Environmental impact assessment report for the proposed reclamation works at Dh. Maadheli

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.