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Item Environmental impact assessment for construction and development of water supply system at Dhangethi, Adh. Atoll(2016-12) Land and Marine Environmental Resources GroupThe non-technical summary outlines the findings of the Environmental Impact Assessment of the construction and development of a freshwater production and distribution system at ADh. Dhangethi. The proponent of this project is the Ministry of Environment and Energy and total estimated cost of the project is MRF 17 million. To meet the water supply demand and to provide a quality treated water RO desalination with rainwater collection scheme is proposed for the island. The project involves the setup of a RO plant facility with two RO plants each with a capacity of producing 60m3 of freshwater per day One RO plant will be operational at anyone time while the remaining plant will be kept as a backup. Rainwater will be collected from the public buildings which will go through separate treatments before being mixed with RO desalinated water. Key impacts, mitigation measures and alternatives Impacts on the environment from various activities of the project development work (constructional impacts) and operational impacts have been identified through interviews with the Project management team, field data collection and surveys and are also based on past experience of consultant in similar projects. Impacts were analysed for their significance with the aid of a Leopold Matrix. In any development project, major direct impacts to the environment occur mainly during the construction phase. Potential direct or indirect impacts on the environment from the proposed project include: Minor to moderate impacts to the groundwater resource during drilling and construction work Impact on vegetation due to the need to cut down vegetation located at the plot Impact due to air and noise pollution during construction work Impact on marine environment due to discharge of brine Positive impact on social wellbeing and health Mitigation measures are discussed for the activities which would have potential impacts during the construction and operational phase of the project. In general, during the construction stage it is important to use a method of construction which has the least impact on the environment. Specific measures highlighted include following of established guidelines when carrying out excavation works and dewatering and transplantation of Coconut palms around the periphery of the project site. Detailed mitigation measures are discussed in Section 11 of the report. Alternatives have been considered for various components of the project and are given as possible options that may be either more practical or less expensive to the preferred options. The proposed alternatives also have taken into consideration the environmental consequences resulting from these options as compared to the preferred options. The following components of the project have been discussed in providing these alternatives; Location of RO plant facility Source of feedwater for RO plant Brine discharge location The no-project scenario is also considered, which would mean that all environmental impacts due to the project would no longer be an issue. However, this also means that the community would have to continue using only rainwater and groundwater as main freshwater sources. Additionally, it would also mean increased health risks faced by the community due to the use of contaminated water and the loss of potential additional job creation during the operation of the service. The environmental impacts predicted for the project are minor to moderate, hence the benefits of establishing the system, though with a cost to the environment is seen to be far more beneficial than the cancellation of the project, as the health risks faced by the community is not something that should and can be overlooked. Therefore the “no-project” scenario is not a feasible solution and it is recommended that the project be continued, but with the proper implementation of all mitigation measures proposed in the report. Details of the various alternatives considered and the selected alternatives are shown in Section 10 of the report.Item Environment impact assessment for flood mitigation and reclamation works at Fares-Maathoda, Gdh Atoll(2013-02) Land and Marine Environmental Resources GroupThe non-technical summary outlines the findings of the Environmental Impact Assessment for the development of flood mitigation measures at Fares-Maathodaa in Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll in the South of Maldives. The island is susceptible to flooding due to storm surges and powerful swells and was one of the worst affected islands during the powerful swells which hit the Maldives in 2007, with the entire island of Fares and one third of Maathodaa being flooded. Hence the need for proper flood mitigation measures is crucial in order to ensure the safety of the community of the island during possible similar events which may occur in the future. The project proponent of this project is United Nations Office for Project Services, who were requested by United Nations Development Programme to provide support of developing a comprehensive coastal protection and drainage management support approach to the southern island of Fares-Maathodaa. This project is part of a climate change package from the Danish Government of about $10 million to UNDP. The bid for the provision of consultancy services for carrying out detailed designs for flood mitigating measures at Fares-Maathodaa Island was won by Lanka Hydraulic Institute Ltd (LHI) (and their local counterpart, Riyan Pvt Ltd) and UNI Consulting Services. After conducting a study at the site and undertaking numerical modeling of five engineering interventions which were then proposed to UNOPS and the Government of Maldives it has been decided to construct a continuous offshore breakwater structure of length 734 m, joining the headlands of Fares and Maathodaa on the southwestern side of the island. Physical modeling was then conducted on this option. The breakwater would be constructed using armour rocks of varying sizes and weights which have been chosen based on their ability to resist extreme wave conditions without significant displacement. The core of the breakwater will be filled with dredge material obtained from within the enclosed lagoon area. The project also involves the reclamation of the enclosed lagoon area of 191,700 m2, though this component will be carried out as a second phase of the project, within a short duration of completion of the breakwater construction. Details of this phase will be addressed in a separate report formulated prior to commencement of this project. The construction of the breakwater will be undertaken by UNOPS, while reclamation will be funded and undertaken by the Government of Maldives.Item Environmental impact assessment for the development of MNDF coast guard base and berthing facility phase 1- reclamation works, Uthuruthilafalhu, North Male’ Atoll(2013-03) Land and Marine Environmental Resources GroupItem Environmental impact assessment for construction of sand filled deck at Bandos Island Resort and Spa(2013-03) Land and Marine Environmental Resources GroupThe non-technical summary outlines the findings of the Environmental Impact Assessment of the proposed construction of a sand filled sun deck on Bandos Island Resort and Spa, by the resort management as the proponent of the project. Bandos Island Resort and Spa located in Nort The project involves the construction of a sand filled sun deck on the southern margin of the small harbour facility on the southwestern side of the island. The area is currently filled with rock and rubble which was excavated during the construction of the harbour facility. Hence by constructing the sun deck, the resort management is looking into making the area usable and aesthetically more pleasing to the eye. Sand for this project will be sourced from the harbour basin and additional material will be purchased should this not be sufficient. The sun deck would be protected by a seawall constructed using sand/cement bags with a smooth cement finish. The total estimated cost of this project is USD 00,000 including sand filling works and construction of revetment walls. Key impacts, mitigation measures and alternatives Impacts on the environment from various activities of the project development work (constructional impacts) and post constructional impacts have been identified through interviews with the resort management team, field data collection and surveys and are also based on past experience of consultant in similar development projects. Impact analysis was done using the Leopold matrix. The main impact associated with the project is minor short term impact on the marine ecosystem quality of nearby areas (to burrow area) due to sedimentation (as a result of dredging activities). No negative impacts on the environment are expected during the post constructional phase, although a huge positive impact in terms of the utilization of an area which has been impacted and unusable is guaranteed. Mitigation measures have been discussed for the construction stage of the project. The main mitigation measure proposed is the construction of a bund and seawall around the area for sundeck construction prior to backfilling the area, in order to avoid release of fines and minimize sedimentation impact. Detailed mitigation measures are discussed in Section 11 of the report. Given the small scale of the project the only component for which an alternative has been considered is in terms of the material used to construct the sea wall. The - option has also been considered, though this would mean that the area remains unusable and filled with rock and rubble. It also means that there would be no impact on the environment from development of this project. The proposed development is assessed to bring minor short term impacts to the environment in general. Hence the "no-project" scenario is not seen as a feasible option and it is the conclusion of the consultant that the project can be carried out with minimal impact on the environment, with the proper implementation of mitigation measures discussed in the report.Item Environmental impact assessment for coastal modification works at Robinson Club Maldives, Funamaudua, GA. Atoll(2013-04) Land and Marine Environmental Resources GroupThe non-technical summary outlines the findings of the Environmental Impact Assessment of the proposed construction of geo-bag revetment structure at Robinson Club Maldives (GA. Funamaudua). The proponent of the proposed project is Robinson Club Maldives. The total estimated cost of this project is USD 1.5 million. The proposed project involves the construction of a 215 m long geo-bag revetment structure on the northwestern side of the island from the deck area of the main restaurant up to the jetty to the water villas. The project also involves maintenance dredging work at the entrance and channel on the southwestern side of the island and removal of tombolo formed near the service islet. Impacts on the environment from various activities of the construction work and during the operation of the facility have been identified through interviews with the project management team, field data collection and surveys and are also based on past experience of consultant in similar development projects. The impacts identified are also described according to their location, extent and characteristics. Mitigation measures have also been identified for impacts which are irreversible in nature. Impact analysis was done using the Leopold matrix. The main impacts foreseen for the construction phase are the impacts on marine environment and habitat in terms of loss of habitat, disturbance to lagoon bottom and reef flat area and sedimentation impacts. However, these impacts are expected to be minor to moderate at the entrance channel. Sedimentation impacts due to both maintenance dredging at entrance channel and revetment bed leveling works are also envisaged to the minor to moderate due to low live coral cover at the areas and small scale of work. During the operational stage, the small islet is expected to be a cause of formation of future tombolo. Therefore shoreline monitoring is one of the key mitigation measures recommended in the report. Positive impacts due to the project are expected to be beach formation due to accretion of sand by natural process as a result of the gradual slope of new revetment structure. Alternatives have been considered for various components of the project and are given as possible options that may be either more practical or less expensive to the preferred options. The proposed alternatives also have taken into consideration the environmental consequences resulting from these options as compared to the preferred options. The following components of the project have been discussed in providing their alternatives; Coastal protection method Design and materials used for construction of revetment structure Method of excavation Burrow area location The no-project scenario is also considered, which would mean that all environmental impacts due to the project would no longer be an issue. However, given that impacts to the environment due to the project are minor to moderate, this option is not seen as a feasible option, as the benefits to the proponent in terms of environmental advantages (control of current erosion issues due to presence of tombolo) and financial advantages (currently, damage to restaurant deck area makes it unsafe for guest use) from the continuation of the project, outweigh the impacts on the environment due to the implementation of the project. Details of the various alternatives considered and the selected alternatives are shown in Section 9 of the report.Item Environmental impact assessment report : development of Transit Hotel and Marina Finolloss, Baa Atoll(2011-09) Land and Marine Environmental Resources GroupBackground The non-technical summary outlines the findings of the Environmental Impact Assessment of the proposed Transit Hotel and a Marina facility on the island of Finolhoss, Baa atoll. This hotel is developed as part of the airport development project in Dharavandhoo, Baa atoll. The Transit Hotel at Finolhoss will be operated by Coastline Hotels and Resorts under Coastline Group of Companies Pvt Ltd. Project Detail Finolhoss will be developed as a luxury hotel, accommodating 200 beds offering a unique and exclusive product. The project will involve construction of 17 land villas (duplex), 32 water villas, and a small marina catering for small to medium sized yachts (8-15m yachts). The water villas would be constructed at the lagoon area from the northwest point of the island, while the land villas are to be built on the northern side of the Island. The marina and support facilities would be constructed at the southern side of the island within the shallow lagoon. Environmental Component of the project As the project is set in a coral reef based island the proposed component of the project are very much related to the surrounding environmental components. These include, the terrestrial vegetation, marine environment which includes reef, near-shore lagoon and intertidal beach. Use of field data collected during the field visit to the site in October 2010 and available secondary data on the said environmental components has been used to assess and evaluate potential environmental impacts that are likely to arise from implementation of the proposed project activities especially in the context of the magnitude and duration of the project components. Key impacts, mitigation measures and alternatives Possible impacts arising from the resort development and operation works are categorized into reversible and permanent (irreversible) impacts. The impacts identified are also described according to their location, extent (magnitude) and characteristics. Reversible and irreversible impacts are further categorized into intensity of impacts (negligible, minor, moderate and major) for identifying best possible remedial (mitigation measures) actions to be taken. In any development project major direct impacts to the environment (either short term 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 number of causes. These include: Construction debris blown away by wind or spillage during transportation on to the reef or lagoon (initially material will be unloaded using barge, but after completion of harbor dredging works, the harbor will be used for material unloading), Potential changes to the long shore transport and littoral regime of the island due to the coastal developments (beach creation, backfilling works and harbor deepening works), Possible impacts from excessive sedimentation on the reef by beach creation works and harbor deepening works, as these may alter the local hydrodynamic regime within the system resulting in siltation and increased water turbidity, Direct loss of habitat and disturbance to the lagoon bottom and reef flat area by harbor dredging and piling works at the water bungalow construction areas, Direct loss of habitat and disturbance to the lagoon bottom by footing clearance for piling works for the over water structures, Loss of vegetation due to clearing vegetation for creating space for new constructions, Groundwater contamination by digging trenches or dewatering for placing foundations of building and possible spillage of fuel or other hazardous chemicals. Operation of heavy machinery and construction related equipment will contribute to noise pollution. Noise pollution during the construction works will be mainly due to the operation of excavators, trucks and concrete machines. Air pollution due to the project will be mainly due to operation of heavy machinery like excavators, trucks, concrete machines, power generator, burning of waste and boat operations. Mitigation measures Mitigation measures are discussed for the construction and operational stages of the project. During the construction stage it is important to take measures to minimize generation of construction waste; impacts due to disposal of construction waste may cause significant degradation of terrestrial habitat or groundwater quality or reef health. Method of construction also has to be taken in to account for minimized impact. A construction method that has the least impact on terrestrial or marine environment has to be utilized. Waste generated during the construction phase will be sorted and reused as much as possible (construction debris for construction works as filling, timber for form work). All burnable items will be burnt, rest sorted and sent to local disposal site or Thilafushi (disposal at Thilafushi will be costly due to long distance transportation). Project management staff will be appointed for monitoring waste generation and management of the contractors working on the island. All waste generated at end of each working day will collected and sorted and then sent to the waste management building. All burnable waste (timber flakes, saw dust, paper, and packing material) will be incinerated. Reusable items such as gunny bags, saw dust (for making compost) will be reused as much as possible. Food waste generated at the temporary accommodation and kitchen area will be collected in waste collection bins. Separate bins will be placed for collection of metal tins/glass bottles and plastics. All burnable items will be incinerated; glass bottles crushed, metal tins compacted and sent to local disposal site or disposed at deep sea. During construction stage green waste will be generated from the vegetation clearance works. All major vegetation (large mature trees) removed will be replanted elsewhere to the greatest extent possible. Daily cleaning works will also generate green waste; these would be used for making compost at the nursery. Alternatives Considering the alternatives for the project in terms of location, type of economic activity to be carried out has been decided by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture. Apart from the type of economic activity and location other aspects that can have alternatives are; Construction method of over water structures Location of over water structures Sewage treatment method Feed water intake method, outfall and brine discharge pipes Beach creation and back filling work Harbor basin deepening method Conclusion Assessment of the project components and their associated impacts have been considered in the context of baseline environmental information collected at the project location as part of this EIA report. It has been the general finding that the project components will bring environmental alterations to the project site if the activities are implemented. Several projects of similar nature have been developed over the past several decades as part of the Maldives tourism industry. No serious environmental damage has been reported or documented due to implementation of these projects. With due consideration given to the fragility of the natural environment, this document has discussed and identified mitigation measures for the potential impacts to the natural environment. The economic benefits from the project are likely to beneficial to the national economy at large.