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Item Environment impact assessment for the proposed land clearing and tree relocation project in Fulhadhoo island, Baa atoll(2018-02) CDE ConsultantThe purpose of this document is to fulfil the requirements to get necessary environmental clearance from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to carry out the proposed land clearing and tree relocation project at Fulhadhoo Island, Baa Atoll. The proponent of the project is B.Fulhadhoo Island Council. This EIA also serves as a document to be submitted to Ministry of Tourism (MoT) to transport trees from Fulhadhoo to Bolidhuffaru Reef reclamation project. An EIA has already been approved for Bolidhuffaru Resort project. However, the report excludes landscaping components, as the vegetation source islands were not identified at the time. The original EIA recommended preparing EIA Addendums when the vegetation source islands were identified. MoT now accepts reports submitted to EPA (and Decision Notes) if the project boundaries span multiple agency jurisdictions. Hence this report and Decision Note will be submitted to MoT to seek construction approval for landscaping. Fulhadhoo Island is in need for land clearing to create an access road to the western end of the island. The island council requires removing the vegetation within the road foot print but has been unable to do so due to the need for heavy equipment. The landscaping contractors for Bolidhuffaru Resort development project approached the Island Council with an offer to clear the required land in return for the opportunity to transport the trees to Bolidhuffaru for transplantation. The aim of the project from proponent’s perspective are to create the planned ring road around the island and assist in better access to the western sand spit for the booming guest houses on the island. From the contractor’s perspective the aim is to acquire a portion of the native landscaping plants required to landscape Bolidhuffaru Resort. The project has three main components: (i) Vegetation removal; (ii) transplantation, and (iii) demobilization and clean-up. Vegetation removal involves mobilization and site setup, identifying and marking areas to be cleared, and vegetation uprooting and backfilling.Transplantation involves site preparation at receiving site, transporting trees, transplantation and maintenance . The final component is demobilizing equipment and cleaning up the sites. The proposed site for land clearance is located on the undeveloped western part of Fulhadhoo island. The vegetation in this part of the island is modified with forestry areas. The proposed site (road) for vegetation removal contains both forestry areas and natural vegetation zones. The proposed dredging site has been dredged before and is currently used as a basin. The site is predominantly made up of coral sand and does not contain any live coral colonies. All project designs are in conformance to most of the laws and regulations of the Maldives, and relevant international conventions that Maldives is party to. The key laws and regulations applicable to this project are: Environmental Protection and Preservation Act, Environmental Impact Assessment Regulation 2012, Tourism Related Environmental Impact Assessment Regulation 2015, Waste Management Regulation, Regulation on Cutting Down and Uprooting Trees, and Dredging and Reclamation Regulation. The project at present is non-compliant to some of the clauses in Dredging and Reclamation Regulation. Due to the geography of the island, the proposed borrow site falls within 500 m of the reef edge, same as most of the dredging works done on the island so far. A section of the site falls within 50 m of shoreline but it has to be noted that there is an existing basin within this distance. Project will require special consideration and approval from EPA on grounds of high socio-economic benefits. EPA has the authority to provide approval in exceptional circumstances. Additional approvals are required from EPA for land clearing and dredging and reclamation before commencement of project activities. The most significant impact of this project is the impact on terrestrial biodiversity. It is anticipated that approximately 245-260 trees and plants, including 135-150 palms may need to be removed from Fulhadhoo during land clearing. All trees that are useable for replanting will be transferred to Bolidhuffaru resort and replanted. Impacts will also be felt on marine biodiversity due dredging and associated direct removal of marine flora and fauna, turbidity and sedimentation; contamination of marine and ground water and soil due to accidental spillage/leakage of fuel and waste; salinization of ground water due to use of dredged sand for backfilling and risks to the health of construction workers. There will also be positive impacts on the island community due to improved access to the western beach of the island and subsequent improvement in guesthouse businesses, and in the form of employment and business opportunities. Mitigation measures have been proposed to minimise anticipated impacts. These include replanting two trees for every tree removed from the island at designated areas in Fulhadhoo Island, storing the vegetation removed in a nursery, making reusable green waste available for the community, and restricting excavator movement within predefined routes. This report has evaluated alternative options for the most significant anticipated impacts. The options evaluated include the ‘No project’ option, alternative locations for borrow sites, alternative tree relocation sites, and alternative green waste disposal options. Since land clearing for road development is a necessity for the island and the disadvantages of not using the opportunity to transplant the trees are higher than the advantages it presents for the Island Council, it is recommended to proceed with the project with the mitigation measures proposed in this report. Consultations were carried out with members of Fulhadhoo Island Council. Island community of Fulhadhoo, Baa Atoll Council, Baa Atoll Biosphere Reserve Office, Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure, Ministry of Environment and Energy, project contractor, and Bolidhuffaru Resort Developer. Fulhadhoo Island Council and Fulhadhoo public were very welcoming of the project as it is believed that the project will benefit the entire community. The Environmental Management Plan (EMP) for this project is designed to produce a framework for anticipated impacts, including practicable and achievable performance requirements and systems for monitoring, reporting and implementing corrective actions. In addition, it will also provide evidence of compliance to legislation, policies, guidelines and requirements of relevant authorities. Monitoring plan is designed to assess any changes to the physical environment as a result of the project activities. Environmental monitoring cost of pre-construction stage (if required) is approximately MVR 35,000. Monthly environmental monitoring cost during the construction phase is MVR 25,000. The main conclusion of this report is to move forward with the proposed development on grounds of high socio-economic benefits. Environmental and socio-economic risks associated with the project are expected to be significantly reduced if the mitigation measures and monitoring programme presented in the report are properly implemented within the framework of the environmental management plan.Item Environmental impact assessment for the proposed outer reef maintenance dredging project in Maafaru island, Noonu atoll(2018-02) CDE ConsultantThe purpose of this document is to fulfil the requirements to get necessary environmental clearance from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to carry out the proposed maintenance dredging and widening of the outer reef entrance of Maafaru Island, Noonu Atoll. The project is part of International airport development project in Maafaru, which has an existing EIA Approval. This EIA was meant to be an EIA Addendum to the project but did not qualify as an Addendum. As per EIA procedures, additional activities, although it is part of an existing project, cannot be addressed in an EIA Addendum, if the site is 500 m away from the approved project site. The proponent of the project is Regional Airports, Ministry of Tourism, Maldives. The main additional works proposed are to widen and deepen the existing outer reef entrance and to build a temporary sand bed to unload construction material and equipment on to the airport site. The changes are required to allow the Contractor’s barge to access the lagoon and the airport site for unloading. The existing reef entrance and lagoon depths are not suitable for the proposed barge to access. The proposed channel widening activity offers significant benefits to the local community and the airport. The channel is narrow and with the increase in traffic during airport operations, a widened channel offers a welcome development to the community, especially since the harbour redevelopment project is also ongoing on the island. The proposed sand bed offers no specific benefit to the community but is meant to be removed. To-date 3 EIAs have been prepared for this project for different proponents. This report takes note of the progressive changes that have taken place over the life of the project since 2009. The most recent report was approved 2 months ago. Hence, some of the baseline data used in this report uses the latest EIA results especially closer to the island. New assessments were conducted on the outer channel area. Most components of the proposed developments are generally in conformance to the laws and regulations of the Maldives. Dredging and Reclamation Approval is required from EPA. The two proposed work sites have been heavily modified in the past. The outer channel was dredged before and the proposed location for the temporary sand bed has been used to create a similar temporary sand bed by the previous developer. Thus the foot print of the impact is largely limited to previously dredged areas. Significant impacts associated with dredging and reclamation activities are present in this project. However, given the work is being undertaken on previously dredged foot prints and due to the short-time frame of works the overall impacts are expected to be moderate compared to an untouched area. One of the most critical impacts highlighted in the assessment is the potential for dredge waste to create further environmental issues, including continued turbidity due to erosion and deposition in the dredged channel. After discussions during Scoping Meeting, Island Council meeting and Proponent consultations, it has been recommended to avoid disposing the dredge waste on the side of the channel and to transport them back to the Airport Construction site to be used for reclamation. This will help reduce the overall reclamation foot print as envisaged in the original EIA. The Island Council also sought to address the possibility of creating a new channel instead of widening the existing channel. This was due to the presence of three patch reefs in front of (but 180 m away from) the channel. The Contractor and the Proponent identified that it may be difficult to accommodate a new component to the project that has significant budget implications. Alternative options have been evaluated for the most significant impacts. Options to avoid the temporary sand beds, create a new channel and to dispose channel dredge waste was considered. Among these a new option to dispose the dredge waste preferred, as explained above. Consultations were carried out with members of Noonu Maafaru Island Council. Island community of Maafaru, Regional Airports - Ministry of Tourism, and Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure. Maafaru island council and the public are in favour of this project since the project is beneficial for the community. An Environment Management Plan (EMP) and Monitoring Plan (MP) are presented in this report that addresses the new activities. However, the EMP and MP presented here must be combined with the programmes presented in the Original EIA. Overall the community of Maafaru, and island council were welcoming of this project. It offers benefits to the community and the airport during operations stage. Thus, this report concludes that the project should be implemented on grounds of very high socio-economic benefits.Item Environmental impact assessment for the development of a domestic airport in Fainu, Raa Atoll, Maldives(2018-11) Water SolutionsThis report discusses the findings of an environmental impact study undertaken by Water Solutions Pvt. Ltd in order to fulfil obligatory requirements of the National Environment Protection and Preservation Act, Law No. 4/93 for the proposed development of a domestic airport in Fainu, Raa Atoll, Maldives. The purpose of this EIA is to identify and minimize potential adverse environmental impacts related to this project and enhance the overall quality of the project. By examining the project location, the legal framework and the existing environmental components such as marine ecology and the socio-economic aspects, this EIA provides useful information regarding the extent, nature and the magnitude of impacts that are likely to occur. The EIA will also help to identify the long term socio-economic benefits to the community after implementing this project. It also provides a framework for future monitoring of the environment, so that changes can be monitored and corrective measures can be undertaken. This report is prepared for the project proponent, Island Aviation Services Limited, to establish a domestic airport in the island of Fainu, Raa atoll. The main justification for this project is its alignment with the Government’s policy to improve the connectivity through air transportation and the implementation of the tourism expansion policy. This project will be carried out in three phases. Phase one will comprise of dredging, reclamation, and vegetation clearance, construction of runway, apron, taxiway, terminal, fire station and basic amenities. Phase two will consist of construction of staff quarters, ATC and office buildings. Phase three consists of construction of fuel depot, hangar and service building. This project involves a section from the eastern and western side to be reclaimed to accommodate the length of the runway and the airport infrastructures. The total area for reclamation is estimated at 8.33Ha. The proposed borrow area to acquire the material for reclamation is located at the north-eastern lagoon of the island. A total volume of 249,719.3m3 can be obtained from the area if dredged to a depth of -16m. The entire boundary of the airport on the south, east and west sides will have revetments constructed as shore protection measures. As the project infrastructure is proposed on a vegetated area, the entire boundary area needs to be cleared. This area accounts for approximately 92% of the island’s vegetation2 The concept design for the proposed airport has been approved by the Civil Aviation Authority of Maldives. The infrastructures, asphalt standards, fire and safety measures shall be in accordance with the Maldives Civil Aviation Regulation (MCAR) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The environmental impacts that are anticipated for the project are both positive and negative. Among the activities from the construction phase, vegetation clearance has been identified as the activity with the most negative impacts. This is because the impacts are long term or permanent, and definite. Vegetation clearance effects the physical, biological and socio-economic environments of the island. Dredging and reclamation has its negative impacts mostly in the marine and coastal environments. However, the magnitude of its impacts can be reduced greatly if the mitigation measures are executed carefully. Reclamation has it positive impacts as it increases the land are of the island and thus increasing the area of freshwater lens over time. It also allows greater utilization of the existing island for the community without sacrificing valuable land for airport development. Remaining negative impacts during the construction phase can be considered mostly temporary as they are from mobilization, impacts from the work force, construction and operation of heavy machinery. Although they may be temporary they can still produce major adverse effects and care must be taken to implements the mitigation measures. The operational phase of the project has its positive and negative impacts as well. Positive impacts includes more employment opportunities to Fainu Island the region. It is expected that the tourism industry would have more demand when the airport becomes operational.Furthermore, development to the island community is also expected through stimulation of local economies and other fringe industries such as transportation, trade, food services, fuel, accommodation etc. As more visitors and tourists transiting in the island increases, the demand for basic necessities such as health care would increase, thus resulting in the improvement of the health care facility in the island. Additionally the airport will increase accessibility to healthcare in Male’ as well2 The preferred alternative proposed in this report is for the shape of the reclamation area to be maintained in a more natural shape. The access road can also be shifted towards the island as to abide by the Built Environment Regulation. The no-project option is also recommended considering the two existing airports in the region, and the permanent negative impacts that will be produced. The overall project has a number of concerning aspect, as with any development project of this scale. However it is important to consider the necessity of the project since there is no strategic environmental assessment undertaken for the region or the country as a whole. The proponent shall also carry forward the responsibilities for compensation of trees and the relocation of the island waste management centre, and the recommended monitoring.Item Item Second addendum : F. Nilandhoo : environmental impact assessment to Nilandhoo harbour construction project, Faafu atoll, Maldives(2018-02) Hussain, FirdousThis is the second Addendum to the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) for the harbour development project in Nilandhoo, Faafu Atoll. The project is proposed by Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure. No scoping meeting was held as the proposed change is minor. This EIA addendum report aims to assess the issues highlighted in Terms of Reference (ToR) agreed between EPA and proponent. Furthermore, it is to fulfil the requirement of the Environmental Protection and Preservation Act of the Maldives (Law No. 4/93). Construction of Nilandhoo harbour was contracted with MTCC on 14th April 2015, whereas the EIA was undertaken for this project on September 2015 by Water Solutions Pvt ltd. Construction phase of the project was commenced thereafter in late 2015. Need and justification of the harbour construction project has been described in the initial EIA. First addendum to the EIA of Nilandhoo was made to change the sand borrow site. The 2nd addendum is to address a proposed design change to the quay-wall structure where the initially proposed revetment and concrete quay-wall will be replaced by a 346m long steel sheet pile quay-wall along the same line. The total length of 346m will be achieved in two stages where 223m will be completed in the first stage. Environmental impacts of the proposed change were assessed for both construction and operation stage of the project. Other than vibration which will also be localized in the project area, no additional negative impacts are expected due to the proposed change in design. Effective impact mitigation measures identified in the report are to be taken during the construction to minimise the magnitude of their occurance Environment monitoring program discussed in 2015 EIA is sufficient and should be followed. In an environmental and technical point of view, the proposed change to F.Nilandhoo harbour project can be continued as proposed.Item Environmental impact assessment for establishment of sewer network at Aa. Ukulhas(2018-01) Wahhab, Mahfooz Abdul; Adam, Ibrahim RashihuThe purpose of this EIA is to critically analyse and assess the potential environmental impacts associated with the establishment of a sewer network in AA.Ukulhas and expose the solutions and preferred alternatives as well as mitigation measures to minimize any negative impacts whilst trying to derive the maximum positive impacts from the project; Existing sewer situation at the aforementioned island are not proper and are subject to cause ground water contamination. In this sewer establishment project, sewer facilities are proposed to be constructed at a location whereby public nuisance could be minimised along with little disturbance to the natural setting of the proposed locations of sewer facility and allied pump stations for the network. All the components of the sewer network will be constructed according to EPA specification complying to both MEE and EPA regulations; Additionally, this study also involved identification of several alternative locations for laying the outfall and selecting the most ideal location based on thorough study of the current patterns, proximity to the public recreational beaches and ease of design effectiveness. The preferred locations were selected based on best met design criteria of EPA and environmental options; The construction works of sewer network presented in this report are not expected to adversely impact the environment if the mitigation measures mentioned in the report are followed. The most important mitigation measures are daily maintenance of machinery, following chemical handling procedures, waste segregation and storage in closed labelled containers until disposal to Thilafushi and most importantly following the EPA guidelines for operation of sewer system; Potential groundwater contamination from damages to sewer network, potential impacts to marine life from discharge of sewerage from the outfall, excavation and dewatering are the most significant environmental impacts associated with the project. Therefore, it is extremely important to follow the proposed mitigation measure, relevant guidelines and regulations and the operation and maintenance manual of the sewer system during the operational phase. Overall, the proposed project is expected to bring in positive outcomes. It is expected that the newly established sewer network will ensure safe sanitation services to islandާ community in addition to greatly reducing further disturbance and contamination of the ground water and surrounding environment; and Monitoring is essential to ensure that environmental thresholds are not exceeded and mitigation measures proposed are working. Ground water and marine water quality monitoring will be done according to the proposed monitoring schedule.Item First addendum to the environmental impact assessment to Gahdhoo harbour construction project, Gaafu Dhaal atoll, Maldives(2018-01) Hussain, FirdousThis is the first Addendum to the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) for the harbour development (rehabilitation) project in Gahdhoo, Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll. The project is proposed by Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure. A Scoping Meeting for EIA addendum was held on 13 July 2017, following the addendum application where main issues related to the proposed change were discussed. This EIA addendum report aims to assess the issues highlighted in Terms of Reference (ToR) agreed between EPA and proponent. Furthermore it is to fulfil the requirement of the Environmental Protection and Preservation Act of the Maldives (Law No. 4/93). Construction of Gahdhoo harbour was contracted with MTCC on 08th June 2015, whereas the EIA was undertaken for this project on September 2015 by Water Solutions Pvt ltd. Construction phase of the project was commenced thereafter in late 2015. Need and justification of the harbour construction project has been described in the initial EIA. According to the EIA report, dredge material is to be used for backfilling the landward side of proposed harbour quay-wall and replenishing the beach area on south west of the island. However, during the course of the harbour project, a shore protection project has taken place in the island from December 2016 to April 2017 during which the proposed dredge material disposal area in harbour EIA report was replenished and protected by rock boulder revetment. Hence, the purpose f this EIA addendum is to allocate a new area to dispose the excess dredge material obtained from the harbour project as Gahdhoo council has requested to reclaim the area on north east of the harbour with the excess material which is expected to be 8,500cbm in total Environmental impacts of the proposed change were assessed for both construction and operation stage of the project. Most of the identified impacts are positive as they will improve the socio-economic situation of the island. As in all construction projects of this nature, the main negative environmental impact of the project is identified to be the movement and settlement of sediment around the reclamation area during the construction. However, the benthic cover of the reclamation area is predominantly composed sea grass and sand. Hence, combined negative effects are considered to be insignificant compared to the positive effects of the project with the proposed change. Effective impact mitigation measures are to be taken during the construction. It is recommended to keep the fill area enclosed with a bund wall as a mitigation measure against the movement of silt and sediments around the project area. Environment monitoring program discussed in 2015 EIA is sufficient and should be followed.. In an environmental and technical point of view, the proposed change to Gdh. Gahdhoo harbour rehabilitation project of is justified and beneficial in number of ways.Item First addendum to the environmental impact assessment for the proposed Madivaru airport development project at Madivaru, Lhaviyani atoll(Kurehdhoo Holdings, 2019-01) CDE Consultant