase one and phase two land masses (total area 287,626m2
).
4. Work methodology for the proposed work has been chosen with due consideration on the
type of development, its size and duration as well. Based on the size and duration of the
proposed activities it was decided a cutter suction dredged is most appropriate in terms of
logistics and environmental impacts
5. This report provides the results of the fieldwork carried out on Maadheli in July and
September 2007 and associated stakeholder consultations that followed. The
environmental impacts arising from the proposed developments are predicted based on
the findings of the fieldwork along with the activities that cause these impacts during the
reclamation and operation phase.
6. Existing environment was examined to identify significant environmental components that
would be affected and to establish a baseline condition of the site. Available and relevant
literature on environmental impacts associated with similar projects was evaluated to
identify possible impacts. Oceanographic data and information on local hydrodynamics
were quantitative data and qualitatively data assessed to determine the current pattern
around the island which was based on monsoonal wind patterns, wind generated waves,
tidal flushing, geographic setting, the topography of the lagoon and shape of the shoreline.
7. Three sites were selected to assessment reef benthos and selected fish community as the
baseline data which would also be considered for long-term monitoring program to
monitor the impact of the project. In addition to the fish and benthic surveys seawater
quality was assessed at the shallow lagoon area. 8. The substrate of the lagoon is mostly abiotic. The area to be dredged is dominated with
rubble and sand characterised by a reef flat with high proportion of consolidated and
unconsolidated rocks and sandy sediments.
9. The shallow lagoon where the land masses would be located was dominated by rubble and
sand. Coral cover contributes merely 5% at site 1. Coral cover contributes merely 20%
at reef monitoring site 2 and at site 3, 11%.
10. It is important to note that the most significant impact associated with the project would
be impact on the marine environment from sedimentation. Dredging and excavation
often carry heavy load of sediments increasing sediment load in the water column causing
discoloration (due to suspended sediments) of the of the impact area for a prolonged
period. Environmental impact matrix in chapter 7 identified key components of the
natural and socioeconomic environment; the likely impacts on each component based on
the criteria used for impact prediction. The proposed development will have direct impact
on the benthos in all excavated areas. However, there is no established coral community
that would be directly affected except perhaps few isolated coral colonies.
11. The proposed land masses are designed to be physically separated for the reasons of
separating fish and shrimp culture facilities and also to allow flow of water from the
western side. Revetments will construct at the western side of the land masses to stop
erosion of the newly reclaimed land by waves and current. Geo-textile layer will be fitted
in to the rubble mound to stop leaching of fines under the rubble mound.
12. Environmental impacts associated with the proposed project are considered minor to
moderate. The significant environmental components that are likely to be affected are the
coral community established on the reef flat (westerns side) and changes to littoral drift
and near-shore coastal hydrodynamics. Impact on the coral community from
sedimentation as a result of excavation is inevitable. It is also important to note that the
coral community in the immediate impact area is rather sparse and coral rubble and sand
dominates the reef substrate.
13. Mitigation measures were provided in the report for impacts that were categorized
moderate to major. Impact mitigation measures and monitoring is carried out to compare
predicted and actual impacts occurring from project activities to determine the efficiency
of the mitigation measures. The environmental monitoring proposed here is to determine
the effectiveness of the mitigation measures and long term change to the benthic
community (especially coral community) where the baseline information was collected. In
addition to this additional monitoring station would be established at the eastern side reef to determine the changes to this habitat by sediment deposition transported across the
deep lagoon.
14. With due consideration to main environmental components identified and the magnitude
of impacts on these components from the proposed developments, the consultant
concludes that the project components and designs are feasible and appropriate mitigation
measures are given to correct and minimize unfavourable environmental consequence. |
URI: | http://saruna.mnu.edu.mv/jspui/handle/123456789/7578 |
Appears in Collections: | ތިމާވެށި Environment A
|
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