Second Addendum to the EIA for the Proposed Domestic Airport Development Project in Maafinolhu (Hoarafushi), Haa Alifu Atoll
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Second Addendum to the EIA for the Proposed Domestic Airport Development Project in Maafinolhu (Hoarafushi), Haa Alifu Atoll PROJECT SYNOPSIS Name of the Project: Proposed Domestic Airport Development Project in Maafinolhu (Hoarafushi), Haa Alifu Atoll Report Name: First Addendum to the EIA for the Proposed Domestic Airport Development Project in Maafinolhu (Hoarafushi), Haa Alifu Atoll Project Proponent: Regional Airports, Ministry of Tourism, Maldives EIA Consultant: Ahmed Saleem (MEECO) EIA Addendum Date: March 2019 WEIGHTS AND MEASURES CONVERSIONS 1 metric tonne = 2,204 pounds (lbs.) 1 kilogramme (kg) = 2.2 pounds (lbs.) 1 metre (m) = 3.28 feet (ft.) 1 millimetre (mm) = 0.03937 inches (”) 1 kilometre (km) = 0.62 mile 1 hectare (ha) = 2.471 acres LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ESIA Environment and Social Impact Assessment EMP Environmental Monitoring Plan EPA Environmental Protection Agency ES Environmental Score EPZ Environmental Protection Zone GHG Green House Gas GoM Government of Maldives IUCN International Union for Conservation of Nature MCA Multi Criteria Analysis MEE Ministry of Environment and Energy MHI Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure MMS Marine Monitoring Station MOFA Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture MPA Marine Protected Area MSL Mean Sea Level MRC Marine Research Centre PPE Personnel Protective Equipment TOR Terms of Reference MEECO | i Second Addendum to the EIA for the Proposed Domestic Airport Development Project in Maafinolhu (Hoarafushi), Haa Alifu Atoll PROJECT SYNOPSIS ............................................................................................................. i WEIGHTS AND MEASURES CONVERSIONS .................................................................. i LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS .................................................................................................. i TABLE OF CONTENT ........................................................................................................... 2 PROJECT PROPONENT ....................................................................................................... 8 DECLARATION OF THE CONSULTANT AND PROPONENT ..................................... 9 ާސާލުޙ ާދާސ .................................................................................................................................. 10 Non technical summary ......................................................................................................... 13 1. INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................... 15 1.1 Introduction and Purpose of the EIA Addendum Report .......................................... 15 1.1.1 Rationale for Concept Plan Change ................................................................... 16 2. DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT ........................................................................... 17 2.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................... 17 2.2 Current Status of the Project ..................................................................................... 17 2.3 Project Location and Site .......................................................................................... 18 2.4 Project Boundary and Impact Zone ........................................................................... 19 2.5 Project Outline........................................................................................................... 21 2.6 Duration and Schedule .............................................................................................. 21 2.7 Maafinolhu Restoration ............................................................................................. 22 2.8 Construction Method, Equipment and Technologies ................................................ 23 2.8.1 Labor and Machinery ......................................................................................... 23 2.8.2 Transport of Materials........................................................................................ 23 2.8.3 Dredging ............................................................................................................ 25 2.8.4 Reclamation ....................................................................................................... 25 2.8.5 Construction of causeway .................................................................................. 26 2.8.6 Shore Protection ................................................................................................. 27 2.8.7 Landscaping ....................................................................................................... 28 2.8.8 Maafinolhu Restoration works ........................................................................... 28 2.9 Health and Safety Measures ...................................................................................... 29 2.10 Project Risks .............................................................................................................. 30 2.11 Project Inputs and Outputs ........................................................................................ 31 3. LEGISLATIVE AND REGULATORY CONSIDERATIONS .................................. 33 3.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................... 33 3.2 Environmental Permits Required for The Project ..................................................... 35 3.2.1 EPA Decision Statement .................................................................................... 35 3.2.2 Dredging and Reclamation Permit ..................................................................... 35 3.2.3 Approval of Ministry of National Planning and Infrastructure ........................ 35 3.2.4 Approval of Maldives Civil Aviation Authority ............................................... 35 4. Existing Environment Study Methodology .................................................................. 36 4.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................... 36 4.2 Water Quality ............................................................................................................ 36 4.3 Climate Conditions .................................................................................................... 37 4.4 Topography & Bathymetry ....................................................................................... 37 4.5 Currents ..................................................................................................................... 37 4.6 Waves ........................................................................................................................ 38 4.7 Marine Surveys ......................................................................................................... 41 MEECO | 2 Second Addendum to the EIA for the Proposed Domestic Airport Development Project in Maafinolhu (Hoarafushi), Haa Alifu Atoll 4.8 Stakeholder Consultation .......................................................................................... 45 4.8.1 Identifying the Stakeholders .............................................................................. 45 4.8.2 Focus Group Discussions ................................................................................... 45 4.8.3 Key Informant Interviews .................................................................................. 45 5. DESCRIPTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT............................................................... 46 5.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................... 46 5.2 Physical environment ................................................................................................ 46 5.2.1 Climate ............................................................................................................... 46 5.2.1.1 Temperature ................................................................................................ 46 5.2.1.2 Wind ........................................................................................................... 47 5.2.1.3 Rainfall ....................................................................................................... 49 5.2.2 Geology and Geomorphology ............................................................................ 49 5.2.2.1 Bathymetry ................................................................................................. 49 5.2.2.2 Shoreline and vegetation line of HA. Hoarafushi ....................................... 50 5.2.2.3 Coastal region of HA. Maafinolhu ............................................................. 51 5.2.3 Hydrodynamics .................................................................................................. 54 5.2.3.1 Currents ...................................................................................................... 54 5.2.3.2 Waves ......................................................................................................... 56 5.2.4 Water Quality ..................................................................................................... 59 5.2.5 Noise .................................................................................................................. 64 5.3 Ecology.....................................................................................................................