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    Technical Report
    Environmental impact assessment for the proposed water supply system in Thimarafushi, Thaa Atoll, Maldives
    (2016-11) Development Collaborative Partnership
    This Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report is prepared in accordance with the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulation 2012 to assess the impacts of proposed development of water supply system at Th. Thimarafushi. This project is proposed by Ministry of Environment and Energy and the impact assessment was carried out by consultants from DCP Pvt. Ltd., lead by lead consultant Amir Musthafa. The construction stage of the project will be undertaken by Puritas Pvt. Ltd. This impact assessment will identify and determine the significance of potential impact of each major component of the proposed project. Any activity that has a significant impact will be justified and alternatives will be proposed in terms of location and design to mitigate any adverse impact. The project proposes a water supply system based on desalination and rainwater harvesting. Feed water will be obtained from boreholes drilled over 30m deep. Brine will be discharge in front of the plant facility, 100m away from the beach line. Rainwater will be used to support the RO plant system. The main justification for the project is due to the decrease in quality of the groundwater in the island, as is the case in most islands in the Maldives and therefore to provide continuous supply of freshwater to the public. The integrated water supply system is not designed to cater for the airport facility. The total water production capacity at the facility will be 120 m3/day. The water supply system is designed to cater for 35 years. Thimarafushi is an island that has undergone significant development in recent history. There has been a major reclamation project as well as airport development. The proposed project will not need to have any significant vegetation removed as there are no such vegetation at the site. Considering the marine environment, there are no significant live corals that could be impacted along the proposed brine discharge location. The proposed site is far away from population center, and therefore will not have any significant impact on the residential environment. During the stakeholder consultations, all the major stakeholders were quite positive on the project. Their main need was for the project to commence soon. There were other minor concerns that could be attended easily during the implementation of the project. EPA did not that designing the project in such a way that it caters for the airport facility would make the project more feasible and ensure the facility is maintained at a higher level. Regarding impacts, moderate impacts are expected at the commencement of the project during mobilization and use of heavy machinery and setting up site for the proposed project. Due to the absence of notable environmental features at the site, the construction stage will not have a significant negative impact. However, waste management will be an issue as is always the case. Impacts of note include noise pollution, loss of visual amenity, potential damage to existing cables, health and safety issues, groundwater degradation, marine water quality degradation, impact on marine life, etc. However, most of these impacts were regarded as minor. Major impacts include those due to accidents, for which the probability of occurrence is less. Mitigation measures were proposed for all impacts. Mitigation measures included following proper safety procedures at site including wearing proper safety clothing, informing the council and community of the project details beforehand, getting information of existing cables from service providers, proper storage of waste and hazardous chemicals, ensuring the quality of water treatment. It is also proposed to place the discharge pipe with ballast blocks to prevent movement of the pipeline during heavy wave activity. Considering the impacts from the project, it appears that the project would not lead to any long term detrimental impact. On the other hand, the project has several positive impacts to the community including improving the health and lifestyle of the public, improving industries such as tourism and agriculture, thereby facilitating economic growth. Alternatives for the project including the no project option were also considered. However, it was recommended the project proceeds as proposed based on the feasibility of implementation and the small change to environmental impact that the alternatives will bring. A monitoring plan has been formulated and will be used to assess the impacts of the proposed system. It is planned that ground water, seawater, and product water will be tested regularly at predefined locations. Findings from the monitoring program will be used to re-evaluate the mitigation measures to reduce any significant negative impact on the environment. The overall environmental impacts of the project have been assessed using peer reviewed methodology and the results indicated that the proposed project has net positive impact. Given that the project has major socio-economic benefits, minor environmental impacts in addition to improving the health and wellbeing of the community; it is recommended to allow the project to proceed as proposed.
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    Technical Report
    Environmental impact assessment to upgrade/renovation of vessel loading jetty at STO go-down (plot no 2) and shore protection of the (plot no 111), at K. Thilafushi, Maldives
    (2016-11) Development Collaborative Partnership
    1- This is the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report carried out for the State Trading Organisation (STO) for the proposed upgrade/renovation work for vessel loading jetty at STO go-down (plot no 2) and shore protection work (plot no 111). The project involves removal of existing quaywall, Extension of shoreline 20m from the existing quaywall boundary, sheet pilling and back filling Plot No 2. Main renovation work in Plot no 111 involves removal of existing seawall and construction of a new revetment by using rock boulders. The EIA was prepared as fulfillment of the requirement by the Environmental Protection Agency under the dredging and reclamation regulation (Regulation 2013/R-15) for granting permission for the project. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of development projects is a requirement by the Environmental Protection and Preservation Act (EPPA) (law 4/93) of the Government of the Republic of Maldives. 2- This report has been prepared in accordance with the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations published by the Ministry of Environment and Energy 2012 and covers both negative and positive environmental and socio-economic impact arising from the proposed upgrade/renovation work for vessel loading jetty at STO go-down (plot no 2) and shore protection work (plot no 111). Major findings of this report are based on information gathered during the field inspection of both the existing environment and possible effects of the project activities, through extensive literature review and experiences gained from similar projects elsewhere in the Maldives. 3- The proposed project activity will take place in K Thilafushi Industrial Island Plot no 2 and Plot no 111. Thilafushi is located at the west of Gulhifalhu and east of Giraavaru Resort. The island was initially reclaimed for land fill purposes, but has been further developed to carter for industrial use. The reclaimed island was later turned into the industrial hub of the Maldives and a larger proportion was reclaimed by sand filling from the inner lagoon. The industrial potential of Thilafushi grew big and Thilafushi Corporation was formed in 2009 to change the garbage island to the potential industrial hub for light and heavy industrial needs. 4- During the preparation of the EIA report an impact matrix, which is a standard tool for identifying the possible impacts of project activities, has been created for proposed upgrade/renovation work for vessel loading jetty at STO go-down (plot no 2) and shore protection work (plot no 111). The activities carried out during the construction and postconstruction or operational phases are arrayed against a selection of environmental factors that may be affected directly or indirectly as a result of project activities. 5- The environmental impact assessment study for the proposed upgrade/renovation work for vessel loading jetty at STO go-down (plot no 2) and shore protection work (plot no 111) shows there are two main activities that would cause significant negative environmental impacts are pile driving, backfilling, seawall construction and concrete work in Plot 2 and Coastal protection work (construction of rock boulder revetment) in Plot 111. 6- Of these a long term impact would be from pile driving, backfilling, seawall construction and concrete work in Plot 2. Sedimentation on lagoon and reef physical damage to benthic fauna and habitat loss and change in near shore flow pattern are some of the impacts. These impacts would be cumulative occurring over long period of time and so can be managed through proper monitoring. Based on the scale of coastal protection projects that is taking place in Maldives, impacts associated with this activity is insignificant. 7- Construction of rock boulder revetment adjacent to the shoreline will temporarily increase the sedimentation on the north eastern side but the impact would be short term and negligible. However, the positive socio economic impacts from the proposed development outweigh the temporary negative impacts of project. 8- The study has evaluated alternative options for the project activities and evaluated potential option of alternative sources for fill material, alternative coastal protection structures. Based on the similar project activities elsewhere in the Maldives the report found, that the Thilafushi will recover from the impacts will re-establish a new ecological balance soon. Even though there is no very significant impact from this project after the report has come-up with an extensive monitoring programme that will keep on monitoring coastal and marine environmental changes associated with the project and make necessary adjustment based on the findings of various measured environmental parameters suggested in the monitoring plan. 9- The study found that the proposed project is in line with key legal and policies maintained by the Government authorities and EPA including Environmental Protection and Preservation Act, EIA Regulations, and land-use plans developed for Thilafushi Industrial Island by Thilafushi Cooperation. 10- Therefore on the basis of this environmental impact assessment study and the impact mitigation measures proposed in the report will be duly implemented and recommendations are given due consideration, it is concluded that the benefits of the proposed upgrade/renovation work for vessel loading jetty at STO go-down (plot no 2) and shore protection work (plot no 111) in Thilafushi will substantially outweigh its imposition on the environment