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Item First addendum to the environmental impact assessment for the proposed reclamation of Thinadhoo, Gaaf Dhaal Atoll, Maldives : change of borrow area(2016-05) Musthafa, AmirThis report is the Addendum to the EIA undertaken for the Proposed Reclamation of GDh. Thinadhoo, Maldives. This addendum is based on the change of borrow area after the sand search campaign has been undertaken. More details on the sand placing method is also provided in this addendum. An Environmental Impact Assessment was necessary for the works outlined in this report as they fall under the „Jadhuvalu R‟ of the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations 2012 of the Maldives. This report would further conform to the Dredging and Reclamation regulation. In addition to meeting the regulatory requirements, the report would further assist the proponent and important stakeholders to make decisions in an environmentally sound manner. The new dredging location is about 8 km west of the proposed borrow area 1 and area 3 given in the original EIA. The overall environmental impacts of the project have been assessed using frameworks found on literature and the results indicate that the proposed project has minimum negative impact and have an overall net positive outcome. The main environmental positive impacts due to this change comes from the fact that it is slightly far from the resort islands and sensitive areas, and therefore direct impact guests will be minimised. However, the change results in the borrow area being located relatively closer to the inhabited islands area, which also hosts a dive spot and a sensitive area. However, the dredging location is still over 1 km away from the inhabited area, while it is about 7km away from the nearest sensitive area. Dredging activities will no doubt increase sedimentation impacts in the area, although lasting impacts are not envisaged. There are no additional impacts due to reclamation as there is no change in scope with regards to this component. Furthermore, it is important to note that the approved dredge locations in the initial EIA were closer to the “Havodigalaa” sensitive area. Important new stakeholders for the project include Atoll council, nearby resorts, and Management at the Airports company, who may use the surrounding region of the borrow area. The stakeholders consulted did not have any significant reservations. However, they did note that the shallow reef North of the borrow area was used for bait fishing, and fishermen from Madaveli use the general area and channel for fishing. The management at the airports company inquired whether the height of the dredger would cause any issues to incoming aircrafts. Both these concerns were attended to and subsequently, the stakeholders did not have any further issues. The height of the ship will not cause any issue since the channel was south of Kaadedhoo was not going to be used, and all stakeholders will be preinformed before dredging commences. Alternative borrow area options are not viable as the sand search campaign concluded that there are no other significant sand depots within a reasonable distance from Thinadhoo. Alternative areas are those that have already been excluded. The only other viable alternative is to source sand from another region. Importing sand from abroad will be very costly and will have further negative impacts at the reclaim site. It is recommended to continue to monitor the impacts of the proposed project by regular monitoring of marine water quality. The monitoring plan proposed in the original EIA is slightly updated to include more monitoring locations, near borrow area. A two stage monitoring plan is given, which recommends quarterly monitoring during the 1st year and less frequent monitoring for the next 5 years. Undertaking the monitoring, along with the mitigation measures is necessary to ensure the sustainable development of the project with minimum harm to the environment. It is thus recommended that since the project has major socio-economic benefits and environmental benefits, it is advisable to allow the project to proceed as proposed. Moreover, since the change in scope is relatively small, and since the initial EIA has been approved, and also considering the fact that the sand search campaign resulted in only one location within reasonable distance from Thinadhoo to obtain sand, there is no viable reason to postpone or cancel the project due to this change.Item First addendum to the environmental impact assessment for the proposed reclamation of Feydhoo, Addu City, Maldives : change of borrow area(2016-05) Musthafa, AmirThis report is the Addendum to the EIA undertaken for the Proposed Reclamation of Feydhoo, Addu City, Maldives. This addendum is based on the change of borrow area after the sand search campaign has been undertaken. An Environmental Impact Assessment was necessary for the works outlined in this report as they fall under the ‘Jadhuvalu R’ of the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations 2012 of the Maldives. This report would further conform to the Dredging and Reclamation regulation. In addition to meeting the regulatory requirements, the report would further assist the proponent and important stakeholders to make decisions in an environmentally sound manner. The new dredging location is about 1.5km North of the proposed borrow area 1 given in the original EIA. The overall environmental impacts of the project have been assessed using frameworks found on literature and the results indicate that the proposed project has minimum negative impact and have an overall net positive outcome. The main environmental positive impacts due to this change comes from the fact that it is slightly far from the inhabited area, and therefore direct impact on inhabitants will be minimised. However, the change results in the borrow area being located relatively closer to the manta point, kuda kandu, and maa kandu, which a popular dive spot and sensitive areas respectively. However, the dredging location is still over 3-4km away from the sites. The area is slightly closer to the british loyalty wreck is also 3km away from the dredge area. Dredging activities will no doubt increase sedimentation impacts in the area, although lasting impacts are not envisaged. There are no additional impacts due to reclamation as there is no change in scope with regards to this component. Furthermore, it is important to note that the approved dredge locations in the initial EIA had similar distances away from other sensitive areas in the South. Important new stakeholders for the project include dive centres and fishermen who may use the surrounding region of the borrow area. While some dive centers had significant reservations and had been reported to be outright against the project taking place in the area, their reasons are not backed by sound science and there is simply a lack of information to conclude the dredging in this area will result in any lasting impact to the popular dive spots. Alternative borrow area options are not viable as the sand search campaign concluded that there are no other significant sand depots within Addu Atoll. Alternative areas are those that have already been excluded. The only other viable alternative is to source sand from another region. Importing sand from abroad will be very costly and will have further negative impacts at the reclaim site. It is recommended to continue to monitor the impacts of the proposed project by regular monitoring of marine water quality. The monitoring plan proposed in the original EIA is slightly updated to include more monitoring locations, near borrow area. A two stage monitoring plan is given, which recommends quarterly monitoring during the 1st year and less frequent monitoring for the next 5 years. Undertaking the monitoring, along with the mitigation measures is necessary to ensure the sustainable development of the project with minimum harm to the environment. It is thus recommended that since the project has major socio-economic benefits and environmental benefits, it is advisable to allow the project to proceed as proposed. Moreover, since the change in scope is relatively small, and since the initial EIA has been approved, and also considering the fact that the sand search campaign resulted in only one location within Addu Atoll to obtain sand, there is no viable reason to postpone or cancel the project due to this change.Item Environmental impact assessment for the proposed land reclamation at Thilafushi Industrial Zone Plot S8-136(2016-01) Water SolutionsThis report discusses the findings of an environmental impact study undertaken by Water Solutions Pvt. Ltd. upon request from Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) for Ministry of Home Affairs. MTCC has been awarded the project by Ministry of Affairs. The project involves reclamation of land which has been allocated to Ministry of Home Affairs by Thilafushi Cooperation at Thilafushi Industrial Zone. After completion of the project, Ministry of Home Affairs would relocate the transmission antennas which are located on eastern side of Male’ at Henveru Park. These antennas is being relocated as part of the project to develop the China Maldives Friendship Bridge between Male’ and Hulhumale’. The project aims to: Dredge the borrow material from the shallow lagoon of Thilafushi for reclamation works Excavation of an estimated that of 14,000 cbm of sand as borrow material for the reclamation work Reclamation of 137 m by 183 m area of the plot using excavated sand. Reclamation of 25,071 m2 of land which is located on western side of the Thilafushi Industrial Zone. Levelling the reclaim land at +1.5 m above mean sea level. Environmental impacts of this project were assessed and most of the environmental impacts of the project have been identified as resulting from the dredging and reclamation works. Dredging to borrow sand for the reclamation work will be undertaken using excavators and this is particularly a method that creates lot of sedimentation. This is a threat to the marine environment. Dredging has been proposed from the western side of the island. Mitigation measures for the negative impacts have been identified and outlined in the report. Sedimentation control methods have been specifically focused due to its seriousness. An important mitigation measure is the use of bund walls in the reclamation area to contain sedimentation and reduce its impact on the reef. In addition, completing the dredging and filling works in the shortest time frame, before the on setting of south west monsoon is also a significant mitigation measure to minimize the impact of sedimentation on the marine environment. The proposed mitigation measures will have to be followed in order to minimize environmental damage. The measures proposed to minimize or mitigate environmental impacts may be considered to be appropriate, thereby minimizing the impact by about 90%. The main negative environmental impact of the proposed project would be sedimentation and destruction of the lagoon and damage to some areas of the reef, which will cause death of corals in the direct impact zone and partial death of corals in other areas of the coral reef. During dredging works, the sedimentation will also affect the fish species in the vicinity of these areas and hence, their population will drop in areas affected by sedimentation. It is inevitable that there would be negative environmental impacts of this project. However, balancing these negative impacts and the socio-economic benefits gained is something that is very difficult. It will not be possible to avoid environmental damage entirely, but ways to minimize damage are critical factors to consider during implementation. As a result, a mitigation and monitoring component has been suggested which takes into consideration, the most important elements that require monitoring, most importantly a mechanism and means to measure and value the social benefit of the project. This monitoring component will be adhered and will allow the assessment of long term changes, despite the potential negative impacts. As the socioeconomic impacts are going to be felt in the long term, monitoring these changes is very essential. The proposed reclamation does pose threats to the marine environment. There will be direct and indirect damage to marine environment in the vicinity of the project site. Some of the corals, mostly in the lagoon and shallow areas of the reef slope will die due to smothering as well as from construction activities. But these are damages that cannot be entirely avoided.Item Environmental impact assessment for the proposed land reclamation of Guarantee Fibreglass Fabrication plot at Thilafushi(2016-01) Maldives Energy and Environmental Company1. This report provides the finding of an environmental impact assessment conducted for a reclamation project in K. Thilafushi, initiated by Guarantee Fibreglass Fabrications in accordance with the Environmental Act and EIA Regulations 2012. The report was compiled by Maldives Environment and Energy Company (MEECO) to fulfil the requirements of law. The main objective of the project is to ease accessibility to the company’s facility and alleviate congestion at the facility due to lack of space. 2. The marine industry, and marine transportation is a crucial sector to the national development. This sector has been rapidly expanding in recent times as local tourism had kick started in the country. With the need for better and streamlined sea transportation mechanisms to connect inhabited islands where local tourism are flourishing, Guarantee Fibreglass Fabrications has experienced an insurgence of demand. With high demand comes the need to expand the current production facility and provide better services to clients. This has become a limitation to the company as the total area (65,000 ft2) allocated and leased to the company by Thilafushi Corporation Limited was found to be inadequate to meet these needs. The eastern plot leased to the company included a very shallow water body of approximately 537 m2. Guarantee Fibreglass Fabrications, dredged this area and constructed a breakwater to develop an enclosed harbour to use it as an access point to their facility and to dock company vessels. However, with the expansion of industrial activities at Thilafushi, more plots were leased to companies which created congestion in the harbour. Issues of accessibility and inadequate space at their production facility prompted the company to construct a better accessibility facility and to reclaim the dredged harbour area to capitalise on the extra space it would create. 3. In order to solve, the issues of accessibility, congestion and unauthorised access to the harbour area, the proposed project includes reclaiming the harbour area that measures 17X30 m. The amount of fill material required for the proposed reclamation was calculated to be 1,700 m3 4. Environmental impacts were identified and assessed for both the construction phase (reclamation) and operational phase of the project. The project would result in permanent loss of a relatively small lagoon space. Reclamation would also result in sedimentation and degradation of water quality and relocation of vessels anchored at the location. Due to the small scale of the project, and that fact that the project environment has been heavily modified, with no live corals and very limited fish life, it is evident that the project would not result in loss of an ecologically important environment. Sedimentation as result of reclamation was found to be the most important environmental impact of the project. However, this will be contained as reclamation will be carried out after sheet piling the reclamation area. Significant positive impacts were identified for the implementation phase of the project. The project would not only address difficulty in accessibility but it will also aid the economic growth of the company and contribute to the wider economy of the nation. Alternative reclamation methods have also been proposed in the report with their advantages and disadvantages. 5. Baseline and acceptable thresholds have been established for monitoring any unforeseen negative effects of the project in the surrounding environment by establishing control points. Should the recommended thresholds exceed, the project shall temporarily cease, the casue of the problem shall be recognised and additional corrective measures shall be undertaken after consultation with the Project’s environmental consultant. 6. The Proponent, Guarantee Fibreglass fabrication is committed to undertake the necessary mitigation measures and monitoring during all stages of the project that has been proposed in the report. The project is in line with the national development polices of the government and planned to be executed in compliance with the relevant laws and regulations of the Maldives pertaining to conservation of the environment if implemented in accordance with the report. 7. In conclusion, the project is expected to generate economic and social benefits while as per the assessment, carrying out the project would not result in loss of environmentally sensitive or unique habitat. Since all identified negative effects of the project can be mitigated by practical measures, it is concluded that the project can proceed as planned.Item Environmental impact assessment for the reclamation and expansion at Ibrahim Nasir International Airport, Hulhulhé, Kaafu Atoll(2014-07) Water SolutionsThis report discusses the findings of an environmental impact study (EIA) undertaken by Water Solutions Pvt. Ltd. at the request of Maldives Airports Company Limited. This EIA report covers for reclamation and Ibrahim Nasir International Airport (INIA) expansion project. The reclamation component is to reclaim additional 86 hectares of land at Hulhulhe and undertake coastal protection. The eight hundred and sixty five thousand cubic meters of the fill materials for the reclamation would be borrowed using Trailing Suction Hopper Dredger (TSHD) from borrow sites to be identified by dredging contractor. Reclaimed land would be projected with 9,483 m of coastal protection using various materials. The INIA expansion component includes development of second runway east of existing runway, development of a new terminal building on western side of the island and creation of a new fuel farm. The Ibrahim Nasir International Airport is located on the Hulhulé Island which is formed on a large reef in the south eastern side of North Malé Atoll. The Hulhulé Island was reclaimed and constructed in year 1964 for creation of airport and now services the majority of visitors to Maldives. Hulhulé Island is located at about 6km North-East of Male’. Hulhumalé and Farukolhufushi islands are also located in the same reef system. The expansion and modernization Project will increase both the number and efficiency of the aircraft gates, and increase and reallocate the terminal building to achieve higher effective capacity. The project aims at optimizing the airport landside and airside areas and thereby limiting the environmental impact. The sustainable designing approach is to have an efficient runways & taxiway system design along with modern architecture for the International Airport. Environmental impacts of the project were assessed. The reclamation of the shallow lagoon around Hulhulhe would have an impact on the marine environment of the island however, it is not seen that this would be an irreversible impact on the island environment. The impacts of the project result mainly from reclamation work result from sedimentation and changing morphology of the island. During dredging and reclamation activity, impact of sedimentation on inhabited islands, nearby resort and diving sites are a concern that needs to be addressed. The reclamation and coastal protection of reclaimed land would facilitate to undertake the expansion project at INIA. This project would have socio-economic benefits to the Maldives. The socio-economic benefit outweigh the negative impacts of the project on the physical environment of the Hulhulhe especially allowing more land to further expand and develop the island as a modern international airport. Mitigation measures for the anticipated impacts have been identified and outlined in detail, including sedimentation and stagnation control methods and measures for minimizing negative effects of generation of waste. These mitigation measures will have to be followed in order to minimize environmental damage. The details of the project have been established based on the physical development plan that had been developed for INIA. Alternative locations and alternative designs have been investigated for the different components of the project. Further studies need to be carried out to weigh whether the present project design is feasible in terms of costs, durability and safety. An environmental management plan with environmental monitoring has been developed including key elements that require regular checks. This monitoring component need to adhere to and would allow assessing the changes due to the reclamation of additional land at Hulhulhe lagoon. The project involves inevitable negative environmental impacts to the natural environment of the island. However such impacts do not prevent undertaking the project in accordance with the existing plan developed for the INIA. Detail studies need to be undertaken to have a clear understanding of the present condition of the environment and landuse patterns that could facilitate developing a master plan that would help to develop the airport expansion to meet and cater for the future demand.Item Environmental impact assessment for the proposed reclamation at Nilandhoo, Faafu Atoll, Maldives(2013-07) SandcaysThis report discusses the findings of an Environmental Impact Assessment for the proposed reclamation of 100,000 sq. ft. of land on the northern side of the island between the two existing harbour areas in Nilandhoo, Faafu Atoll. The borrow area has been identified to be the old access channel. The project is proposed by Nilandhoo Island Council and the EIA is undertaken by Sandcays as part of the Corporate Social Responsibility Programme. The total volume of sand required will be approximately 28,000m3. The existing old access channel would be the primary borrow area, which is approximately 30m wide and 320m long. The average depth of the area is about 3m and dredging the channel up to 6m would result in about 29,000m3 of sand which would be sufficient enough for the proposed reclamation work. The reclaimed area will also be protected by grout bags. Around 100 mature trees, mostly coconut palms will be transplanted from location of the proposed housing project. These plants are scheduled for removal in the near future and only those plants that are removed under the housing project will be transplanted in the proposed reclamation area. The project is targeted at improving the environmental health conditions of the people of Nilandhoo by improved landuse planning. Nilandhoo is predominantly fishing village where fish is cooked and dried for sale in the local and potential international markets. There is daily, continuous processing (cooking, smoking and drying) just next to the residential area, which has resulted in several complaints from people who are not involved in the fish processing industry. The main complaint had been that of unpleasant smell. Therefore, the Council has decided to move this industrial process a little further from the residential area in order to address this issue as well as to provide additional opportunities for those who seek land for the same or similar activities. 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 improved environmental health, increased economic activities, 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 low levels of sediment towards the reef. The movement and settlement of fine sediments are expected to occur on the reef flat, which is mainly dead. There may be some sediment movement on to the reef slope and edge. This would be negligible due to the small volume of dredge material and undertaking of mitigation measures such as bunding the reclamation area prior to filling. Therefore, the environmental impacts of the project are considered to be of minor negative. The impact matrices done for the project indicates a net positive impact. During the construction phase, it is 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 shoreline changes, water quality and drogues shall be undertaken for about a year. 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 reclaim a small area of land on the northern side of the island.Item First Addendum : environmental impact assessment for the proposed reclamation of runway extension Gan International Airport Addu City, Maldives(2013-06) SandcaysThis report addresses the environmental concerns of the proposed dredging of access channel for the purpose of land reclamation to extend the existing runway on Gan, Addu City. This report shall be read in conjunction with the EIA report for the Proposed Reclamation of Runway Extension at Gan International Airport. This report examines expected environmental and social impacts of the newly proposed method for an access channel and potential mitigation measures. The existing airport in Gan was recently open for international flights and needed to increase length of the runway to accommodate potential larger flights was imminent. Hence, reclamation of necessary land using a cutter-suction dredger was proposed. However, due to the existing reef and shallow lagoon, an access channel for the dredger needs to be made. The initial proposal to make the access channel on the southern side of the island was not possible due to hard substrate and strong waves. An alternative access channel from north-east side of the island through the lagoon on southern side of the island was proposed by the contractor. It shall be noted that the shorter access channel from the western rim reef that was proposed in the EIA report was proposed based on the recommendations of the Contractor(s) and with the assumption that the works would be started as planned during the calm days in Feb 2013. The proposed access channel dredging is not envisaged to have major significant negative constructional impacts; however, there will be minor to moderate potential environmental impacts from the operations including loss of marine biota, habited and harm to coral from sedimentation. A number of mitigation measures such as use of sedimentation screens, relocation of larger colonies of live corals were identified by the consultants. Monitoring program outlined in the EIA report was found to be sufficient and additional environmental monitoring was not found to be necessary except for water quality at the proposed dredge and fill areas. Given that the project does not have major negative environmental impacts and is unavoidable to start construction of the project, it is recommended to allow the project to proceed as proposed.Item Environmental impact assessment for the proposed reclamation of runway extension Gan International Airport Addu City, Maldives(2013-01) SandcaysThis report discusses the findings of a social and environmental impact study under the proposed runway extension at Gan International Airport, Gan, Addu City. The project is proposed by Addu International Airport Pvt. Ltd. The project is targeted at extending the runway by reclamation of land from the surrounding lagoon so that larger aircrafts can be accommodated. The dredged area will be utilized for sea plane operations in the near future. Coastal protection of the reclaimed area as well as the dredge area for seaplane operations will form an integral part of the project. At present large aircrafts A320 and Boeing 777 can only do an emergency landing and regular operations is not possible. With the increasing demand for large international carriers the runway needs to be extended. The airport not only caters for Addu City but is the international hub in the south of the Maldives catering for a large local population and an ever increasing tourist population in Addu City, Fuah Mulah and Huvadhoo Atolls. Therefore, the proposed runway extension is an immediate need for Gan International Airport. In addition, resort and other economic developments in the southern atolls will increase the demand for seaplane operations and this demand is very strong at present. Therefore, adequate areas need to be identified for seaplane operations. Shallow lagoon areas which can be easily protected from waves is most suitable and the proposed dredge areas on the southern lagoon of Gan are the only potential areas for seaplane operations and their future expansion. Alternatives have been identified in the project document. These include alternatives for the runway extension as well as dredge areas. The runway has been proposed to be extended to 350m initially with the possibility of further expansion in the future. The proposed area for extension is the western end of the runway between Gan and Feydhoo. Two dredge areas were identified as the southwest lagoon area and the southeast lagoon areas. These two options are being currently studied by comparing costs of dredging against operational costs. In terms of their social and environmental impact, both options are equally suitable. Further options were identified during the EIA process including the scoping meeting. One important option identified by the environmental consultants was extending the runway more to the eastern end than the west in order to minimize the impact on the flow between Gan and Feydhoo. This option has been favoured by the Consultants initially. However, taking into consideration the greater negative impacts on the marine environment from the option, the consultants chose to recommend the alternative of reclaiming the entire area between Feydhoo and Gan and to not extend the runway to the eastern side. This option may have additional dredging costs, however, the costs of protecting the reclaimed area is expected to counter balance the increased costs of dredging. In addition, the onshore and offshore protection proposed under the project together with a groyne system for Feydhoo and other affected areas, proposed as mitigation measures, will help to minimize the impacts on longshore transport. Therefore, this option may be favoured. 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 improved transportation, increased economic activities in the southern atolls of the Maldives, 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 changes in hydrodynamics between Feydhoo and Gan and the resulting impacts on the southern, especially southeastern shoreline of Feydhoo. The Proponent is willing to undertake monitoring and if necessary computer modelling to identify mitigation measures and undertake such measures at their cost. There are also few negative impacts of the project relating to changes in landuse as a result of the project. The main impact relating to landuse would be further developments on the southeast corner of Feydhoo, which is the only area of Feydhoo with nice sandy beach. Land owners in the area may be affected. However, industrial developments could take place in the area. The main mitigation measure for the proposed project would be the provision of shore protection to the southeast beach on Feydhoo. The City Council raised concern that this area is even at present under threat of erosion during storms and that they have been considering shore protection measures for this side. Therefore, it would be ideal if such shore protection can be incorporated as mitigation measures under the proposed runway extension project. Secondly, there will be the well-known impact of sedimentation from dredging and reclamation and mitigation measures that shall be implemented. These include provision of bunds and control of dredge water flow in to the environment. Methods of sediment control have been discussed in the report in detail. Use of silt screens where relevant has been identified as an important measure. It is recommended to ensure that sedimentation is kept to a minimal as such use of cutter suction dredger has been recommended. It is inevitable that there would be some negative environmental impacts. However, most of the impacts of the proposed project are minor compared to the positive socio-economic benefits of the proposed system. Yet, monitoring to ensure the effectiveness of the proposed project 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 extension of the runway. Monitoring is specifically focussed on water quality, mainly turbidity and total suspended solids during the construction phase. Changes in the hydrodynamics of the project area as well as impacts on the reef or marine ecological are of importance. In conclusion, it appears justified from a technical and environmental point of view, to carry out the proposed project to extend the runway of Gan International Airport to the west. However, there are alternative that may be more suitable and shall be considered with caution and after understanding the costs and discussions with relevant government authorities.Item Environment impact assessment for the proposed harbour extension project in Ukhulas, North Ari Atoll(2011-08) CDE ConsultingThis Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) report is an evaluation of the potential environmental, socioeconomic and natural impacts of the proposed harbour extension project in Ukulhas Island, North Ari Atoll. The project is proposed by Ministry of Housing and Environment (MHE) and the project contractor is MT Højgaard, Denmark. The EIA consultant is CDE Consulting. This EIA has been developed based on the Term of Reference (ToR) issued by Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on 7 July 2011. This document is submitted by the proponent to EPA to fulfil the requirements for an IEE 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. The main components of the project are: − Dredging harbour extension area − Land reclamation − Construction of harbour protection and sea wall infrastructure Ukulhas is the one of the main fishing islands of North Ari Atoll. Due to the size of the fishing fleet in Ukulhas, the island has had major problems with providing safe anchorage to fishing vessels and expanding the fishing industry. The congestion within the harbour is also making it difficult for passenger vessels to access the island. Harbour expansion has been identified as priority for island development, particularly to facilitate passenger access. A harbour redevelopment project was undertaken in 2010 through a tsunami reconstruction project funded by an international agency. However, due to budget limitations the project had to be divided into two phases. The first phase involved the maintenance dredging and upgrading of quay wall and breakwater. The first phase was completed earlier this year. Funding for the second phase of the project has been secured by the Government and the second phase in now ready for implementation. The second phase mainly involves extending the harbour, as originally planned in 2010.Item Environmental impact assessment for the proposed reclamation of 24 hectare at Thimarafushi, Thaa Atoll, Maldives(2011-12) Water SolutionsThis report discusses the findings of an environmental impact assessment undertaken by Water Solutions Pvt. Ltd for undertaking the propose reclamation of 24 hectares in Thimarafushi island, Thaa Atoll. An area of 240,000 square meters or24 hectares will be reclaimed in order to expand the available land space for Thimarafushi, mostly for housing and industrial activities. This EIA report discusses the findings of the reclamation project. The project is proposed by Ministry of Housing and Environment. The biggest challenge facing Thimarafushi is lack of space and overcrowding. Reclamation is a real need for Thimarafushi as the island is saturated and there are no additional land for housing plots nor industrial activities. The presently reclaimed area, although it is quite huge, most of which cannot be used for domestic use as majority of this land will be allocated to develop an airport and its boundaries. The present population of the island is 2817 and there are 350 households. This is 8 people on average per house. The island needs an additional 400 houses as existing houses are over crowded and too many families having to live in the same house is creating social and health issues. Twenty hectares will be reclaimed from area 1 and approximately 50% of this area would be usable domestic purposes due to airport development restrictions. Further development of Thimarafushi can only be achieved through creating additional land. Reclamation is therefore very much a serious requirement for the people as lack of space is causing many problems. Environmental impacts were assessed and most of the environmental impacts of the project have been identified as resulting mainly from the coral reef damage from dredging and reclamation works. Mitigation measures for the negative impacts have been identified and outlined in detail, especially sedimentation control methods. The most important mitigation measure is the use of bund walls in the fill areas. The proposed mitigation measures will have to be followed in order to minimize environmental damage. The measures proposed to minimize or mitigate environmental impacts may be considered to be quite appropriate, thereby minimizing the impact by about 90%. The main negative environmental impact of the proposed project would be sedimentation and destruction of the lagoon and some areas of the reef, which will cause death or partial death of corals. Coastal protection of the reclaimed area 2 will be undertaken in order to protect the shore. The project is mainly driven by the economic gain to the development of Thimarafushi, mainly through benefits achieved from increased land.
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