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Item Environmental impact assessment report : redevelopment of Fun Island Resort, South Male' Atoll(Villa Hotels Pvt. Ltd., 2008-03) Land and Marine Environmental Resources Group Pvt. Ltd.This report discusses the findings of an environmental impact study undertaken by Land and Marine Environmental Resources Group Pvt. Ltd. contracted by Villa Hotels Pvt. Ltd for the proposed new developments at Fun Island which include development on land and over-water buildings. Project Location: Fun Island Resort (Bodufinolhu) is located on the south eastern corner of South Male Atoll. The reef on which Fun Island exist is an atoll rim reef which also houses six other islands (Maadhoo Finolhu, Kuda Finolhu, Olhuveli, Oligandu Finolhu, Ehuruh Huraa and Rihiveli). Olhuveli (adjacent to Fun Island on the southern side) and Rihiveli are tourist resorts hotels Proposed Design: As part of developing Fun Island as a unique and exclusively set resort complex, the owner is proposing to re-design the island for an extensive re-development plan. The new concept design is based on establishment of a top class facility aiming at the higher end market. Therefore the development will include three ranges of products, Water villas, beach villas and beach suits. Additional amenities suitable to cater for the requirements of the resort such as a small harbour would be included in the overall design. Existing Environment: This reef system has a length of about 16 km with an approximate width of about 1 to 1.5 km. The reef system has a relatively shallow reef flat that has an average depth of approximately -0.5 m (MSL). The atollward slope of this reef system has a sandy slope scattered with coral habitats and there is no deep lagoon within this reef system, which is a common feature found on most peripheral reefs of Maldives. The total area of the reef complex is approximately 19km2 . The local Maldivians divide the climate of the Maldives into four monsoon periods that are characterized by very different wind climate, rain fall. These four seasons are the NE monsoon (Iruvai moosun), Transitonal period from NE monsoon to SW monsoon (Hulhangu halha), SW monsoon (Hulhangu moosun) and transitional period from SW monsoon to NE monsoon (Iruvai halha). Tides experienced in the Maldives are mixed semi-diurnal and diurnal with a strong diurnal inequality. A tide station at Male International Airport has continuous records of tide for over the past 30 years. The maximum tidal range recorded at this tide station is 1.20m. The highest astronomical tide level was +0.64m (MSL) and the lowest astronomical tide level was -0.56m (MSL). Due to close proximity of the permanent tide station at Male International Airport (Hulhule) it was assumed that the tidal signal at Hulhule will be the same as that at Fun Island. The assumption on the tidal signal at Fun Island was verified by comparing the density spectrum for tide data at Hulhule for the month of July 2005 with the spectrum of tide data recorded at Fun Island for the same period. This comparison evidently showed a near perfect match in the tidal spectra indicating the accurateness of the aforementioned assumption. The spectral analysis also shows the diurnal constituent K1 (24hrs 23min) and semidiurnal constituent S2 (12hrs 20min). The current speed data recorded by the Valeport 106 meter was plotted as a time series graph which showed fluctuating current magnitude that seems to be corresponding with the tidal signal. The current speed data when filtered through a low pass filter to remove the fluctuations with periods less than 1hr showed a clearer correlation with the tidal fluctuation The maximum current speed recorded for the period data collection was 0.62ms-1 flowing from west to east (i.e. from the atoll lagoon into the reef flat area. The flow of current from the atoll lagoon into the reef flat appears to be corresponding to the low tide periods. The reef system where Fun Island is located was highly impacted by the extensive bleaching event in 1998, which devastated reefs throughout the Maldives. At present, the reef flat shows signs of recovery, with many new recruits surviving well on the reef. The eastern side of the reef system experiences high energy waves from swells. There were no signs of anthropogenic impacts such as anchoring or diver damage. Almost all of the eastern side of the reef was dominated by turf algae. According to the resort staff brown coloration was seen after tsunami and they thought it was coral growth. In reality this was turf algae dominating the bare substrate. Whether this growth was stimulated by the action of tsunami or if this was a recent incident is difficult assess since historical data on this site is limited. Live coral species observed in this area was typical of high energy areas like digitate, encrusting and massive life forms. Live coral diversity was low on eastern side compared to the survey sites on the western side. But this result should be considered cautiously since almost all of the western side reef structure is sandy (gradual sand slope), only the area near the main jetty has live corals or rock patches. Live coral cover at the reef slope was significantly higher than reef flat areas. On the western side live coral cover was higher than that of eastern side. In terms of diversity site four had the highest number of coral genera recorded.Item Environmental impact assessment report for redevelopment of Kudarah Island Resort, Adh Atoll(Yacht Tours Pvt. Ltd., 2008-03) Land and Marine Environmental Resources Group Pvt. Ltd.1. This Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report is to fulfil the regulatory requirement under the environmental preservation act of Maldives prior to the proposed redevelopment of Adh. Kudarah. 2. Major component of the proposed development are; • 14 Beach villas • 21 Beach suites • 14 Water villas • 1 water suite • Main restaurant • Speciality restaurant • Grill restaurant • Beach bar and swimming pool facility • Spa facility • Installation of waste water grid and STP The project also involve excavation and dredging of a 1600m2 harbour at the south western side of the island, and beach recreation work involving construction of head land bays (breakwater type of headlands and bay like beach in the middle). A seawall is also proposed at the eastern side of the island for protection against refracted swells coming from the channel at the eastern side of the atoll. 3. Sediment excavated to deepen the harbour basin would be used to back fill the beach creation areas and back filling of some of the inland structures. 4. The island of Kudarah is located in the southern half of Ari Atoll; Kudarah is at global coordinates 267923.5437Northing and 395294.9766Easting. This elliptical shape island oriented in a SENW direction and has a land area of 29,822sqm. The island is formed on a reef system that has an area of 94,305sqm (including the island). This reef has the same shape and orientation same as the island. The lagoon area within this reef system is 64,483sqm. The average depth of reef flat except for the SE end of the island is approximately 0.8m. The reef flat on the SE end of the island has depths less than 0.4m at MSL. This part of the lagoon is a high energy environment which consists of large rocks and rubble. 5. Excavators and bulldozers will be used for demolition and pilling works (access jetty and water villa piles). Excavators and bull dozers were transported to the island on barges. The existing revetment walls on the southern and northern side of the island will be demolished and removed. Headland bay type structures will be constructed at approximately 60m apart. Beach will be created at in between the two breakwaters (headlands). Sand for creation of beaches will be purchased from local sand miners at Fenfushi and Maamigili. Estimated volume of sand required is (top segment, beach area) 1460m3, while backfilling volume is estimated to be 3400m3. The headlands will be constructed using the demolished materials from the existing breakwaters around the south western, western and north western side of the island (total volume estimated 2200m3). Total volume of rock required for the headlands is 950m3 (core material will compose demolished revetment walls around the island and filter rock removed during dredging works after screening). Removal of existing breakwaters and construction of headlands will be by manual labour (contracted to Fenfushi and Maamigli groups). The seawall at the eastern side of the island will be constructed using armour stones, total volume of armour stones are estimated to be 2200m3. The stones will be placed in position by excavator. The stones will be brought to the island on a barge, and temporarily stockpiled near the seawall construction site. The harbour at the south western side of the island will be excavated using excavator on barge (where depth exceeds 1.5m). Area of the proposed harbour is 1600m2 (38m at maximum width, 45m at maximum length). The harbour walls will be constructed with coral rock removed from the existing breakwaters (1:2 gradients). Total volume estimated for the harbour walls is 1800m3. Entrance of the harbour will be cleared at the south eastern side. The depth of the harbour and entrance will be -3MSL. 6. This report provides the results of the fieldwork carried out on Kudarah in October 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 construction and operation phase. 7. 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 qualitatively 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. 8. 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 two locations at the reef edge area. 9. The substrate of the lagoon is mostly abiotic. The proposed harbour area has several colonies of large Acropora table corals (south western side of the island near the existing service/arrival jetty). The area located east of the arrival jetty at the northern side was also dominated by Acropora table corals (only these two areas had high abundance of live coral) 10.The lagoon areas around the island were dominated by sand and rubble, while the eastern side was dominated by rock and rubble (surf zone). Compared to the western side north eastern side lagoon was deeper, but experiences swells (refracted swells). 11.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 G 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 at the harbour area, breakwater construction area and beach creation areas. However, there is no established coral community that would be directly affected except the colonies located at the immediate harbour area and colonies observed at eastern side of arrival jetty located at the northern side. 12.The proposed new inland structures are designed to fit the existing footprints of old structures thereby reducing the need for vegetation clearance. The proposed coastal protection measures are designed to hold the sediment in between the bays, while the seawall at the eastern side will minimise the swell induced energy reaching rest of the island. The harbour is designed with culverts to allow flow of current and water. 13.Environmental impacts associated with the proposed project are considered moderate to major. The significant environmental components that are likely to be affected are the coral community established on the reef flat and changes to littoral drift and nearshore coastal hydrodynamics. Impact on the coral community from sedimentation as a result of excavation and beach creation works is inevitable. It is also important to note that the coral community in the immediate impact areas are rather sparse and coral rubble and sand dominates the reef lagoon (expect a small area east of arrival jetty located at the northern side). 14.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 reef slope (near harbour area and northern side) to determine the changes to this habitat by sediment deposition. 15.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 consequences. Furthermore it has to be noted that the existing shoreline of the island is greatly modified over the years by the previous management in a bid to mitigate erosion problems facing the island. At present only beach around the island is located at the northern side greatly due to the complete obstruction of the waves and currents by the breakwaters located at the area. The eastern and western side of the island‘s shoreline is composed of a revetment or retainment wall. The proposed project involves redesigning of the coastal structures, in an effort to mitigate the erosion problem and in the meantime create an aesthetically pleasant structure. Installation of a new sewage treatment plant will have a positive impact on the seawater quality since existing method of sewage disposal is by septic tank system.Item Environmental impact assessment report for the proposed reclamation works at Dh. Maadheli(Maadheli Poultry and Fisheries Pvt Ltd, 2008-03) Land and Marine Environmental Resources Group Pvt. Ltd.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.Item Environmental impact assessment study : harbour development works at Landhoo, N. Atoll, Maldives(Ministry of Construction and Public Infrastructure, 2008-06) Land and Marine Environmental Resources Group Pvt. Ltd.This Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report is to fulfill the regulatory requirement under the environmental preservation act of Maldives for the ongoing harbour development at Landhoo, N. Atoll. N. Landhoo harbour development initiated during early 2008, but the works were halted by the Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water because EIA report for the works wasn’t submitted and that fact that individual from N. Landhoo complained to MEEW regarding filling of Marsh land adjacent to the harbour area. At present almost 75% of excavation works are completed. According to the MCPI works are halted because 25ft of land inside vegetation line of the island has to be incorporated to the harbour. Therefore MCPI wants to go ahead with this component of the work after completion of EIA report. At present an area of 16,600m2 is already reclaimed using the dredged material removed from previous excavation works, from this area approximately 5,500m2 is marsh land. A stock pile of approximately 2000m3 of sediment is piled at the northern side of the harbour. Estimated volume of dredged material from the remaining excavation works are estimated to be approximately 5000m3 . The major output of the proposed project is a 300 ft by 200 ft harbour facility on the western side of the island of Landhoo. The harbour basin will have a depth of -3m MSL. Entrance to the harbour will be located on the northern side of the harbour facing north western direction. The entrance channel into the harbour is 75m long and 25m wide. These are the standard dimensions of island harbours under various government policies and strategies to provide safe harbours for inhabited islands. As part of public consultation process for this project, relevant stakeholders from the Landhoo community and the public and private sectors were consulted. The Landhoo community met on three occasions, twice prior to the EIA process on an unspecified date and on 12th February 2008. The community meeting held later with representative of the La Mer Group was on 26th April 2008. The consultative process was based on meetings and discussions with community members. Representatives of La Mer met with members of the Island Development Committee, the Harbour Committee and members of the Landhoo general public to discuss the need for the EIA, what would be done in the EIA and for the community to air their issues and questions on the extent of the harbour works with regard to the community’s needs. Noonu Atoll is the latter part of a massive atoll that encompasses Haa Alif, Haa Dhaal, Shaviyani and Noonu Atolls, divided so for administrative purposes. Landhoo is one of the eastern most islands in Noonu Atoll. Located at 05° 52' 53" N and 73° 27' 58" E, Landhoo is found between the islands of Maalhendhoo to the north and Maafaru to its south. Laandhoo is an island separate from all other islands, surrounded by its own reef, as is typical for the northern atolls of the Maldives. Maalhendhoo Kandu is to the island’s north and Landhoo Kandu is to the island’s south. The capital of Noonu Atoll is Manadhoo, 13km to the south of Landhoo. Study of the wind directions for individual months show that the winds from the 2nd quadrant (between E and S) are mainly confined to the months of November, December, January, February and March. The strongest winds from a southwesterly direction mainly occur during the month of December. The cumulative frequency of occurrence of winds at speeds greater than 7m/s from a southeasterly quadrant is just 1.06%. The total percentage of occurrence of winds from southeasterly quadrant sums up to 9.6%. Results of wave analysis indicated that during the period for which wave data were collected the averaged significant wave height was 0.39m with an averaged significant wave period of 3.32 sec. The highest significant wave height estimated for this period was 0.56m that has a wave period of 3.32sec. The maximum wave heights indicated that the highest wave height recorded for this period was 0.99m that had a wave period of 3.0sec. Wave data evidently indicated that the location at which Landhoo harbour is been built is a highly exposed location and therefore the harbour protection structures (breakwaters) would have to take this factor into consideration. 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. The proposed development will have direct impact on the benthos in all excavated areas. 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 and changes to littoral drift and near-shore coastal hydrodynamics. Impact on the coral community from sedimentation as a result of excavation is inevitable. Mitigation measures were provided in the report for impacts that were categorized minor to moderate. 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 current baseline information was collected. In addition to this additional monitoring station would be established at the reef slope (channel entrance) to determine the changes to this habitat by sediment deposition transported through the reef access channel. 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 consequences. Furthermore the public and community consultation responses were in favour of the project due to the socio-economic benefits.