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Item Environmental impact assessment : for the proposed development on Kohdhdhipparu Island, North Male' Atoll : for the development of fresh fish packing facility and construction of a harbour(2008-02) Riyaz, Mahmood; M.S AdamThis is the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report carried out for the development of necessary facilities in Kodhdhipparu Island to establish a business of purchasing packaging and export of fresh fish products. The proposed project includes dredging a harbor (201x102m), reclaiming area of 20,500 sqm by using dredged material and development of project facilities and infrastructure to establish and operate the business of purchasing packaging and export of fresh fish products in Kodhdhipparu Island. Due to the small size of the island any such development could not be accommodated and the proposed dredging and reclamation has been identified as a necessary need to establish and operate the proposed development. The EIA was prepared as fulfilment of the requirement by the Ministry of Fisheries, Agriculture and Marine Resources (MoFAMR) for granting permission for the project. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of development projects is a requirement by the Environmental Protection and Preservation Act (EPPA) (law 4/93) of the Government of the Republic of Maldives. The total cost of the proposed project is approximately 61.74 million Maldivian Rufiyaa. The project will be developed within 18 months. The project will create a relatively large number of direct and indirect employment opportunities throughout the country. Therefore the project will significantly contribute to the economic growth, particularly fisheries sector, and other relevant socio economic activities This report has been prepared in accordance with the Environmental Impact assessment Regulations published by the Ministry of Environment Energy and Water in May 2007 and covers both negative and positive environmental and socioeconomic impact arising from the proposed project in Kodhdhipparu Island. Major findings of this report are based on previous IEIA report prepared for the reclamation of the island and information gathered during the field inspection of both the existing environment and possible effects of the project activities, through extensive literature review and experiences gained from similar projects elsewhere in the Maldives. The proposed project activity will take place in Kodhdhipparu island (man-made island by the act of accreting sand around existing small sand bank by using coastal structures constructed on the shallow areas on the eastern side of Kodhdhipparu Falhu). The island lies on an irregular shape reef, with a deep lagoon at the center. Kodhdhipparu Island is located on the eastern end of the E-W oriented Kodhdhipparu Falhu on the southwestern side of North Male Atoll. Kodhdhipparu being located on the southwester rim of the atoll it is exposed to high energy oceanic swells during the southwest monsoon and refracted, reflected and regenerated indirect fetch waves during the northeasterly monsoon. Due to the exposure of Kodhdhipparu reef to the direct oceanic waves during southwest monsoon the calmest area within the Falhu is on the eastern end. Hence Mr.Ali Fulhu who started constructing the island was aware that the eastern end of the reef is the most stable area with the least energy within Kodhdhipparu Falhu. Analysis of the aerial photo of the 1969 shows, that the island was initiated and developed on the lee side of Kodhdhipparu reef from a nodal point. The nodal point was formed on the northwestern part of Kodhdhipparu reef where incident wave energy from both NW and western side of the reef was low and sediment load carried by the wave were dumped and deposited around this nodal point and shaped by the prevailing current direction. The fact that Kodhdhipparu Island being a man-made cay, it does not have a proper soil layer with humus content. Most of the existing plant species are very young and introduced by the workers in order to stabilize the cay and hold sediments. Most of the vegetation consists of very basic salt and spray tolerant coastal plants, dominated mainly with, Scaevola sp. Tournafortia sp. Pemphis sp. and some coastal shrubs. Recently planted beach hibiscus, coconut trees, and Thespesia sp exist at the central part of the island. Love birds and parrots are being introduced and reared at the island in cages. Shorebirds and seabirds were known to visit the island. Two species of reptiles were observed, these were the mourning gecko (Lapidodactylus lugubris) and the garden lizard (Calotes versicolor). The overall reef of Kodhdiipparu reef is not in a good condition However, small Acropora colonies were observed which indicates that coral recruitment is taking place. Generally the live coral cover does not exceed 10% in any part of the surveyed area and consists of coral mainly branching and table corals. Percentage of dead coral was found to be very high 30-75% in most areas, particularly on the northern and northwestern side. Sixty species of fish belonging to 16 families were observed during the survey. Large school of redtoothed trigger fishes, Odonus niger were observed on the reef slope. The water in Kodhdhipparu is highly saline and not usable for washing or gardening. At present fresh water on the island is transported from Male and supplemented by the rainwater catchments. During the preparation of the EIA report an impact matrix, which is a standard tool for identifying the possible impacts of project activities, has been created for proposed development project in Kodhdhiipparu. The activities carried out during the construction and post-construction or operational phases are arrayed against a selection of environmental factors that may be affected directly or indirectly as a result of project activities. The report has identified and described in detail possible change that would occur to the existing condition of the environment caused during the construction phase and have suggested appropriate mitigation measures for each and every impact identified in the report. Sedimentation and increase in suspended sediment level in the water, has been identified as the most significant negative environmental impact that could be associated with dredging and reclamation, breakwater construction, improper location of stockpiles and storage of construction material etc. High level of sedimentation and suspended sediment in the water will increase lagoon turbidity, which affects benthic organism and fish and prolonged periods of sedimentation could cause ‘suffocation’ and smothering of coral and the overall ecology of the shallow marine environments. Installation of silt screens construction of settling ponds and bundwalls has been suggested as mitigation measures of anticipated impacts from increased sedimentation and turbidity level of the water column during dredging and reclamation. The report recommended to take the dredging and reclamation activities in calmer weather condition and preferably at low tides during NE monsoon period because it is expected to transport the bulk of sediments suspended in the water by the currents into the deep waters and disperse faster, this will contribute for significant reduction in impacts associated with sedimentation. Liquid, solid and other forms of wastes and particularly hazardous waste generated during the construction and operational phase has also been identified as significant impact associated with the project and appropriate mitigation measures are suggested for each and every waste related impact identified in the study. The report has recommended that if the proposed Kodhdhipparu facility is to be maintain the international industry standards it should achieve and maintain the emission and effluent levels as the guideline for the industry, which is the environmental management and performance indicator, yardstick to weigh the performance of similar project in the world. The study has evaluated alternative options for some components of the project and has suggested some modifications for the harbour and breakwater design to allow better protection of the harbor and water circulation within the harbour basin. For the safe disposal of chemicals, laboratory wastes plastic wastes and other wastes that are non-biodegradable, the report recommends to procure an incinerator of appropriate capacity for the project. Also the report found, based on the similar project activities elsewhere in the Maldives, the island and the reef will recover from the expected impacts rapidly and will re-establish a new ecological balance soon. However the report has come-up with an extensive monitoring programme that will keep on monitoring the environmental changes associated with the development and make necessary adjustment to the activities of the project based on the findings of various measured environmental parameters suggested in the monitoring and environmental management plan. On the basis this environmental impact assessment study and the impact mitigation measures proposed in the report will be duly implemented and recommendations are given due consideration, it is concluded that the benefits of the planned redevelopment in Kodhdhipparu Island will substantially outweigh its imposition on the environment.Item Item Environmental impact assessment for island access and jetty construction project in Fulhadhoo, Baa. Atoll(2017-07) މަހްމޫދު ރިޔާޒް; Riyaz, Mahmood; މުޙައްމަދު ޝިހާމް އާދަމް; Adam, Mohamed Shiham1. The proponent of B. Fulhadhoo Island access and Jetty development project is the Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure (MHI). The Ministry is the government’s responsible body for the development and regulate the housing and infrastructure of the country. Maldives Road Development Cooperation (MRDC) has been contracted to undertake the jetty and access channel construction work in B. Fulhadhoo. 2. Two freelance EIA consultants has been contracted through public bidding process to provide preparation services of an Environmental Impact Study (EIA) by (MHI) for the jetty and access channel construction work project in B. Fulhadhoo Island. 3. The assessment addresses specific key issues stated in the Terms of Reference (ToR) as agreed between EPA and the Proponent following the scoping meeting held on the matter. 4. A jetty has already been developed in the Southern side of Fulhadhoo in 2010. The existing jetty was built by the island community when the Government provided construction material harbour. The existing jetty is difficult to use during the SW Monsoon when the sea is rough and the lagoon on the western side is exposed to refracted fetch waves during the westerly monsoon period. Therefore the island is inaccessible during rough weather condition. To overcome the accessibility issues of the island community has requested the Government to develop proper island access facilities (jetty and an access) on the island. This project is implemented to develop island access and a jetty on the southern side of the island to enable an alternative island access to use during rough weather conditions. 5. The need for access for the island has been recognised by the government and proposed to develop a jetty and cut an access channel on the southern side to provide safe access for the vessels operating to and from B. Fulhadhoo Island. 6. The study investigates impacts associated with the proposed channel dredging and jetty construction of B. Fulhadhoo and areas for disposal of dredged material. The proposed access channel will have a width of 24m and a length of 624m and the entrance channel which will be cut through the reef into the atoll lagoon will lead to a small rectangular shaped dredged area (mooring basin ) 40mx40m, for vessel turning and temporary mooring purposes. The proposed mooring basin and the access channel will be dredged to maintain an average depth of -3m with respect to the MSL. A total of approximately 16660m3 of dredged material is expected to be produced. This material will be used for jetty backfill and the excess will be used for the nourishment of the beach on the northern coast of the island which at present is undergoing severe erosion. 7. Main focus this reports is to document the general baseline condition surrounding island and particularly the proposed area for channel dredging and jetty construction. The following studies have been carried out as part of this assessment. a. Assessment of the marine and coastal species and habitats in surrounding impact areas. b. Coastal processes. c. Wave and shoreline assessment study to evaluate the potential for the proposed channel dredging and jetty construction to impact adjacent shorelines. EIA for B. Fulhadhoo island access & Jetty Project | Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure | July 2017 Page 14 of 76 d. Climatic and oceanographic conditions of the project site. 8. Findings from the environmental studies are summarized as follows; a) Southern side of the island is very rough throughout the year, particularly during the onset of SW monsoon where the moored vessels on the southern side may have to be manned 24/7 during the period b) Difficult to use the existing jetty on the southern side, particularly cannot stay alongside with the jetty due to the strong wave action. c) A normal trip by a normal Dhoni from the access on the southern side will take approximately 2 hours to go from Fulhadhoo to Goidhoo and over 2.30 hour to Eydhafushi. d) Usually people travel to Goidhoo Island in small boats Dinghy’s through the deep lagoon on the southern side, during rough weather the southern side is extremely rough and cannot be used for small Dinghy’s. The alternative route for them to go to Goidhoo is through the shallow lagoon on the northern side. The northern side can be used most of the time but due to the shallowness it may become unusable at low tide. 9. With the above mentioned concerns and grievances the island community requested to shift the proposed island access channel and small mooring basin to northern side of the island 10. This EIA has been carried out on the basis that it is necessary to carry out the jetty construction and island access project in B. Fulhadhoo to facilitate socio-economic development and easy access to the island. 11. During the preparation of the EIA report an impact matrix, which is a standard tool for identifying the possible impacts of project activities, has been created for proposed development project in B. Fulhadhoo Island. The activities carried out during the construction and post-construction or operational phases are arrayed against a selection of environmental factors that may be affected directly or indirectly as a result of project activities. 12. The environmental impact assessment study shows there are two main activities that would cause minor to moderate negative environmental impacts. Those, in order of minor to moderate impact, are: 1. Channel and mooring basin dredging 2. Jetty construction and backfilling 13. Of these a long term impact would be from dredging and backfilling of jetty area and nourishment of eroded beach on the northern side of the island. Potential erosion/accretion and adjustment of the existing beach to create a new equilibrium with the surrounding environmental conditions are likely to extend to medium to long term. These impacts would be cumulative occurring over long period of time and so can be managed through proper monitoring and addressing them in a timely manner. Based on the scale of dredging and beach nourishment work projects that is taking place in Maldives, impacts associated with the proposed dredging activity is insignificant. The positive socio economic impacts from the proposed development outweigh the temporary negative impacts of dredging. 14. The study has evaluated alternative locations for the project and recommended shifting the project from the proposed location from southern side to northern side of the island. Even though there is relatively insignificant impact from this project the report has come-up with an extensive monitoring programme that will keep on monitoring coastal and marine environmental changes associated with the development to make necessary adjustment based on the findings of various measured environmental parameters suggested in the monitoring plan. 15. Therefore, on the basis of this environmental impact assessment study and the impact mitigation measures in the report will be duly implemented and recommendations are given due consideration, it is concluded that the benefits of island access development project on the selected location in northern side of in B. Fulhadhoo will substantially outweigh its imposition on the environmentItem Environmental impact assessment for island access jetty reconstruction project Inmandhoo, South Ari Atoll(2017-07) މަހްމޫދު ރިޔާޒް; Riyaz, Mahmood; މުޙައްމަދު ޝިހާމް އާދަމް; Adam, Mohamed Shiham1. The proponent of ADh. Mandhoo Island access Jetty reconstruction and maintenance dredging project is the Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure (MHI). The Ministry is the government’s responsible body for the development and regulate the housing and infrastructure of the country. Maldives Road Development Cooperation (MRDC) has been contracted to undertake the access jetty reconstruction and maintenance dredging work in ADh. Mandhoo. 2. Two freelance EIA consultants has been contracted through public bidding process to provide preparation services of an Environmental Impact Study (EIA) by (MHI) for the access jetty reconstruction project in ADh. Mandhoo Island. 3. The assessment addresses specific key issues stated in the Terms of Reference (ToR) as agreed between EPA and the Proponent following the scoping meeting held on the matter. 4. ADh Mandhoo is an inhabited island located on the southern half of south western side of Ari Atoll. The island lies on huge reef system with fairly large deep lagoon with large number of patch reefs. The lagoon is accessible from the eastern side and can reach very close to the island shoreline. 5. The island can be accessed by using two jetties constructed from the shore and extend into the deep lagoon on the eastern side of the island. The jetty on the south eastern end of the island was constructed by the management of Conrad Maldives (Rangali) to use to access the land plot (southern part of the island) during the period they rented land from the council to establish resort support facilities. The second jetty is located approximately 190m north of the jetty, constructed by the island community in early 2008 to access the island. This is the main jetty that is used by the island community to go in and out of the island. 6. The existing jetty was built manually by the people of the island. Hence pad columns structures are not placed deep enough consequently they started scouring at the base, particularly columns in deeper water and the sandy slope. Columns are slowly collapsing and the whole structure is unstable at present. The concrete sheet on top of the pillars has crashed leaving large holes and making the jetty unsafe and risky for the public to use. The people of Mandhoo requested for Government’s assistance to reconstruct a jetty to access the island. As a response for their request the Government proposed this project to reconstruct a T- jetty at the footprint of the existing jetty. The project involves development of a T-jetty, maintenance dredging of areas near the jetty. 7. The study investigates impacts associated access jetty reconstruction and proposed maintenance dredging neat the jetty area of ADh. The access jetty will be 35 long and 6m wide the project also proposes to do some maintenance dredging in the vicinity of the jetty. 8. Main focus this reports is to document the general baseline condition surrounding island and particularly the proposed area for jetty reconstruction and maintenance dredging. The following studies have been carried out as part of this assessment. a. Assessment of the marine and coastal species and habitats in surrounding impact areas. b. Coastal conditions and coastal processes. c. Wave and shoreline assessment study to evaluate the potential for the proposed jetty reconstruction and maintenance dredging to impact adjacent shorelines. d. Climatic and oceanographic conditions of the project site. 9. Findings from the environmental studies are summarized as follows; e. The pillars in the deeper water at the slope of lagoon have already collapsed and the concrete sheet on top of the pillars has crashed leaving large holes thus, making the jetty unsafe and risky for the public to use. f. Jetty area is very deep within the range of 5-7m, therefore, it is not necessarily required to undertake maintenance dredging as proposed in the project. g. Based on the discussion with the people of the island they have requested to shift the location of the new jetty 20m south of the existing one and lengthen the jetty 4-5m into the deep lagoon and extend the shore parallel section of the T-jetty 30-40m to accommodate larger vessels. 10. Field investigation during the EIA report preparation process has identified that the initially proposed maintenance dredging of the jetty area can be excluded from the scope of the project as the area is deep enough to accommodate larger vessels. With this finding the major activity that will cause significant environmental impact has been eliminated. The proposed method for reconstruction of jetty will have very negligible environmental impact on the nearshore areas of the Mandhoo Island. In fact environmental impact assessment is not required as per the EIA regulation schedule (Raa) for jetties standing on pillars that allows water and sediment flow underneath it. However, this EIA has been completed to fulfil the requirements of the ToR issued by the EPA on 13th June 2017 based on the discussions at the scoping meeting held on the 11th of June 2017. 11. Based on the scale of the proposed development project, environmental impacts associated with the proposed jetty reconstruction work is insignificant and negligible. The positive socio economic impacts from the proposed development outweigh the temporary negligible impacts related to jetty construction work. 12. Even though the impact is negligible and of short-term the report has come-up with a monitoring programme that will keep on monitoring coastal and marine environmental changes associated with the development to make necessary adjustment based on the findings of various measured environmental parameters suggested in the monitoring plan. 13. Therefore, on the basis of this environmental impact assessment study and the impact mitigation measures in the report, it is concluded that the benefits of the access jetty reconstruction project in ADh. Mandhoo eastern coast will substantially outweigh its imposition on the environment.Item Environmental impact assessment for island access and jetty construction project in Rasgetheemu, Raa. Atoll(2017-07) މަހްމޫދު ރިޔާޒް; Riyaz, Mahmood; މުޙައްމަދު ޝިހާމް އާދަމް; Adam, Mohamed Shiham1. The proponent of R. Rasgatheemu Island access and Jetty development project is the Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure (MHI). The Ministry is the government’s responsible body for the development and regulate the housing and infrastructure of the country. Maldives Road Development Cooperation (MRDC) has been contracted to undertake the jetty and access channel construction work in R. Rasgatheemu. 2. Two freelance EIA consultants has been contracted through public bidding process to provide preparation services of an Environmental Impact Study (EIA) by (MHI) for the jetty and access channel construction work project in R. Rasgatheemu Island. 3. The assessment addresses specific key issues stated in the Terms of Reference (ToR) as agreed between EPA and the Proponent following the scoping meeting held on the matter. 4. The Government has already developed a harbour in Rasgatheem in 2007. The existing harbour is 60m wide and 120m long and located on the western side of the island. The existing harbour is difficult to access during the SW Monsoon where the access channel on the western side is exposed to strong swells during the westerly monsoon period. Therefore the island is inaccessible during rough weather condition. To overcome the accessibility issues of people of the island has requested the Government to develop alternative island access facilities (jetty and an access channel) on the eastern side of the island. This project is implemented to develop island access and a jetty on the north eastern side of the island to enable an alternative island access to use during rough weather conditions. 5. The need for an alternative access for the island has been recognised by the government and decided to develop a jetty and cut an access channel on the eastern side to provide safe access for the vessels operating to and from R. Rasgatheemu Island. 6. The study investigates impacts associated with the channel dredging and jetty construction of R. Rasgatheemu and areas for disposal of dredged material. The proposed access channel will have a width of 24m and a length of 28m and the entrance channel which will be cut through the reef into the ocean ward will lead to a small rectangular shaped dredged area (mooring basin ) 30m wide and 40m long, for vessel turning and temporary mooring purposes. The proposed mooring basin and the access channel will be dredged to maintain an average depth of -3m with respect to the MSL. A total of approximately 5616m3 of dredged material is expected to be produced. This material will be used for jetty backfill and the excess will be used for the nourishment of the beach on the north eastern coast of the island which at present is undergoing severe erosion. 7. Main focus this reports is to document the general baseline condition surrounding island and particularly the proposed area for channel dredging and jetty construction. The following studies have been carried out as part of this assessment. a. Assessment of the marine and coastal species and habitats in surrounding impact areas. b. Coastal beach profiles to set baseline conditions of coastal processes. c. Wave and shoreline assessment study to evaluate the potential for the proposed channel dredging and jetty construction to impact adjacent shorelines. EIA for R. Rasgetheemu Access and Jetty construction project | Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure | June 2017 Page 14 of 76 d. Climatic and oceanographic conditions of the project site. 8. Findings from the environmental studies are summarized as follows; a. Access to the existing harbour is extremely difficult particularly at the onset of SW monsoon during the Months of May June and July. Therefore based on this assessment and experience the locals are opting to have an alternative access to the island on the NE side of the island. b. Field verification of the project site has revealed that the dimensions given in the MHI proposal does not fit into the location as the reef edge is closer and there is no need for channel dredging in the proposed location at end of Kanneli Magu, Rasgatheemu. c. Based on the discussion with the people of the island and in-situ wave measurements has suggested to shift the location of the jetty and the access channel further south for various reasons detail are evaluated in the alternatives section of this report which would be the preferred location to develop island access in R. Rasgatheemu. 9. This EIA has been carried out on the basis that it is necessary to carry out the jetty construction and island access project at the eastern side of R. Rasgatheemu to facilitate socio-economic development and easy access to the island. 10. During the preparation of the EIA report an impact matrix, which is a standard tool for identifying the possible impacts of project activities, has been created for proposed development project in R. Rasgetheemu Island. The activities carried out during the construction and post-construction or operational phases are arrayed against a selection of environmental factors that may be affected directly or indirectly as a result of project activities. 11. The environmental impact assessment study shows there are two main activities that would cause minor to moderate negative environmental impacts. Those, in order of minor to moderate impact, are: 1. Channel and mooring basing dredging 2. Jetty construction and backfilling 12. Of these a long term impact would be from dredging and beach backfilling of jetty area and nourishment of eroded beach on the NE side of the island. Potential erosion/accretion and adjustment of the existing beach to create a new equilibrium with the surrounding environmental conditions are likely to extend to medium to long term. These impacts would be cumulative occurring over long period of time and so can be managed through proper monitoring and addressing them in a timely manner. Based on the scale of dredging and beach nourishment work projects that is taking place in Maldives, impacts associated with the proposed dredging activity is insignificant. The positive socio economic impacts from the proposed development outweigh the temporary negative impacts of dredging. 13. The study has evaluated alternative locations for the project and recommended shifting the project 150m south of the proposed location. Also the study has evaluated two options to develop island access in the new location. Based on the alternative option evaluation, the preferred option is to construct a 65m long 4m wide T jetty with 40m long-T, standing on pad-column foundation. The recommended access jetty will eliminate the most of the impacts envisaged with the proposed development. Even though there is no significant impact from this project particularly with the recommended T-jetty construction, the report has come-up with an extensive monitoring programme that will keep on monitoring coastal and marine environmental changes associated with the development to make necessary adjustment based on the findings of various measured environmental parameters suggested in the monitoring plan. 14. Therefore, on the basis of this environmental impact assessment study and the impact mitigation measures in the report will be duly implemented and recommendations are given due consideration, it is concluded that the benefits of alternative island access development project in the selected alternative location in this study at the eastern coasts of R. Rasgetheemu will substantially outweigh its imposition on the environment.Item Enviornmental impact assessment for island access and jetty construction project in Fehendhoo, Baa. Atoll(2017-07) މަހްމޫދު ރިޔާޒް; Riyaz, Mahmood; މުޙައްމަދު ޝިހާމް އާދަމް; Adam, Mohamed Shiham1. The proponent of B. Fehendhoo Island access and Jetty development project is the Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure (MHI). The Ministry is the government’s responsible body for the development and regulate the housing and infrastructure of the country. Maldives Road Development Cooperation (MRDC) has been contracted to undertake the jetty and access channel construction work in B. Fehendhoo. 2. Two freelance EIA consultants has been contracted through public bidding process to provide preparation services of an Environmental Impact Study (EIA) by (MHI) for the jetty and access channel construction work project in B. Fehendhoo Island. 3. The assessment addresses specific key issues stated in the Terms of Reference (ToR) as agreed between EPA and the Proponent following the scoping meeting held on the matter. 4. The island community constructed a Jetty and an access channel in B. Fehendhoo in early 2010 on the northern side of the island. They have always been using the northern side to access the island. Access from the southern side is extremely rough and far from the remaining islands in B. Atoll. Even though an access channel through the reef flat has been developed, island access issue has never been solved as the lagoon on the northern side is very shallow covered with thick seagrass which is exposed at low tide also the approach channel exposed to strong swells particularly during the onset of SW Monsoon. Due to this, boats and Dhonies that carry goods and people (island and atoll ferries) don’t access Fehendhoo directly. They usually dock at the harbour in Goidhoo, then people and goods are transported to Fehendhoo is small Dinghy’s through the manually deepened pathways in the lagoon. 5. The need for an access for the island has been recognised by the government and decided to develop a jetty and cut an access channel on the northern side to provide safe access for the vessels operating to and from B. Fehendhoo Island. 6. The study investigates impacts associated with the channel dredging and jetty construction of B. Fehendhoo and areas for disposal of dredged material. The proposed access channel will have a width of 24m and a length of 417m and the entrance channel which will be cut through the reef into the ocean ward will lead to a small rectangular shaped dredged area (harbour basin ) 40m wide and 40m long, for vessel turning and temporary mooring purposes. The proposed mooring basin and the access channel will be dredged to maintain an average depth of -3m with respect to the MSL. A total of approximately 28280m3 of dredged material is expected to be produced. This material will be used for jetty backfill and the excess will be used for the nourishment of the beach on the northern coast of the island which at present is undergoing severe erosion. 7. Main focus this reports is to document the general baseline condition surrounding island and particularly the proposed area for channel dredging and jetty construction. The following studies have been carried out as part of this assessment. a. Assessment of the marine and coastal species and habitats in surrounding impact areas. b. Coastal beach profiles to set baseline conditions of coastal processes. EIA for B. Fehendhoo island access & Jetty Project | Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure | July 2017 Page 13 of 76 c. Wave and shoreline assessment study to evaluate the potential for the proposed channel dredging and jetty construction to impact adjacent shorelines. d. Climatic and oceanographic conditions of the project site. 8. Findings from the environmental studies are summarized as follows; a. Access to the island is extremely difficult from the southern side sea roughness and long distance from the remaining islands in B. Atoll. b. Northern side is very shallow covered with thick seagrass which is exposed at low tide c. Approach channel exposed to strong swells particularly during the onset of SW Monsoon. d. Due to this, boats and Dhonies that carry goods and people (island and atoll ferries) don’t access Fehendhoo directly. They usually dock at the harbour in Goidhoo, then people and goods are transported to Fehendhoo is small Dinghy’s through the manually deepened pathways in the lagoon. e. Fehendhoo probably is the only island without a primary school. At present there are primary 12 students in Fehendhoo who are attending the Primary school in Goidhoo located two Kilometres west. Students and their parents commute between the Goidhoo and Fehendhoo twice a day on small Dinghies. 9. This EIA has been carried out on the basis that it is necessary to carry out the jetty construction and island access project at the northern side of B. Fehendhoo to facilitate socioeconomic development and easy access to the island. 10. During the preparation of the EIA report an impact matrix, which is a standard tool for identifying the possible impacts of project activities, has been created for proposed development project in B. Fehendhoo Island. The activities carried out during the construction and post-construction or operational phases are arrayed against a selection of environmental factors that may be affected directly or indirectly as a result of project activities. 11. The environmental impact assessment study shows there are two main activities that would cause minor to moderate negative environmental impacts. Those, in order of minor to moderate impact, are: 1. Channel and mooring basin dredging 2. Jetty construction and backfilling 12. Of these a long term impact would be from dredging and beach backfilling of jetty area and nourishment of Kattihuraa at the East of entrance channel and the excess to replenish the eroding areas on the northern side of the island. These impacts would be cumulative occurring over long period of time and so can be managed through proper monitoring and addressing them in a timely manner. Based on the scale of dredging and beach nourishment work projects that is taking place in Maldives, impacts associated with the proposed dredging activity is insignificant. The positive socio economic impacts from the proposed development outweigh the temporary negative impacts of dredging. 13. The study has evaluated alternative locations for the jetty and suggested shifting the jetty 20m east of the existing one for the convenience of the island community. Even though there is no significant impact from this project particularly with the recommended T-jetty construction, EIA for B. Fehendhoo island access & Jetty Project | Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure | July 2017 Page 14 of 76 the report has come-up with an extensive monitoring programme that will keep on monitoring coastal and marine environmental changes associated with the development to make necessary adjustment based on the findings of various measured environmental parameters suggested in the monitoring plan. 14. Therefore, on the basis of this environmental impact assessment study and the impact mitigation measures in the report will be duly implemented, it is concluded that the benefits of island access development project in B. Fehendhoo will substantially outweigh its imposition on the environment.Item Environmental impact assessment for the development of tuna purchasing and storage facility, GA. Raaverrehaa, North Huvadhu Atoll(2016-01) Riyaz, Mahmood; Adam, M. Shiham1- This is the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report carried out for proponent ̶ Ensis Fisheries Pvt. Ltd. ̶ to develop and operate fish purchase and storage facility in Raaverrehaa North Huvadhu Atoll. The EIA was prepared as partial fulfilment of the requirement by the Ministry Fisheries and Agriculture (MoFA) for acquiring permission for the Project. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of development projects is a requirement by the Environmental Protection and Preservation Act (EPPA) (law 4/93) of the Government of the Republic of Maldives. 2- This report has been prepared in accordance with the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations published by the Ministry of Environment and Energy in 2012 and covers both negative and positive environmental and socio-economic impact arising from the proposed project. Major findings of this report are based on information gathered during the field inspection of both the existing environment and possible effects of the project activities, and ongoing similar projects elsewhere in the Maldives and through extensive literature review and experiences gained from similar projects elsewhere. 3- Initially the proposed development was planned in Ga. Kedheraa Island and environmental Decision Statement was obtained to go ahead with the project. Shifting the planned development to Raaverrehaa was decided based on strategic analysis of the development, which found potential operational disadvantages that may impede smooth operation of the facility. Most importantly lack of shallow reef space to develop a harbour, which is an important infrastructure for the facility, remoteness of the island and being far from the airport and major fishing islands are also some of the shortcomings of Kedheraa. 4- The proposed activity will take place on Raaverrehaa Island and surrounding Falhu. Ga. Raaverrehaa Island is an uninhabited found on the North Eastern side of Huvadhu Atoll located at the periphery in an elongated, N-S oriented reef platform measuring a length of 20 km is shared by multiple islands. The reef is shared by three more islands including Villingili Island. The eastern part of the reef extends in the form shallow lagoon into eastern rim of the Atoll. The elongated-oval-shaped island of Raaverrehaa is lying in the western half of the reef. The coral reef system of Raaverrehaa is 20km long and the width is 0.8-1.8km. Reef perimeter is 43km and the area is approximately 25sqkm. The distance from the edge of the beach to the reef edge in both eastern and western sides is fairly consistent measured approximately 1km on the east and 400m on the western side. Raaverrehaa is an elongated-oval shape, N-S oriented island, with a length of 415m and width 100-119m and has an area of 4.7 ha. Average depth of the reef flat is less than -1 to -0.5m m from MSL. 5- Major operation that will be undertaken in Raaverrehaa Island will be loading/unloading storage and transportation of fish to Ensis processing facilities located in Hulhumalé Island. The facility will have 500 tonnes cold storage capacity and will produce ice needed for the fishermen to keep the fish fresh until they reach the storage facility from the fishing grounds. Necessary infrastructure needed to operate the facility will be developed on the island including the accommodation facilities for the staff working on the island. Electricity and water required for operations will be produced in the island. 100x3 KvA generator sets will be will be installed at the powerhouse to provide the electricity needed for the island. Reverse Osmosis (RO) desalination plants with total production capacity of 40MT per day will be installed to provide necessary water requirement for the operations. The proponent will ensure that the powerhouse and desalination plant implies with the relevant regulations. The exhaust chimneys, lightening conductors, sound attenuators, and CO2-based fire fighting equipment will be installed. Ear mufflers will be provided for staff working at louder areas of the facility. EIA Ensis Fisheries – Raaverrehaa Shore-based Facility – M. Riyaz & M.S Adam 15 | 90 6- The raw material, mainly skipjack and yellowfin tuna caught by pole-and-line and handline by Maldivian on local fishing vessels will be purchased entirely from the Maldivian fishermen. With Ensis’s long reputation in the country, it is expected that a large number of vessel will sell fish to the Ensis Fisheries Pvt Ltd. Ice will be provided free of charge from all the Ensis facilities as incentive for fishing and to encourage loyalty to the company. In addition the proponent will provide iceboxes for fishing operation startups in the area. 7- During the preparation of the EIA report an impact matrix, which is a standard tool for identifying the possible impacts of project activities, has been created for proposed development project Raaverrehaa Island. The activities carried out during the construction and operational phases are arrayed against a selection of environmental factors that may be affected directly or indirectly as a result of project activities. The impact outcomes from this analysis are considered and appropriate mitigation measures both in the development and operational phased has been provided. 8- The report has identified the main environmental impacts associated with the proposed activities and found that high water and energy consumption and the discharge of effluent with a high organic content are the major issues. Vegetation clearance and construction waste during the construction phase and noise, odor, solid wastes occupational health and safety issues may also be concerns of the operational phase. The study has found that most significant negative environmental impact identified during the operational phase of this project is release of untreated effluent into the sea. Liquid, solid and other forms of wastes and particularly hazardous waste generated during the operational phase has also been identified as significant impact associated with the project and appropriate mitigation measures are suggested for each and every impact identified in relation to the project. 9- The study has evaluated alternative options for the project and found that the proposed development is the right development for the right place. To enhance the water circulation in the reef and to limit the access to Raaverrehaa it is recommended to cut a channel through the walkway or remove it as an alternative for keeping the solid walkway which blocks cross reef water motion, increase nutrient enrichment and subsequent growth of seagrass on the eastern side of the reef and provides unlimited land access to the island. It is suggested to under-take post-development extensive monitoring programme that will keep on monitoring the environmental changes associated with the development and its operation and make necessary adjustment to the activities and its operation of the project based on the findings of various measured environmental parameters suggested in the monitoring plan. 10- The overall positive environmental impact from the development project is to integrate the existing product lines and the value-addition of fishery products rather than exporting the whole fish for processing. Job creation and stimulation of local economy, and exports is the most significant positive environmental impact of this activity. The long-term sustainability of the activity however, will depend on the sustainability of the fish stock. Skipjack and yellowfin tuna are highly migratory and their stocks straddle across the countries’ exclusive economic zones into the high seas spreading out into the entire Indian Ocean. The stocks are being managed by the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission which among its 32 coastal and distant water fishing nations. Maldives is a full member and now heavily engaged, partly due to its existing Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) Certification of its pole and line skipjack and yellowfin tuna fishery. The current assessed status of the skipjack and yellowfin tuna stock is considered ‘not overfishing’. The total average Indian Ocean catches are below the assessed maximum sustainable levels and the spawning biomass is healthy well above the point of recruitment impairment. The Maldives fishery component takes 17% of Indian Ocean skipjack and some 15% of the yellowfin. The most recent MSY is around at 680,000 Mt per year for skipjack and 350,000 Mt for yellowfin tuna. 11- Raaverrehaa is occasionally used for local picnic and it is the only remaining island for picnickers in the vicinity Villingili. Proposed fish purchase and storage facility development in Raaverehaa will limit the public accessibility for local picnickers. To overcome potential social problems that may rise in association with this development, the proponent has proposed to develop a picnic facility in any location identified by the public and Villingili Council. At present council is consulting with the people to identify the most suitable area to develop for local picnickers. 12- On the basis of the findings of this environmental impact assessment study and the impact mitigation measures proposed in the report will be duly implemented and recommendations are given due consideration, it is concluded that the benefits of the planned Ensis fish purchasing and storage facility development in Raaverrehaa Island will substantially outweigh an unwelcomed demand of burden on the environment.Item Environmental impact assessment for the proposed six storey building with a basement, land lot A-10079 Hulhumalè, Maldives(2016-10) Riyaz, Mahmood1. The report has been prepared for Ms. Maanaa Raafiu M. Kuredhige to fulfill the legal requirement of EIA regulation 2012 Schedule D which requires obtaining environmental clearance from The Environmental Protection Agency prior to construction of a building with a basement or buildings that have a foundation deeper than 5feet from the ground level. The proposed project involves development of a six storey building with a basement in Hulhumalè Lot 10079 (A-133) located on the north eastern side Dhiggaa Magu in Neighbourhood 1 (N1). 2. The total area of the lot is 152.8m2 and the building footprint is on 137.5m2. The proposed 6- Storey private residential building will have apartments in mezzanine, first, second, third and fourth floors. The terrace will have a 12.5m2 swimming pool and a raised deck. The basement will have provision for accommodation on one half and other half for vehicle parking. 3. The inclusion of a basement floor in the building requires the foundation to be laid at a deeper depth than the foundation of a typical building without a basement and so it is proposed to be at 2.11m below ground level. The biggest concern in excavating for this depth is the protection of foundation s of the adjacent buildings. Since the foundation depth of the proposed building will be deeper than the foundation depth of adjacent buildings. Detailed procedure to be used to construct the foundation of the building is described in the report. 4. Ambient noise levels, road traffic condition, groundwater, soil, vegetation, and a exterior visual survey of the surrounding buildings and roads have been undertaken to assess the environmental condition of the area. 5. The study showed that the road traffic is extremely low approximately one vehicle in every 1- 2 minutes. Exterior visual survey of the surrounding buildings show no significant structural defects apart from the minor surface cracking. Road condition of Dhigaa magu Nirolhumagu 06 Goalhi and Nirolhumagu 09 Goalhi are in good condition. It is unlikely the existing road structures will be affected from the proposed development. The land plot is covered with various types’ of plants (shrubs and creepers) due to human intervention. The dominating low level bush contains a large number of Ipili pili (Leucaena leucocephala) and a medium sized Casuarina plant was found inside the land plot. The removal bushes, creeper and the Casuarina plant from the project area will be insignificant in terms of environmental impacts. 6. The environmental impact assessment study for construction of six-storey building with a basement in Hulhumalè Lot A10079 found that foundation excavation and dewatering and waste are two main activities that would cause significant negative environmental impacts. 7. Of these a long term impact would be from constructional waste. The waste material generated during construction phase needs to be appropriately disposed if not aesthetic conditions of the surrounding environment will be degraded in addition to health risks, dust odour and smell nuisance to nearby residents is anticipated. Hazardous waste such as waste oil and lubricants if not disposed properly it will contaminate and pollute the groundwater. These impacts would be cumulative and can be managed through proper monitoring and addressing them in a timely manner. Based on the scale of the construction projects that is taking place in Maldives at the time of this writing, impacts associated with this project activity is insignificant. 8. Impact of dewatering on groundwater table will be short-term in nature, including loss of groundwater from the project boundary and vicinity. Major impact of dewatering would be increased salinity of ground water within the vicinity areas for s short period of time. Considering the fact that most of the households nowadays are using piped water for daily house hold uses, there will be no direct impact to the households from increased salinity but the impact would be felt for the trees nearby the site. 9. The study has evaluated alternative options for the project activities and evaluated potential option for power generation and alternative foundation options. Even though there is no very significant impact from this project after the report has come-up with an extensive monitoring programme that will keep on monitoring environmental changes associated with the project and make necessary adjustment based on the findings of various measured environmental parameters suggested in the monitoring plan. 10. The study found that the proposed project is in line with key legal and policies maintained by the Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure and EPA including Environmental Protection and Preservation Act, EIA Regulations, Hulhumalè Planning Guidelines and Maldives National Building Code. 11. Therefore on the basis of this environmental impact assessment study and the impact mitigation measures proposed in the report will be duly implemented and recommendations are given due consideration, it is concluded that the benefits of the proposed construction of six storey building with a basement is Hulhumalè Plot A 10079 will substantially outweigh its imposition on the environmentItem Environmental impact assessment for the proposed levelling and earthworks of football arena in Nadella, South Huvadhu Atoll(2016-08) Riyaz, Mahmood1- This is the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report carried out for Gdh Nadellaa Island Council to undertake earthwork and ground leveling of Gdh Nadellaa football ground. The project is funded under the sports arena development project carried out the by the Ministry of Youth and Sports in all inhabited islands. The project involves dredging of 50x144.4 area in front of the boatyard in Gdh Nadellaa lagoon and sources the material for ground leveling and earthwork of the football field. The EIA was prepared as fulfillment of the requirement by the Environmental Protection Agency under the dredging and reclamation regulation (Regulation 2013/R-15) for granting permission for the project. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of development projects is a requirement by the Environmental Protection and Preservation Act (EPPA) (law 4/93) of the Government of the Republic of Maldives. 2- This report has been prepared in accordance with the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations published by the Ministry of Environment and Energy 2012 and covers both negative and positive environmental and socio-economic impact arising from the proposed project in Gdh Nadellaa Island. Major findings of this report are based on information gathered during the field inspection of both the existing environment and possible effects of the project activities, through extensive literature review and experiences gained from similar projects elsewhere in the Maldives. 3- The proposed project activity will take place in Gdh Nadellaa Island. Gdh Nadellaa is an inhabited island and lies in Huvadhu Atoll in a 30 km long elongated reef located on the south western periphery of Gdh. Atoll. Nadella is rectangular in shape, oriented NW-SE, and is found in a huge reef that contains over 85 islands of various sizes and shapes. The vegetated area of Gdh Nadellaa is 44 hectares the island is approximately 817m long and 526m wide. Total area of the house reef is 5615 ha (56 km2). The island occupies 0. 007 % of the total reef area. Average depth of the reef flat greatly varied along the reef platform ranging from 20-0.2m from MSL. The distance between the island shoreline and ocean-ward reef rim is 250m and on the atoll- ward side is approximately 1.2km 4- The terrestrial environment is similar to other inhabited islands across the Maldives. The topography of the island is almost flat and the relative variation in ground level in different parts. Existence of Kulhi on the northern part of the island indicates that the island slanting northwards. Gdh Nadellaa has lush tropical vegetation around the island dominated by coconut palms but Scaevola taccada (magoo) Kuredhi boashi, Halaveli and coconut palms surrounding the island. Hibiscus tiliaceus (dhigga) is abundant throughout the island followed by Thespesia populnea (hirundhu). Occasionally, Cordia subcordata (kaani) can be seen in the wooded area and rarely mature Fiscus benghalensis (nika) . 5- The northern shoreline of the island has been altered after the harbour development in 2009. Large area of the island was reclaimed adjacent to the harbour area. Semi enclosed water body which has openings to the lagoon was completely reclaimed by filling with dredged material from harbour and access channel development process. The playground has been development on the lowest part of the island that seems be the main reason for exposure for flooding during the rainy season. 6- The proposed project involves dredging 50x144.4 area adjacent to the dredged area in front of Nadellaa boatyard to a depth of -3m and source the dredged material, approximately 21675m3sand, for earthworks and leveling of Nadellaa playground. The area proposed for dredging and sources material for earthwork and leveling is a very shallow (0.5 at high tide, exposed at low tide) sand accretion zone in Nadellaa lagoon. The area is covered with sand and seagrass. Coral reef on the northern side, atoll ward side, is approximately 1.2km away from the shoreline. Comparison of historical photographs shows that seagrass developed on Nadellaa lagoon after the harbour development work. There are numerous coral patches and individual coral patches in the lagoon. 7- During the preparation of the EIA report an impact matrix, which is a standard tool for identifying the possible impacts of project activities, has been created for proposed development project in Gdh Nadellaa Island. The activities carried out during the construction and post-construction or operational phases are arrayed against a selection of environmental factors that may be affected directly or indirectly as a result of project activities. 8- The report has identified and described in detail possible change that would occur to the existing environment during the construction phase and have suggested appropriate mitigation measures for each and every impact identified in the report. Lagoon dredging has been identified as the most significant negative environmental impact that could be associated with the proposed project. Post development impact of the project, after the earthwork and leveling, has been identified very minor. Also the report found, based on similar project activities elsewhere in the Maldives, the island and the lagoon environment will recover from the expected impacts rapidly and will re-establish a new ecological balance soon. However the report has come-up with an extensive monitoring programme to monitor, mainly beach dynamics and ground water quality that will keep on monitoring the environmental changes associated with the development and make necessary adjustment to the activities of the project based on the findings of various measured environmental parameters suggested in the monitoring plan 9- The study has evaluated alternative options for some components of the project and discussed alternative location for the football ground, alternative sources of fill material and alternatives location to dredge and source fill material. On the basis this environmental impact assessment study and the impact mitigation measures proposed in the report will be duly implemented and recommendations are given due consideration, it is concluded that the activities of the project could go ahead as proposed. As the project is expected to bring numerous social benefits and minimize its negative impact on the environment.
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