Initial environmental evaluation report : construction of jetty at Vaadhoo Resort, South Male’ Atoll

Abstract

The proposed project involves construction of jetty connecting existing detached honeymoon bungalows at the southern side of Vaadhoo to the island. Coastal development structure such as jetties are required to submit an environmental impact assessment report as specified in the EIA regulation of Maldives that came effective in 2007. A scoping meeting to agree on the terms of reference was held at EPA on 21st April 2011. Based on the description of project components at the scoping meeting it was agreed among the stakeholders that a full EIA would not be required for the project. This was based on the small scale of the project (addition to an existing facility) and also its related impacts based on the environmental setting and location of the project. It was decided that an Initial Environmental Evaluation would be sufficient. This Initial Environmental Evaluation (IEE) report thus fulfils the requirements specified in the Terms of Reference (ToR) prepared for this project as output of the scoping meeting held at EPA between EIA consultant, proponent, representatives from EPA and other relevant stakeholders. In preparing the report consideration has been given to cover the environmental requirements that need to be covered by EIA regulations giving due consideration to the scale, location and usage of the project and its outputs. The Terms of Reference to the project was approved by EPA on 11th May 2011. A copy of the ToR for this project is given in Appendix 1. This IEE was based on the fieldwork visit by the consultant to K. Vaadhoo Resort in May 2011 to collect site specific information on the project and qualitatively assess the environmental components that would be affected from the implementation of the project.