First addendum environmental impact assessment for the proposed coastal protection Naalaafushi Meemu Atoll, Maldives

Abstract

This report addresses environmental concerns of the proposed access channel maintenance dredging at M. Naalaafushi. The initial EIA was done on the proposed coastal protection project in Naalaafushi. During construction phase of the project, existing access channel was found to be too narrow and shallow for the barge carrying rock boulders for use in revetment construction to enter. The channel was proposed to be dredged as part of the ongoing coastal protection project to achieve suitable depth and width for barge to enter. As such, the existing channel will be widened to achieve 25m and dredged to 3m below MSL. Sand will be stockpiled on the existing islet north of the channel. Even though the proposed maintenance dredging is minor and will be completed within a short period of time, based on the dominant flow, moderate amounts of sedimentation is expected on the housereef. As such main impact of the proposed component is changes in marine water quality in the vicinity of the proposed excavation and resulting negative impacts on benthic sessile organisms. To mitigate this, limiting excavations to low tide and proper setting out before excavation begins is proposed. Furthermore, larger live corals within the vicinity of excavations are proposed to be moved to a safer location before excavation begins and long term monitoring is also proposed. Additional sites for water quality and marine life assessments were added to the monitoring programme proposed in EIA report. Given that this project component does not have major irreversible environmental impacts if proposed mitigation measures are employed and is part of a major coastal protection project, the project maybe allowed to proceed.