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Author: search.filters.author.Land and Marine Environmental Resource GroupSubject: search.filters.subject.Environmental impacts

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    Technical Report
    Environmental impact assessment report: harbour expansion works and burrow pit for top soil at Kaadedhoo, GDH. Atoll Republic of Maldives
    (2009-02-01) Land and Marine Environmental Resource Group
    This Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report is to fulfil the regulatory requirements under the Environmental Protection and Preservation Act of Maldives prior to the proposed harbour expansion, reclamation, back filling and creating a burrow pit at Gdh Kaadedhoo. The project proponent of the project is Regional Airports, MHTE. The projected is jointly funded by Regional Airports Department and Dream Ocean Holidays Pvt Ltd (management of Kaadedhoo Airport Hotel). The Regional Airport Department and Dream Ocean Holidays Pvt Ltd are in agreement to fund dredging, reclamation and back filling of harbour expansion project in return for dredged material, beach sand and top soil for hotel area. Existing harbour will be expanded by 45m to north, a new entrance and entrance channel will be cleared at the northern side, while two existing entrance will be closed. Excavation works for the proposed development project will be done by excavators. Two excavator and three trucks will be used during this phase. Initially a sand bund will be reclaimed at the outer perimeter of the expansion area to trap and reduce sedimentation impacts. The existing northern wall of the harbour will be retained till end of all exaction works (this is to avoid disturbance to usage of harbour facility by locals and resorts). The harbour expansion area will be dredged to -4MSL. The estimated dredged material for reclamation and back filling works (filling of topsoil burrow pit, terminal building area and resort land) will not be attained from harbour expansion area alone. Therefore the old harbour located north eastern side of the island will also be dredged to meet the dredged material requirement. The old harbour basin and entrance channel at present is shallow; therefore this area will also be dredged to -4MSL. The Regional Airports Department has agreed to allow extraction of dredged material from this area to meet the required volume of dredged material for back filling works. Excavation at the topsoil burrow area will be carried out by using excavators. The topsoil to a depth of 0.6m will be extracted from the topsoil burrow pit located north western side of the island. This area will be later filled to existing levels using dredged material after completion of topsoil extraction. After back filling of burrow area, according to the airport management, this area will be used for constructing future airport services buildings. Dredge material removed from the harbour basin will be transported to the disposal sites on trucks (reclamation area behind the harbour and northern side of the harbour, back filling areas at hotel, back filling area at proposed new terminal building and back filling of topsoil burrow pit). Approximately 26,000m3 of dredge material will be removed from the harbour basin and entrance channel (harbour expansion area), while 15,000m3 will be removed from the old harbour basin and entrance channel. The northern side of the existing harbour has a reclaimed stretch of land to protect the quay wall, dredging at this area will generate approximately 3,800m3 of dredged material. Therefore total volume of dredged material is 44,800m3. The burrow pit for topsoil is located north western side of the island; the burrow pit’s western edge is approximately 30m away from the vegetation edge at the western side. The burrow pit will be excavated to a depth of 0.6m to extract topsoil for use at hotel area. Volume of topsoil to be extracted is approximately 3,000m3. Ground water depth at the area is 1.3m. Topsoil from the burrow area will be transported to hotel site on dumper trucks, all efforts will be made to reduce disturbance to airport daily operations and to locals using the airport. Area of vegetation that has to be cleared at the proposed burrow pit site is 2,800m2. The burrow pit area is dominated by young Sea Lettuce and Sea Hibiscus trees, the area has no mature vegetation or coconut trees Existing environment was examined to identify significant environmental components that would be affected and to establish a baseline condition of the site. Available and relevant literature on environmental impacts associated with similar projects was evaluated to identify possible impacts. Oceanographic data and information on local hydrodynamics were qualitatively assessed to determine the wind generated waves, tidal flushing, geographic setting, the topography of the lagoon and shape of the shoreline. Two sites were selected to assess reef benthos and selected fish community as the baseline data which would also be considered for long-term monitoring program to monitor the impact of the project. In addition to the fish and benthic surveys, seawater quality was assessed at the same location as the reef surveys. The substrate of the lagoon is mostly abiotic. The area to be dredged is dominated with sand, a massive sea grass patch is observed almost the length of the stretch of lagoon in between the two harbours at the eastern side of the island. It is important to note that the most significant impact associated with the project would be impact on the marine environment from sedimentation. Dredging and excavation often carry a heavy load of sediments increasing sediment load in the water column causing discoloration due to suspended sediments of the impact area for a prolonged period. Environmental impacts associated with the proposed project are considered minor to moderate. The significant environmental components that are likely to be affected are the coral community established on the reef flat and changes to littoral drift and near-shore coastal hydrodynamics. Impact on the coral community from sedimentation as a result of excavation is inevitable. Impact on vegetation at top soil burrow area is minor since only young vegetation is observed at the area; vegetation that can be replanted will be transplanted at either newly reclaimed land or at hotel area for landscaping purposes. Mitigation measures are provided in the report for impacts that were categorized minor to moderate. Impact mitigation measures and monitoring is carried out to compare predicted and actual impacts occurring from project activities to determine the efficiency of the mitigation measures. The environmental monitoring proposed here is to determine the effectiveness of the mitigation measures and long term change to the benthic community, especially coral community, where the baseline information was collected. With due consideration to main environmental components identified and the magnitude of impacts on these components from the proposed developments, the consultant concludes that the project components and designs are feasible and appropriate mitigation measures are given to correct and minimize unfavorable environmental consequences.
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    Technical Report
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    Technical Report
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    Technical Report
    Environmental impact assessment report : extension of existing channel at Vashafaru, Haa Alifu atoll
    (2018-01) Land and Marine Environmental Resource Group
    The non-technical summary outlines the findings of the Environmental Impact Assessment of the proposed entrance channel extension works at Vashafaru, Haa Alifu Atoll. The proponent of the proposed project is Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure. The Vashafaru component is part of main contract of breakwater extension at HA.Vashafaru, R. Hulhudhuffaaru, and Sh. Maaungoodhoo. Total estimated cost of contract is MVR 14.5 million (for all three islands). The proposed project involves extension of the rock boulder breakwater along the eastern side of the entrance channel by 42m, immediately adjacent to the existing rock boulder breakwater. The project also involves installation of a navigation light at the inner side of the entrance channel where the channels diverts to a separate channel leading to boat beaching area adjacent to the harbour. An important point to note is the change to the project scope as a consultation outcome, whereby the proponent has now agreed to extend the breakwater from the endpoint of the coral rock breakwater, thus adding on 42m to existing structure. The proponent also agrees to extend the width of the channel by 30ft to the west of the entrance channel. Impacts on the environment have been considered for the constructional phase and post constructional phase of the project. These impacts have been identified through interviews with the project management team, field data collection and surveys and are also based on past experience of consultant in similar development projects. Impact analysis was done using the Leopold matrix. The impacts identified are described according to their location, probability of impact, magnitude, significance and duration. Mitigation measures have also been identified for impacts which are irreversible in nature. Impact analysis for the original project scope showed that impacts due to the project were few and insignificant. Key impact was during operational phase due to easier and safer access to the harbour. With the added scope to the project as an outcome of the consultation and as discussed in Section 10 of the report, the main impact due to the project was then envisaged to be during the construction phase, due to dredging activity. Direct impact on habitat due to dredging and related sedimentation impacts was anticipated to be of low effect (due to low live coral cover). Loss of habitat is also a permanent impact, while sedimentation impacts are temporary impact. Overall, impacts identified were found to be of low effect and restricted to the project site, with temporary effects. Mitigation measures are discussed in the report for potential impacts, such as limiting dredging activity to low tide phase to reduce possible sedimentation impacts and working within project boundary so as to minimise habitat loss. Detailed mitigation measures are discussed in Section 11 of the report. Given the scope of the project and need alternative have only been considered for the following: ➢ Location of extension area ➢ Widening of the entrance channel The no-project scenario which was also considered, is not feasible, given that benefits on continuation of project outweigh the impacts which are also mostly short term. The Consultant thus feels that the project is feasible with proper implementation of the mitigation measures proposed to minimize the impact on the environment.
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    Technical Report
    Environmental impact assessment report : construction and operation of Maniyafushi field station Maniyafushi, Kaafu Atoll
    (2018-01) Land and Marine Environmental Resource Group
    The proposed project is a continuous project implemented by the MRC and executed by MOFA, which will seek funds for its continuation. The project is an extension of an existing mariculture research and development operation, focusing on research and development of mariculture techniques for the brown marbled grouper, milkfish, sandfish and local varieties of sea cucumbers such as the white teatfish. In addition, the project will target on establishing research and capacity for coral reef studies and reef fisheries. In the immediate term, mariculture research and development capacity will be established to facilitate the establishment and development of a mariculture industry in the country. The project aims at establishing production capacity for approximately 25,000 pieces of fingerling size groupers per production cycle to pilot viability of grow out operations. Further, the project aims at developing research capacity for sea cucumber hatchery technology as well as the production of milkfish. Impacts on the environment from various activities of the construction work and during the operation of the facility have been identified through interviews with the project management team, field data collection and surveys are also based on past experience of consultant in similar development projects. The impacts identified are also described according to their location, extent and characteristics. Mitigation measures have also been identified for impacts which are irreversible in nature. Impact analysis was done using the Leopold matrix. Impact analysis showed that impact of highest significance is on seawater quality as majority of the project is established in the lagoon and sea. The proposed development is expected to bring significant socioeconomic impacts on the locals, especially the island communities as the project will mainly focus on training Atoll communities interested in grouper and sea cucumber farming on a large scale. Since there is a high demand for export business of these two species, it will bring high economic benefits to the local communities. Moreover, it will create many job opportunities especially for the unskilled workers. Mitigation measures are discussed in the report for potential impacts, including measures to minimize the impacts on seawater quality, such as regular change of water (by 25%) of the closed hatchery system and avoiding trampling outside project boundary. Detailed mitigation measures are discussed in Section 11 of the report. Alternatives have been considered for the specific location of the grow-out pens. The ‘no project’ alternative is also considered. If this alternative was to be chosen, this would mean that all negative environmental impacts which would arise due to construction would not be there. However, the ‘no-project’ scenario would take away an opportunity the local communities to explore a highly rewarding economic venture.