Environment - ތިމާވެށި
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Item Environmental impact assessment for the proposed development of sewerage system at Eydhafushi, Baa Atoll, Maldives(2008-08) Oriental Consultants; Yachiyo EngineeringThis report discusses the findings of a social and environmental impact study undertaken by Oriental Consultants and Yachiyo Engineering of Japan at the request of the Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water. Although this is a rehabilitation project, the sewerage system in Eydhafushi is beyond rehabilitation and needs a complete makeover. Therefore, in accordance with the requirements of the EIA Regulation, an EIA is proposed to be done for the proposed project. The project involves the decommissioning of the existing system and development of a new sewerage system in Eydhafushi. This project is initiated by the government of Maldives with funding from Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) as part of the tsunami rehabilitation programme. The existing sewerage system of Eydhafushi was built by the people on a need basis by different individuals connecting their septic tank systems to gravity flow sewer pipes disposing to the lagoon. The system is not so functionable and has some environmental problems, which need to be addressed. The system is similar to the “Small Bore Sewerage System”, which is basically a gravity flow system which the government in collaboration with UNICEF established in some of the most populous island such as Kandholhudhoo and Hinnavaru. The environment of Eydhafushi may be described as well managed, with few environmental problems with appropriate solid waste management, well maintained private sewer lines with nearshore outfalls, clear lagoon which is seeing increasing signs of pollution from nearshore disposal of sewage using multiple outfalls spread around the island, good housing with apropriate ventilation, sound level of urban planning, presence of beach and recreational areas and groundwater less contaminated compared to several islands of similar size and population density. Stakeholder consultations were held with various groups, including the community and the client in order to incorporate the socio‐economic components in the project. It was observed that the community of Eydhafushi is less dependent upon the government than many other islands, which are dependent for reasons of bureaucratic system of government people have been used to. Environmental impacts were assessed for both the construction and operation phase of the project. Most of the environmental impacts of the project have been identified as positive resulting mainly from improvements to groundwater and lagoon water quality and resulting reduction in water‐borne and water‐related diseases and general ill‐health. The main negative impact of the project would be that of excessive drawdown on the aquifer resulting from the improved sewerage system. There are other minor negative impacts such as small amount of excavation to lay the outfall pipe and dewatering to lay the sewer network in some areas including dewatering for the construction of manholes, lift stations and sumpwell at the STP and outfall. These impacts are considered to be moderate but short‐term. The socio‐economic benefits of the project may be considered to outweigh the negative impacts of the project. Mitigation measures for anticipated negative impacts have been identified and outlined in detail, including minimizing dewatering, laying the sewers properly including the outfall, locating the outfall at adequate depth, including secondary treatment before discharging final effluent to sea, removal of existing sewers and outfalls and improvements to lagoon and coastal conditions in order to attain the benefits of the project. The main mitigation measure would be water conservation and measures to minimize drawdown on the aquifer. This is considered necessary whatever the sewerage system, if it uses groundwater for flushing. The proposed design for Eydhafushi sewerage system has been prepared after considering all impacts, discussions with community and consideration of mitigation measures. It is inevitable that there would be some negative environmental impacts. However, these are minor compared to the positive effects of the proposed system. Yet, monitoring to ensure the effectiveness of the proposed system would be necessary. Therefore, a monitoring component has been suggested which takes in to consideration, the most important elements that require regular checks. This monitoring component will be adhered to and will allow the assessment of changes due to construction and implementation of the proposed sewerage system. Monitoring is specifically focussed on ground and surface water quality changes. Reef monitoring is considered inappropriate given the scale of anthropogenic damage to the reefs of Eydhafushi. In conclusion, it appears justified from a technical and environmental point of view, to carry out the proposed project to improve sanitation in Eydhafushi.Item Environmental impact assessment for the proposed harbour development in Velidhoo, Noonu Atoll, Maldives(2011-03) SandcaysThe proposed harbour development project in Noonu Velidhoo is of medium scale project in which the proposed project falls under rehabilitation of an existing harbour, which has been in need of extensive repair and improvement through modification and improved design. Under the proposed project, a 24 m wide entrance will be dredged (modification of an existing entrance) along with deepening of harbour basin. The existing harbour basin from quay wall will be dredged to a width of 76.2 m and a length of 289m. An additional 30m quaywall with associated harbour basin dredging will also be undertaken. The proposed concept has not been discussed with the community so far. Therefore, some of the community views that have been incorporated in this EIA report along with further formal consultations need to be given consideration in finalising the design. However, the community has been waiting for the project for quite some time and the first elected Island Council is under a lot of pressure to initiate the works. Therefore, it is recommended to allow the project to proceed while any further modifications to the proposed design can be finalized in consultation with the relevant stakeholders during the construction phase. Taking this into consideration the environmental impacts have been assessed for the worst case scenario in which the Proponent takes into consideration all demands of the community and provide the final detailed design to the EPA in due course. The recommended alternative proposed in this EIA report has been based on informal community consultations held with some key members of the community. The overall environmental impacts of the project have been assessed using appropriate matrices and the results indicated that the proposed project has net positive impact. Given that the project has several socio-economic benefits although there would be some negative environmental impacts, it is recommended to allow the project to proceed as proposed.Item Environmental impact assessment for the proposed concept change in Vagaru, Shaviyani Atoll, Maldives(2011-03) Water SolutionsThis report discusses the findings of an environmental impact study undertaken by Water Solutions Pvt. Ltd. upon request from Vagaru holdings Pvt Ltd to assess the impact of the proposed concept change in Vagaru. The project involves bringing some modifications to the original concept for Vagaru. Vagaru island has been under construction since 2006 and over the past 4 to 5 years, the change in the hotel operator has created the need to bring some concept changes in order to align with the new operators requirements. Most of these proposed modifications do not involve any physical alteration of the environment. However, some components of the change do involve physical alteration of the environment. Environmental impacts of the proposed project have been identified as resulting mainly from the construction of the new additional water villas and from the creation of the entrance channel. In view of the assessment, the environmental damage to marine resources have not been considered major from the water villa construction as this area has already sustained a lot of damage over the course of the construction. However, the impact of creating the channel has been considered significant. Mitigation measures for these anticipated impacts have been identified and outlined in the report, including sedimentation control methods and other measures. These mitigation measures will have to be followed in order to minimize environmental damage. In this project, it is inevitable that there would be negative environmental impacts. However, these negative impacts are applicable only for some of the proposed changes. Therefore, it appears justified from a technical and from a developmental point of view, to carry out the proposed modification project in light of the existing and future needs of the developer.Item Environmental impact assessment report for resort development at Fushivelavaru, Noonu Atoll(2011-04) Land and Marine Environmental Resources GroupFushivelavaru is one of the islands the Government of Maldives had recently released for tourism development. These islands were leased on the basis that Maldives had to meet the current projected bed-capacity needs in the Maldives. The non technical summary outlines the findings of the Environmental Impact Assessment of the proposed development of a 100 bed resort on the island of N. Fushivelavaru. The resort at N. Fushivelavaru will be operated by Gladonia Maldives Pvt Ltd. This document presents the findings of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for resort development at N. Fushivelavaru. Developments of this nature are required to carry out EIA studies under the Environmental Act of Maldives. The developer is required to obtain approval of the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) of Ministry of Housing and Environment (MHE), Maldives prior to the implementation of any development activities on the island. Land and Marine Environmental Resource Group Pte Ltd have been engaged Gladonia Maldives Pvt Ltd to prepare the EIA and to provide assistance in other environmental related activities. This EIA is prepared in accordance with Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations, 2007 and the Government of Maldives environmental policy and guidelines.Item Environmental impact assessment for the construction of a staff swimming pool in Kuredu Island Resort, Lhaviyani Atoll, Maldives(2011-03) CDE ConsultingThis Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is an evaluation of the potential environmental and natural impacts of the proposed construction of staff swimming pool in Kuredu Island Resort, Lhaviyani Atoll. This EIA has been developed based on the Term of Reference (ToR) issued by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of the Maldives on 13 January 2011. This document is submitted by the proponent to the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MTAC) and EPA to fulfil the requirements for an EIA under Article 5 of the Environment Protection and Preservation Act (4/93). The EIA Regulations 2007 have been used as the basis for developing this document. This assessment identifies the likely environmental impacts that may arise from the proposed construction of a staff swimming pool in Kuredu Island Resort, Lhaviyani atoll.Item Environmental impact assessment for the proposed development of sewerage system Hoarafushi, Haa Alifu Atoll, Maldives(2011-06) SandcaysThis Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report has been prepared in order to meet the requirements of Clause 5 of the Environmental Protection and Preservation Act of the Maldives to assess the impacts of the proposed project for developing a sewerage system in Hoarafushi, Haa Alifu Atoll. This report will identify the potential impacts (both positive and negative) of the proposed project. The report will look at the justifications for undertaking the proposed project components. Alternatives to proposed components or activities in terms of location, design and environmental considerations would be suggested. A mitigation plan and monitoring programme before, during and after the works would also be included. This EIA has been produced in accordance with the EIA Regulations 2007. The scope was finalized in consultation with the Proponent, former Island Chief, EPA and the consultant.Item Environmental impact assessment for the coastal maintenance works for Holiday Inn in K. Kandooma(2011-12) Systems Engineering and Marine ConsultingThe 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.Item Environmental impact assessment for development of 80 housing units at Goidhoo, Baa Atoll, Maldives(2011-12) Shareef, Ali; Mohamed, MiruzaThis Environment Impact Assessment is an evaluation of the potential environmental, socieconomic and natural impacts for the development of 80 housing units at Goidhoo, Baa Atoll. This EIA is prepared in order to meet the requirements of Clause 5 of the Environmental Protection and Preservation Act of the Maldives to assess the impacts of proposed development at B. Goidhoo. The primary objective of the project is part of the Government commitment to provide affordable housing to all the people of the Maldives. The total area of the development is approximately 184,800 square feets (17,168 sqm) and the size of a housing plot is 1707 square feets. Each housing unit would consist of 3‐4 bedrooms, a sitting room, dining room, 2 toilets, laundry and a small backyard and a well to provide water for domestic use. This report as considered the impacts the project could have on the environment. It is found that a major impact would be due to the waste produced during construction. However, the impact would only be for the project duration and mitigation measures for this and other impacts are also provided. Another high impact is anticipated on the social environment. If the progress of any delays could be shared with the public, this impact could be minimized. Improvement in the local economy of the island and improved livelihood are seen as positive benefits of the project.Item Environmental impact assessment report for resort development at Kudavillingili, Kaafu Atoll(2011-10) Land and Marine Environmental Resources Group1.1 BACKGROUND The non technical summary outlines the findings of the Environmental Impact Assessment of the proposed development of a 700 bed five star luxury resort on the island of Kudavillingili by Kudavillingili Development Pvt Ltd, a Maldivian registered company which is a joint venture between Yacht Tours Maldives and Government of Maldives (95% and 5% shares respectively). 1.2 PROJECT DETAIL Kudavillingili will be developed as a 5 star luxury resort offering a unique and exclusive product. The project will involve construction of land villas, water villas, service facilities, support facilities and a yacht marina. The project also involves beach creation and back filling works at Kudavillingili as well as reclamation of land to increase the land area of the island to accommodate the targeted bed capacity.