Fourth addendum for the environmental impact assessment report for the reclamation and expansion at Ibrahim Nasir International Airport

Abstract

1.1 Background The non-technical summary outlines the findings of the Addendum 4 to the Environmental lmpact Assessment for Reclamation and Expansion at lbrahim Nasir lnternational Airport (INIA), Hulhulhe, Kaafu Atoll, which involves construction of a temporary water production facility at the Hulhule for the period of the construction works of the INIA expansion project, The proponent and contractor of this project is Male’ Airports Company Limited (MACL), main contractor is Chinese Beijing Urban Construction Group (BUCG) and subcontractor for RO plant, borehole and storage tank construction is Static Company Pvt Ltd. 1.2 Project Detail The proposed project involves construction of a temporary water production facility at Ibrahim Nasir International Airport under the Reclamation and Expansion at lbrahim Nasir lnternational Airport (INIA) project. The water production facility will include RO plant house (housing two RO plants of 250ton/day, two boreholes, settlement tanks, 2 water storage tanks of capacity 500tons each, brine discharge line and also pipeline connecting temporary facility to existing MACL water grid near the project temporary site). This temporary facility will be located at the south eastern side of Hulhule. The diameter of the boreholes is 8 inch while the depth is 40m. Water extracted through the borehole will be used as feed water for the 2 RO plants (250ton/day). 1.3 Key impacts, mitigation measures and alternatives Key impacts Impacts on the environment from various activities of the water production facility, mainly the borehole construction component and its operation have been identified through interviews with the proponent, field data collection and surveys as well as based on past experience in similar development projects. Possible impacts arising from the project have been analysed with the aid of a Leopold Matrix. In any development project major direct impacts to the environment (either shortterm or long-term) occur mainly during the construction phase. Potential direct or indirect impacts on the environment (on land and reef system) from the proposed works are limited to a relatively small number of activities, which include:  Groundwater contamination/salinisation due to extraction of groundwater during and after drilling to clear out the chemicals used during the drilling process as a hardening agent for the walls of the borehole. This is foreseen to be minor to insignificant due to moderate extraction rates.  Groundwater contamination due to leakage of drill slurry from the slurry collection pits  Extraction of groundwater during operation phase which is foreseen to be insignificant due to moderate drilling rates. Mitigation measures The severity of impacts is predicted by reviewing the design plans and construction methodologies. Mitigation measures are formulated in light of the information revealed by the project engineers. Mitigation measures are discussed for the construction stage of the project. During the construction stage it is important to take measures to minimize impacts on the degradation of groundwater quality. Method of drilling also has to be taken into account to minimise impact. A method that has the least impact on terrestrial or marine environment has to be utilized. Alternatives Considering the alternatives for the project (alternative to setting up a temporary water production system) analysis of alternatives shows that the proposed methods and locations are the most feasible for the project. No project scenario was also considered as an alternative. However, given that the benefits greatly outweigh the negative impacts, this was not seen to be a feasible option.