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Technical Report
Environmental impact assessment : for the proposed Eastern channel construction at Kaashidhoo Island, Kaafu Atoll
(2018-03-01) Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure
This document is submitted to the Environment Protection Agency, by the proponent to fulfil the requirement of an EIA under the Environmental Protection and Preservation Act (EPPA) of the Maldives (4/93). This report provides the background to the proposed project components as well as an assessment of their likely environmental and social impacts, both beneficial and adverse. The proposed enhancement and mitigation measures are outlined where necessary together with an environment management plan and a monitoring programme. The proponent of this project is Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure. This project proposes to create a new entrance channel to provide a safer access to Kaashidhoo Island, Kaafu Atoll. At present, vessels entering Kaashidoo uses the entrance channel on the western side of the island, which has safety concerns due to rough conditions during the SW monsoon. Upon request by the Kaashidhoo community, to provide safer access to the island during the South West Monsoon, this project proposes to create an entrance channel from the reef edge of the northern side of the lagoon. The resulting dredge waste is to be stockpiled on the side of the harbour after reclaiming a small area. The project also includes installation of navigational lights to improve the integrity and usability of the overall harbour infrastructure. Project activities will be in conformance to the laws and regulations of the Maldives, and relevant international conventions that Maldives is party to. The key laws and regulations applicable to this project are: Environmental Protection and Preservation Act, Environmental Impact Assessment Regulation 2012, Dredging and Reclamation Regulation, Waste Management Regulation 2013, and the Environmental Liability Regulation. The assessment shows that the proposed development involves major impacts on the marine environment particularly temporary loss of benthic organisms, and potential changes to coastal hydrodynamics and beach stability. Key mitigation measures for the construction stage include undertake construction works during calm weather conditions as much as possible particularly when wave activity is calmer, and carrying out the activities in as short a time period as possible to allow normal conditions to reestablish in the area as soon as possible. Operational stage impacts are limited to potential erosion arising from changes to the coastal hydrodynamics. The changes to the beach will likely occur as the new beach system tries to achieve equilibrium with the changed coastal conditions. However as it is not possible to determine beforehand whether this will occur, no specific erosion prevention measures are proposed but appropriate action will be decided after monitoring the changes. The alternatives were evaluated for the project but the current designs and methods have been preferred due to the significant advantages that the proposed design has over alternatives. The alternative options for disposing sand were explored but a combination of land reclamation and stockpiling was recommended as stockpiling it provided the maximum long-term benefits to the community from dredge waste. The Island Council wanted to undertake beach replenishment on the western end “tourist beach” and two sites have been evaluated in the EIA. However, MHI reports that there aren’t enough funds for such an activity. Silt screens were considered as an alternative sedimentation control measure. However given the small size of the project area, the use of the proposed bund walls is preferred as it is more financially feasible. Monitoring of the project is crucial particularly the changes to hydrodynamics, shoreline, water quality, and lagoon benthos recovery. Particular attention should be given to monitor the erosion patterns along the shoreline of Kaashidhoo. The management plan for this project is designed to produce a framework for anticipated impacts, including practicable and achievable performance requirements and systems for monitoring, reporting and implementing corrective actions. In addition provide evidence of compliance to legislation, policies, guidelines and requirements of relevant authorities. In conclusion, the project provides significant socio-economic benefits for the local community
Technical Report
Environmental impact assessment : for the proposed reclamation of 15 hectares at Meedhoo island, Dhaalu Atoll, Maldives
(2013-05-01) Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure
This report discusses the findings of a social and environmental impact study undertaken by Water Solutions Pvt. Ltd. upon request from Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure. The project involves reclamation of 51 hectares in Meedhoo island, Dhaal Atoll. The project aims to increase the available land space in Meedhoo island, mostly to address the housing and industrial needs of the community. This EIA report discusses the findings of the reclamation project. The project is proposed by Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure. One of the biggest development challenge facing Meedhoo island is lack of space for further development. Reclamation is a realistic need for the island as the island is presently saturated with no additional land for housing plots nor industrial activities. The present population of the island is roughly 1296 of which 706 re males and 590 are females. The island council has got more than 294 applications for new housing plots as existing houses are overcrowded and too many families having to live in the same house is creating social and health issues. Due to lack of space, most of the houses have now been constructed to at least two or more storey’s. Unfortunately, the island council is unable to allocate new housing plots due to lack of space. Fifteen (15) hectares will therefore be reclaimed from the north, south east and east side of the existing island that would be developed and zoned for both residential and commercial use. Reclamation is therefore a serious necessity for the people of Meedhoo. Environmental impacts were assessed and most of the environmental impacts of the project have been identified as resulting from the dredging and reclamation works. Dredging and reclamation projects constitute significant amount of sedimentation and it is the biggest threat to the marine environment. Mitigation measures for the negative impacts have been identified and outlined in detail, and sedimentation control methods have been specifically focused due to its seriousness. The most important mitigation measure is the use of bund walls in the fill areas to contain sedimentation of the remainder of the reef or at least minimize it significantly. The proposed mitigation measures will have to be followed in order to minimize environmental damage. The measures proposed to minimize or mitigate environmental impacts may be considered to be quite appropriate, thereby minimizing the impact by about 90%. The main negative environmental impact of the proposed project would be sedimentation and destruction of the lagoon and some areas of the reef, which will cause death of corals in the direct impact zone and partial death of corals in other areas. A coastal protection method and extents have also been suggested in the EIA in order to protect the shoreline. The project is mainly driven by the social and economic gain for the development of Meedhoo island through benefits achieved from increased land. Stakeholder consultations were held with various groups, including the island council and the client in order to incorporate the socio-economic components in the project. Stakeholders, most importantly the island community represented by the Island council was the most significant as they have the maximum knowledge and experience from the daily difficulties faced and issues of the island. On a daily basis, the council receives request / complains from the general public on various issues and these have been incorporated in the report. It is inevitable that there would be a lot of negative environmental impacts of this project. However, balancing these negative impacts and the socioeconomic benefits gained is something that is very difficult. As a result, a comprehensive monitoring component has been suggested which takes in to consideration, the most important elements that require monitoring, most importantly a mechanism and means to measure and value the social benefit of the project. This monitoring component will be adhered and will allow the assessment of long term changes, despite the potential negative impacts. As the socioeconomic impacts are going to be felt in the long term, monitoring these changes is very essential. The reclamation of Meedhoo does pose significant threat to the marine environment as a large area of the reef will be destroyed. There will also be direct and indirect damage to corals in the vicinity of the project site. Nevertheless, this project will benefit the community significantly through increased availability of land for housing and commercial activities. The limited space available for reclamation in Meedhoo is something that has its long term impacts. With the implementation of this project, the entire reef system will fully be saturated and there will not be any opportunities for further reclamation. While this is the long term outlook, the area available for expansion on the other is very limited and although there are advantages, the project does pose serious questions about the future development of the island. The additional land created will provide a temporary solution for housing and other commercial activities, but for a limited period. The government in collaboration with the Island council therefore needs to develop a practical master plan to utilize the additional land in a way to sustain a balance between development and land use. Land use planning should consider the housing needs for the future generation as well as balance with economic and recreational facilities. These are questions that need to be answered as otherwise, the reclaimed land will be fully saturated within a matter of few years
Technical Report
Environmental impact assessment : for the proposed reclamation of 25 hectares at Guraidhoo island, Thaa Atoll, Maldives
(2013-05-01) Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure
This report discusses the findings of a social and environmental impact study undertaken by Water Solutions Pvt. Ltd. upon request from Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure. The project involves reclamation of 25 hectares in Guraidhoo island, Thaa Atoll. The project aims to increase the available land space in Guraidhoo island, mostly to address the housing and industrial needs of the community. This EIA report discusses the findings of the reclamation project. The project is proposed by Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure. One of the biggest development challenge facing Guraidhoo island is lack of space for further development. Reclamation is a realistic need for the island as the island is presently saturated with no additional land for housing plots nor industrial activities. The present island is a combination of Guraidhoo and a small uninhabited island on the north of Guraidhoo, which was joined through reclamation. This union was the result of the harbour construction project which reclaimed the shallow lagoon between the two islands. Today, the northern part, which used to be a separate island is used for industrial use, mostly fish processing. The present population of the island is roughly 1980 (Thaa Atoll Guraidhoo Island Council) of which 1012 are males and 968 are females. The island council has got more than 200 applications for new housing plots as existing houses are overcrowded and too many families having to live in the same house is creating social and health issues. Twenty five (25) hectares will therefore be reclaimed from the south side of the existing island that would be developed and zoned for both residential and commercial use. Environmental impacts were assessed and most of the environmental impacts of the project have been identified as resulting from the dredging and reclamation works. Dredging and reclamation projects constitute significant amount of sedimentation and it is the biggest threat to the marine environment. Mitigation measures for the negative impacts have been identified and outlined in detail, and sedimentation control methods have been specifically focused due to its seriousness. The most important mitigation measure is the use of bund walls in the fill areas to contain sedimentation of the remainder of the reef or at least minimize it significantly. The proposed mitigation measures will have to be followed in order to minimize environmental damage. The measures proposed to minimize or mitigate environmental impacts may be considered to be quite appropriate, thereby minimizing the impact by about 90%. The main negative environmental impact of the proposed project would be sedimentation and destruction of the lagoon and some areas of the reef, which will cause death of corals in the direct impact zone and partial death of corals in other areas. A coastal protection method and extents have also been suggested in the EIA in order to protect the shoreline. The project is mainly driven by the social and economic gain for the development of Guraidhoo island through benefits achieved from increased land. The reclamation will also bring a short term solution to the chronic erosion on the south and southern tip of the island. This area is undergoing severe erosion and annually, the loss of land is something that has not been tackled properly. The reclamation of the south with adequate protection will bring an end to this and protect the island’s infrastructure, mainly houses close to the coastline. Stakeholder consultations were held with various groups, including the island council and the client in order to incorporate the socio-economic components in the project. Stakeholders, most importantly the island community represented by the Island council was the most significant as they have the maximum knowledge and experience from the daily difficulties faced and issues of the island. On a daily basis, the council receives request / complains from the general public on various issues and these have been incorporated in the report. It is inevitable that there would be a lot of negative environmental impacts of this project. However, balancing these negative impacts and the socioeconomic benefits gained is something that is very difficult. As a result, a comprehensive monitoring component has been suggested which takes in to consideration, the most important elements that require monitoring, most importantly a mechanism and means to measure and value the social benefit of the project. This monitoring component will be adhered and will allow the assessment of long term changes, despite the potential negative impacts. As the socioeconomic impacts are going to be felt in the long term, monitoring these changes is very essential. The reclamation of Guraidhoo does pose significant threat to the marine environment as a large area of the reef will be destroyed. There will also be direct and indirect damage to corals in the vicinity of the project site. Nevertheless, this project will benefit the community significantly through increased availability of land for housing and commercial activities. The additional land created will provide a temporary solution for housing and other commercial activities, but for a limited period. The end result and the real benefit of this project can be achieved through developing a realistic and more future oriented land use
Technical Report
Environmental impact assessment : for the proposed reclamation of 25.79 hectares at Eydhafushi island, Baa Atoll, Maldives
(2013-07-01) Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure
This report discusses the findings of a social and environmental impact study undertaken by Water Solutions Pvt. Ltd. upon request from Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure. The project involves reclamation of 25.79 hectares in Eydhafushi island, Baa Atoll. The project aims to increase the available land space in Eydhafushi island, mostly to address the housing needs of the community. This EIA report discusses the findings of the reclamation project. The project is proposed by Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure. One of the biggest development challenges facing Eydhafushi island is lack of space for further development. Reclamation is a realistic need for the island as the island is presently saturated with no additional land for housing plots nor industrial activities. The present population of the island is roughly 3190 (Eydhafushi Island Council, 2013). The island council has got more than 400 applications for new housing plots. None of these applications can be processed at present. Existinghouses are overcrowded and too many families having to live in the same house is creating social and health issues. Due to lack of space, quite a number of houses have now been constructed to at least two or more storey’s. Unfortunately, the island council is unable to allocate new housing plots due to lack of space. Twenty five (25.79) hectares will therefore be reclaimed from the south and south east side of the existing island that would be developed and zoned for both residential and commercial use. Reclamation is therefore a serious necessity for the people of Eydhafushi. Environmental impacts were assessed and most of the environmental impacts of the project have been identified as resulting from the dredging and reclamation works. Dredging and reclamation projects constitute significant amount of sedimentation and it is the biggest threat to the marine environment. Mitigation measures for the negative impacts have been identified and outlined in detail, and sedimentation control methods have been specifically focused due to its seriousness. The most important mitigation measure is the use of bund walls in the fill areas to contain sedimentation of the remainder of the reef or at least minimize it significantly. The proposed mitigation measures will have to be followed in order to minimize environmental damage. The measures proposed to minimize or mitigate environmental impacts may be considered to be quite appropriate, thereby minimizing the impact by about 90%. The main negative environmental impact of the proposed project would be sedimentation and destruction of the lagoon and a large area of the reef, which will cause death of corals in the direct impact zone and partial death of corals in other areas. A coastal protection method and extents have also been suggested in the EIA in order to protect the shoreline. The project is mainly driven by the social and economic gain for the development of Eydhafushi island through benefits achieved from increased land. The project is also expected to affect the house reef of Sonevafushi indirectly through sedimentation. Stakeholder consultations were held with various groups, including the island council and the client in order to incorporate the socio-economic components in the project. Stakeholders, most importantly the island community represented by the Island council was the most significant as they have the maximum knowledge and experience from the daily difficulties faced and issues of the island. On a daily basis, the council receives request / complains from the general public on various issues and these have been incorporated in the report. Discussion and information were given to the management of Sonevafushi resort regarding the project and their concerns and views were also incorporated in the stakeholder consultations. The project would have a lot of negative environmental impacts. However,balancing these negative impacts and the socioeconomic benefits gained is something that is very difficult to measure. As a result, a comprehensive monitoring component has been suggested which takes in to consideration, the most important elements that require monitoring, most importantly a mechanism and means to measure and value the social benefit of the project. This monitoring component will be adhered and will allow the assessment of long term changes, despite the potential negative impacts. As the socio-economic impacts are going to be felt in the long term, monitoring these changes is very essential. The reclamation of Eydhafushi does pose significant threats to the marine environment as a large area of the reef will be destroyed. The project also pose some challenges to the environment and operation of the nearby resort, Sonevafushi. There will be direct and indirect damage to corals in the vicinity of the project site as well as indirect sedimentation impacts to the neighbouring resort, Sonevafushi. Despite these negative impacts, this project will benefit the community of Eydhafushi significantly through increased availability of land for housing and commercial activities. The limited space available for reclamation in Eydhafushi is something that has its long term impacts. With the implementation of this project, the entire reef system will fully besaturated and there will not be any opportunities for further reclamation. While this is the long term outlook, the area available for expansion on the other is very limited and although there are advantages, the project does pose serious questions about the future development of the island. The additional land created will provide a temporary solution for housing and other commercial activities, but for a limited period. Unless this land is utilized in the most efficient way, the benefits will not last long. The government in collaboration with the Island council therefore needs to develop a practical master plan to utilize the additional land in a way to sustain a balance between development and land use. Land use planning should consider the housing needs for the future generation as well as balance with economic and recreational facilities. These are questions that need to be answered as otherwise; the reclaimed land will be fully saturated within a matter of few years