ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT

For the Proposed Tourist Jetty at Hulhumale, Malé City

Proponent: Housing Development Corporation

Sndcys

July 2018

EIA for the proposed Tourist Jetty at Hulhumalé

Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS ...... I

TABLE OF FIGURES ...... IV

TABLE OF TABLES ...... IV

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ...... V

CONSULTANTS DECLARATION ...... VI

PROPONENT’S DECLARATION ...... VII

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...... VIII

1 INTRODUCTION ...... 12

1.1 INTRODUCTION ...... 12

1.2 BACKGROUND TO THE EIA ...... 12

1.3 SCOPE OF THE EIA AND APPROACH ...... 13

1.4 RELEVANT STUDIES ...... 14

1.5 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE EIA ...... 14

1.6 EIA IMPLEMENTATION AND METHODOLOGIES ...... 14

2 PROJECT DESCRIPTION ...... 16

2.1 PROJECT PROPONENT ...... 16

2.2 THE PROJECT LOCATION ...... 16

2.3 PROJECT JUSTIFICATION ...... 18

2.4 CONSTRUCTION PHASE OF THE PROJECT ...... 18 2.4.1 Project Concept and Design ...... 18 2.4.2 Mobilization ...... 20 2.4.3 Construction Methodology ...... 22 2.4.4 Waste Management ...... 22 2.4.5 Health and Safety ...... 22 2.4.6 Project inputs and outputs ...... 23 2.4.7 Duration of Construction ...... 24 2.5 OPERATIONAL PHASE OF THE PROJECT ...... 24

3 POLICY, ADMINISTRATIVE AND REGULATORY FRAMEWORK ...... 25

3.1 NATIONAL POLICY GUIDANCE ...... 25

Proponent: Housing Development Corporation Page | i Consultant: Sandcays EIA for the proposed Tourist Jetty at Hulhumalé

3.1.1 Third National Environment Action Plan ...... 25 3.1.2 Maldives National Strategy for Sustainable Development ...... 26 3.2 ADMINISTRATIVE ARRANGEMENTS ...... 27

3.3 APPLICABLE LAWS AND REGULATIONS OF THE MALDIVES ...... 27 3.3.1 Environmental Protection and Preservation Act ...... 27 3.3.2 Environmental Impact Assessment Regulation ...... 28 3.3.3 Regulation on Landuse Planning and Management ...... 28 3.3.4 Regulation on Cutting Trees ...... 28 3.3.5 Regulation on Environmental Damage Liabilities ...... 29 3.3.6 Waste Management Regulation ...... 29 3.3.7 Dredging and Reclamation Regulation ...... 30 3.4 INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS, TREATIES AND PROTOCOLS ...... 31

4 EXISTING ENVIRONMENT ...... 33

4.1 INTRODUCTION ...... 33

4.2 METHODOLOGIES ...... 33 4.2.1 Location identification ...... 33 4.2.2 Marine Water Quality...... 33 4.2.3 Currents ...... 34 4.2.4 Wave ...... 34 4.2.5 Bathymetry ...... 34 4.2.6 Marine Environment ...... 34 4.2.7 Terrestrial Environment ...... 34 4.3 CLIMATE ...... 34 4.3.1 General climatic conditions ...... 34 4.3.2 Temperature ...... 35 4.3.3 Rainfall ...... 37 4.3.4 Wind ...... 37 4.3.5 Humidity and Evaporation Rates ...... 39 4.4 HYDROGRAPHY ...... 40 4.4.1 Tides ...... 40 4.4.2 Currents ...... 41 4.4.3 Waves ...... 42 4.4.4 Bathymetry ...... 43 4.4.5 Marine Water Quality...... 43 4.5 MARINE ENVIRONMENT ...... 44

4.6 TERRESTRIAL ENVIRONMENT ...... 44

5 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS ...... 45

Proponent: Housing Development Corporation Page | ii Consultant: Sandcays EIA for the proposed Tourist Jetty at Hulhumalé

5.1 INTRODUCTION ...... 45

5.2 IMPACT IDENTIFICATION ...... 45

5.3 OVERALL IMPACTS OF THE PROPOSED PROJECT ...... 48

5.4 PROJECT SPECIFIC IMPACTS DURING CONSTRUCTION...... 50 5.4.1 Sedimentation Impacts on Marine Fauna ...... 50 5.4.2 Impacts on Coral during installation of Jetty Columns ...... 50 5.4.3 Turbidity Impacts and Coastal Morphology ...... 51 5.4.4 Impacts due to material transport ...... 51 5.4.5 Ambient Noise ...... 52 5.4.6 Ambient Air ...... 52 5.4.7 Groundwater ...... 53 5.4.8 Waste Management ...... 53 5.4.9 Terrestrial Fauna ...... 53 5.4.10 Health and Safety ...... 53 5.4.11 Socio-Economic Environment ...... 54 5.4.12 Impacts on Road closure ...... 54 5.4.13 Impacts on Utilities ...... 54 5.4.14 Landscape or Seascape Integrity ...... 55 5.5 PROJECT SPECIFIC IMPACTS DURING OPERATIONAL PHASE ...... 55 5.5.1 Improved navigational safety and sea transport ...... 55 5.5.2 Enhance Local Tourism and Economic Growth...... 55 5.5.3 Social Impacts ...... 55 5.6 UNCERTAINTIES IN IMPACT PREDICTION ...... 56

6 IMPACT MITIGATION AND MANAGEMENT ...... 57

6.1 INTRODUCTION ...... 57

6.2 RESPONSIBILITY ...... 57

6.3 MITIGATION MEASURES ...... 57

7 MONITORING ...... 66

7.1 INTRODUCTION ...... 66

7.2 RESPONSIBILITIES...... 67

7.3 PROJECT SPECIFIC MONITORING REQUIREMENTS ...... 67

7.4 MONITORING REPORT ...... 68 7.4.1 Monitoring report submission format and schedule ...... 68

8 CONCLUSIONS ...... 70

9 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ...... 71

Proponent: Housing Development Corporation Page | iii Consultant: Sandcays EIA for the proposed Tourist Jetty at Hulhumalé

10 BIBLIOGRAPHY ...... 72

11 APPENDICES ...... 74

Table of Figures

Figure 2-1: Project location with key impact zone ...... 17 Figure 2-2: Construction underway for the tourist commercial building ...... 18 Figure 2-3: Concept for the jetty ...... 20 Figure 2-4: Temporary construction site location ...... 21 Figure 4-1: Daily average temperature for Central Maldives with percentile bands ...... 36 Figure 4-2: Probability of precipitation at some point in the day for Hulhulé, Maldives ...... 37 Figure 4-3: Windrose diagram based on data from Hulhulé ...... 39 Figure 4-4: Relative humidity over a period of 1 year ...... 40 Figure 4-5: Astronomical tidal variation in the Maldives ...... 41 Figure 4-6: Windrose diagram for currents ...... 42 Figure 4-7: Horsetail trees at the jetty location ...... 44

Table of Tables

Table 4-1: Summary of Monsoons in Maldives ...... 35 Table 4-2: Key meteorological information (Maldives) ...... 35 Table 4-3: Summary of general wind conditions in Malé region ...... 38 Table 4-4 Results of wave analysis ...... 43 Table 4-5: In-situ water quality results ...... 43 Table 5-1: Environmental impacts to be considered during project construction phase ...... 45 Table 5-2: Environmental Impacts to be considered during project operation phase ...... 46 Table 6-1: Summary table of environmental impacts and mitigation measures ...... 58 Table 7-1: Proposed environmental monitoring programme for construction phase ...... 67

Proponent: Housing Development Corporation Page | iv Consultant: Sandcays EIA for the proposed Tourist Jetty at Hulhumalé

List of Abbreviations

BATNEEC Best Available Technology Not Entailing Excessive Costs BPEO Best Practice Environmental Option DO Dissolved Oxygen EIA Environmental Impact Assessment EPA Environmental Protection Agency H2S Hydrogen sulphide HDC Housing Development Corporation MEE Ministry of Environment and Energy MHI Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure MVR Maldivian Rufiyaa NBSAP National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan NEAP National Environment Action Plan NEAP National Environment Action Plan NO2 Nitrogen dioxide NSSD National Strategy for Sustainable Development PM Particulate Matter RF Rufiyaa (same as MVR)

SO2 Sulphur dioxide STELCO State Electric Company TOR Terms of Reference UNDP United Nations Development Programme

Proponent: Housing Development Corporation Page | v Consultant: Sandcays EIA for the proposed Tourist Jetty at Hulhumalé

Consultants Declaration

This EIA has been prepared according to the EIA Regulations 2012. I certify that the statements in this Environmental Impact Assessment study are true, complete and correct to the best of my knowledge and abilities.

Hussain Fizah

Consultant Registration No: 01/2014

Proponent: Housing Development Corporation Page | vi Consultant: Sandcays

EIA for the proposed Tourist Jetty at Hulhumalé

Executive Summary

The project involves construction of a finger jetty, a pontoon jetty and a pavilion in the western side of Hulhumale exclusive for tourist vessels. The proponent of the proposed project is Housing Development Corporation (HDC). The finger jetty is designed to facilitate mooring of large vessels up to 30 meters in length, while the pontoon jetty is designed to cater for smaller vessels and can serve up to 16 vessels at a time. The pavilion will be oriented in the direction of sunset and is expected to be an attraction point for tourists and local community.

For the pavilion and finger jetty as well as the pontoon jetty, H Beam concrete piles will be inserted into the seabed up to a minimum of 6m. Marine grade cement will be used for in-situ concrete works. All material and waste transportation will adhere to standard procedures and guidelines.

Bathymetry, currents and wave studies were undertaken at the project location to establish existing environmental condition. Additionally, water quality tests were conducted to determine turbidity and DO content levels of the lagoon and a qualitative marine environment assessment was completed. Bathymetry results show that there is sufficient depth at the project location for mooring of large vessels without the need for further dredging. Wave and currents condition at the time of the study were relatively calm and marine assessments indicate that the site is devoid of any live corals or significant fish species.

Environmental impacts were predicted using a purpose-built checklist and a matrix and were based on relevant stakeholder consultations, literature review and consultant’s experience of similar projects. The impact analysis indicates the project to be highly beneficial with its contribution to navigational safety, local tourism and economic growth. Moreover, the minor negative impacts envisaged during the construction phase can be effectively mitigated through proper project planning and taking precautionary action. As the project site is devoid of any significant marine life or a natural beach, couple with the small volume of exaction proposed, the impact of sedimentation on coastal morphology and marine fauna is expected to be negligible. The only negative impacts are associated with potential accidental spillage during material and waste transfer, which can be effectively mitigated by following the mitigation measures suggested in this report.

Proponent: Housing Development Corporation Page | viii Consultant: Sandcays EIA for the proposed Tourist Jetty at Hulhumalé

Mitigation measures are proposed for all the major negative impacts. The proponent must ensure that the contractor is fully aware of the mitigation measures and the measures are adequately implemented. The proposed monitoring program is based on aspects that are likely to be impacted as a result of the project such as seawater quality, noise, dust nuisance, waste management and health and safety.

Overall، this is a very small project with only minor negative impacts and is envisaged to bring several positive benefits to local tourism and economy. Therefore, the project may proceed as proposed.

Proponent: Housing Development Corporation Page | ix Consultant: Sandcays EIA for the proposed Tourist Jetty at Hulhumalé

ާސާލުޚ ާދާސ

ްޓްނަމްޕޮލެވިޑ ގްނިސުއަހ ްނުތޮގ ެގުމުޅެއ ްއއެ ީޓެޖ ްޓްސިރައުޓ ިއަގޭލާމުޅުހ ީކައުޢޫރްޝަމިމ

ްށަމުބޭފ ްށަކަތީޓެޖިމ ިދައ ްއެއީޓެޖ ްނޫޓްނޮޕ ިދައ ރަގްނިފ ީނެނެމިހ ިއަގުޢޫރްޝަމިމ .ެވކެ ެއުޢޫރްޝަމ ާގްނިހ ްނުނަޝޭރަޕޯކ

ިތެޑޮބ ެގުރަޓީމ 30 ީނަވިއަފިވެރުކ ްނިއަޒިޑ ީޓެޖ ރަގްނިފ .ެވެމުރުކީޤްއަރަތ ްއެދްއަހަރަސ ްނައިލިވެޕ ެނާލްށޮކުޑަމ

ޭވެރުކ ިރިއަކ ުދނަޅުއ 16 ިދުކ ާރަހަފްއެއ ީނަވިއަފިވެރުކ ްނިއަޒިޑ ީޓޖެ ްނޫޓްނޮޕ ިދައ .ެވެށަތޮގ ޭވެރުކިރިއަކ ްއަތުދނަޅުއ

ެނޭވެލާލަބ ުރަޒްނަމ ޭސްއޮއ ުރިއ ްސެވ ްށަންނުމްނާއ ިދައ ްނުޓްސިރައުޓ ީނަވިއަފިވެރުކ ްނިއޒަ ިޑ ްނައިލިވެޕ .ެވެށަކަތޮގ

.ެވެށަކަނަތ ުމިއަގްތިހ

ތަނުގެ މާހައުލު ދިރާސާކުރުމުގެ ގޮތުން ފުން މިން، އޮއެ ދައުރުވާގޮތް، ރާޅުތައް ހުރިގޮތް، ސަރަހައްދުގެ

ުރިއ ާލަބ ްށަނިމްނުފ .ެވެއަފިވެރުކލު ީލުހަތ ީނަވްތޮގ ިރުހ ުލުއަހާމ ެގުޑނަކ ިދައ ްނަގެއ ެގުނަތ ިދައ ްތޮގިރުހ ީޓިލޮކ ެގުނެފ

ްށައިރުކޭވރާސ ުރަވެއޮއ ިދައ ްއަތުޅާރ .ެވެއަފިވެރުކަގަހާފ ީނަވްނަކެނާދިވެރުކްނުނބޭ ުދްއަހަރަސިމ ިއަލުނ ިއާކަމުނޮކ ުރުތިއ

ްށަރަވ ްނުރިދ ެގުޑނަކ ިއާއަކަރުމ ިއަގުދްއަހަރަސެއ ިދައ .ެވެއަފިވެރުކަގަހާފ ީނަވްނަކްށޮކުޑަމ ްށަރަވ ީރުހ ުހަވުދ ައިދނެގ

.ެވެއަފިވެރުކަގަހާފ ީނަވްނަކްއަދ

ީނވަ ިއަފިވެނަގެނެދ ްއަތުރަސައ ޭނާދެވިތަމިރުކ ްނުތޮގީޢާމިތުޖިއ ިދައ ްށަޓްއެވާމިތ ްނުބަބަސ ެގުޢޫރްޝަމިމ

ެގުނަތ ީނަވިއަފިވެރުކަމަހިރުފ ްޓްސިލްކެޗިމ .ެވެށްށޮކިރެވުދެމ ްއެޓްސިލްކެޗ ާވިއަފިވެރުކުރޔާ ްއަތ ްށޮކަސްއާހ ްށަމަކިމ

މާހައުލާއި، ކޮންސަލްޓަންޓްގެ ތަޖުރިބާއާއި ޢިލްމީ އެހެނިހެން ދިރާސާތަކުގެ މައްޗަށް ރިޢާޔަތްކުރުމަށް ފަހުގައެވެ.

ްނުތޮގިމ .ެވެއަފިވެރުކަގަހާފ ީނަވްނަކްއެކަތުރަސައ ުޅަގނަރ ީނާރުކ ިއަގްއެތޮގ ުޑނަގިއަމ ްނުބަބަސ ެގޢު ޫރްޝަމިމ

ޓުއަރިޒަމަށް، ދަތުރުފަތުކުރުމުގެ ސަލާމަތައް އަދި ހުޅުމާލޭގެ އިޤްތިސާދު އި ުތ ަރށް ދިރުވާއި ކުރިއެރުވުމަށް މިމަޝްރޫޢުއިން

ޭވެދޭނ ްނުބަބަސ ެގުޢޫރްޝަމ ްނުމަކްއެދްއަހަރަސ ުދަމ ްނުރިދ ެގުޑނަކ ީކަދްއަހަރަސ ާގްނިހ ުޢޫރްޝަމިމ .ެވެއެދްށޮކިހަފުގަމ

ިއަގުމުޅުގްނެގ ިތެކަތ ޭޅުގްނެގ ްށަމުރުކްތަކްއަސަމ ްސެވަމަނ ްނެހެއ .ެވެއެވެރުކުނ ްއއެ ަފަލ ްށަމަކެނާރުކ ްއެކަތުރަސައ

ީކަކަތްއަތްނަކިމ ްސެވަމަނ .ެވެއެވްނެގީށަކެއ ްނުވުރަޔްއަޣަތ ުލުއަހާމ ެވާމިދ ްއެމަކ ަލަހަކ ްނުވުކީލ ަމަނެޖްއިވެވުނުލާމަސ

Proponent: Housing Development Corporation Page | x Consultant: Sandcays EIA for the proposed Tourist Jetty at Hulhumalé

ާވްނެގީށަކެއ ްނުމުރުކ ަމަހިރުފ ްއަތްއަތްނަކ ާވިއަފްށޮކްނާޔަބ ިއަގުޓޯޕިރިމ ްށަމުރުކަޑުކ ްއަތުރަސައ ޭވެދޭނ ާރުކ ްށަޓްއެވާމިތ

.ެވެކެކަތްއަތްނަކ ެނާދިވެރުކްޖޭނެމ ިއަގްއެތޮގ

ީނަވްއެނޭލްޕ ްނިރަޓިނޮމ ިއަގުޓޯޕިރިމ ްށަމުތަގެނެދ ްއަތުލަދަބ ަންނައ ްށަޓްއެވާމިތ ްނުބުބަސ ެގުޢޫރްޝަމ

ހުށަހަޅާފައެވެ. މޮނިޓަރިން ޕްލޭން ބޮޑަށް އިސްކަންދީފައިވާނީ އަޑުގަދަވުން، ފެނުގެ ކޮލިޓީ، ކުނި މެ ޭނޖްކުރުން، ޖައްވު

ޭހެޖްނަޅައ ްށަމުޓްއެހެމެދ ްނަކިރެތާކްއަރ ިއާތަމާލަސ ެގްނުމްނާއ ިއާންނުހީމ ާރުކ ްތަކްއަސަމ ިދައ ްނުވްސުފަރިހ ެވުފާސުނ

.ެވެށަޗްއަމ ެގުކަތ ުޅަވަޔިފ

ވީމާ، ޖުމްލަކޮށް މިމަޝްރޫޢުއަކީ ގިނަ ފައިދާތަކެއް ލިއްބައިދޭނެ މަޝްރޫޢުއެއް ކަމަށް ވާތީ، މަޝްރޫޢު

.ެވެއެނެފ ްށަމަކުޅަގަރ ްނުއިދްނެގ ްށައިރުކ ްށަތޮގ ާވިއަފާޅަހަށުހ

Proponent: Housing Development Corporation Page | xi Consultant: Sandcays EIA for the proposed Tourist Jetty at Hulhumalé

1 Introduction

1.1 Introduction

This Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report addresses the social and environmental impacts associated with the development of tourist jetty and pavillion in Hulhumale’. The jetty is designed in order to carter for the ever-growing tourism industry in Hulhumale’. With many guest houses and hotels in Hulhumale’ and many safaris anchored in Hulhumale’ lagoon, this jetty will cater for the many tourists that visit the youth city on a daily basis. The proposed jetty is located north of the ferry terminal and ferry terminal park in front of a proposed commercial building housing tourist transit area.

The findings of this report are based on assessments undertaken during a site visit made to the project site on 27th May 2018 and 28th May 2018 as well as professional judgment. The development concept prepared by the project architect and engineering protocols developed by the project engineer has been utilized in order to understand and present the project. The impact assessment methodology has been restricted to field data collected, professional judgement and experience of similar projects.

This report has been compiled in accordance with the EIA Regulations 2012, which is enforced by Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of the Maldives.

1.2 Background to the EIA

This EIA is prepared in accordance with the Terms of Reference (TOR) approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (Appendix 1). It is a legal requirement that new projects having potential for environmental impacts gain environmental clearance or approval prior to construction and operation of such projects. Environmental clearance is obtained through submission and approval of EIA report by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Ministry of Environment and Energy.

The principal environmental institution that implements EIA process in the country is Environmental Protection Agency. Additionally, since April 2015, the Ministry of Tourism has taken the authority of EIA process for tourism sector projects.

Proponent: Housing Development Corporation Page | 12 Consultant: Sandcays EIA for the proposed Tourist Jetty at Hulhumalé

However, even though the proposed project provides a service to tourism sector, as it is undertaken in an inhabited island, approval is attained from EPA.

1.3 Scope of the EIA and Approach

The main scope of this EIA report as per the approved TOR is to broadly assess, identify, predict and document potential environmental impacts from the proposed tourist jetty at Hulhumale’. The primary focus of the report is on the impacts on the marine environment. In this regard, this report investigates existing environmental condition of the project site and its surrounding and foresees the ways in which potential environmental impacts will be managed, mitigated, reduced and monitored.

Hence the key aims of the report are to;  Describe in detail the proposed project;  Identify the need and justification for the proposed development;  Describe the biophysical status of the existing environmental condition of the project area based on the findings undertaken during the site visits;  Assess, identify and predict potential environmental impacts;  Evaluate the significance and magnitude of impacts that will be generated; and identify and predict ways in which these environmental impacts will be prevented and removed through appropriate environmental management and mitigation measures;  Develop a mechanism to closely monitor and understand the long-term effects and changes of the proposed development on the environment with respect to the available baseline information, mostly from field assessments;  Provide legal protection with regards to the proposed development activities; and  Review the predictions and assessments made on environmental impacts that are associated with the proposed development activities.

In general, the EIA report has been based upon the following sources of information:  Review of available project documentation including concept plans;  Discussions with involved key personnel;  Field visits to site;  Baseline environmental assessments;  Maldives Environmental Protection and Preservation Act No. 4/93;

Proponent: Housing Development Corporation Page | 13 Consultant: Sandcays EIA for the proposed Tourist Jetty at Hulhumalé

 Environmental Regulations;  Sandcay’s previous experience of undertaking EIAs for similar coastal projects; and  Other EIAs for similar development projects that have been carried out.

1.4 Relevant Studies

In order to prepare this EIA, relevant EIA reports for coastal projects has been carefully studied. These include;

 EIA for Island Access and Jetty Construction in R. Rasgatheem (Riyaz, 2017)

 EIA for Island Access and Jetty Construction in B. Fulhadhoo (Riyaz, 2017)

 EIA for Maakurathu Habour and quay wall construction (Shaig, 2017)

 EIA addendum for Raymandhoo Jetty (Jameel & Faiz, 2017)

 EIA for dredging of a Swimming Area at Kurendhoo Island, Lhaviyani Atoll (Jameel & Faiz, 2017)

 EIA for extension of existing channel at Vashafaru (Zahir, 2018)

1.5 Aims and Objectives of the EIA

This report helps to achieve the following key objectives.  Allow better project planning through identification of key impacts and measures for mitigating these impacts.  Ensure efficient resource use and minimize irreversible damage to the environment.  Ensure and allow informed and environmentally-sound decision making.  To demonstrate the commitment by the proponent on the importance of environmental protection and preservation.

1.6 EIA Implementation and Methodologies

This study was based mainly on assessment and monitoring data from similar projects, data collected during field investigations undertaken on 27th and 28th May 2018 by a team from Sandcays Pvt. Ltd. and published literature on similar projects. The EIA report was compiled by Hussain Fizah, who is a registered EIA consultant with 07 years of experience in this field. He was assisted by Ahmed Zahid and Ahmed Hassaan Zuhair. Zahid is an EIA consultant

Proponent: Housing Development Corporation Page | 14 Consultant: Sandcays EIA for the proposed Tourist Jetty at Hulhumalé with over 20 years of experience. Hassaan has experience in working in environment ministry policy side and in projects for the past 11 years.

Established and widely accepted methods have been applied in this EIA study. Field studies have been undertaken using methods generally employed for EIA studies in the Maldives. The field assessment methodologies are described in Section 4.2 of this report.

The methods used to identify, predict and assess impacts are based on matrices that have been established by the Consultants over a long period. In the matrix, the consultants assign a likert-scale number to represent the magnitude, significance, duration and spatial extent of the potential impact for each project activity against the key environmental and socio-economic components that the specific project activity may have an impact on. The product of the magnitude, significance, duration and spatial extent for each activity and component is summed up to measure the exact nature of the impacts by each activity and the overall impact of the proposed project is the sum of all activities.

Proponent: Housing Development Corporation Page | 15 Consultant: Sandcays EIA for the proposed Tourist Jetty at Hulhumalé

2 Project Description

2.1 Project Proponent

The proponent of the proposed project is Housing Development Corporation (HDC). Housing Development Corporation Limited (HDC) is a 100% state owned enterprise formed by a presidential decree, initially established in 2001. HDC acts as the master developer of Hulhumalé. HDC is currently working towards creating Hulhumalé to become the first smart and sustainable, youth city in Maldives and is involved in undertaking projects of hospitality, industrial, recreational, commercial and residential in nature, many of which are unique and of a significant scale. The proposed project of tourist jetty development is just one of the many such projects undertaken by the HDC in Hulhumale’.

2.2 The Project Location

The project is undertaken in Hulhumale’ promoted as a youth city located south of Male’ in north Male’ atoll (geographic coordinates: 4.2106° N, 73.5388° E). Hulhumale’ is around 8 km from Male’ and at a distance of 6 km from Ibrahim Nasir International airport at Hulhule. With the completion of China Maldives friendship bridge, Male’, Hulhumale’ and Hulhule’ will be connected by land.

First settled in 2004, as of 2016 the population of Hulhumale’ is estimated at around 40,000. With the governments policy of population consolidation, it is estimated that Hulhumale’ will ultimately house around 240,000 people, two thirds of the current population of the country.

The proposed jetty is located north of the ferry terminal and ferry terminal park in front of a proposed commercial building housing tourist transit area. Figure 2.1 shows the jetty location (4°13'10.21"N, 73°32'16.46"E) and the core impact zone (50m radius) and secondary impact zone (150 meter radius) of the project. The construction of the commercial building is already underway and includes a mall, restaurant and tourist accommodation (Figure 2-2). The jetty structure involves, a pontoon jetty, a finger jetty and a pavilion structure. The design of the jetty is such that in addition to functionality it becomes a central attraction of the youth city.

Proponent: Housing Development Corporation Page | 16 Consultant: Sandcays EIA for the proposed Tourist Jetty at Hulhumalé

Figure 2-1: Project location with key impact zone

Proponent: Housing Development Corporation Page | 17 Consultant: Sandcays EIA for the proposed Tourist Jetty at Hulhumalé

Figure 2-2: Construction underway for the tourist commercial building

2.3 Project Justification

With statistics from Ministry of Tourism showing that there are 81 guest houses as of 2017, the tourism sector in the city is rapidly expanding together with the growth of the local population. These guest houses undertake excursion visits to snorkeling/ diving sites, sand banks and day visits nearby inhabited islands and resorts. Moreover, many safari vessels are moored at Hulhumale’ lagoon and cruise vessels often visit the central region. Tourist from such vessels also often visit the island. Thus, a dedicated jetty for tourist activities within Hulhumale’ has become an essential need.

2.4 Construction phase of the project

2.4.1 Project Concept and Design

The various subcomponents of the development (Figure 2.3) are described in detail below:

Finger Jetty: The finger jetty is a wooden deck jetty on H Beam concrete piles inserted into the seabed. The length of the jetty is 35 meters and the width is 5 meters. This dimension ensures that the jetty is ideal to serve for larger vessels up to 30 meters in length. Adequate

Proponent: Housing Development Corporation Page | 18 Consultant: Sandcays EIA for the proposed Tourist Jetty at Hulhumalé facilities for safe mooring are included in the design. The deck will be illuminated with marine deck lights. The jetty is oriented 260 degree true orientation providing a 64 degree angle between the jetty and the sea wall. The alongside length from left side is 32 meters long thus providing adequate length for birthing vessels of 30 meters. The orientation of both jetties ensures that vessels of 20 to 25 meters can easily birth alongside the right hand side of the finger jetty. The jetty will have rubber fenders all the way to protect from impact. The jetty will have 5 bollards on the left side and 4 on the right. For ease of access the jetty has stairs that go about half a meter above the water level on low tide.

Pontoon Jetty: The Pontoon Jetty is a floating jetty floating on concrete piles similar to the finger jetties except that the deck would be a floating structure. The pontoon jetty will have degree of freedom to move in vertically with the tides. The pontoon jetty consists of four H Beam concrete piles. The decking will be anti-slip teak decking. The main platform will be 03 meters wide. The jetty can serve up to 16 vessels at a given time. The maximum length of the deck is 08 meters. Dock cleats will be installed for mooring. Like the finger jetty, to protect from impact, rubber fenders will be used. The lights are on a short pole and will illuminate from sunset to sunrise.

Pavilion: The shore and the jetties are connected with a pavilion which provides shading and seating space to the tourists who use the facility. The floor of the pavilion is a wooden deck supported on 250x250 H Beam concrete piles piled into the seabed. The roof is made of tensile canvas supported by galvanized steel poles. The railings are made of stainless steel. Benches will provide seating space on the sides of the pavilion.

Proponent: Housing Development Corporation Page | 19 Consultant: Sandcays EIA for the proposed Tourist Jetty at Hulhumalé

Figure 2-3: Concept for the jetty

The detailed concept with architectural drawings are provided in Appendix 2 of this report.

2.4.2 Mobilization

Site mobilization involves mobilization of workforce, machineries/equipment and construction materials to the sites to begin physical work. Materials, equipment/machineries and all other related items will be transported to site by dhoni from Thilafushi and by pickup truck to temporary construction site in Hulhumale’. The temporary construction site is the inland area right adjacent to construction site (Figure 2.4).

Proponent: Housing Development Corporation Page | 20 Consultant: Sandcays EIA for the proposed Tourist Jetty at Hulhumalé

Figure 2-4: Temporary construction site location

Necessary measures will be taken to ensure that no spillage of construction materials occur when transporting the material. In this regard the necessary safety requirements as per the transport regulations and guidelines will be met. Since the project takes place in capital region, which is the primary location for sourcing materials in the Maldives, there will be fewer complications in material mobilisation as well as human resource for the project. However, the Contractor would be expected to plan the entire works to minimize the number of mobilisations that would in turn minimize the cost of the project/increase profits and also minimize the time frame.

Temporary site office/storage area will be built using roofing sheets. All materials will be stored undercover and no materials will stored directly on the ground to prevent impacts of spillage.

Pre-casting will take place at a pre-casting yard identified by the contractor.

Proponent: Housing Development Corporation Page | 21 Consultant: Sandcays EIA for the proposed Tourist Jetty at Hulhumalé

2.4.3 Construction Methodology

For the pavilion and finger jetty 250x250 H Beam concrete piles will be piled into the seabed up to a depth of more than 6m. The piles will be transported on land using truck or excavator. Once the H Beam concrete columns are in place, over which the decking will be placed.

For all works marine grade cement will be used and all works will be undertaken by a contractor who is experienced in undertaking activities in a marine setting.

2.4.4 Waste Management

Not much waste is expected to be generated during the construction. All construction waste generated during the construction phase will be transported to Thilafushi by the contractor. Bins will be placed at the construction site, so that general waste generated by the construction workforce could be collected and transported to waste yard in Hulhumale’. Construction staff will be briefed on good practices for waste management.

2.4.5 Health and Safety

Necessary sign boards and the location for construction will be sealed from the general public during construction phase. Workers will be briefed on occupational health and safety measures that needs to be adhered. In this regard, the construction work force should wear the necessary safety shoes, wear chemical resistive gloves when handling chemicals and use of helmets. First aid kits should be available at the construction site incase of emergency. As per the labor act of the Maldives the following conditions need to be met:  No employee shall be required to work more than forty‐eight hours a week. This principle does not include overtime carried out in accordance with this Act.  No employee shall be required to work more than six consecutive days a week (on a day that is normally a day off or has been agreed as a day off), without being provided with twenty‐four consecutive hours of leave.

All workers used for construction should have a valid work visa and no minors should be employed for construction activities.

Measures should be in place to address and rectify accidental spillages or leakages urgently and all employees should be briefed on such protocols.

Proponent: Housing Development Corporation Page | 22 Consultant: Sandcays EIA for the proposed Tourist Jetty at Hulhumalé

All employees used for construction will be housed in contractor allocated accommodation within Hulhumale’ or Male’, thus no temporary accommodation site is required.

2.4.6 Project inputs and outputs

The following are the major project inputs:

Material:

 H Beam concrete piles

 Synthetic wooden decking material

 Rubber Fender (D-type)

 Stainless steel bollards (x20)

 Short wooden Deck lights (x25)

 Anchor Chains

 Aluminum access gangway

 High tensile canvas roofing

 Aluminum-wood railing (around 12 m)

 Aluminum-wood benches (around 12 m)

 Overhead lights (x5)

Equipment and Vehicles

Excavator (x1), Truck (x1), concrete mixer (x1), crane (x1).

Workforce

Between 20 to 25 laborers will be employed for this project by the contractor.

The following are the main project outputs with quantity:

Waste:

Proponent: Housing Development Corporation Page | 23 Consultant: Sandcays EIA for the proposed Tourist Jetty at Hulhumalé

 Waste oil and grease (minute)

 Used timber, gunny bags, scrap metals (small)

 Solid waste from construction workforce (small)

Infrastructure

 An operation tourist jetty for tourist needs of the youth city.

2.4.7 Duration of Construction

The project is expected to be completed within 5 months. The detailed schedule for the project is provided in the Appendices.

2.5 Operational Phase of the project

In the operational phase it is important to ensure that bins are placed in strategic locations for waste collection within the pavilion. Moreover, fire safety measures such as fire extinguishers should be available at the pavilion. Moreover, appropriate safety signs should be placed. Ideally the area should be non-smoking.

Proponent: Housing Development Corporation Page | 24 Consultant: Sandcays EIA for the proposed Tourist Jetty at Hulhumalé

3 Policy, Administrative and Regulatory Framework

This chapter will identify the pertinent legislation, regulations and standards, and environmental policies that are relevant and applicable to the proposed project, and identify the appropriate authority jurisdictions that will specifically apply to the project. The proposed project is expected to conform to all of the policy and regulatory aspects outlined in this Chapter. Specific compliance requirements are discussed within the relevant section.

3.1 National Policy Guidance

3.1.1 Third National Environment Action Plan

NEAP 3 sets out the agenda for environmental protection and management in the Maldives for the five-year period 2009-2013. This plan is targeted to achieve measurable environmental results that matter to the people of the Maldives.

The aim of developing NEAP 3 is to protect and preserve country’s environment and properly manage natural resources for sustainable development of the country and encompasses ten principles, six strategic results with targeted goals to be achieved under each result.

The key principles of the NEAP 3 are:

Principle 1: Environmental protection is the responsibility of every individual

Principle 2: Achieve results

Principle 3: Promote and practice sustainable development

Principle 4: Ensure local democracy

Principle 5: Inter-sectoral co-ordination and co-operation

Principle 6: Informed decision making

Principle 7: Precaution first

Principle 8: Continuous learning and improvement

Principle 9: Right to information and participation

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Principle 10: Environmental protection complements development

The six strategic results of NEAP3 are: resilient islands; rich ecosystems; healthy communities; safe water; environmental stewardship; and a carbon neutral nation with 30 result oriented environmental goals that will be achieved in the span of the NEAP 3.

3.1.2 Maldives National Strategy for Sustainable Development

The Maldives National Strategy for Sustainable Development (NSSD) outlines the key objectives, principles and goals that the country will embark toward achieving sustainable development. Hence, the overall direction of the NSSD is to build a nation which appreciates the true value of the natural environment, utilizes its natural resources in a sustainable manner for national development, conserves its limited natural resources, has built the capacity to learn about its natural environment and leaves a healthy natural environment for future generations.

The guiding principles outlined in the NSSD are:

Principle 1: Promotion and protection of fundamental human rights

Principle 2: Equity within and between generations

Principle 3: Democratic and open society

Principle 4: Full participation of businesses and civil society

Principle 5: Policy coherence and coordination

Principle 6: Use best available knowledge

Principle 7: Precaution first

Principle 8: Make polluters pay

While the country will be steered in accordance with the underlying principles of NSSD, the country aims to achieve very important environmental goals, including; adapting to climate change, protecting coral reefs, achieving carbon-neutrality in energy, ensuring food security,

Proponent: Housing Development Corporation Page | 26 Consultant: Sandcays EIA for the proposed Tourist Jetty at Hulhumalé establishing a carbon neutral transport system, protecting public health and achieving full employment and ensuring social security.

3.2 Administrative arrangements

This EIA process will be subjected to the EIA Regulations of the Maldives implemented by the Environmental Protection Agency. As per the EIA Regulations, the Proponent will be responsible for the implementation of the Environmental Impact Assessment, conducting the overall monitoring of the project’s environmental performance, and ensuring the proposed activities are in compliance with the EIA and investments are sustainable. The Council may seek support from the Atoll Council/Government in the management of the facilities, construction supervision and monitoring. Monitoring of implementation progress will be carried out periodically and annual monitoring reports submitted to EPA.

3.3 Applicable Laws and Regulations of the Maldives

3.3.1 Environmental Protection and Preservation Act

The Articles of the Environmental Protection and Preservation Act (Law No. 4/93) addresses the following aspects of environmental management, which are relevant, understood and adhered to in the proposed project.  An EIA shall be submitted to EPA before implementing any developing project that may have a potential impact to the environment.  Project that has any undesirable impact on the environment can be terminated without compensation.  Disposal of waste, oil, poisonous substances and other harmful substances within the territory of the Maldives is prohibited. Waste shall be disposed only in the areas designated for the purpose by the government.  The Penalty for Breaking the Law and Damaging the Environment are specified in the Law.  The government of the Maldives reserves the right to claim compensation for all damages that are caused by activities that are detrimental to the environment.

Proponent: Housing Development Corporation Page | 27 Consultant: Sandcays EIA for the proposed Tourist Jetty at Hulhumalé

3.3.2 Environmental Impact Assessment Regulation

The EIA Regulation, which came into force in 2007, has been recently revised and the revised EIA Regulation 2012 is currently in force since May 2012. This EIA is subjected to the EIA Regulations 2012.

The EIA Regulation 2012 is currently only in Dhivehi and an official translation is awaited. The Regulation sets out the criteria to determine whether a development proposal is likely to significantly affect the environment and is therefore subject to an EIA. Schedule D of the EIA Regulations defines the type of projects that would be subject to Environmental Impact Assessment. Ecotourism facilities are not strictly in the list, however, due to the sensitive ecological habitat in which the proposed ecotourism facilities are being developed, EIA is required.

The main purpose of this Regulation is to provide step-by-step guidance for proponents, consultants, government agencies and public on how to obtain approval in the form of an Environmental Decision Statement. This EIA report is prepared inorder to meet the requirements of this regulation.

3.3.3 Regulation on Landuse Planning and Management

This Regulation, which sets out the regulatory framework for land use planning and land management in the Maldives, has no specific relevance to the project. However, with the advent of the Regulation, land for residential and institutional areas is located away from industrial zones. Yet, in some of the islands, poor zoning or land use planning has a negative impact on schools and other noise, dust or smell sensitive environments.

Land use planning in Hulhumale is done by HDC, this function of the council at hulhumale is undertaken by HDC>

3.3.4 Regulation on Cutting Trees

The Regulation on cutting down, uprooting, digging out and export of trees and palms from one island to another was issued by the Ministry of Environment in 2006. Clause 5 (a) of the Regulation states that prior to the commencement of any project(s) that would require the indiscriminate removal and transplanting of trees/palms from one island to another for the

Proponent: Housing Development Corporation Page | 28 Consultant: Sandcays EIA for the proposed Tourist Jetty at Hulhumalé purpose of agriculture, development/redevelopment, construction or any other purpose, it is mandatory under the Regulation to prepare an Environmental Impact Assessment report.

Article 8 (a) requires permission be obtained from Ministry of Environment, if more than 10 coconut palms that are of a six of 15 ft (from base of the palm to the tip of the palm frond) are cut, uprooted or relocated to another island. The regulation also ensures the replacement of the vegetation that is lost by imposing the planting of two palms for every palm tree that is cut or uprooted (Article 2 (d)). Logging on inhabited islands must be done under supervision of the islands chief or an official appointed by the island chief (now Island Council) (Article 8 (c)).

This regulation also provides particular protection to the following:  coastal vegetation extending 15 meters into the island;  all trees and palms growing in and within 15m around mangrove and wetland areas;  all trees and palms growing in protected areas; and  trees and palms that are unique in shape, structure or character

The proposed project involves removal of one or two tress, these will be relocated if possible if not for each tree removed two trees will be planted.

3.3.5 Regulation on Environmental Damage Liabilities

The Environmental Liability Regulation (Regulation 2011/R-9) came into force on 17 February 2011 and covers a wide range of issues which enable charging penalties and compensation due to environmental pollution and environmental damages. Apparently, the key objective of the environmental liability regulation is to practice polluter pay principles in the Maldives.

3.3.6 Waste Management Regulation

The Waste Management Regulation (Regulation No. 2013/R-58) came into effect in August 2013. The objective of Waste Management Regulation is to implement the National Waste Management Policy; through which it aims to protect the environment by minimizing the impact of waste on the environment, including the impact of waste on human health, establishing an integrated framework for minimizing and managing waste in a sustainable manner and establishing uniform measures to reduce the amount of waste generated. The

Proponent: Housing Development Corporation Page | 29 Consultant: Sandcays EIA for the proposed Tourist Jetty at Hulhumalé regulation also ensures waste is reused, recycled and recovered in an environmentally sound manner before being safely treated and disposed. The regulation covers the management of general, hazardous and special waste. Wastes arising from paints and chemical solvents are considered as special waste.

The following sub clauses under clause 1.4 of this regulation is of relevance to the project under consideration. This clause is for construction waste and it states that;

a. Construction works shall be planned and organized in a manner that there is minimal waste

b. Measures shall be in place to minimize construction waste

c. Reusable or recyclable waste among construction waste shall be reused or recycled

This regulation was effective from 6 January 2014 and EPA would be responsible for the implementation this regulation. The proposed project will follow the measures identified in this regulation.

3.3.7 Dredging and Reclamation Regulation

This aim of this regulation is to minimize environmental damage associated with dredging and reclamation activities. All dredging and reclamation activities requires EPA approval through this regulation. The regulation identifies the following conditions:  Beach replenishment is restricted from 10 m of the registered shoreline.  The following restrictions apply to dredging:  500 m from the ocean side reef edge  50 m from any island vegetation line  An environmentally sensitive site  Reclamation cannot take place within 200 m of an environmentally sensitive or protected area.  Reclamation should not exceed 30% of the house reef.

The proposed project does not involve any dredging or reclamation thus this regulation does not apply. However if in future, if the jetty area needs dredging the required permits under this regulation will be attained.

Proponent: Housing Development Corporation Page | 30 Consultant: Sandcays EIA for the proposed Tourist Jetty at Hulhumalé

3.4 International conventions, treaties and protocols

The major global issue facing the Maldives is climate change, global warming and subsequent sea-level rise. The small size of the islands and their low elevation above MSL makes possible impacts of it very serious. Consequently, the country plays a prominent role in fore- fronting environmental issues faced by many other small islands developing states including the Maldives in the international arena. The Maldives is therefore, a party and signatory to various international conventions and declarations. These include:  UN Convention on the Law of the Sea – UNCLOS (1982)  International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution of the Sea by Oil (1982)  Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer (1985)  Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (1987)  Basel Convention on the Control of Trans-boundary Movement of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal (1989)  The London Amendment to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (1990)  Agenda 21 and the Rio Declaration of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (1992)  Convention on Biological Diversity (1992)  United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (1992)  The Copenhagen Amendment to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (1992)  The Montreal Amendment to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (1997)  The Beijing Amendment to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (1999)  Washington Declaration on Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-Based Activities  Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (1998)  Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (Maldives acceded on 2 September 2002)  United Nation Convention to Combat Desertification (2002)

The Maldives is also a key player in formulating and adopting various regional plans and programmes to protect the environment by continuously participating in various activities

Proponent: Housing Development Corporation Page | 31 Consultant: Sandcays EIA for the proposed Tourist Jetty at Hulhumalé organized by regional bodies such as SACEP, ESCAP and SAARC. As a result the Maldives is committed to the following.  SAARC Environment Action Plan adopted in 1997 in Male’  SAARC Study on Greenhouse Effect and its Impact on the Region  South Asian Regional Seas Action Plan and Resolutions concerning its implementation (1994)  SAARC Study on Causes and Consequences of Natural Disasters, and  South Asian Seas Programme initiated by SACEP  Male’ Declaration on Control and Prevention of Air Pollution and its likely Transboundary Effects for South Asia (1998)

Some of the international conventions, treaties and protocols of relevance to the proposed project may be identified as follows:  United Nations Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Kyoto Protocol which aims at minimising greenhouse gases to reduce or combat potential impacts of global climate change, global warming and associated effects such as sea level rise, which are thought to have devastating impacts on the Maldives, a fragile small island nation. The aspects of the proposed project that apply to this convention are the use of diesel-based power, possible use of small excavators, especially their emissions as well as the use of pumps which consume electricity. These are inevitable impacts; however, efforts should and have been made to minimize all such impacts. These are discussed in the impacts mitigation section.  United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (UNCBD) with the objective of “the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources, including by appropriate access to genetic resources and by appropriate transfer of relevant technologies, taking into account all rights over those resources and to technologies, and by appropriate funding”. Maldives was one of the first nations to ratify UNCBD. Maldives has developed the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) in 2002. Formulation of NBSAP was through wide consultation and extensive stakeholder participation.

Proponent: Housing Development Corporation Page | 32 Consultant: Sandcays EIA for the proposed Tourist Jetty at Hulhumalé

4 Existing Environment

4.1 Introduction

This chapter will provide the data and information relating to the existing project site conditions or environmental and social baseline conditions. Understanding baseline conditions is an important element of an EIA, as baseline conditions are essential for comparative analysis during monitoring. For the proposed project of jetty construction, the baseline data and information has been divided into following:  Bathymetry of the jetty location  Currents at the jetty location  Wave data at the jetty location  Marine water quality at the jetty location  Visual assessment of the marine and terrestrial environment

4.2 Methodologies

Conditions of the existing environment of the study areas were analysed by using appropriate scientific methods. Data was collected on 27th May 2018 and 28th May 2018. The following site data were collected and the methods of collection are described here.

4.2.1 Location identification

The location of data collection sites has been marked using handheld differential Trimble GeoXH GPS.

4.2.2 Marine Water Quality

YSI water quality logger was used to test the marine water quality at selected locations. YSI water quality logger can measure pH, electrical conductivity (salinity and TDS) and dissolved oxygen (DO), Turbidity (NTU) of the water.

Proponent: Housing Development Corporation Page | 33 Consultant: Sandcays EIA for the proposed Tourist Jetty at Hulhumalé

4.2.3 Currents

Currents data was logged for 08 hours using Marotte HS current meter. Data logging commenced on 27th May at 21:00 and stopped on 28th May 15:00. A wind rose diagram for currents were developed for analysis.

4.2.4 Wave

Wave data was taken at project location for 20 hours using RBR Wave Solo. Data collection started on 27th May at 17:00 hours and collection stopped on 28th May 15:00 hours. Average and significant wave period and wave height were determined based on the collected data.

4.2.5 Bathymetry

Sonarmite echo sounder was used to attain bathymetric depth information. Bathymetric maps were developed based on the collected data.

4.2.6 Marine Environment

Since the area is devoid of any live corals, the marine environment assessment was qualitative and based on visual observation.

4.2.7 Terrestrial Environment

Terrestrial environment condition of the site was surveyed based on visual observations.

4.3 Climate

4.3.1 General climatic conditions

Maldives is in the Monsoonal Belt in the North Indian Ocean. Therefore, climate in the Maldives is dominated by south-west (Hulhangu) and north-east (Iruvai) monsoons. The southwest monsoon is the rainy season which lasts from May to September and the north-east monsoon is the dry season that occurs from December to February. The transition period of the south-west monsoon occurs between March and April while that of the northeast monsoon occurs from October to November. These monsoons are relatively mild due to the country’s location on the equator and strong winds and gales are infrequent in the Maldives. However, storms and line squalls can occur, typically in the period May to July. The winds usually get

Proponent: Housing Development Corporation Page | 34 Consultant: Sandcays EIA for the proposed Tourist Jetty at Hulhumalé stronger in the south west monsoon especially during June and July. During storms, the impact is greater on the northern atolls than the southern atolls.

Table 4-1: Summary of Monsoons in Maldives Season Months North East-Monsoon (Iruvai) December to February Transition Period - 1 (HulhanguHalha) March to April South West Monsoon (Hulhangu) May to September Transition Period - 2 (IruvaiHalha) October to November

The Maldives, in general, has a warm and humid tropical climate with average temperatures ranging between 25oC to 30oC and relative humidity ranging from 73 per cent to 85 per cent. The country receives an annual average rainfall of 1,948.4mm. There is some variation of climate between northern and southern atolls. The table below provides a summary of key meteorological findings for Maldives. General studies on climatic conditions of Maldives were considered during study as local level time-series data are limited for longer periods at the nearest meteorological station.

Table 4-2: Key meteorological information (Maldives) Parameter Data Average Rainfall 9.1mm/day in May, November 1.1mm/day in February Maximum Rainfall 184.5 mm/day in October 1994 Average air temperature 30.0 C in November 1973 31.7 C in April Extreme Air Temperature 34.1 C in April 1973 17.2 C in April 1978 Average wind speed 3.7 m/s in March 5.7 m/s in January, June Maximum wind speed W 31.9 m/s in November 1978 Average air pressure 1012 mb in December 1010 mb in April

4.3.2 Temperature

The temperature of Maldives varies little throughout the year with a mean daily maximum temperature of about 32C and mean low of 26C and are rarely below 25C or above 33C. The highest temperature ever recorded in the Maldives was 36.8°C, recorded on 19 May 1991 at Kadhdhoo Meteorological Office. Likewise, the minimum temperature ever recorded in the Maldives was 17.2°C, recorded at the National Meteorological Centre on 11th April

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1978. The highest recorded temperature for Male’ was 34.1C on 16th and 28th of April 1973. The hottest month of the year is usually April reaching a peak around 24 April.

The figure below represents daily average low (blue) and high (red) temperature with percentile bands: inner band from 25th to 75th percentile and outer band from 10th to 90th percentile (source: weatherspark.com) based on the historical records from 1998 to 2012 at Hulhulé weather station.

Figure 4-1: Daily average temperature for Central Maldives with percentile bands

The hottest day of the last 12 months was January 5, with a high temperature of 38°C. For reference, on that day the average high temperature is 30°C and the high temperature exceeds 31°C only one day in ten. The hottest month of the last 12 months was April with an average daily high temperature of 32°C.

The longest warm spell was from January 9 to January 30, constituting 22 consecutive days with warmer than average high temperatures. The month of June had the largest fraction of warmer than average days with 93% days with higher than average high temperatures.

The coldest day of the last 12 months was July 9, with a low temperature of 24°C. For reference, on that day the average low temperature is 27°C and the low temperature drops below 25°C only one day in ten. The coldest month of the last 12 months was November with an average daily low temperature of 27°C.

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The longest cold spell was from February 24 to March 5, constituting 10 consecutive days with cooler than average low temperatures. The month of December had the largest fraction of cooler than average days with 48% days with lower than average low temperatures.

4.3.3 Rainfall

Annual average rainfall in the Maldives is about 1900mm. There is a marked variation in rainfall across Maldives with an increasing trend towards south. The annual average rainfall in north is 1977mm and for south is 2470mm. The southwest monsoon is known as the wet season with monthly average rainfall ranging from 125-250mm. The northeast monsoon is known as the dry season with average monthly rainfall of 50-75mm.

The following figure illustrates the likelihood that precipitation may occur at some point in the day on a given day, based on the historical records from 1981 to 2012 at Hulhulé weather station (weatherspark.com).

Figure 4-2: Probability of precipitation at some point in the day for Hulhulé, Maldives

4.3.4 Wind

Wind has been shown to be an important indirect process affecting formation development and seasonal dynamics of the islands in the Maldives. Winds often help to regenerate waves that have been weakened by travelling across the reef and they also cause locally generated waves in lagoons. Therefore, winds are important here, as being the dominant influence on the sediment transportation process (waves and currents). With the reversal of winds in the

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Maldives, NE monsoon period from December to March and a SW monsoon from April to November, over the year, the accompanying wave and current processes respond accordingly too. These aspects have ramification on the seasonal sediment movement pattern on the islands and also the delivery/removal of sediments from the reef platform/island.

The two monsoon seasons have a dominant influence on winds experienced across the Maldives. These monsoons are relatively mild due to the country’s location close to the equator and strong winds and gales are infrequent. However, storms and line squalls can occur, usually in the period May to July; gusts of up to 60 knots have been recorded at Male’ during such storms.

Wind was uniform in speed and direction over the past twenty-plus monsoon seasons in the Maldives (Naseer 2003). Wind speed is usually higher in central region of the Maldives during both monsoons, with a maximum wind speed recorded at 18 m/s for the period 1975 to 2001. Maximum wind speed recorded in the south was 17.5 m/s during the period 1978 to 2001. Mean wind speed was highest during the months January and June in the central region, while wind speed was in general lower and more uniform throughout the year in the southern region. Wind analysis indicated that the monsoon was considerably weaker in the south (Naseer, 2003). During the peak months of the SW monsoon, southern regions have a weak wind blowing from the south and south-eastern sectors.

Table 4-3 summarizes the wind conditions in the region throughout the year and Figure 4-3 provides the wind-rose diagram typical to the atoll (adapted from windfinder.com). This analysis represents wind data from Malé Velana International Airport taken between 07/2002 - 01/2018 daily from 7am to 7pm local time.

Table 4-3: Summary of general wind conditions in Malé region

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Figure 4-3: Windrose diagram based on data from Hulhulé

4.3.5 Humidity and Evaporation Rates

Based on data obtained from Hulhulé weather station over a period of 14 years from 1998 to 2012 given in Figure 4-4 (weatherspark.com), the relative humidity typically ranges from 68% (mildly humid) to 93% (very humid) over the course of a year, rarely dropping below 61% (mildly humid) and reaching as high as 100% (very humid).

The air is driest around February 26, at which time the relative humidity drops below 71% (humid) three days out of four; it is most humid around November 30, exceeding 89% (very humid) three days out of four.

Over the course of a year, the dew point typically varies from 23°C to 27°C and is rarely below 21°C or above 28°C.

Open water evaporation and transpiration from vegetation are very high. The high rates of evaporation and transpiration, especially owing to global warming, may be considered to add further to the evaporation rate and cause sea levels to fall in the future (Morner et al 2004). Evaporation rates are influence by wind, temperature and humidity and level of particulates in the air, studies of pan evaporation rates may yield misleading results as pan evaporation rates are influenced by the amount of sunlight hitting the pan, rather than other meteorological factors (Dawson and Spannagle 2009).

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Figure 4-4: Relative humidity over a period of 1 year

4.4 Hydrography

4.4.1 Tides

Tides affect wave conditions, wave-generated and other reef-top currents. Tide levels are believed to be significant in controlling amount of wave energy reaching an island, as no wave energy crosses the edge of the reef at low tide under normal conditions. In the Maldives where the tidal range is small (1m), tides may have significantly important influence on the formation, development, and sediment movement process around the island. Tides also may play an important role in lagoon flushing, water circulation within the reef and water residence time within an enclosed reef highly depends on tidal fluctuations.

Semidiurnal tides are experienced in the Maldives that is two high tides and two low tides a day. The tide varies slightly from place to place, depending on the location and on the shape and depth of the basin, channels and reefs and also time of the year.

The following figure shows the astronomical tidal variation recorded in the country with respect to the mean sea level. Astronomical tides are related to the motion of the earth-moon- sun system, and have a range of periodicities. The highest astronomical tide was recorded as 0.64 cm above the mean sea level and the lowest astronomical tide was recorded as 0.56 below the mean sea level. Tidal variation of 1.2m from lowest to the highest tide levels were recorded in the country.

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Figure 4-5: Astronomical tidal variation in the Maldives

4.4.2 Currents

Studies on current flow within a reef flat in Malé Atoll suggests that wave over wash and tides generate currents across the reef platforms, which are also capable of transporting sediments (Binnie Black & Veatch 2000). However, available information suggests that tidal currents are not strong due to small tidal range.

Generally current flow through the Maldives is driven by the dominating two-monsoon season winds. Westwardly flowing currents are dominated from January to March and eastwardly from May to November. The change in currents flow pattern occurs in April and December. In April, the westward currents flow are weak and eastward currents flow will slowly take place. Similarly, in December eastward currents flows are weak and westward currents will take over slowly.

The figure below presents a wind rose diagram of the currents flow during the day of the field visit. As can be seen the current flow was westward and the average speed is around 0.14 m/s. Thus, based on this data, the monsoonal change in direction of the currents doesn’t seem to have occurred. The average speed is fairly small, thus no major impacts to the jetty or the vessels that use the jetty, are envisioned as a result of strong currents. Moreover, sediment plume spread during construction phase is likely to be small due to the weak currents. However, it is important to note that data logged over a single day shows a very limited picture, to get a more accurate picture analysis of longer term data will be required.

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Figure 4-6: Windrose diagram for currents

4.4.3 Waves

There is typically a distinction between short waves, which are waves with periods less than approximately 20s, and long waves or long period oscillations, which are oscillations with periods between 20-30s and 40min. Water-level oscillations with periods or recurrence intervals larger than around 1 hour, such as astronomical tide and storm surge, are referred to as water-level variations. The short waves are wind waves and swell, whereas long waves are divided into surf beats, harbour resonance, seiche and tsunamis. Natural waves can be viewed as a wave field consisting of a large number of single wave components each characterised by a wave height, a wave period and a propagation direction. Wave fields with many different wave periods and heights are called irregular.

Tranquillity of the lagoon is essential to ensure safe mooring of boats to the jetty. Based on wave conditions small boats especially maybe violently swung. The results of the wave analysis at the project location are provided in the table below.

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Table 4-4 Results of wave analysis Aspect Average units Significant Wave Height 0.041 m Significant Wave Period 5.81 s Average Wave Height 0.0197 m Average Wave Period 7.19 s

As can be seen from the table the wave condition during the time of data collection at the Hulhumale’ lagoon was not significant despite the fact that the data was taken on a generally windy day during the southwest monsoon. Even the significant wave height, which is the mean of highest one third of the waves, was less than 0.041m indicating calm conditions. However, like currents a single day’s data is not enough to provide an accurate picture. Only regular monitoring through the two monsoons will show an accurate picture.

4.4.4 Bathymetry

Bathymetry of the project area is provided in the Appendices. The bathymetry indicates sufficient depths for vessel mooring without the need for further dredging. Even close to the shore the depth is above 3 meters.

4.4.5 Marine Water Quality

The results of the marine water quality tests are given in the table below. The water in the harbour area was clear and in good pristine condition. There are no visible signs of discolouration or pollution in the lagoon.

Table 4-5: In-situ water quality results Parameter Units MWQ1 WGS84 GPS Location UTM Temperature oC E. Conductivity uS/cm Total Dissolved Solids mg/l Salinity ppt Dissolved Oxygen mg/l pH 8.16 Turbidity NTU Total Suspended Solids mg/l

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4.5 Marine Environment

The marine environment at the project site is devoid of any corals, dead or live. The seabed was predominantly sand with few rocks. In terms of lifeforms no major life forms could be seen, only a few Pomacentrids and Chaetodontids were around during the time of the survey.

4.6 Terrestrial Environment

In terms of terrestrial fauna, the landward side of the seawall was lined with Fithuroanu Gas or Horsetail Trees (Casuarina equisetifolia) One or two of which may have to be removed to provide access to the jetty.

Figure 4-7: Horsetail trees at the jetty location

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5 Environmental Impacts

5.1 Introduction

This Chapter addresses the basic concepts and methodological approach for conducting a scientifically based analysis of the potential impacts likely to occur as a result of the proposed project. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for quite a few disciplines is subjective in nature and cannot be quantified. Wherever possible, the impacts have been quantified and otherwise, qualitative assessment has been undertaken. This Chapter deals with the anticipated positive as well as negative impacts due to construction of the proposed infrastructure including the operational phase.

5.2 Impact Identification

Environmental and social impacts from various activities of the proposed development have been identified through:  Consultation with Proponent and other relevant parties  Purpose-built checklists and matrices  Existing literature and reports on similar developments in the Maldives  Baseline environmental conditions  Consultant’s experience of projects of similar nature and similar settings

The impacts on various aspects of environment shall be assessed for construction as well as operation phases of the project. The impacts proposed to be covered for assessment during construction and operation phases is given in Table 5-1and Table 5-2 respectively.

Table 5-1: Environmental impacts to be considered during project construction phase Aspect Key Issues to be covered Marine Environment Effect on marine fauna due to sedimentation Damage to live coral during installation of jetty columns Turbidity and change in coastal dynamics due to sediment plume Spillage of construction material during material transfer Spillage of waste during transfer Improper disposal of municipal solid waste Air Environment Emissions due to operation of construction equipment and machinery Dust from cement and concrete works Vehicular emissions Noise Environment Noise due to operation of construction equipment and workforce

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Aspect Key Issues to be covered Land Environment Impacts on waste collection yard(s) due to transfer of construction waste Solid waste generation from labor force Pollution due to runoff from construction sites Removal of terrestrial vegetation Public Health Respiratory infections due to dust emissions Risk of incidence of illness/diseases from workers Risk of injury due to accidents Socio-Economic Environment Increased employment potential during project construction phase Pressure on existing utilities Impacts related to health and safety Impacts to traffic flows

Table 5-2: Environmental Impacts to be considered during project operation phase Aspect Key Issues to be covered Health and Safety Improved navigational safety and reduced potential for accidents Socio-Economic Environment Boost in local tourism Indirect impact of increased employment opportunities in local tourism sector Social impacts due to cultural differences

A purpose built matrix has been used to evaluate the overall impacts of the proposed project. The impacts of the project have been evaluated according to the following criteria: 1. Magnitude (or severity): the amount or scale of change that will result from the impact 2. Significance: importance of the impact. Reversibility is considered part of its significance 3. Duration: the time over which the impact would be felt 4. Extent/spatial distribution: the spatial extent over which the impact would be felt

The scales associated with the above criteria are given in the table below.

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Table 5-3: Impact evaluation scale Criteria Scale Attribute Magnitude -3 Major adverse Change caused by impact -2 Moderate adverse -1 Minor adverse 0 Negligible 1 Minor positive 2 Moderate positive 3Major positive Significance/Reversibility 0Insignificant Impact implications / 1 Limited implications / easily reversible Reversibility of impact's effects 2 Broad implications / reversible with costly intervention 3 Nationwide or global implications / irreversible Duration 0 Immediate Duration / Frequency of 1 Short term/construction period only Impact 2 Medium term (five years of operation) 3 Longterm/continuous Extent/Spatial Distribution 0 None/within 1m from point of discharge/no Distribution of impact affected party 1 Immediate vicinity/household level/developer/consumer 2 Specific areas within the island/atoll/specific parties 3 Entire island/atoll/nation/all stakeholders

Based on the above scale, an impact matrix was developed for the proposed development to determine the overall impact of the proposed project. This matrix is given in Table 5-.

An impact potential index was then developed from Table 5-. The impact potential index table represents a product of the magnitude (M), significance (S), duration (D) and extent/spatial distribution (E) given in the above table. The sum of all key component specific indexes for one activity (i.e. sum by rows) provides the Activity Potential Impact Index (API) and the sum of all activity specific indexes for one key component (i.e. sum by column) provides the Component Potential Vulnerability Index (CPVI) which gives an indication of the vulnerability of each key component to activity related impacts. Table 5- represent the impact potential indices for the proposed project.

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5.3 Overall Impacts of the Proposed Project

Table 5-4: Summary of potential impacts No. Component Significance Remarks Socio-Economic Environment 1 Economic growth Major Both the construction and operational phase will create direct and Positive indirect employment opportunities to the local community, as well as contribute to the overall economic growth of Hulhumale’ especially the local tourism sector. 2 Cultural norms and Minor Minor impacts due to cultural differences from foreign labor beliefs force and increased number of tourists. 3 Public health Minor Increased noise, fumes and dust in the area due to machinery, condition dusty processes and construction material. 4 Waste Minor Large quantities of construction waste are not expected to be generated as in-situ concrete works would be minimized. Any construction waste such as paint, lubricants or oils will be suitably disposed. 5 Navigational Safety Major The jetty offers a safe mooring location for tourist vessels and Positive will contribute to alleviate sea traffic in Hulhumale’ harbor area. Natural Environment 6 Seawater Minor No significant impacts are envisaged in terms of sedimentation and turbidity as only minor excavation works are proposed to be undertaken. Minor impacts on seawater quality may result due to accidental spillage during construction material and waste transfer to and from the island. 7 Groundwater Minor Potential minor impacts due to spillage of material and waste during land transfer and spillage of oils on to the project site ground during refueling and maintenance of machinery that may subsequently enter water lens and result in groundwater pollution. 8 Flora None Maine flora will not be effected. However, slight impact on terrestrial flora is expected as one or two Horsetail Trees have to removed to provide access to the jetty. 9 Fauna Minor No significant marine fauna such as live corals or fish species are present. Therefore, any potential impact from sedimentation is negligible. However, spillage during transfer of material and waste may result in cumulative indirect impacts to other ecosystems. 10 Coastal Morphology None No changes to costal dynamics in terms of erosion or accretion are expected as only minor excavation works are proposed to be undertaken, while Hulhumale’ is devoid of natural beaches. 11 Landscape / Minor The construction site will not be appealing in terms of landscape Seascape integrity. However, this effective will only be temporary and short-term as the jetty once developed will be an improvement of current scenery. Short term complains, for sound, smoke, and road access blockage from public is possible. Moreover, the jetty once developed will be a major attraction point for tourist and local community and will result in improved aesthetics. Environmental Pollution 12 Air Pollution Minor No significant impact but some degree of dust due to vehicular movement to and from site etc. 13 Soil contamination Minor No significant impact but potential for contamination due to accidental spills of paint and oils etc. 14 Noise and vibration Minor Some noise and vibration during construction period is expected.

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The overall impacts of the project are highly positive. A jetty exclusively built for tourists will alleviate the current congestion issue of the Hulhumale’ harbour area and create a safe mooring location for tourist vessels. The pavilion accompanying the jetty is designed for sunset sighting and will be an attraction point for tourists. This will make Hulhumale’ a more attractive destination for tourists and will result in increased excursion visits. The jetty is envisaged to indirectly contribute to increase in demand for guesthouses which would eventually result in the escalation of local tourism in the island and subsequently boost the local economy by creating employment opportunities for the local community.

The negative impacts associated with the project are minor, reversible and short-term, mostly confined to the construction period. High sedimentation is not expected as the project does not involve large scale dredging. The only excavation involved is during fixing of the precast footings on to the seafloor. The seafloor of the project site does not contain any live corals nor a natural reef ecosystem is present at the western side of Hulhumale’, therefore no major impacts are envisaged to occur to marine biota as a result of the project. The only potential moderate negative impact is associated with improper disposal of municipal solid waste and spillage of waste and construction material during transport, which can be adequately mitigated by proper project planning and taking appropriate precautionary actions.

Table 5-5: Impact matrix for the proposed project

KEY COMPONENTS Environment S ocio-Economic

PROJECT ACTIVITIES Seawater Groundwater Fauna Marine Terrestiral Flora Seascape / Landscape Air/Noise Cultural Norms Health and Safety Employment Growth Eocnomic Construction M obilization, material transport and storage -2 2 -1 2 -2 2 0 -1 1 -1 1 -1 1 -1 1 2 2 1 1 221122 111112111212 Dredging and construction of jetty structures -100 -11-11-11-110 -2122 11 10 11111111 111212 Waste management -22-11-1100-11001211 221111 11 1212 Operation Use of new jetty 210 210 32-11-12323232 33 22 321132323232

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Table 5-6: Impact potential indices for the proposed project

KEY COMPONENTS

Envi ronme nt Socio-economic TOTAL API

PROJECT ACTIVITIES Seawater Groundwater Fauna Marine Flora Terrestiral Seascape / Landscape Air/Noise Norms Cultural Health and Safety Employment Growth Eocnomic Construction Mobilization, material transport and storage -0.2 -0.0 2 -0.2 0 -0 .01 -0 .01 -0.0 2 -0 .01 0.1 0.0 2 -0.3 5 Dredging and construction of jetty structures 0 0 -0 .01 -0 .01 -0 .01 -0 .01 0 -0.0 2 0.1 0.0 2 0.06 Waste management -0.2 -0 .01 -0 .01 0 0 -0.01 0 0 0 .05 0.0 2 -0 .16 Operation Use of new jetty 0.2 2 0 0.1 0 0.4 4-0.01 -0.15 0.4 4 0.4 4 0.4 4 1.9 2 TOTAL CPVI -0 .18 -0.0 3 -0 .12 -0 .01 0.4 2 -0.0 4 -0 .17 0.41 0.69 0.5 1. 4 7

API = Activity Potential Impact Index CPVI = Component Potential Vulnerability Index

5.4 Project Specific Impacts during Construction

5.4.1 Sedimentation Impacts on Marine Fauna

The project does not involve dredging to create a mooring basin as the depth of the lagoon is sufficient to cater for anchoring of large vessels up to 32 meters long. No excavation will also be required during the installation of the jetty columns as H-beam concrete piles would be inserted into the seabed. Hence, no significant sedimentation is expected to occur.

Moreover, as the project area falls in a reclaimed area, the lagoon is not expected to contain any live corals. The western sea of Hulhumale’ also contains breakwaters designed to obstruct strong oceanic wave currents and is devoid of a natural coral reef ecosystem. Therefore, the project area is not expected to be a habitat for any significant fish species. Hence, the impact of sedimentation on marine fauna due to the proposed activity is expected to be minimal.

5.4.2 Impacts on Coral during installation of Jetty Columns

The piling of jetty columns in the lagoon could kill some of the coral that fall on the foot print of the structure. However, live corals are not found at the seafloor of the project site and a

Proponent: Housing Development Corporation Page | 50 Consultant: Sandcays EIA for the proposed Tourist Jetty at Hulhumalé natural reef ecosystem do not exist at the western lagoon of Hulhumale’. Hence, no direct or indirect negative impacts on corals or coral reefs are envisaged due to this activity.

In contrast, installation of columns may in the long term create hard substrate suitable for new coral growth. Therefore, the project may be considered slightly beneficial for future coral growth.

5.4.3 Turbidity Impacts and Coastal Morphology

Turbidity associated with the excavation will be very small as large-scale dredging is not involved. Any potential turbidity from excavation works undertaken to fix the concrete footings will largely be restricted to the bottom and the immediate vicinity of the project site. A small plume may still be visible but will be highly localized and only present for a short duration. Therefore, visual impacts due to turbidity will be minor and localized.

The proposed jetty is not expected to alter currents and sediment movement in the lagoon significantly as there will be ample space between jetty columns to allow water and sediment movement under the jetty. Moreover, the island does not contain any natural beaches, while the shore adjacent to the project site has a seawall. Hence, the project activities will not result in coastal erosion or accretion and thus will not have any impacts on coastal morphology or beach dynamics.

5.4.4 Impacts due to material transport

The transport and supply of material, excavator, truck and any other machinery may have impacts that may arise from: Accidental spillage of construction materials (e.g. cement, paint). Accidental oils, paint and other chemical spills. Damages to road surfaces Accidental Spillage of waste Hazards of transport of material to site including overtopping of barges.

Considering the scale of the project, the above impacts are expected to be minor and can be managed through appropriate mitigation actions.

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5.4.5 Ambient Noise

Moderate noise levels are expected during the mobilization of equipment and operation of heavy machinery such as excavators. However, they generally run continuously at relatively constant power and speed, although sound levels may vary according to the work cycle (e.g., loading). These types of noises are temporary and are relatively intermittent.

At present, there are only a relatively few noise receptors at the vicinity of the project site, as the commercial building close to the project site is still under construction with the construction of the jetty expected to be completed prior to the completion of this building. Likewise, the terminal park which is mostly a transit point for people waiting to catch the ferry is located about 150 meters from the project site. Therefore, any potential users will not be exposed to significant levels of prolonged noise, considering that people only stay in this location for a short period.

There will, however, be a cumulative impact with the construction works of the commercial building in progress. It is likely that at the peak of construction, the area will emit noise in the region of 65-70 dbA. The main receptors of this impact will be construction staffs of both these projects. The impact can, nevertheless, be effectively mitigated by using standard procedures for worker’s health and safety. Therefore, with proper mitigation measures, it is unlikely that noise pollution will cause long term human health implications leading to the escalation of public and private health costs.

5.4.6 Ambient Air

Dust and emissions from vehicle and machinery exhausts will degrade the air quality. Dust from cement can cause serious health implication for people with respiratory diseases such as asthma and sinusitis. Operation of construction equipment and machinery will generate soot and air pollutants, mainly carbon dioxide, Sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide, which contributes to global warming and subsequent climate change. In addition, incomplete combustion can lead to release of carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons. Hydrocarbons can react with oxides of nitrogen to form ozone. Carbon monoxide reduces flow of oxygen in blood stream and ozone is an irritant that can cause respiratory illnesses.

However, concrete works at the project site will be minimal as H beam concrete piles will be used with minimal in-situ concrete works. Likewise, marine grade cement will be used to

Proponent: Housing Development Corporation Page | 52 Consultant: Sandcays EIA for the proposed Tourist Jetty at Hulhumalé establish the structure. Therefore, dust emissions from the project will be minor, although there will be some cumulative contribution from the project towards overall greenhouse gas emissions. Hence, overall impact on air quality can be slightly negative.

5.4.7 Groundwater

Spillage of oils into the ground during refueling and maintenance of machinery, and construction material and waste during transfer may result in groundwater pollution due to potential seepage into the water lens. However, such impacts can be mitigated by following proper guidelines and mitigation actions and therefore, impacts on groundwater are minor.

5.4.8 Waste Management

There will be some construction waste generated such as wood, concrete and metals, in addition to the municipal solid waste produced by the workforce. Proper action must be taken to avoid spillage during transfer of waste to Thilafushi. Although the marine environment immediate to the project location does not contain any significant marine life, inappropriate handling of municipal solid waste and its disposal into the surrounding environment can cause detrimental indirect and cumulative impacts on other marine ecosystems. It will also lead to health implication, as well as aesthetic issues, as the project site is at the face of the island. Therefore, overall construction phase waste can moderately impact the environment. However, disposal of construction waste should not be a major issue as the project takes place in the Greater Male’ region where a sound waste collection and management system is present.

5.4.9 Terrestrial Fauna

Slight impact on terrestrial fauna is envisaged due to the clearance of one or two Horsetail Trees found at the location to provide easy access to the jetty. However, this impact is only minor as the trees in Hulhumale’ belong to HDC and not to any particular individual. Moreover, the removed trees can be replanted elsewhere to negate any potential negative impacts on the environment.

5.4.10 Health and Safety

Health and safety of workers are addressed to some extent in previously described noise pollution section. Major impacts predicted for the construction workforce is related to health

Proponent: Housing Development Corporation Page | 53 Consultant: Sandcays EIA for the proposed Tourist Jetty at Hulhumalé and safety issues. The main health and safety issues during the construction stage would be in the operation of heavy machinery and equipment such as excavators with the risk of toppling. Falls and accidents due to carelessness in the project site has been a concern in many construction sites and must be addressed during the planning and implementation stages.

5.4.11 Socio‐ Economic Environment

There are a few minor negative socio-economic impacts of little or no significance during the construction phase. These include the disturbance to vehicular and pedestrian movements during loading and unloading of materials to site. Noise from construction equipment, which has been discussed earlier, poses no potential concerns.

There is also potential for impact due to cultural differences with foreign labor force, which is not a cause for concern due to the small labor requirement for the project as well as the fact that the community is already socially integrated and generally tolerant of people from other cultures. Greater Malé region hosts the largest number of foreign labor force. Therefore, this impact is considered negligible.

The construction phase of the project is expected to increase employment opportunities in the construction sector. However, most of the current construction workforce is largely devoid of locals as such workers are mostly foreign expatriates. Nevertheless, the project will provide indirect employment opportunities for locals and provision of goods and services during the project implementation. This is considered as a major positive impact of the project.

5.4.12 Impacts on Road closure

The project is undertaken in Hulhumale’ where roads are wide unlike Male’, hence no major traffic disruptions are envisaged. Road closure is not expected to be required to undertake loading and unloading of materials.

5.4.13 Impacts on Utilities

No significant adverse impact on utilities is envisaged. There will not be a significant change in number of users of utility services during construction phase.

Proponent: Housing Development Corporation Page | 54 Consultant: Sandcays EIA for the proposed Tourist Jetty at Hulhumalé

5.4.14 Landscape or Seascape Integrity

The construction site will not be appealing in terms of land / seascape integrity. However, this effective will only be temporary and short-term as the jetty once developed will be an improvement of current scenery.

5.5 Project Specific Impacts during Operational Phase

5.5.1 Improved navigational safety and sea transport

The project is expected to create safe mooring areas for tourist vessels such as safaris and speedboats and reduce the transportation cost through smooth access and operations of boats and launches. Tourist vessels, at present, have to share Hulhumale’ jetty with local express ferry and other speedboats. Hulhumale’ jetty is also located just 30 m from the busy Hulhumale’ ferry terminal. Therefore, a jetty designed with comprehensive night illumination and fendering, exclusively dedicated for mooring of tourist vessels, located more than 250 m from Hulhumale’ ferry terminal, will contribute to alleviate sea traffic in Hulhumale’ and cumulatively minimize potential for accidents.

5.5.2 Enhance Local Tourism and Economic Growth

Hulhumale’ is famous for its local tourism business and has many guesthouses. Safe and easy access to tourist vessels offered by the pontoon and finger jetties coupled with the high end pavilion that is specifically designed for sighting the sunset, will increase the number of tourists visiting the island on excursions. This would in turn increase demand for guesthouses, resulting in a boost in local tourism business. An increase in demand for guesthouses also means that more guesthouses will be established in the near future, creating better employment opportunities in the region. The project is therefore expected to significantly contribute to local economic growth both directly and indirectly.

5.5.3 Social Impacts

There is potential for impact due to cultural differences with a good number of tourists visiting the island. However, the population of Greater Male’ region is socially integrated and generally tolerant of people from other cultures. Additionally, tourists visiting local islands have to adhere to a modest dress code. Tourists visiting the island is also required to use

Proponent: Housing Development Corporation Page | 55 Consultant: Sandcays EIA for the proposed Tourist Jetty at Hulhumalé designated areas for swimming that are located away from the local community. Therefore, any potential negative social impact is adequately countered.

5.6 Uncertainties in Impact Prediction

Environmental impact prediction involves a certain degree of uncertainty as the natural and anthropogenic impacts can vary from place to place due to even slight differences in ecological, geomorphological or social conditions in a particular place. There is also no long term data and information regarding the particular site under consideration, which makes it difficult to predict impacts. However, the level of uncertainty, in the case of this project may be expected to be low due to the experience of similar projects in similar settings in the Maldives.

Professional judgement on the quality or nature of the impacts holds limited uncertainty and is considered reliable. All potentially relevant impacts have been considered and included in the analysis. Judgement on the quantity or importance of impacts holds a higher degree of uncertainty which has been taken into account by assuming a worst case scenario in the impact evaluation process.

Proponent: Housing Development Corporation Page | 56 Consultant: Sandcays EIA for the proposed Tourist Jetty at Hulhumalé

6 Impact Mitigation and Management

6.1 Introduction

Based on the environmental baseline conditions, planned project activities and impacts assessed earlier, this Chapter outlines the mitigation measures that needs to be adopted in order to minimize the potential negative impacts to a low significance level. Mitigation measures are one of the most important components in an EIA and these measures must be fully adhered during construction and through operational phase.

6.2 Responsibility

The primary responsibility of implementing these mitigation measures lie with the proponent and the contractor. However, it is the task of the proponent to ensure that the contractor is fully aware of the mitigation measures and the measures are adequately implemented. Moreover, as per the recent revision to the EIA regulations it is must to have the EIA report and the decision statement at the site with the contractor. Hence the proponent should ensure that this condition is met by the contractor.

The proponent should assign a suitably qualified person to oversee the project implementation by the contractor. This person needs to be thorough with the requirements specified in this EIA report and needs to brief the contractor and its staff on these requirements. Alternatively, the proponent could assign a consultant to undertake this activity.

In addition to this, the proponent should ensure that any grievances from public could be easily communicated with the contractor and the proponent. In this regard, a board displaying the contact information of the proponent and the contractor should be placed at the site. Addressing social grievances are one of the weakest implemented systems in the Maldives EIA process.

6.3 Mitigation Measures

Table 6-1 explains about the aspect, potential impacts, mitigation measures, responsible party and cost of mitigation for major impacts of the project.

Proponent: Housing Development Corporation Page | 57 Consultant: Sandcays EIA for the proposed Tourist Jetty at Hulhumalé

Table 6-1: Summary table of environmental impacts and mitigation measures

Aspect Impact Mitigation Measures Responsible Cost of Party Implementation

CONSTRUCTION PHASE

Seawater Quality Re-suspension of fine particles during minor Excavation will be carried out during low tide Proponent / Contractor Approximately MVR excavation works to fix the concrete footings and calm conditions. 15,000. Cost associated into the seafloor may degrade seawater with purchasing of bins quality due to increased turbidity. Excavation will be undertaken by expert and sign boards. operators. Spillage of oils (required for construction Cost included in the equipment and machineries) and construction All liquids to be used in the construction phase project. material during transfer to the island will will be transported to the site in sealed container diminish dissolved oxygen content of to prevent spillage during transportation. seawater. Construction material will be covered from all Spillage of oils (required for construction sides to prevent spillage during transfer to the equipment and machineries) and other island. construction material such as concrete / cement to lagoon and project site during Onsite refuelling and maintenance of machinery construction works. will be avoided at all times.

Spillage of construction waste during transfer Concrete mixing shall not be undertaken at the to Thilafushi. project site. This will be avoided by using precast concrete and marine grade cement. Degradation of seawater quality and associated health problems due to improper Construction waste shall be transferred to disposal of municipal solid waste to the Thilafushi through the formal waste lagoon / jetty area by the workforce. management system established in the island. Waste will be transported according to the specifications given in the waste regulation. The vessels used for waste transportation should acquire the required licences through the waste regulation.

Proponent: Housing Development Corporation Page | 58 Consultant: Sandcays EIA for the proposed Tourist Jetty at Hulhumalé

Place appropriate bins and sign boards for municipal solid waste disposal in temporary project site.

Educate construction worker on the importance of proper waste disposal.

Marine Ecology Sediment suspension during excavation Excavation will be carried out during low tide Proponent/ Contractor Cost associated with works can instill prolonged stress on corals and calm conditions. purchasing of bins and and marine organisms found in the vicinity sign boards. of the jetty area. Sediment movement and Excavation will be undertaken by expert deposition on corals can cause abrasion and operators. Cost included in the inhibit their growth. project. Transfer live corals present at the site (if any) to High levels of turbidity can block the another location. passage of sunlight, impeding photosynthesis and cause smothering. These can all All liquids to be used in the construction phase ultimately lead to the death of corals will be transported to the site in sealed container to prevent spillage during transportation. Loss of bottom biota and habitat during fixing of jetty footings may decrease fish Construction material will be covered from all catches from the lagoon. sides to prevent spillage during transfer to the island. Spillage of construction material and waste to sea during transport to and from Onsite refuelling and maintenance of machinery Hulhumale’ will diminish the DO content of will be avoided at all times. seawater supplemented by an increase in carbon dioxide concentration, leading to Concrete mixing shall not be undertaken at the suffocation of marine organisms. project site. This will be avoided by using Additionally, coral reef and aquatic flora and precast concrete and marine grade cement. fauna, will be at extreme risk from exposure to toxic substances contained within oil. Construction waste shall be transferred to Thilafushi through the formal waste Littering of marine waters and beaches management system established in the island. leading to landscape aesthetic degradation as Waste will be transported according to the well as coral reef and lagoon degradation. specifications given in the waste regulation. The Loss of tourism and recreational value of vessels used for waste transportation should marine waters and beaches will be a long-

Proponent: Housing Development Corporation Page | 59 Consultant: Sandcays EIA for the proposed Tourist Jetty at Hulhumalé

term impact. acquire the required licences through the waste regulation.

Place appropriate bins and sign boards for municipal solid waste disposal in temporary project site.

Educate construction worker on the importance of proper waste disposal.

Coastal Alteration of sediment transport and current Leave ample space between jetty columns to Proponent/ Contractor/ No potential costs Morphology patterns during excavation leading to long- allow water and sediment movement under the Designer involved in term coastal erosion and accretion. jetty. implementing these measures.

Air Quality Generation of dust during construction may Supply workers with masks. Proponent / Contractor cause health implications to worker and residents. Regularly water the construction site to minimize any impacts of dust. Generation of dust from the stockpiled construction material. Avoid concrete mixing at site by using precast concrete. Air pollution from the vehicles used for transporting materials to the site and transfer Avoid usage of old vehicles. The project should of waste to disposal sites. only use well serviced vehicles that have up to date road worthiness certificates. Greenhouse gas emissions and dust from vehicles used in the project. Cover the construction site with nets to minimize dust spreading out to surrounding Emission of carbon monoxide and areas. hydrocarbons due to incomplete combustion. Avoid keeping construction material in open air. If any material is stockpiled ensure that they are properly covered.

All vehicles and machinery should be well tuned.

Proponent: Housing Development Corporation Page | 60 Consultant: Sandcays EIA for the proposed Tourist Jetty at Hulhumalé

Ground water Spillage of oils into the ground during All chemicals used for construction such as Proponent/Contractor No potential costs Quality refueling and maintenance of machinery may paints, lubricants and oils will be stored in hard involved in enter the water lens and cause groundwater surfaces to prevent seepage into the water lens. implementing these pollution. measures. All liquids to be used in the construction phase

Spillage of construction material and waste will be transported to the site in sealed container at construction site and during transportation to prevent spillage during transportation. may impact groundwater quality of the site and surrounding areas. Construction waste will be covered from all sides to prevent spillage while transferring to the waste yard.

Hazardous waste and liquid waste will be transported in sealed container according the guidelines specified in the waste regulation.

Vehicles used for waste transportation will be designed to the specification given in the waste regulation.

Onsite refuelling and maintenance of machinery will be avoided at all times.

Proponent: Housing Development Corporation Page | 61 Consultant: Sandcays EIA for the proposed Tourist Jetty at Hulhumalé

Ambient Noise Disturbance to nearby residents from Avoid undertaking construction activities during Proponent/Contractor Cost associated with construction noise. night time, except for foundation and concrete purchasing ear muffs, works. included in the total Noise pollution to workers. project cost. Instruct construction workers to wear ear muffs when using machinery that produce significant noise.

Terrestrial Flora Slight impact on terrestrial flora due to the Relocate the removed vegetation to another part Proponent No additional costs are removal of one or two Horsetail Trees. of the island. envisaged.

Health and Safety Health and safety of construction staff will Necessary barriers, warnings, signs demarcating Contractor Cost associated with be compromised if appropriate health and unsafe areas should be followed according to purchasing of safety safety standards are not followed. standard construction practices. gear.

Where relevant, safety nets should be used to No additional costs are cover buildings and prevent injury to public. envisioned to occur as Health and safety of the public compromised Safety paths should be identified for public these are standard safety due to inappropriate safety conditions at the movements. measures. construction site. Provide first aid facilities in case of an emergency and safety protocols during such event.

Aluminum and wood works at site shall be supervised and workers informed of the necessity to take care when using tools such as electric cut-offs.

Contractor shall be required to comply with all the precautions as required for the safety of the workers as per the International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention No. 62 as far as those are applicable to the contract.

Proponent: Housing Development Corporation Page | 62 Consultant: Sandcays EIA for the proposed Tourist Jetty at Hulhumalé

Provide necessary safety appliances such as protective footwear, cloth gloves, safety goggles for welders, helmets, masks, ear muffs for operation of noisy machinery etc to the workers and staff.

Chemical-Liquid protective gloves should be used when handling any chemicals, waste oil or other liquid waste.

Should install temporary toilet facilities at the construction site for construction workers.

During construction period, any visitors could enter the site with the approval of the project supervisor. Unauthorized visitors should not be permitted to the project site.

The construction area should be secured to prevent unauthorized access.

No open electrical wiring or cables should be kept on site.

Health and Safety briefing should be given to all construction workers.

In order to guarantee construction safety, efficient lighting and safety signs shall be installed during construction.

Proponent: Housing Development Corporation Page | 63 Consultant: Sandcays EIA for the proposed Tourist Jetty at Hulhumalé

All temporary structures need to be dismantled once construction is completed.

Avoid leaving pits, holes open empty containers at the constructions site. As these acts as potential locations for mosquito breeding.

Ensure 24-hour security at the construction site to prevent burglary of nearby buildings.

Traffic Traffic disruption due to road closure and Construction material should be transported to Proponent/Contractor No additional cost Disruptions during loading and unloading of construction and from the site during off peak hours. likely to occur material. Road closure should be avoided as much as possible and should be to the shortest possible period. Must avoid road closure during peak hours.

Integrity of The construction site will not be appealing in The construction work must fit to the Proponent/Contractor Approximately MVR land / seascape terms of land / seascape integrity. However, construction schedule and must be completed 10,000. Cost associated

this effective will only be temporary and within the given period. Proper sign boards must with printing and short-term as the jetty once developed will be be used to provide information about the project placing sign boards. an improvement of current scenery. Short to public. An experienced supervisor must be Cost included in the term complains, for sound, smoke, and road employed to the site. project. access blockage from public is possible.

OPERATIONAL PHASE

Navigational Potential accidents due to increased number Installation of deck light illuminations and Proponent / Contractor Cost included in the Safety of vessels using the jetty. rubber fender lines. / Designer project. No additional cost likely to occur Use anti-slip, anti-fatigue material for jetty

Proponent: Housing Development Corporation Page | 64 Consultant: Sandcays EIA for the proposed Tourist Jetty at Hulhumalé

construction.

Proper planning and allocating maxing time for parking.

Improper Waste Littering of marine waters will impact the Place bins in jetty with sign boards indicating Approximately MVR Disposal marine ecology. that littering is prohibited. 30,000. Cost associated with purchasing bins Establish a mechanism to impose fines for and printing sign littering. boards.

Proponent: Housing Development Corporation Page | 65 Consultant: Sandcays EIA for the proposed Tourist Jetty at Hulhumalé

7 Monitoring

7.1 Introduction

This chapter contains the monitoring plan recommended for the project. The monitoring plan is based on the baseline data collected for existing environment, potential impacts identified in chapter 5 and mitigation measures proposed in chapter 6.

The primary objective of including a monitoring plan in the EIA is to determine the accuracy of the predicted impacts and also to check whether the proposed mitigation measures have been adequately followed according to the recommendations given in the EIA. Moreover, implementation of the proposed mitigation measures does not necessarily mean that all negative impacts of the project are avoided, as any development activity would involve a certain degree of uncertainty. In this regard another important aspect of the monitoring plan is its potency to discern unforeseen impacts. Furthermore, information collected during monitoring can be used for future references in other EIAs of similar projects, leading to overall improvement of the EIA process.

Monitoring would essentially ensure that the proposed activities are undertaken with caution and appropriative care so as to protect and preserve the built environment of the areas in proximity to the site or those areas and environmental aspects affected by the development.

The monitoring programme shall target to determine:

 Impacts to marine ecology.

 Seawater quality of the project site and lagoon area.

 Noise levels during construction.

 Proper handling, on-site temporary storage and management of construction waste.

 Health and Safety of workers and the general public.

 impacts are accurate and mitigation measures taken are effective and

 threshold levels are kept within the baseline limits predicted.

Proponent: Housing Development Corporation Page | 66 Consultant: Sandcays EIA for the proposed Tourist Jetty at Hulhumalé

7.2 Responsibilities

Overall monitoring responsibility lies with the Proponent or Contractor assigned by the Proponent. EPA and HDC should also monitor the construction activities.

7.3 Project specific monitoring requirements

A project specific monitoring programme has been developed by taking in to account the parameters highlighted in the forgoing section. For each parameter, sample locations, monitoring method, frequency, monitoring responsibilities and cost is indicated. The overall cost of monitoring is estimated to be around MvR 80,000.

Table 9-1 provides the monitoring programme recommended for this project. As all the negative impacts identified for the proposed development are envisaged to occur during the construction phase, this monitoring plan is exclusively targeted for the construction phase of the project.

Table 7-1: Proposed environmental monitoring programme for construction phase Parameters to be Parameters Monitoring Frequency Monitoring Cost Monitored Method Responsibility (MVR) Coral and benthic Percent cover Visual Upon Proponent / 10,000 cover observations completion of EIA consultant the project and once after 6 months. Diversity and Number of fish Visual fish Upon Proponent / 10,000 abundance of fish present census completion of EIA consultant communities the project and once after 6 months. Wave Condition Wave data at the Using RBR Upon Proponent / 10,000 project location Wave Solo completion of EIA consultant the project and once after 6 months Seawater Quality DO and turbidity Laboratory Upon Proponent / 20,000 analysis completion of EIA consultant the project and once after 6 months. Noise Pollution Noise reading Once a month Proponent / 10,000 using a noise during EIA consultant level meter construction (noise readings should be taken during peak and off peak hours)

Proponent: Housing Development Corporation Page | 67 Consultant: Sandcays EIA for the proposed Tourist Jetty at Hulhumalé

Parameters to be Parameters Monitoring Frequency Monitoring Cost Monitored Method Responsibility (MVR) Dust Nuisance Type of cement and Visual site Once a month Proponent / 0 concrete used. inspection and during EIA consultant complains construction received Waste removal Waste storage method Visual site During loading Proponent / 0 on site. inspection and unloading Site supervisor of waste Spillage prevention measures during waste transfer. Disruption to traffic Roads Site observations During loading Proponent / 0 flow and unloading Site supervisor of material and waste Health and Safety Protective gear by Site observations Once a month Proponent / 0 workforce and interviewing during Site supervisor workers construction Navigational Safety Condition of night Site observations Upon Proponent / 20,000 illumination completion of Engineer mechanism and fender the project and lines once every 6 months thereafter for 2 years.

7.4 Monitoring Report

A detailed environmental monitoring report is required to be compiled and submitted to the Environment Protection Agency annually, based on the data collected for monitoring the parameters included in the monitoring programme given in this report. EPA may submit the report to the relevant Government agencies in order to demonstrate compliance of the Proponent.

7.4.1 Monitoring report submission format and schedule

The monitoring report shall be submitted in accordance to the requirements of the EIA Regulations 2012. As per Schedule (Jadhuvalu) Laamu of the regulations, summary reports need to be submitted every two months during construction phase and detailed report or reports after project completion as per the schedule identified in the EIA report. For this project, it is recommended to submit a monitoring report following completion of construction and during the operational stage (after the completion of the project), a monitoring reports should be provided after six months.

Proponent: Housing Development Corporation Page | 68 Consultant: Sandcays EIA for the proposed Tourist Jetty at Hulhumalé

The monitoring report will include details of the site, strategy of data collection and analysis, quality control measures, sampling frequency and monitoring analysis and details of methodologies and protocols followed. It will follow the recommended format under Schedule Laamu of the regulation.

Proponent: Housing Development Corporation Page | 69 Consultant: Sandcays EIA for the proposed Tourist Jetty at Hulhumalé

8 Conclusions

The proposed project involved construction of a tourist jetty and pavilion in the western side of Hulhumale’. The project is undertaken to provide adequate access for mooring of tourist vessels in Hulhumale’.

Given that the project location is devoid of live corals or any significant fish specifies, the negative impacts envisioned for the project are minor and short terms, confined mostly to the construction phase. Moreover, alterations to costal morphology due to sedimentation are also not expected, as only minor excavation works are proposed to be undertaken to fix the concrete footings into the seafloor. Negative impacts predicted for the project are mostly associated with potential spillages during transport of construction material and waste to and from the island, which can be effectively mitigated by proper project planning and by taking necessary precautionary action.

The project is expected to bring major positive benefits to the local economy by contributing indirectly to the growth of local tourism industry in Hulhumale’. Additionally, the project is expected to create direct and indirect employment opportunities during both the construction and operational phase and increase navigational safety by creating safe mooring locations for tourist vessels.

The environmental monitoring program proposed in this report will help to identify actual impacts of the project and effectiveness of the proposed mitigation measures. Moreover, it will help to identify potential unforeseeable impacts and help to take corrective measures immediately. The proposed monitoring program considers aspects that are likely to be impacted as a result of the project such as seawater quality, noise, dust nuisance, waste management and health and safety.

Overall this is a very small project with only minor negative impacts and is envisaged to bring several positive benefits to local tourism and economy.

Proponent: Housing Development Corporation Page | 70 Consultant: Sandcays EIA for the proposed Tourist Jetty at Hulhumalé

9 Acknowledgements

Various people have assisted Sandcays in collecting data and writing this report. The author is thankful for the contributions to the report made by Mohamed Hamdhan Zuhair and Ahmed Hassaan Zuhair. Special note of appreciation goes to Hassan Saeed for his assistance in providing project related information including project concepts as the local coastal engineer for the project. Thanks are also due to those who participated in the different meetings and provided site data and photos although their names have not been specifically mentioned here.

The Consultant wishes to acknowledge the assistance provided by the Contractor, especially Ibrahim Rasheed. Furthermore, the field work carried out by Visham (especially current and wave data collection) and his assistance to Fizah in data analysis and presentation is highly appreciated.

Proponent: Housing Development Corporation Page | 71 Consultant: Sandcays EIA for the proposed Tourist Jetty at Hulhumalé

10 Bibliography

Binnie Black and Veatch (2000), Environmental/Technical Study for Dredging/Reclamation Works under the Hulhumalé Project, Maldives

Brown, et al (1990), Effects on the degradation of local fisheries in the Maldives. Final Report to Overseas Development Administration

Choi, B. H., Pelinovsky, E., Kim, K. O., and Lee, J. S. (2003), Simulation of the trans-oceanic tsunami propagation due to the 1883 Krakatau volcanic eruption. In Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences 3:321-332

DHI (1999), Physical modelling on wave disturbance and breakwater stability. Fuvahmulah Port Project, Port Consult, Denmark

English, S., Wilkinson, C. and Baker, V. (1997), Survey Manual for Tropical Marine Resources (2nd edition), Australian Institute of Marine Science

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (2009), List of Environmentally Sensitive Areas- Version 1, EPA, Maldives

Goda, Y (1988), Report on environmental conditions and related problems at Malé Port, Malé Port Development Project, Maldives, ADB

Goda, Y. (1988), Causes of high waves at Malé in April 1987, Dept. of Public Works and Labour, Male, Maldives,

Jameel, A., & Faiz, I. (2017). EIA addendum for Raymandhoo Jetty. Male’, Maldives: Water Solutions Pvt Ltd.

Jameel, A., & Faiz, I. (2017). Environmental Impact Assessment for dredging of a Swimming Area at Kurendhoo Island, Lhaviyani Atoll, Maldives. Male’, Maldives: Water Solutions Pvt Ltd.

Kenchington, R.A., The Republic of Maldives, pp 184-204. Managing Marine Environment, Taylor and Francis New York Inc. (1990)

Proponent: Housing Development Corporation Page | 72 Consultant: Sandcays EIA for the proposed Tourist Jetty at Hulhumalé

Morner et al (2004), New Perspectives for the future of the Maldives. In Global and Planetary Change 40:177–182

Riyaz, M., & Adam, M. (2017). Environmental Impact Assessment for Island Access and Jetty Construction in B. Fulhadhoo. Male’, Maldives.

Riyaz, M., & Adam, M. (2017). Environmental Impact Assessment for Island Access and Jetty Construction in R. Rasgatheem. Male’, Maldives.

Roe D, Dalal-Clayton & Hughes, R (1995), A Directory of Impact Assessment Guidelines, IIED, Russell Press, Nottingham, UK

Sandcays (2012), EIA for coastal modifications at Sheraton Full Moon Resort, K. Atoll

Sandcays (2012), EIA of coastal modifications at ClubMed Kanifinolhu, Kaafu Atoll

Sandcays (2013), EIA for Coastal Modifications at Athuruga Resort, S. Ari Atoll

Sandcays (2013), EIA for Coastal Modifications at Vakarufalhi, S. Ari Atoll

Sandcays (2013), EIA for Shore and Reef Protection at Chaaya Reef Ellaidhoo, S. Ari Atoll

Sandcays (2014), EIA for Coastal Modifications at Paradise Island Resort, K. Atoll

Sandcays (2016), EIA for reclamation of several islands on K. Maadhunifaru

Sandcays (2016), EIA for shore protection at Lh. Kurendhoo

Sandcays (2016), EIA for the second phase renovation and coastal modifications at Lux Maldives, South Ari Atoll

Shaig, A. (2017). Environmental Impact Assessment for the proposed Habour Quay Wall Construction at Maakurathu, Raa Atoll, Maldives. Male’, Maldives: CDE Consulting.

UNDP (2006), Developing a Disaster Risk Profile for Maldives, UNDP Maldives

Zahir, H. (2018) Environmental Impact Assessment for extension of existing channel at Vashafaru, Haa Alifu Atoll. Male’, Maldives: La Mer Group Pvt Ltd.

Proponent: Housing Development Corporation Page | 73 Consultant: Sandcays EIA for the proposed Tourist Jetty at Hulhumalé

11 Appendices

Appendix 1: Approved Terms of Reference

Appendix 2: Bathymetry at project area

Appendix 3: Approved Concept

Appendix 4: Construction Schedule

Appendix 5: CVs of assisting consultants

Proponent: Housing Development Corporation Page | 74 Consultant: Sandcays F {ua,

.'U. oaa o, oaxo o.o.z/.oa ,r,v€rl ',,f, -s€a 2ez2rrtra 9 W En'vironmental Protection Agency EPA No: 203-ADMIN I 161 12018123

Extended Terms of Reference for the Environmental Impact Assessment for Proposed Tourist Jetties, Hulhumal6, Mal6 City

This is the Terms of Reference (ToR) issued following the scoping meeting held on 12th March 2018 for undertaking the EIA for the proposed tourist jetties in Hulhumal6, Mal6 City, Mal6 Atoll. The proponent of the project is Housing Development Corporation. The EIA consultant of the project is Mr. Hussain Fizah.

While every attempt has been made to ensure that this TOR addresses all of the major issues associated with development proposal, they are not necessarily exhaustive. They should not be interpreted as excluding from consideration of matters deemed to be significant but not incorporated in them, or matters currently unforeseen, that emerge as important or significant from environmental studies, or otherwise, during the course of preparation of the EIA report

1. Introduction and rationale - Describe the purpose of the project and, if applicable, the background information of the projecVactivity and the tasks already completed. Objectives of the development activities should be specific and if possible quantified. Define the arrangements required for the environmental assessment including how work carried out under this project is linked to other activities that are carried out or that is being carried out within the project boundary. Identif, the institutional arrangements relevant to this project.

2. Studv area - Submit a minimum A3-size scaled plan indicating the proposed project components. Specifr the agreed boundaries of the study area for the environmental impact assessment highlighting the proposed development location and size. The study area should include adjacent or remote areas, such as relevant developments and nearby environmentally sensitive sites, if any.

3. Scope ofwork

Task l. Description of the proposed project - Provide a full description and justification of the relevant parts of the project, using maps at appropriate scales where necessary. The following project activities will be considered. o The jetties; o Arrival Pavilion; o Environmental monitoringduringconstructionactivities; o Measures to protect environmental values during construction and operation phase; o Project management (include scheduling and duration of the project; target dates, construction/operation/closure of labour camps, access to site, safety, equipment and material storage)

Task 2. Description of the environment - Assemble, evaluate and present the environmental baseline study/data regarding the study area and timing of the project (e.g. monsoon season). Identi! baseline data gaps and identifo studies and the level of detail to be carried out by consultant.

All data must be collected as per the requirqmqnlls the EPA Data Collection Guidelines (published on u,ww.epa.gov.rnv). The report should outline detailed methodolog.v of data collection utilized. ?J,1,4: Environmental Protection ABency prt, ?pterA reu2rrrn

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Male', Rep. of Maldives,20392 20392,;:i-jr ;3

Tel: [+960] 333 5949 [+960] 333 5951 Email:[email protected]'j:i: | Fax: [+960] 333 5953 1of1 Website: ww.epa.gov.mv ;ar-ti F P,Pb? .;* AriA oaa o. oa*o cuc....o. ry. 7-en /P,PverJ re-2/rr/, W Environmental Protection Agency 9 TPA Consideration of likely monitoring requirements should be borne in mind during survey planning. so that data collected is suitable for use as a baseline. As such all baseline data must be presented in such a way that they will be usefully applied to future monitoring.

Climate o General climatic conditions (including extreme conditions)

Geoloey and geomorphology o Offshore/coastal geology and geomorphology (use maps); o Bathymetry (bottom morphology) (use maps); o Characteristics of seabed sediments to assess direct habitat destruction and turbidity impacts during construction;

Hydrography/hydrodynamics (use maps) o Tidal ranges and tidal currents; o General wave climate and wave induced currents; o Wind and wind-induced (seasonal) currents; o Sea water quality measuring these parameters: temperature, pH, salinity, dissolved oxygen, turbidity and total suspended solids, TPH.

Ecology o Jdenti& significant marine life forms within or near the project site; including live coral, sea grass beds and fish community o Assess beach environment and related flora and fauna.

Task 3. Legislative and regulatory considerations - Identifu the pertinent legislation, regulations and standards, and environmental policies that are relevant and applicable to the proposed project, and identifo the appropriate authority jurisdictions that will specifically apply to the project. Include permits and approvals in the EIA document.

Task 4. Potential impacts (environmental and socio-cultural) of proposed project, incl. all stages - The EIA report should identifu significant impacts, direct and indirect, during and after construction, and evaluate the magnitude and significance of each. Particular attention shall be given to impacts associated with the following:

Impacts on the natural environment o Changes in erosion / accretion patterns, which may impact shore zone configuration/coastal morphology; o Impacts of noise, vibration and disturbance; o Impacts on landscape integrity/scenery.

Construction related hazards and risks o Risk of accidents and pollution on workers and local population. . Impacts on social values, norrns and belief due to presence of workers on local population

The methods used to identif the significance of the impacts shall be outlined. One or more of the following methods must be utilized in determining impacts; checklists, matrices, overlays, networks, expert systems and professionaljudgment. Justification must be provided to the selected methodologies. The report should outline 44. Environmental Protection Agency Prt. rpyer) tertlrr., Green Building, Floor, HandhuvareeHingun 3'd -'?, ,t/r, 'r/irJ ,rJ.rr:ri -at Male', Rep. of Maldives, 20392 203e2,;:i-ir .;i

Tel: [+960] 333 s949 [+960] 333 59s1 Email:[email protected],j:t: Fax: [+960] 333 5953 2of2 Website: www.epa.Bov.mv , i.r3i €ub? .U. r"r' *i: trt;i; ;zisrrii: w fuW Environmental Protection Agency EPA the uncertainties in impact prediction and outline all positive and negative/short and long-term impacts. ldentifu impacts that are cumulative and unavoidable.

Task 5. Alternatives to Proposed Project - Describe alternatives including "no action option" should be presented. Determine the best practical environmental option. Alternatives examined for the proposed project that would achieve the same objectives including the "no action alternative". This should include alternative location, construction technologies, taking into account environmental, social and economic factors. The report should highlight how the location was determined. All alternatives must be compared according to international standards and commonly accepted standards as much as possible. The comparison should yield the preferred alternative for implementation. Mitigation options should be specified for each component of the proposed project.

Task 6. Mitigation and management of negative impacts - Identifu any additional measures to prevent or reduce significant negative impacts to acceptable levels. These will include both environmental and socio- economic mitigation measures. Measures for both construction and operation phase shall be identified. Cost the mitigation measures, equipment and resources required to implement those measures. The confirmation of commitment of the developer to implement the proposed mitigation measures shall also be included.

Task 7. Development of monitoring plan - Identif the critical issues requiring monitoring to ensure compliance to mitigation measures and present a monitoring plan, if relevant or necessary. Detail of the monitoring programme including the physical and biological parameters for monitoring, cost commitment from responsible person to conduct monitoring in the form of a commitment letter, reporting schedule, costs and methods of undertaking the monitoring programme must be provided.

Task 8. Stakeholder consultation, Inter-Agency coordination and pubtic/I{GO participation - Identifu appropriate mechanisms for providing information on the development proposal and its progress to stakeholders, government authorities, NGOS, engineers/designers and development managers. The EIA report should include a list of people/groups consulted and summary of major outcomes. The following parties (should not be limited to) must be consulted. l. Frequent users ofthe area (ifrelevant) 2. Ministry of Tourism

Presentation- The EIA report shall be concise and focus on significant environmental issues. It shall contain the findings, conclusions and recommended actions supported by summaries of the data collected and citations for any references used in interpreting those data. The environmental assessment report will be organized according to, but not necessarily limited by, the outline given in the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulation and relevant amendments.

Relevant documentation. references for consultants - Include publicly available studies or references relevant to the current project to be used by the consultant.

Timeframe for submittins the EIA report - The developer must submit the completed EIA report within 6 months from the date of this Term of Reference. 9r.=--2t-J**

04th October 2018

Environmental Protection ABency *rCa ?P,C,J ,Cr2rrtr.

6reen Building, 3'd Floor, HandhuvareeHingun zrr/ ,u-- 'nt-t ,r) '!r.r- ,rt Male', Rep. of Maldives, 20392 )0392 ,;:i-.t2 ..ti

Tel: [+9601 333 5949 [+960] 333 5951 Email:[email protected],j4: Fax: [+950] 333 5953 3of3 website: ww.epa.Bov.mv , ,.rti

CURRICULUM VITAE Ahmed Hassaan Zuhair

PERSONAL DETAILS

 Full name: Ahmed Hassaan Zuhair  Date of birth: 02 Aug 1985  Mailing address: H. Raadha, Sikka Goalh, Male’ 20082, Maldives  Residential address: G.Vehi, Male’, Maldives  Mobile telephone number: (+960)7886707  Email address: [email protected]

WORK EXPERIENCE

ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL SAFEGUARDS OFFICER

 Name of Employer: Maldives Clean Environmental Project (MCEP) World Bank Ministry of Environment and Energy, Male’, Maldives  Position title: Environmental and Social Safeguards Officer  Period of work: June 2017 to present  Major Responsibilities: - Ensure environmental and social safeguard measures are adequately implemented in MCEP administered by the MCEP PMU/MEE. - Educate project affected families on the relevant environmental and social safeguards issues and relevant policies. - Where applicable, develop information, education and communication (IEC) materials and facilitate workshops on good environmental and social practices relevant to all projects administered by the PMU/MEE. - Co-ordinate with the various island administration offices on periodic basis on environmental issues. - Assist GoM in ensuring environmental responsibilities of the project, such as compliance with the environmental protection laws and regulations of the country. - Assist GoM in ensuring social responsibilities of the project, such as compliance with the labour laws, prohibition of child labour, HIV/AIDS and gender issues. - Ensure safeguard measures are adequately implemented. - Establish a grievance redress system and assist community in the redress of their grievances through the system.

ENVIRONMENT ANALYST

 Name of Employer: Ministry of Environment and Energy, Male’, Maldives  Position title: Environment Analyst (Coastal Unit)  Period of work: March 2016 to May 2017  Major Responsibilities: - Managing Coastal PSIP projects and donor assisted projects (ORIO and KAFED). - Ensuring the implementation of the project components are in line with the government policies and/or donor requirements. - Interacting with the financial, procurement and technical staff of the Ministry and EPA to enable smooth implementation of the project components. - Coordination among the stakeholders including the atoll/island councils, contractors and engineers in resolving various issues that come up during the implementation. - Processing bills raised by contractors. - Preparing and compilation of the project progress reports, quarterly reports and updates in a timely manner. - Providing information, monthly progress reports and other documentation requested by the Project Director for review and/or for presentation to Steering/Technical committees, donor review missions or by other relevant authorities of the Government in a timely manner. - Preparation of Terms of Reference, Tender Documents and Evaluation of Bids and Proposals. - Preparing Contract Documents and Contract Amendments. - Monitoring the progress of project activities on a regular basis. - Visiting project sites periodically and reporting back on the status of on-site activities to the management. - Participating in EIA scoping meetings related to the project and guiding contractors in the EIA application process. - Ensuring that the projects are formulated in an environmentally friendly and sustainable manner by consulting EPA and other relevant parties.

ENVIRONMENT ANALYST

 Name of Employer: Ministry of Environment and Energy, Male’, Maldives  Position title: Environment Analyst (Awareness Unit)  Period of work: July 2010 to December 2013  Major Responsibilities: - Conducting regional environmental awareness sessions in different atolls. - Conducting waste management workshops in different regions of Maldives. - Organizing and celebrating major environmental significant days at national level. - Preparing booklets, broachers and newsletters in view to increase public knowledge on existing environmental issues in Maldives. - Creating Environmental Awareness through Media. - Provided assistance to legal unit in drafting sold waste management regulation, standards on biodegradable plastic bags and Environmental impact assessment regulation.

ENVRIONMENT OFFICER (T)

 Name of Employer: Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water , Male’, Maldives  Position held: Environment Officer (Trainee)  Period of work: February 2005 – July 2007  Major Responsibilities: - Provide assistance in facilitating and carrying out various works in relation to environmental awareness and community mobilization. - Writing and publishing 2005 World Environment Day Awareness handbook. - Conducting a weekly environmental awareness raising radio program on national radio.

Additional Experience

 Registered EIA Reviewer in EPA (since April 2016)

 World Bank Procurement Training September 2017 Colombo, Sri Lanka

 Training Program for Environmental Regulators 19-30 Nov 2012 New Delhi, India

 Consultation for the Asia-Pacific Region in preparation for 31 Oct - 1 Nov 2012 the fifth session of the intergovernmental negotiating Bangkok, Thailand committee on mercury

 Tbilisi+35: Intergovernmental conference on Environmental 6-7 Sept 2012 Education for Sustainable Development Tbilisi, Georgia

 Third Asia Pacific Regional Meeting on SAICM 8-9 Sep 2011 Beijing, China

 UNITAR Regional Workshop on Nanotechnology and 6-7 Sep 2011 Manufactured Nanomaterials Beijing, China

 UNEP/OECD Workshop on Perfluorinated Chemicals 5 Sep 2011 and transition to safer alternatives Beijing, China

 Seminar on Integrated Coastal Management Oct/Nov 2010 for Developing Countries Xiamen, China

 Capacity building in ecosystem based management 18 – 20 June 2007 approaches for the Coastal areas in the Maldives The University of Queensland

 Training on preparation and interpretation of 20 – 21 Feb 2006 Climate Risk profile for the Maldives Ministry of Environment, Maldives

ACADEMIC RECORD

Name and address of institution Degree obtained (Master and Study period from - to Medium of Bachelor only) instruction Griffith University Master of Urban and 2 March 2014 – 15 English 170 Kessels Rd, Nathan QLD 4122, Environmental Planning December 2015 Australia University of Mysore Bachelor of Science 1 Jul 2007 – 30 Jun 2010 English Mysore, Karnataka, India Centre for Higher Secondary Education London GCE Advanced Level 1 Jun 2002 -30 Jun 2004 English Male’, Maldives Majeediyya School London GCE Ordinary Level 1 Jan 1999 – 31 Jan English Male’, Maldives 2002

AWARDS / HONOURS/ COMMENDATIONS

 PIA (Planning Institute of Australia) Awards for Planning Excellence 2015 - Commendation for Outstanding Student Project “Connected with Water: Integrated and Adaptive Water Management Framework” – University Sponsored by Queensland Government.  Griffith Award for Academic Excellence 2015.  Griffith Award for Academic Excellence 2014.  Australia Awards Scholarship 2014.  Certificate of Acknowledgement in recognition of outstanding contribution to Earth Hour campaign 2013.  Certificate of Achievement (Discipline Prize), Majeediyya School.  Certificate of Achievement (Passed in all curriculum subjects), Majeediyya School.

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE PUBLICATIONS

 Author of Environmental Management Plan for the proposed development of Island Waste Management Center in F. Magoodhoo.  Author of Environmental Management Plan for the proposed development of Island Waste Management Center in Dh. Rinbudhoo.  Author of Environmental Management Plan for the proposed development of Island Waste Management Center in Th. Vandhoo.  Coauthor of Environmental Impact Assessment Report for the proposed agricultural project at R. Ungulu.  Coauthor of Environmental Impact Assessment Report for the proposed 10 storey residential development at H. Sandhaleege.  Connected with Water: Integrated and Adaptive Water Management Framework for South East Queensland (Studio Project, Griffith University).  Urban Analysis of Brisbane CBD – Case Study (Studio Project, Griffith University).  Feasibility Study for Low Density Residential Development in Park Ridge Queensland (Studio Project, Griffith University).  Effects of leachates on the quality of ground water (Bachelor of Science Dissertation, University of Mysore).  Pemphis Newsletter Issue number 22 – 40 (Publication of Ministry of Environment and Energy).  Environment Impact Assessment Regulations 2012 (Publication of Ministry of Environment and Energy).  Standards on Biodegradable Plastic Bags 2012 (Publication of Ministry of Environment and Energy).  State of the Environment of Maldives 2011 (Publication of Ministry of Environment and Energy).

REFEREES

 Professor Darryl LOW CHOY Professor – Environment and Landscape Planning Urban Research Program

Head of Discipline (Planning) School of Environment Griffith University Brisbane, QLD 4111 Australia

Program Co-Leader Program B: Waster Sensitive Urbanism Cooperative Research Centre for Water Sensitive Cities E: [email protected]

 Dr Tooran Alizadeh Lecturer, Urban & Environmental Planning Griffith School of Environment Griffith University Brisbane, QLD 4111 Australia E: [email protected]

 Ahmed Murthaza Director General, Waste and Pollution Control Department Ministry of Environment & Energy, Male’, Maldives Work: (+960) 3004315 / Mobile: (+960)7771504

Sincerely,

Ahmed Hassaan Zuhair

9/12/2018 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT For the Proposed Tourist Jetty at Hulhumale, Malé City

Date: 09/12/2018 [04:25:11 AM CDT] From: Hasan Jameel To: [email protected] Subject: ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT For the Proposed Tourist Jetty at Hulhumale, Malé City Dear Sir,Madam Please find the attached ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT for the Proposed Tourist Jetty at Hulhumale, Malé City for your perusal.

Hasan 7922254 -- Hassan Jameel +960-7922254 Sandcays Pvt Ltd H.Alihuras (1st Floor) lonuziyaaraiymagu Male Rep of Maldives

http://webmail.sandcays.com/cpsess5551183865/horde/imp/view.php?view_token=rvziUfS4FKzD-AyqYtE_MJp&actionID=print_attach&buid=23&id=1… 1/1