Academic Articles -- ޢިލްމީ ލިޔުންތަކުގެ ޖަމާ
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Item Environmental impact assessment for the proposed harbour reconstruction project in Maamendhoo, Gaafu Alifu Atoll(2013-02) CDE ConsultingThe purpose of this document is to fulfil the requirements to get necessary environmental clearance from the Environmental Protection Agency to carry out the proposed harbour development project in Maamendhoo, Gaafu Alifu Atoll. The proponent of this project is Ministry of Housing & Infrastructure. The main rationale for the project is to improve the access facilities of Maamendhoo Island to facilitate improvement in the social and economic condition of the island. The existing harbour in the island is in urgent need of repair and maintenance. Maamendhoo harbour is used by large fishing vessels, safari boats and cargo vessels, and the of the fishing and transport sectors of the island requires expansion of the harbour facilities for access and anchorage. The project involves new and maintenance dredging of an area of 22,230 m2 to a depth of -3.0 m MSL, extension of the existing breakwater and construction of quay wall and revetments. A total area of 5,625 m2 will be reclaimed to +1.5 m (MSL) and protected using revetments. The existing harbour will be expanded by about 400 ft in length. All project activities will be in conformance to 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 and Environmental Impact Assessment Regulation 2012. Significant impacts of this project during construction phase of the project are the potential impact of sedimentation on the marine water quality and consequent impact on marine life, direct loss of marine life within the project footprint and the health and safety risks to construction workers. All these impacts can be minimized with proper mitigation measures recommended in the report The main mitigation measures include carrying out construction activities during low tide hours and calm weather, deployment of silt screen or construction of bunds on the northern side and where appropriate to reduce sediment dispersal and avoid adverse sedimentation impacts, relocation of live coral recruits to locations with similar conditions, and proper supervision of all activities by qualified personnel. The work schedule and duration will also be planned to avoid disruptive weather conditions and complete construction activities in the shortest time possible. The alternatives evaluated for the project are dredging methods, sediment control methods, dredge waste disposal sites, alternative entrance channel and alternative harbour layout. The “No Project” option has also been explored and this option is not deemed preferable, given the current condition of the harbour and the need for expansion. The monitoring plan is designed to assess any changes to the coral reef environment of the island, coastal changes and depth variations of harbour area as well the marine water quality as these are the key areas that will be impacted from this project. The management plan 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 provide evidence of compliance to legislation, policies, guidelines and requirements of relevant authorities. In conclusion, this project has been designed in conformance to the relevant laws and regulations of Maldives. The most significant impacts are expected to be short-term impacts on the marine water quality, coral reef and lagoon bottom habitats. However, mitigation measures have been proposed to adequately minimise these significant impacts.Item Environment impact assessment for the establishment of a floating fish processing facility at Hulhumale’(2013-03) CDE ConsultingThe purpose of this document is to fulfil the requirements to get necessary environmental clearance from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to maintain the existing fish processing facility anchored in hulhumale harbour area. The proponent of this project is Ocean Seafood Pvt Ltd. The project is solely designed, implemented and financed by the proponent. The existing facility has all necessary facilities for fish processing. Including ice plants, desalination plants, generator sets etc.. The processing is divided into fish filleting, storing, packing and transporting to Male’ International Airport for airfreight. All project activities will be in conformance to 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 and Environmental Impact Assessment Regulation 2012. The project site is Hulhumale’ harbour area designated for such vessels and many safari and tourist vessels are moored in this area. There environmental impacts from the project are to marine water quality and to subseuesnt marine life. The impacts are rather cumulative as sewage and waste water are expelled to lagoon by all the vessels in the area.. However, measures have been put forward to minimise moderate impacts and any unpredicted impacts and accidents. This project will generate new jobs in Male’ Region, which is a significant positive impact. The main alternatives assessed for the project are alternate sewage and waste water disposal methods, alternate site and island. “No project” option has also been considered and given the economic and environmental factors the best option would be to proceed with the project. Housing Development Cooperation (HDC), the main regulating authority in Hulhumale’. Monitoring plan is designed to assess any changes marine water of the site and waste generation from the facility. The management plan 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 provide evidence of compliance to legislation, policies, guidelines and requirements of relevant authorities.Item Environmental impact assessment for the proposed small scale experimental aquaculture development project at Thumbafushi, North Male’ Atoll(2013-05) CDE ConsultingThe 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 experimental aquaculture of grouper at Thumbafushi, North Male’ Atoll. The proponent of this project is Mr Mohamed Moosa of Ma Champa Heaven, Maldives. The main rationale for the project is to explore the potential and feasibility of aquaculture of grouper in Maldives to expand the fishing industry in order to diversify local economy and increase foreign currency by reducing the import of reef fish into the country and exporting cultured grouper products in future. The project involves three main components: (1) physical infrastructure development, (2) import of fingerlings, (3) aquaculture activities. Key infrastructure include quarantine facilities, growout facilities, indoor Hall for RAS tanks, laboratory facilities, pump house and wastewater holding and treating facilities are among the physical infrastructure to be developed. All physical infrastructure will be developed on land. Aquaculture activities include importing fingerlings and culturing grouper to the marketable size. All project activities will be in conformance to 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 1993 and Environmental Impact Assessment Regulation 2012. The proposed project site is on the north western edge of the island and the area is barren land with no vegetation. Live coral cover at the north western side of the island is low with 6-15% variation. Benthic cover is dominated with rocky basement. No unique or threatened species or habitats are found in the close proximity to the proposed project site. No marine protected areas are located within 10 km radius of the proposed project site. Significant adverse impacts of this project during construction phase of the project are anticipated to be the health and safety risks to construction workers. The potential impacts are hugely reduced with RAS system however significant impacts during operational phase include potential contamination of marine water with pathogens and impacts of biodiversity if an infected animal is released to the wild. All these impacts can be minimized with proper mitigation measures recommended in the report. Key mitigation measures for the construction stage include use of desalinated water for construction and use of completing the works in shortest time possible. Use of sustainable systems (RAS) and maintaining a quarantine facility with lab facility are suggested to minimise adverse impacts during the operational stage. The alternatives evaluated for the project are alternative location, culture techniques and source of fingerlings. In addition no project alternative is also considered and this option is not deemed preferable. The monitoring plan is designed to assess any changes to the marine environment of the island, as well the groundwater and marine water quality as these are the key areas that may be impacted from this project in the long term. Use of chemicals and treated wastewater water from the facility will also be monitored. The management plan 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 provide evidence of compliance to legislation, policies, guidelines and requirements of relevant authorities. In conclusion, this project has been designed in conformance to the relevant laws and regulations of Maldives. The most significant impacts are expected to be on marine water quality and marine biodiversity due to introduction of pathogens and release of infected organism into the wild , as well as the potential risk to health and safety during construction. However, mitigation measures have been proposed to minimise these impacts. This project, if successful, is expected to provide significant beneficial socio-economic benefits.Item Environmental impact assessment for the proposed submerged breakwater construction at Coco Island Resort, North Male’ Atoll(2013-08) CDE ConsultingThe purpose of this document is to fulfil the requirements to get necessary environmental clearance from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to construct the proposed submerged seawall at Coco Island Resort, Makunufushi, South Male’ Atoll. The proponent of this project is Orchid Resorts Management Pvt Ltd, Maldives. The main rationale for the project is to reduce impact from wave, currents and propeller activity to the lobster cage of the Cocoa Island resort located on the Northern side of the island. Given the condition of the area, occasional strong current usually results in physical damage to the lobsters in the cage and in many occasions death. There is an urgent need to reduce the damage to the lobsters to make this activity viable. Thus, it is proposed to construct a 10 m long submerged seawall that would reduce the impacts. All project activities will be in conformance to 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 and the Tourism Act. The proposed project site was observed to have a pile of dead coral placed during construction phase of the resort. The area, at present, consists of dead coral. Significant impacts during construction phase of the project are the potential sedimentation, reduction in marine water quality, temporary turbidity, and subsequent impact on marine life and safety risks to construction workers. All these impacts can be minimized with proper mitigation measures recommended in the report The main mitigation measures include carrying out construction activities during low tide hours and calm weather, and proper supervision of all activities by qualified personnel. The work schedule and duration will also be planned to avoid disruptive weather conditions and complete construction activities in the shortest time possible. The alternatives evaluated include an alternative project site. The proposed site is the preferred option as this site already has dead corals and environmental damage is less compared to the alternative site. The “No Project” option has also been explored and this option is not deemed preferable, given the condition of the existing conditions. The management plan 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 provides evidence of compliance to legislation, policies, guidelines and requirements of relevant authorities. In conclusion, this project has been designed in conformance to the relevant laws and regulations of Maldives. The most significant impacts are expected to be short-term impacts on the marine water quality, coral reef and lagoon bottom habitats. However, mitigation measures have been proposed to adequately minimise these significant impactsItem Environmental audit for the registration of existing desalination plant at Meeru Island Resort Male' Atoll, Maldives(2011-09) CDE ConsultingThe purpose of this Environmental Audit report is to fulfill the requirements to get necessary environmental clearance from the Environmental Protection Agency to carry out the registration of the desalination plant at Meeru Island Resort. The project involves auditing of the existing desalination plant in Meeru Island Resort. Desalination system involves three plants with a combined capacity of 878.4 tons per day. Sedimentation tanks measures 76.708 m3 in its volumel. There are two water storage tanks with capacity 1269.9 m3. The seawater intake is located on the western side of the island with a length of approximately 255 m from desalination plant room . The brine discharge point is located on the eastern side of the island with a length of approximately 230 m from desalination plant room and into the lagoon. Disinfection is by chlorination and water distribution is piped network buried underground. The environmental impacts associated with this project include, increased noise levels, impingement and entrainment of marine organisms during seawater intake, impact on marine environment due to brine discharge, waste management hazards related to chemicals handling and disposal and beneficial impact of preserving the groundwater. There are indirect impacts associated with consumption of energy for desalination. Power generation has the potential to degrade air quality and contributes to global warming. In addition, fuel handling related to power generation is a potential risk for ground water and soil contamination from fuel spills and leaks. A number of mitigation measures are already in place. Facilities are located in the best area taking into account guest accommodation, staff accommodation and other guest areas. Desalination plant house building is elevated above ground level and attenuated to reduce noise level. Seawater intake and brine discharge are appropriately located from shoreline. Seawater intake is appropriately designed with mesh. In order to protect the environment from potential fuel spills, proper pipelines are established and fuel storage is in bunded areas. The desalination system is in compliance with Desalination Regulation of Maldives. Source water is from the deep sea. Sedimentation tank is appropriately sized and located. The desalination plant house is located to minimize aesthetic impact. Capacity of desalination system exceeds the demand for water. Brine discharge is at appropriate length and location although slightly hypersaline conditions were found that needs further investigating. Desalination plant house includes channel ways for drainage and is kept clean and tidy with clear pathways. Chemicals are organized with proper labeling. Operation manuals are available and easily accessible. The structural integrity of the facilities is considered good. Environmental management plan is provided particularly for desalination units, product water quality, fire prevention, chemicals handling and waste management. A monitoring plan is proposed to observe any changes taking place due to the operation of desalination plant. In the event that monitoring indicates that any environmental quality is deteriorating to unacceptable levels, the proponent will correct operation procedures that are contributing to the problem and/or undertake necessary engineering installations.