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Item Environmental impact assessment for the proposed coastal modifications at Vakarufalhi Island Resort, South Ari Atoll, Maldives(2013-08) SandcaysThis report discusses the findings of an Environmental Impact Assessment for the proposed dredging of the existing entrance channel and mooring area at the Service Jetty on the southwest lagoon of Vakarufalhi, South Ari Atoll. The project is proposed by Vakarufalhi Island Resort operated by Mount Lavinia Hotel Group. Vakarufalhi is one of the renowned resorts in the Maldives with luxury beach and water villas, spa, restaurants and bars. The project is targeted at improving access by dredging or maintenance dredging of the existing access channel and mooring area at the service jetty (Jetty B), which is used for supplies and other access needs apart from tourist movements. The dredging of the channel and mooring area is proposed to be undertaken using excavator and truck or mini loader used for moving sand ashore. The volume of the dredged sand is estimated to be about 8500m3 and is proposed to be disposed to the beach after sieving the sand and leftover rubble will be disposed appropriately, either on identified location on land or dumped offshore. Environmental impacts were assessed for both the construction and operation phase of the project. Most of the impacts of the project have been identified as positive resulting mainly from improved access and mooring, improved services, direct and indirect employment opportunities, increase in related business ventures, and so on. The main negative environmental impact of the project is identified to be the possible movement of sediment towards the reef. The movement and settlement of fine sediments are expected to occur mainly on the reef flat, which is predominantly dead. The sedimentation on the reef slope and edge is expected to be low and sediment settlement almost negligible due to good flushing and currents in the area. Therefore, the environmental impacts of the project are considered to be of minor significance and short-term. The project is undertaken due to the socio-economic benefits that entail including easy access at all tides creating improved guest transfers and services. The impact matrices done for the project indicates a net positive impact, however, the magnitude of the net positive impact is small possibly due to the small size of the project. Important mitigation measures that have been identified include the following: 1. Proper setting out of the dredge area to ensure that only the areas where dredging is required will be dredged and coral damage is minimized. 2. Upon setting out, all live coral in the dredge area (borrow areas) shall be moved to safety and transplanted in the nearest safe location prior to dredging. The safe location shall be determined based on the prevailing current direction. 3. Sieve the dredge material before using the material for beach nourishment, so that beach is free from rubble. 4. Excavator movement shall be minimized, therefore, truck or mini loader shall be used for moving the sand from the borrow area to land. Truck movement between the island and the dredge area shall be by using a temporary low bed that is at or slightly below low tide level. Therefore, the moving the dredge material to land would take place during low to medium tide for the safety of the operation. This is considered sufficient based on experience from similar projects. This bed shall be removed at the end of the construction phase. 5. General mitigation measures such as appropriate supervision during the civil works and staff awareness on environmental protection shall be in place. Supervision and environmental guidance shall focus on ensuring that fuelling of excavator and other machinery is undertaken with caution. During the construction phase, it is also vital to undertake daily in-situ monitoring of total suspended solids and turbidity to ensure that water quality criteria are met and sedimentation on the reef does not occur. In addition, monitoring of low tide line, high tide line, water quality and drogues shall be undertaken for a minimum of 2 years. It is recommended to incorporate these into an island-wide monitoring programme, which is not within the scope of this EIA report. In conclusion, it appears justified from a technical and environmental point of view, to carry out the proposed project to dredge the existing entrance channel and proposed mooring area on the southwest of Vakarufalhi resort.Item Environmental impact assessment for the proposed coastal modifications Chaaya Lagoon Hakuraa Huraa(2013-10) SandcaysThis report addresses the environmental concerns of the proposed first phase of the coastal modifications including installation of groynes and sand pumping for beach nourishment on the western end of Chaaya Lagoon Hakuraa Huraa, Meemu Atoll. This project has been previously approved and due to delays in implementation, the project is further scrutinized including changes to the proposed shore protection structures and new EIA. Hakuraa Huraa, like several other resorts and inhabited islands across the Maldives, is subjected erosion and coastal protection structures have been constructed. These mainly include the groynes and seawall structures on the eastern side as well as temporary sandbag groynes and revetments on severely eroding areas on the proposed western end of the island. The southern side and the eastern and western ends are prone to severe erosion while the northern side has always had accretion. There had never been any beach nourishment despite having a groyne field on the southern side. Therefore, the effectiveness of the groyne field on the southern side has not been known. The southern side with a long stretch of shallow reef flat faces the atoll rim. Therefore, this side is constantly subjected to the swell-induced crossshore movement of sediment. Hence, groyne field on the southern side may not be effective. However, on the eastern and western ends of the island, there is a strong longshore current and groynes are expected to be quite suitable for these two ends of the island. Hence, a groyne field is proposed for the western side, which is being considered as a first phase of the shore protection project. The groynes will be constructed using rock boulders with a core enclosed by geotextile. A small volume of about 500tons of rock boulders is estimated for the proposed groyne field. In addition, the groyne field and part of the southeastern shoreline will be filled with sand pumped from a location on the southern side where there is ample sand. The location will be about 150m from the island’s shoreline, which is the most practicable distance for sand pumping using most of the sand pumps currently available in the Maldives. A sand pump is most suited due to its small size and dredgers would not be feasible due to the small volume, which is 5,500m3 of sand. The second phase will be implemented based on the success of the first phase and would most probably replicate the groyne field proposed in this phase. However, the second phase components are not considered within the scope of this EIA report. Sand pumping is necessary in order to fill eroded areas even if structural protection is provided. In most cases, regular beach nourishment by pumping sand would be required. However, in the proposed project, what is proposed is a one-off pumping and additional pumping requirements will be established based on findings of follow-up monitoring so that regular beach nourishment for the proposed area will be considered within the scope of the EIA for the second phase. The negative impacts to environment due to the construction of groynes and beach nourishment is mainly during the construction phase which include impacts due to mobilisation, construction noise and machinery movement. However, these are considered to be minor negative given the prevailing environmental conditions at Hakuraa Huraa. The negative impacts of sand pumping for both borrow and fill areas include loss of habitats for some bottom dwelling organisms in the nearshore environment (mud feeding, filter feeding and juvenile fish etc). However, this is not a significant ecosystem in the Maldives, especially in Hakuraa Huraa, where the reef extent is very large and the biodiversity of nearshore ecosystem is low. Therefore, the impact significance is almost negligible. Also, the impact from sedimentation and sediment re-suspension is low due to good flow of currents in the area. There will be no sedimentation impact on the reef. The positive impacts of shore protection and beach nourishment will be that it will help to protect coastal vegetation as well as coastal properties and other amenities, particularly on the south-western corner as well as the northwestern corner, where the coffee shop is under threat of erosion. There will also be socio-economic impacts including tax revenue and short-term employment. The overall environmental impacts of the project assessed using appropriate matrices, professional experience/judgement and the results of continuous environmental monitoring over the past few years indicated that the proposed project is expected to have net positive impacts compared to a few negative environmental impacts. There will be no irreplaceable damage to any of the environmental components. The resort has a comprehensive environmental monitoring plan in place and monitoring recommended under the proposed project will form an integral part of the current practice. Given that the project has several advantages or benefits compared to a few minor negative environmental impacts, it is recommended to allow the project to proceed as proposed.Item Initial environmental examination (IEE) for beach nourishment at Angsana Resort and Spa, Velavaru, Dhaalu Atoll(2011-09) SandcaysThis report addresses the environmental concerns of the proposed beach nourishment in Angsana Maldives Velavaru Resort and Spa, Dhaalu Atoll. The primary objective of the project is to recover eroded beach by pumping sand from already excavated areas nearshore from the nearby deep lagoon. The project encompasses sand pumping using a 6 or 8 inch sand pump mounted on a barge. The borrow sites for the proposed beach nourishment will be in the western lagoon. The beach on the eastern shoreline of Velavaru has been severely eroded currently due to lack of any shore protection measures. Previously, the beach has been maintained through regular beach nourishment by pumping sand from the deep lagoon. However, this activity has been stopped by the Tourism Ministry recently as beach nourishment is an activity that requires environmental clearance as per the EIA Regulations of the Maldives. Due to the critical nature of the on-going erosion and since a well maintained beach is one of the main elements of the tourism product of the Maldives, the Environmental Protection Agency has given the authorisation for beach nourishment works to commence after investigating the existing environment and potential impact from the works in an Initial Environmental Examination. This Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) has been carried out in order to get clearance for the nourishment of the beaches of Velavaru. Sand pumping from nearshore locations has the potential to aggravate erosion as the borrow pits can become sediment sinks over a considerable period of time. If borrow areas are too close to the shore, the impact on the island shoreline and the erosion of the nourished beaches would be quite rapid. Therefore, it is recommended to keep the borrow areas as far as possible from the beach. This IEE will locate the best possible borrow area for the beach nourishment works while also providing an alternative location. One of the potential impacts would be the possible growth hindered patch corals within the lagoon. However, there are no coral patches within the lagoon in Velavaru which may be affected by the proposed beach nourishment activity. Given that biological resources are not directly affected, aesthetic concerns are of importance in the proposed project. Therefore, in order to maintain the aesthetic value of the beach and enhance the socio-economic benefits of the proposed project, it is important that immediate beach nourishment is undertaken. At the same time, it is necessary to ensure that all environmental concerns of future shore protection or beach enhancement activities are clearly established so as to minimize environmental impacts of such activities.Item Environmental assessment on proposed beach nourishment and environmental audit on desalination and power generation activities, Vakarufalhi Island Resort, South Ari Atoll, Maldives(2011-07) SandcaysThis report is on two components including an environmental audit on existing desalination and power generation facilities and environmental impact assessment of proposed beach nourishment in Vakarufalhi Island Resort. The audit addresses the environmental concerns of the existing desalination plant and power generation facilities in Vakarufalhi Island resort. The primary objective of the audit exercise is to renew desalination plant registration. Having an environmental clearance statement is a requirement the registration of desalination plants. There is one seawater desalination plant with daily production capacity 300m3 in which feed water intake and brine concentrate discharge is on the eastern side of the island. The overall performance of the desalination plant in Vakarufalhi Island Resort is adequate and acceptable. The electrical conductivity of product water was found at 50μS/cm and no coliforms were detected from product water. The groundwater quality in terms of salinity was found at 1,700μS/cm (considered as measure of salinity); this shows the aquifer is normal. Total estimated area of proposed beach filling is at 3,140m2 with an estimated volume of sand to be filled at 4,710m3. This estimation is based on the existing beach condition at the time this survey was undertaken. A monitoring program has been outlined at the end of the report which can be implemented for environmental quality improvement and informed decision making. In particular of water quality monitoring and daily log maintenance at plant site. The overall performance of the seawater desalination facility and powerhouse in Vakarufalhi Island Resort is at adequate and acceptable condition. Key aspects of the operations are in compliance to desalination plant registration regulations in Maldives. Noise emissions meet the requirements of Maldives Energy Authority and acceptable standards. The overall environmental impacts of the proposed beach nourishment indicated that there continuous beach nourishment at Vakarufalhi does not have major adverse impacts on the environment as far as current knowledge is concerned. Given that the project has major socio-economic benefits and some environmental benefits, it is advisable to allow the project to proceed as proposed. It is also recommended to continue to monitor the impacts of the proposed project by regular monitoring of shorelines, beach profiles and nearshore currents for at least two years and communicate and feed the data into the EIA system in the country.Item Initial environmental evaluation for beach replenishment at Kadhdhoo Airport VIP Area, Laamu Atoll(2011-08) SandcaysThis report addresses the environmental concerns of the proposed beach nourishment at the VIP Area at the southern end of Kadhdhoo Domestic Airport in L. Kadhdhoo. The area is devoid of beach due to the flow of current in the channel. In addition, there are deepened areas just next to the beach which act as a sink for sediments moving longshore. Therefore, it is proposed to place sand in these deepened areas to reduce depth so that erosion is minimized and the safety of swimmers is enhanced. The borrow sites for the proposed beach nourishment will be in the eastern side reef flat. However, the appropriateness of this location as a borrow site has not been studied so far. It is expected that an area of about 20,000m2 would have to be excavated to a depth of about 3m below MSL. This would be adequate to fill the dredged locations in the VIP area and to nourish the approximately 470m long stretch of beach to about 10m from the current high tide line. It would be necessary to sieve the sand before it is placed on the beach to match natural beach conditions preferred by clients. Without structural protection, it may not be possible to keep the beach intact after nourishment. Therefore, regular beach nourishment would be required in the absence of structural protection. Hence, it is proposed to undertake regular beach nourishment by borrowing sand from the southeastern lagoon from the same location as the proposed borrow area or by moving further south and southwest of the proposed borrow area. Since the borrow area is on the rim reefward side of the lagoon, currents are never expected to take the sediment towards the reef on this side. The reef on the western side is at quite a considerable distance that sedimentation of the reef would be unlikely. Therefore, there are no major impacts due to the proposed beach nourishment activity as anthropogenic impacts currently present in the area have greater impact. Deepening the rim reefward end of the channel may affect flow in a positive way as it is expected to dampen the currents flowing in the channel by absorbing part of the energy. Sand pumping from nearshore locations has the potential to aggravate erosion as the borrow pits can become sediment sinks over a considerable period of time. If borrow areas are too close to the shore, the impact on the island shoreline and the erosion of the nourished beaches would be quite rapid. Therefore, it is recommended to keep the borrow areas as far as possible from the beach. In the case of the proposed area, the movement of beach material into the dredged area would be minimal given that there would be a net westerly current most of the time. Yet, it is suggested to keep the borrow area at least 40m from the beach line. The other possible impact would be the hindrance to growth of patch corals within the lagoon. However, there are no significant coral patches within the lagoon which may be affected by the proposed beach nourishment activity. Given that biological resources are not directly affected, aesthetic concerns are of importance in the proposed project. Therefore, in order to maintain the aesthetic value of the beach and enhance the socio-economic benefits of the proposed project, it is important beach nourishment is undertaken in such a way that beach nourishment frequency does not exceed twice a year. The most important mitigation measure in the case of the proposed project aimed at providing closely simulated natural beach condition would be to sieve the borrow material to remove coral rubble to match natural beach conditions to the greatest possible extent. The remaining coarse material after sieving shall be placed away from the local beach areas on the western side so that they rarely get washed on to the shore. Regular monitoring of the coastal area is essential to ensure that the sediment movement patterns are clearly understood so that future mitigation measures will be more useful and meaningful. It would also help to alter beach nourishment profiles so as to minimize the frequency of beach nourishment. Long term monitoring would also help to design sustainable structural protection for long term protection. Therefore, monitoring the beaches before, during and after the initial beach nourishment is recommended. It is recommended to monitor beach profiles and currents in the channel as regularly as possible preferably every two months for the first two years. It is also recommended to undertake regular beach nourishment at no more than twice a year. Given that the project has minimal impact on the environment or ecological resources but high socio-economic benefits, it is recommended to allow the project to proceed. However, the Proponent shall be required to follow the proposed mitigation measures of placing only sieved sand on the beaches and regular monitoring of shorelines, beach profiles and currents in the channel.Item Environmental impact assessment proposed access channel to arrival jetty Taj Exotica Resort and Spa, South Malé Atoll, Maldives(2011-02) SandcaysThis report addresses the environmental concerns of the proposed dredging of an access channel to the Arrival Jetty of Taj Exotica Resort and Spa located on Emboodhoofinolhu, South Malé Atoll. The primary objective of the project is to provide access to the island at all times. The project involves the excavation of a 30m long, 15m wide channel up to 3m from MSL on the western side between the arrival jetty and the deep lagoon to allow safe access to the island at all tides. The sand that is excavated will be used to replenish areas of the beach on the eastern and north end of the island where beach is easily eroded. The sand that will be placed on the beaches need to be sieved or graded to rid it of broken coral pieces and rubble. The remaining portion of the dredge material would be taken away in a barge and dumped somewhere offshore such as the deep lagoon or the sea. Since the process of sieving yield material that cannot be used for any purpose on the island (as per Tourism Regulations) and also the process involves access to several areas of the beach that would be in use by tourists, the process would require careful planning and supervision. Therefore, feasible alternatives such as creating a sand bank at a naturally shallow area close to the dredge location have been proposed. This is the initially proposed option, which was also discussed in the scoping meeting. However, the Ministry of Tourism has rejected the EIA report requesting the Proponent to “exclude the development of the sand bank from the EIA report and include an alternative way of disposing the dredged material”. The overall negative impacts of the project are mainly short term deterioration of marine water quality, impact on the coral patch at the end of the proposed channel and altered bathymetry in the area. In addition, the nourishment of beaches would directly and indirectly improve the quality of the tourism product that is being offered at least in the short term as no shore protection has been proposed in this project. The project also encompasses several positive impacts including employment opportunities, improved guest transfer and other ventures. Since the project takes place in a resort environment, it would be necessary to ensure that the aesthetics of the resort are not compromised. Therefore, using a sand pump would be more practicable than using an excavator. However, both methods are appropriate. In order to improve the EIA process and to assist in future projects, it would be necessary to undertake monitoring. It has been proposed to undertake monitoring of the shorelines of the island and oceanographic and hydrodynamic conditions (drogue studies) and water quality.Item Environmental impact assessment report for the proposed removal of seagrass and beach nourishment Diva Maldives, South Ari Atoll, Maldives(2011-05) SandcaysThis report addresses the environmental concerns of the proposed sand pumping for beach nourishment and seagrass removal in Diva Maldives, located on Dhidhdhoofinolhu South Ari Atoll at 4°29'43.10''N and 72°53'55.28''E. The island located at 98 Km away from Male’ International Airport is 1.7 Km long and 150 m wide with a total land area at 25 acres with vegetations similar to other resorts across Maldives. The proponent of this project is Diva Maldives operated by Naiade Resorts Pvt. Ltd. founded in 1987. This five star resort similar to that of several other resorts and inhabited islands across Maldives is subjected heavy erosion and lagoonal seagrass. The resort has been undertaking a beach nourishment program since began its operation, which however has been suspended temporarily for environmental clearance. Secondly, the dense seagrass coverage is severely affecting the overall operation including guest complaints due to continuous beaching of seagrasses. Hence, the management is extremely in need of finding a solution to seagrass and continue sand pumping for beach enhancement. The alternatives to the proposed covering of seagrass with sand are to excavate the entire seagrass beds using excavator to an estimated depth of 0.3 m, remove it using sand pumps mounted barge and cover with mats by blocking sunlight. It has been estimated a total area of 477476m2 have to be dredged out making sure the root system (rhizomes) gets removed from lagoon. Hence the estimated volume of dredged material (mixed with sand and seagrass) will be at 143,240.1m3. Approximately, 70% of lagoon is covered with seagrass, which keeps tourists from going to lagoon for snorkelling, bathing and other recreational needs. Sand pumping and seagrass removal are two independent operations proposed under the project which will have positive and negative impacts. The negative impacts to environment include loss of seagrass ecological system and damage to habitats for thousands of bottom dwelling organisms (mud feeding, filter feeding and juvenile fish etc) and a few of young and adult fish communities. The lagoon in the eastern side of the island is found with abundance of fish and range of mud feeding organisms. These organisms will be affected due to loss of bottom and deterioration of water quality from re-suspension of sediments from these operations. However, this impact would not be significant as the seagrass bed and its habitat is not considered to be a significant ecological system based on current knowledge. Also, the impact significance of siltation or sedimentation is low with almost negligible impact on the reef. The positive impacts of resuming beach nourishment will be that it will help to protect coastal properties (e.g. guest rooms) and other amenities, particularly on western side and northern tip of the island. Similarly, seagrass removal would help to bring an end to the continuous guest complaints, which in turn will help to gain additional markets. The overall environmental impacts of the project assessed using appropriate matrices, professional experience/judgement and the results obtained on existing situation of Diva Maldives indicated that the proposed project has net positive impact compared to overall negative environmental impacts. Given that the project has major socio-economic benefits although there would be some minor negative environmental impacts, it is recommended to allow the project to proceed as proposed. Environmental monitoring recommended for the project includes the monitoring of the shorelines and beach profiles at project site before, during and after the work. Marine water quality including turbidity, salinity, conductivity, pH and dissolved oxygen level etc need to be monitored every three months from the onset of the project up to about six months from the completion of proposed project activities. Annual monitoring reports have to be submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency during the monitoring period. Regular monitoring is important because the environmental clearance that will be given after two years from the initial approval would be given based on regular environmental monitoring records of the past two years.Item Environmental impact assessment : coastal protection at Paradise Island Resort, Kaafu Atoll, Maldives(2010-08-01) SandcaysThis report addresses the environmental concerns of the proposed coastal protection at Paradise Island Resort located on Lankanfinolhu in North Malé Atoll. The primary objective of the project is to protect the coastal infrastructure of Paradise Island Resort and also enhance the natural environmental of Paradise and to improve the services offered to guests thereby minimizing operational and environmental costs. As such the project encompasses the replenishment of approximately 200m of beach at the arrival jetty and swimming pool area on the western side and about 300m of shoreline on the eastern side at the base of the water villas jetty. Paradise Island is surrounded by a large expanse of lagoon or reef flat on the eastern side and similar but not so great expanse of reef flat and lagoon on the western side. The western side beach is, therefore, much more prone to wave attack than the eastern side. The western side is exposed to wind generated waves during the southwest monsoon while the eastern side is exposed to wind generated waves during the northeast monsoon as well as swells during both monsoons. The eastern side reef flat has recently been subjected to anthropogenic changes during the construction of water villas which were destroyed by the tsunami of 2004 as a result of which the erosion of the eastern beaches at the foot of the water villa jetty has been severed. However, the western side beaches have been a victim of wave-induced erosion during the southwest monsoon for as long as the island existed. Therefore, regular beach nourishment by pumping sand from nearshore areas has helped to keep the beaches intact to some extent. Such frequent beach nourishment creates more sediment suspension and resuspension in the water column causing deterioration of the quality of the main product, which is the natural environment. Continuous beach nourishment would also provide little protection to these eroding areas without structural protection. Shore protection measures have, therefore, been evaluated and most practicable option(s) chosen to protect the eroding areas and minimize the frequency of beach nourishment. The proposed coastal protection structure is a breakwater that would be submerged at high tide. Such a breakwater is expected to provide adequate protection from wave induced erosion on both sides, which is the cause for concern at present. The overall environmental impacts of the project have been assessed using appropriate matrices and the results indicated that the proposed project has a net positive impact. That is, the project has no major adverse impacts on the environment as far as current knowledge is concerned. Given that the project has major socio-economic benefits and some environmental benefits, it is advisable to allow the project to proceed as proposed. It is also recommended to continue to monitor the impacts of the proposed project by regular monitoring of shorelines and nearshore currents for at least two years and communicate and feed the data into the EIA system in the country.