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Technical Report
Addendum III to environmental impact assessment for the development of a 140 rooms tourist resort on Lh. Kanifushi
(2010-01-01) Systems Engineering and Marine Consulting
Lh. Kanifushi was awarded to be developed as a tourist resort to Mohamed Nasheed. Initially to be developed by One and Half Degree Pvt. Ltd., an EIA as well as two addenda were submitted to get approval to start with the construction. A number of issues presented in that report are still relevant at present and the bulk of the information is available in the main EIA report. The authorization was granted through decision note (88-ES / MIS / 2007/ 41) which was partly carried out. In a later development, Kanifushi Investment Pvt. Ltd will be taking over and proposes a number of changes to be brought about in the site plans and was asked by the Ministry of Tourism (88-DS / NI – KAN / 2010 / 1 0) to submit an environment assessment of the changes brought about. This assessment is the subject of the present addendum. The major differences brought about are listed below: • Channel entrance and breakwaters • Harbor basin • Beach replenishment and coastal structures for erosion control • Shape of water villa jetty • Building on the western part of Lh. Kanifushi • Building on the Eastern part of Lh. Kanifushi • Positioning of the water bungalows on the northern shore exclusively • Building of the spa and food and beverage outlets on the southern side of the island The present addendum first presents the changes brought about in the design, followed by a discussion on the environmental consequences of these changes. Appropriate mitigation measures are presented together with alternative options. A summary table giving the pros and cons of the changes is given before concluding on the environmental appropriateness of the changes.
Technical Report
Addendum III to environmental impact assessment for the development of a 200 bed tourist hotel on G. Dh. Magudhdhuvaa
(2010-09-01) Systems Engineering and Marine Consulting
Since the beginning of the construction phase of the 200 bed resort project by Ahmet Aydeniz Pvt. Ltd. authorized by the MHTE (MEEW at the time) through a decision note (88-ES/NIMAG/ 2008/3), a number of issues have arose and a number of changes in the site plan have been made. Since some of these have an implication in terms of environmental impacts, MTDC, Ahmet Aydeniz Pvt. Ltd. and the environmental consultant were notified during a meeting with EPA that an amendment to the initial EIA should be submitted to get an authorization for these new developments. The present addendum is the third for this project, and deals with three major issues: - Due to a mis-location in the opening of the reef for the unloading area during construction works, the harbor shape has to be changed slightly to avoid a second opening in the reef crest on the eastern side - 13 additional bungalows have been granted by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, and located on the eastern side of the island - The jetty on the northern side of the island will be enlarged to allow for a refreshment area The present addendum III first presents the changes brought about in the design, followed by a discussion on the environmental consequences of these changes. A summary table giving the pros and cons of the changes is finally given before concluding on the environmental appropriateness of the changes.
Technical Report
Addendum IV to development of a 190 rooms tourist resort on Lh. Kanifushi
(2011-06) Systems Engineering and Marine Consulting
Lh.Kanifushi was awarded to be developed as a tourist resort to Mohamed Nasheed. Initially to be developed by One and Half Degree Pvt. Ltd., and an EIA was submitted and approved. In a later development, Kanifushi Investment Pvt. Ltd took over and proposed a number of changes to be brought about in the site plans and submitted a new addendum, addendum III was submitted to get approval to start with the construction. Seamarc was the consultant for the initial EIA as well as the three addenda which were submitted afterwards. A number of issues presented in the different reports are still relevant at present and the bulk of the information is available in the main EIA report. The initial authorization was granted through decision note (88-ES / MIS / 2007/ 41) and the latest changes through decision note (88- DS / NI - KAN / 2010/ 30) which was partly carried out. The present addendum is necessary as Kanifushi Investment Pvt. Ltd. has obtained from the Ministry of Tourism the authorization to build 50 extra rooms in total provided the built up area remains within the regulations. The major differences brought about are listed below: • Change in the water jetty design and building of an additional 30 bungalows. • Additional 20 bungalows on the northern coastline of the island. The present addendum first presents the changes brought about in the design, followed by a discussion on the environmental consequences of these changes. Appropriate mitigation measures are presented together with alternative options. A summary table giving the pros and cons of the changes is given before concluding on the environmental appropriateness of the changes.
Technical Report
Addendum V to environmental impact assessment for the development of a 200 bed tourist hotel on G. Dh. Magudhdhuvaa
(2011-10) Systems Engineering and Marine Consulting
An Environment Impact Assessment on the construction of a tourist resort on Magudhdhuvaa was submitted in 2008. After a review meeting with the Ministry of Transport and Environment, a first addendum to the EIA was submitted outlining the necessary clarifications. The EIA was approved, authorizing the proposed development. Several alterations were made to the layout after the initial designs were submitted and approved, and a second addendum was required to validate these alterations. The development of the resort commenced following the approval of the second addendum. However several alterations were made after the second addendum and a third was submitted and approved. A fourth addendum, regarding new developments, has been recently submitted for review by the Environmental Protection Agency. Now, Ahmet Aydeniz Maldives Pvt. Ltd. wishes to develop a protection wall in the harbour in addition to the developments authorized as per the decision notes (88‐ES/NI‐MAG/2008/3, 88‐DS/NI‐MAG/2010/10 and 88‐ES/NI‐MAG/2011/03) issued following the evaluation of the EIA and the previous addendums. The present addendum V first presents the changes brought by this structure about in the design, followed by a discussion on the environmental consequences of these changes. A summary table giving the pros and cons of the changes is finally given before concluding on the environmental appropriateness of the changes.
Technical Report
Environmental impact assessment : coral frame project at Makunufushi, Kaafu Atoll
(2013-04) Systems Engineering and Marine Consulting
The potential environmental impacts of the development of a coral propagation project on the island of Makunufushi operated by Cocoa Island Resort are assessed. The assessment exposes the solutions and preferred alternatives as well as mitigation measures to minimize any negative impacts whilst trying to derive the maximum positive impacts from the project. 2. It is important to be proactive in reef restoration. Therefore, the resort management wishes to enhance the aesthetic and recreational value of the property by propagating corals using a technique already demonstrated in the Maldives, the coral frames. 3. The coral frames will be deployed in the vilu, near the two northern jetties between 1 and 10 m depth and along the south-western jetty at about 2 m depth. Coral fragments will be attached by a marine biologist and these small fragments will develop into full colonies within a few years. Coral fragments from the house reef will provide a small number of fragments and the mother colonies will heal rapidly. Preference will be given to damaged colonies. 2000 frames of 1 m2 will be initially deployed, and after the first batch, the existing frames will provide fragments for transplantation in the future. The project will start as soon as approval is granted, and as this is a long term project, it could span several years before completion. 4. Makunufushi is a 620 m long island located on the south western part of the reef. The northern side of the reef is protected inside the lagoon, whereas the southern side is located in Kandooma Kandu, a major channel into the South Male’ Atoll. 5. In Kandooma Kandu, the strong current is incoming or outgoing depending on the tides. The diffracted waves from the oceanic swell reach the southern coast of the island and also the northern coast from a north-east direction. The wind waves lead to an extension of the eastern tip during the south-west monsoon and of the western tip during the north-east monsoon. 6. Photographic transects were used to assess the benthic cover of 10 sites, where 10 pictures in each transect is analyzed using 25 point randomly chosen to obtain quantitative substrate cover data of morphological characteristics of the reef community. The dominant substrate was rock (52.72±12.62%) followed by live coral (21.6±6.61%) and rubble (17.04±8.99%). The coral cover was significantly higher on the north side than on the southern part of the reef flat (27.0±7.30% vs 5.80±1.93%) and on the slope at 20 m (24.8±8.81% vs 2.4±5.54%). Furthermore, Acropora sp. seemed to dominate the northern reef (between 45 and 95% of relative coral cover) whereas Coral encrusting is the major coral category at south (between 48 and 64% of relative coral cover). 7. For the fish community survey, data was collected using the methodology outlined by FishWatch Maldives, where 3 x 15 minute fish counts were made at each site. Surveys were carried out at 4 sites. Thirty nine of the 76 FishWatch target species were recorded among 15 families. The species on the target list with the greatest density were as follows: Lutjanus gibbus (33.17%), Zanclus cornutus (8.35%) and Chaetodon collare (6.14%). On the northern side, Chaetodontidae (25%) and Serranidae (23%) were the most abundant families, whereas it was Lutjanidae (56%) and Chaetodontidae (15%) on the southern reef. 8. Disturbance to the sea bed will be minimal as coral frames will mostly be installed on a rocky substrate and will be elevated 6 feet. Coral frames are made of 12mm thin iron bars, which creates very little drag for water flow. 9. It has been noticed that coral frames attract and recruit a lot of fish life and increases the complexity of the reef. It is anticipated that this will also be the case in Makunufushi, the area eventually developing into a more productive reef. This work will directly improve the aesthetics and the reef complexity of the area, which will also improve the recreational value of the resort. 10. To avoid the loss of biodiversity among corals, a wide array of species will be tried out. The project will focus on Acropora sp. as it represents the most dominant coral family in the Maldives, but other families will also be transplanted such as Pocillopora sp., Psammocora sp. and Echinopora sp.. 11. If frames are not transplanted or pruned properly or the location is unsuitable, corals may die, though in majority of the previous projects, this has not been encountered, and the result has been found to be very positive. As possible death of fragments and donor colonies are the only problem that need to be mitigated, if necessary, they will both be monitored as part of the study. When choosing donors, priority will be given to those corals that have already been damaged by natural or anthropological activities, and eventually the corals grown on the frames will be used to provide fragments. 12. The do nothing scenario will probably lead to more decrease in coral cover, and the aesthetics of the reef will not improve. The resort may also lose some of its public relations benefits as they will not be seen as being proactive in its environmental restoration.
Technical Report
Environmental impact assessment for coastal works at Four Seasons Resort, Landaa Giraavaru, B. Atoll
(2010-12) Systems Engineering and Marine Consulting
The present report assesses the potential environmental impacts associated with the construction of headlands to prevent coastline erosion on the northern shoreline, an offshore breakwater about 30m from the shoreline and construction of an overwater bar on the northern side of the island and beach replenishment of the northern shoreline at B. Landaa Giraavaru.The island of Landaa Giraavaru has historically been eroding (Figure 2). During the construction phase, whilst the coastal works were being conducted, sand movement was hindered, and as a result a large amount of sand was retained on the south-eastern tip of the island. This caused sand depletion on the northern side, speeding up the erosion process that was already taking place naturally. The area under study near the restaurant and swimming pool is an important recreational area for the guests, although it is rarely used for snorkelling or bathing as it does not offer the most favourable conditions. In particular, the important exposed beach rock in this area makes sea access difficult for the snorkelers or swimmers. The eroding coastline exhibits numerous fallen trees and the water is murky as a result of the suspension of top soil in the water column in the near shore area.It is proposed to build some coastal structures, typically headlands and revetments, to retain the sand on the northern shore and replenish the beach using some material from the lagoon area. Three borrow areas are highlighted in the present proposal. To further maintain the coast, some offshore structures are proposed to break the coming waves as well as create habitat for lobsters.In addition, the management has decided on the construction of a new food and beverage outlet in the form of an overwater bar which will be located near the swimming pool area where the grill restaurant, Fuego is already present. Finally, the island is in constant need of sand to maintain the roads after heavy rains in particular. Some sand was previously collected from the accreting eastern side. This was particularly convenient as the pipes under the jetty were often getting buried, which was an operational nuisance. The present report therefore advises to continue with this practice.
Technical Report
Environmental impact assessment for coastal works at G. Dh. Maguhdhdhuva
(2010-08-01) Systems Engineering and Marine Consulting
Technical Report
Environmental impact assessment for coastal works at Reethi Beach Resort
(2010-07-01) Systems Engineering and Marine Consulting
Reethi Beach Resort has experienced erosion since year 2000, and several dispositions have been taken over the year to maintain the beach and the threatened structures. Erosion is significant on the southern tip of the island, even though it was noticed that different places are subject to erosion during the year. A number of reports have already been submitted over the years describing the situation. This report mainly assesses the potential environmental impacts associated with the new coastal developments of the resort on the island of B. Fonimagoodhoo (Reethi Beach Resort).
Technical Report
Environmental impact assessment for new developments in Four Seasons Resort, Kuda Huraa and Bodu Huraa
(2011-03) Systems Engineering and Marine Consulting
The present EIA concerns part of the new developments which will be taking place at the Four Seasons at Kuda Huraa and K. Bodu Huraa. The parts presented concern the operational part of the resort, in particular a tennis court, as well as the changes being brought to the access channel between Kuda Huraa and Bodu Huraa. A number of structures will infringe on the marine environment, in particular, the development of the tennis court as it will be built on reclaimed land from Bodu Huraa In addition, some deepening works will be carried out in the lagoon area to enable a create an improved swimming area on the western side, as well as easier boat movement to the arrival jetty and service area of the resort.Four Seasons operates two resorts in the Maldives. Kuda Huraa is the first property which was operated by Four Seasons in the Maldives. Landaa Giraavaru is a more modern resort on a larger island in Baa Atoll. To improve the standing of Kuda Huraa, some investments have been decided upon. This includes in particular a tennis court in Bodu Huraa, widening of the channel in between Kuda Huraa and Bodu Huraa, creation of a bathing area on the western side, with more practical and spacious amenities and making better use of the scarce land available. Overall, it is expected that the resort will become more attractive to both repeater guests and new guests looking for a luxurious experience in the Maldives. With the present development both the developer and operator hope to maintain the property among the top Maldivian properties.
Technical Report
Environmental impact assessment for the coastal maintenance works for Holiday Inn in K. Kandooma
(2011-12) Systems Engineering and Marine Consulting
The present report is the Environmental Impact Assessment (EAI) regarding the coastal maintenance works of the Holidays Inn resort, located on Kandoomafushi, South Male’ Atoll, as the Environmental Protection and Preservation Act of Maldives (Law No. 4/93, article 5a) and the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulation 2007 require such an assessment study before implementation of any activity that may have a significant impact on the environment. The Holiday Inn Resort has been facing coastal problems since its opening in 2009. The island is regularly subject to waves, and the large and strong waves that hit the island on 22nd of July 2010 caused important damages. Thus, different works have to be carried out in order to maintain and reinforce the integrity of the coastal protection structures: 1. Maintain and reinforce the gabion structures on the eastern and northern sides 2. Raise the existing gabion wall structure to increase protection on the eastern side 3. Reinforce the gabion wall structure to prevent beach erosion in the channel 4. Re-design the southern protection structure to improve the coastal protection 5. Install geo-tubes to prevent beach erosion in front of the restaurant 6. Pump sand to refill the beaches The main potential identified environmental impacts associated with the new developments in Kandooma are mainly construction impacts, in relation with the use of machinery (smell and noise disturbances, oil spillage risks, green house gas emission) and with the construction works themselves (temporary rise in turbidity and modification or damages to the seabed). However, the survey that was conducted in Kandooma, on 20th and 21st August 2011, showed that the construction areas are not very sensitive to these works as there are almost no living corals there. Moreover, it is expected that the works will improve the coastal protection of the island and provide better environment for the guests (wider beaches, less disturbances from waves on the shores, a small new planted island). A monitoring plan has been proposed in order to assess the impact of the works as well as to collect regular data regarding the shoreline and the erosion process over the years. Stakeholders have been consulted, particularly the council of Guraidhoo, which have been informed of the proposed works. They didn’t express objections to the project but they don’t want Holiday Inn to implement any work without prior approval from government, especially regarding the sand pumping. Holiday Inn agreed with their demands.
Technical Report
Environmental impact assessment for the construction of additions at B. Landaa Giraavaru
(2014-03) Systems Engineering and Marine Consulting
The potential environmental impacts associated with the construction of Additions at Landaa Giraavaru are assessed in the present report. Landaa Giraavaru Resort is looking to upgrade its facilities with a wedding pavilion, a new line employee block and an upper floor at the management block. The wedding pavilion is required in order to provide a response to the existing tourist demand of celebrating nuptials in a separate and intimate environment. The staff buildings are required to accommodate the increasing number of employees. In order to meet the highest standards, the wedding pavilion has been designed as an overwater structure, not connected to land. Landaa Giraavaru has been developed since 2004 by Landaa Giraavaru Pvt. Ltd. as a tourist resort and is operated by Four Seasons. The proponent contracted Seamarc Pvt. Ltd. to carry out the survey and environmental impact assessment for the current project. The assessment analyses the environmental conditions at the site with regard to the proposed activities, in order to forecast the impacts. It then proposes solutions, alternatives and mitigation measures to minimize negative impacts and maximize benefits from the project. Main equipment to be used is a floating barge, concrete mixer, excavators and general construction tools operated by the resort engineering department. The present development follows the legislation, plans, policies, guidelines and international conventions outlined by the Environmental Protection and Preservation Act (EPPA) of the Maldives and the Maldives Tourism Act of Maldives. There are many stakeholders that can affect and be affected by the development projects. The project proponent has a duty to conserve the environment and the environmental consultants play a major role in informed decision making and communication of information. The MOT, MEE and EPA are responsible to implement the EIA process. Impacts to the environment are divided into two. Impacts during construction - physical and indirect impacts are predicted using survey results and past experiences - and impacts during operations-. Limitations in impact prediction are possible. Significant impacts assessed include: disturbance of sea bed, modification of the hydrodynamic regime, loss of habitats and vegetation, sedimentation due to sediment plume, noise, smell and other disturbances to habitats as well as greenhouse gas emissions.The no-project scenario will lead to the lack of updated facilities for the resort’s operation. Alternatives to the proposed project has been studied -including different locations of the buildingsfinding many disadvantages. Mitigation measures will be adopted for each of the impacts mentioned. Monitoring to determine the efficiency of the mitigation measures and environmental impact monitoring will be carried out under the supervision of environmental consultants.
Technical Report
Environmental impact assessment for the dry fish processing plant in G. Dh. Thinadhoo
(2010-09-01) Systems Engineering and Marine Consulting
Technical Report
Environmental impact assessment for the partial renovation and upgrading works of Six Senses Laamu, L. Olhuveli
(2014-05) Systems Engineering and Marine Consulting
1. The present report is the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) regarding the partial renovation and upgrading works projected on Olhuveli Island in Laamu Atoll. The report has been developed in compliance with the Environmental Protection and Preservation Act of Maldives (Law No. 4/93, article 5a) and the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulation 2012 requiring such an assessment study before implementation of any activity that may have a significant impact on the environment. The assessment exposes the solutions and preferred alternatives as well as mitigation measures to minimize any negative impacts whilst trying to derive the maximum positive impacts from the project. 2. Laamu Six Senses is looking to upgrade its facilities with some modifications over the current building scheme. Essentially the upgrade is required in order to diversify the current facilities looking forward to meet the existing tourist demand. 3. The present EIA is assessing the construction of improvements in several villas at the resort with the construction of swimming pools and minor modifications. 4. Olhuveli is located on the southern part of Laamu atoll. The fact of being placed in the southern rim of the atoll implies that the island is exposed to strong swell wave interaction all year around, whether it is NE or SW monsoon. 5. 6 photographic transects were used to assess the benthic cover of 6 sites. Each picture was analysed using 25 point grids to obtain quantitative substrate cover data of morphological characteristics of the reef community. The main substrate encountered on the hard substrate reef of L. Olhuveli was rock with 45.40±7.87%. On the northern side of the house reef live coral cover is slightly superior, varying between 30% and 50.4%. On the south side, live coral cover varies between 39.6% and 29.6%. 6. For the fish community survey, data was collected using the methodology outlined by FishWatch Maldives, where 3 x 15 minute fish counts were carried out at each site. Surveyed area is a band of 2.5m on either side of the recorder and 5m up the water column. Surveys were carried out at 3 different depths (5, 10 and 20 meters) on 2 different sites. 39 of the 76 FishWatch target species were recorded among 17 families. Surprisingly no large schools of fish were observed. At the family level, the Chaetodontidae were the most abundant (28.15%) followed by the Serranidae (26.29%). 11 out of the 16 species of Serranidae were represented in this survey, which would be considered as a diverse collection from this family. At the species level, species on the target list with the greatest density were Chaetodon auriga (11.88%) and Zanclus cornutus (10.63%). 7. The main potential environmental impacts identified associated with the new structures are construction impacts, in relation to the construction works themselves (loss of habitat, temporary rise in turbidity and modification or damages to the seabed through direct physical damage). 8. A monitoring plan has been proposed in order to assess the impact of the works over the years and long term changes to the environmental conditions. The plan will aid in implementing mitigation measures during construction and operation of the project. 9. The no-project scenario will lead to the lack of updated facilities for the resort’s operation. 10. Alternatives to the proposed project have been studied -including different locations of the buildingsfinding many disadvantages. 11. Mitigation measures will be adopted for each of the impacts mentioned. 12. Monitoring to determine the efficiency of the mitigation measures and environmental impact monitoring will be carried out under the supervision of environmental consultants.
Technical Report
Environmental monitoring for Adaraan Meedhupparu, R. Meedhupparu
(2014-03) Systems Engineering and Marine Consulting
This environmental monitoring reviews the condition of the environment of Meedhupparu after the implementation of the Coastal Works in year 2012. The natural environment is described, assessed and compared to data from previous years. The bathymetry of the west coast was analysed and comparison drawn between the baseline and post work situation. The data accumulated since 2012 on the substrates around Meedhupparu were gathered and compared. Among all the sites rock has always been the primary substrate, (from 66.40 to 77.20%) followed by rubble (from 9.60 to 18.80%) and sand (from 1.20 to 11.60%). Coral was the fourth substrate varying between 4 and 11.60%. The evolution of the coral cover during 2012 to 2014 was assessed in selected zones. Since 2012, the general trend for sites on the west coast was of no change showing almost the same averaged coral cover.
Technical Report
Initial environmental examination for a coral frame project
(2010-07) Systems Engineering and Marine Consulting
The potential environmental impacts of the development of a coral propagation project on the island of H.A. Manafaru are assessed. Manafaru is leased to Beach House Maldives and is operated by the Waldorf Astoria collection of the Hilton group. The assessment exposes the solutions and preferred alternatives as well as mitigation measures to minimize any negative impacts whilst trying to derive the maximum positive impacts from the project. Manafaru has very little coral cover after being degraded by the 1998 bleaching event. As it is important to be proactive in reef restoration, the resort management wishes to enhance the value of the island by propagating corals using the coral frame technique. The frames will be installed near the water villas and sparsely on the house reef. Coral fragments will be attached by a marine biologist and will develop into full colonies within a few years. Coral fragments from the house reef will provide a small number of fragments and will heal rapidly. Preference will be given to damaged colonies. 136 frames of 1m2 will be initially deployed, and after the first batch, the existing frames will provide fragments for transplantation. The project will start as soon as approval is granted, and as this is a long term project, it could span several years before completion. The island of Manafaru is located inside the northernmost atoll of the Maldives, and is subject to high winds and warming waters, which may be a cause of low coral survival. As the island is located in the middle of the atoll, the waves reaching its shores are diffraction of swells, and wind waves. As the energy encountered are of second magnitude, and the reef does not form a proper crest, the waves reach the island with less obstruction than most areas. Sand displacement depends on the predominant influence during different monsoons, forming a bulging beach rather than a sand tip.