Environmental Impact Assessment for Proposed Mixed Development of 136 Acre on Lots Executive S ummary 9164, 422 & 665, Mukim of Tampin Tengah, Tampin District, Negeri Sembilan Darul Khusus. Executive Summary 1. Introduction The Project is a proposed mixed development incorporating residential of low cost houses, individual lot houses, twin houses, super-link houses, commercial lots, club house, a mosque (surau) and primary kindergarten. The proposed Project covers a total area of approximately 136 acres (55.04 hectares). 2. Purpose of Preliminary Environmental Impact Assessment The EIA is prepared to fulfil the Malaysian legislative requirements. The proposed Project is categorised as a prescribed activity under item 7 of the First Schedule of the Environment Quality (Prescribed Activities) (Environmental Impact Assessment) Order, 1987: 7. Housing: (i) Housing development covering an area of 50 hectares or more Thus, this EIA report shall form the basis on which the environmental concerns related to the Project implementation shall be adequately addressed so that all potential impacts brought about by the Project can be monitored and controlled effectively, to ensure a safe and healthy working and also living environment for the surrounding community. 3. Statement of Need It is the local structure plan’s policy to pay attention especially in providing sufficient and affordable houses to the local people. The development by the Project Proponent will help achieve the intention of the government to achieve successful housing provision in the area, which will eventually create more affordable houses for the locals. Apart from that, the local council strategy is to have housing development that has good accessibility and mobility to town, recreational and offices. Prompting to that, the proposed Project is located approximately 3 km to Tampin Town and 6 km to Tampin Recreational Park. It is a strategic site as it is surrounded by residential, commercial, institution and public utilities. In addition, the proposed Project site has been designated as potential housing development area. Therefore, with the introduction of this Project, it will bring forward to the realisation of the proposed land use. Chemsain Konsultant Sdn.Bhd ES-1 CK/EV503-5017/07 Environmental Impact Assessment for Proposed Mixed Development of 136 Acre on Lots Executive S ummary 9164, 422 & 665, Mukim of Tampin Tengah, Tampin District, Negeri Sembilan Darul Khusus. Lastly, this proposed development is expected to increase the real estates markets in Mukim of Tampin Tengah. It is also providing opportunity for the locals to improve on the existing living standards and encouragement for outsiders to live in this town. In line, with the increasing population and centralisation that is currently progressing in Tampin Town, it will indirectly generate revenue for the local’s economy. 4. The Project The proposed Project is located about 3 kilometres away from Tampin Town as shown on Figure 2.1: Project Location and the development will be carried out on lot 9164 (formerly known as lot 369), 422 and 665. The land’s title is as appended in Appendix 2 . The Development Plan is presented on Figure 2.2 with details of development distributions. 48% of the proposed site has been allocated for housing development with individual lots occupying a large area of 38 acres. About 1.8 acres are designated for commercial development while 22.44 acres or 16.5% of the total proposed site will be green area. Retention ponds is estimated to occupy about 4.4 acres. 5. Project Options 5.1. Proposed Development The Project is located within development BPK 4.1. In the local structure plan, the Majlis Daerah Tampin has proposed housing and industrial development within this block. As such the proposed development would facilitate the success of the council’s structure plan. Although the site is situated on undulating slopes with steep high hills on the eastern margin and moderately steep to gentle slopes in the west, proposed development plan has considered the surface and soil structure to minimize the impact that will be generated. Therefore, highland will only be utilized for development of individual lots. As for road network, the proposed site is accessible from Federal Road 001 at the Police Station Junction via the existing 2-lanes local road at Taman Clonlee 3. Beside this, there is an indirect access from Federal Road 061 via the existing local road at Taman Clonlee 1 and 2. In addition, the proposed site is located about 10 km away from the north-south highway. 5.2. “No Project” Option The consequences of not proceeding with the Project would be the loss of the Project benefits and avoidance of potential adverse impacts. The costs of not proceeding would include: Preventing potential adverse impacts The site would maintain its agriculture activities and this may not be compatible as the surrounding environment is residential areas. Chemsain Konsultant Sdn.Bhd ES-2 CK/EV503-5017/07 Environmental Impact Assessment for Proposed Mixed Development of 136 Acre on Lots Executive S ummary 9164, 422 & 665, Mukim of Tampin Tengah, Tampin District, Negeri Sembilan Darul Khusus. It would hamper the opportunity of the nearby population to have affordable houses. 6. Existing Environment 6.1. Physical Characteristics Meteorologically, the site is experiencing a distinct spells of rainfall of 2012.4 mm annually in which November stated the highest rainfall with a total of 234.8 mm. This is followed by the month of October and September with a total of 204.3 mm and 196.9 mm respectively. The same trend is observed on mean number of rain days. The proposed Project site experienced an annual major wind flow from North East and North direction. Besides that, the highest maximum temperature is in May at 38.0°C while the lowest mean temperature is in June at 19.5 °C. As for topographical, the proposed Project site is situated on undulating slopes with steep high hills on the eastern margin and moderately steep to gentle in the west. On the northern side, the land contains gentle slopes. The streams within the Project site have a dendritic pattern typical of granitic terrain. Stream beds are sandy and bouldery. Streams flows are intermittent on the hill slopes owing to the stacking of boulders on the streambed and ponds occur on the flat areas. However, there is not any flow or discharge outlet from those ponds noticed. Although there is not any noticeable discharge outlet from the proposed Project site, it is expected that the overflow water will flow into the nearest constructed drainage system which flows directly to Sungai Tampin and towards south into Sungai Melaka. There is a water intake point at Sungai Melaka for Bukit Sebukor water supply scheme. Baseline monitoring for water quality, ambient air and noise have been carried out for the proposed Project. Generally, the water qualities of both existing ponds comply with Class III of INWQSM. Ambient air monitoring of 2 locations, basically A1 and A2 show that the total suspended particulate are well below the Malaysian Ambient Air Quality of 260 µg/m 3 stating 20.7 µg/m 3 and 26.5 µg/m 3 respectively. Noise levels were measured over 24 hours (day from 8.00 am-5.00pm, evening from 7.00pm- 10.00pm and night from 10.00pm-7.00am). Leq obtained at N1 and N2 were within 60 dB(A) for day time and 50 dB(A) for night time of The Planning Guidelines for Environmental Noise Limits and Control (Schedule 1 under Residential – Commercial Land Use Category) of Department of Environment (DOE). 6.2. Ecosystem Chemsain Konsultant Sdn.Bhd ES-3 CK/EV503-5017/07 Environmental Impact Assessment for Proposed Mixed Development of 136 Acre on Lots Executive S ummary 9164, 422 & 665, Mukim of Tampin Tengah, Tampin District, Negeri Sembilan Darul Khusus. Generally, the proposed site does not contain flora of protected species and fauna of endangered kinds. It has been cleared and is planted with cash crops such as bananas. 6.3. Land Use The proposed site is located within the Tampin District, Negeri Sembilan Darul Khusus. The eastern part of the proposed site is mostly undeveloped. Secondary forest is noted in the north east direction whereas rubber plantation in the eastern area of the Project site. Most settlements/residential areas, housing estates, business centre, industrial lots, institutional set up (school) are found to the west of the site. The main access road to the site is via Taman Indah Baru, Taman Clonlee and Taman Clonlee 2. 6.4. Human Environment The proposed site is located within Tampin District, Negeri Sembilan Darul Khusus. Tampin is a clustered new township which is still under construction. Some lands are still vacant including the proposed site. The main economic activities of this Mukim are mainly businesses, government servants and agricultural. Based on the social survey carried out at the Project site, most of the population in the area have no objection towards the development as they foresee it would bring positive impacts on the locality. Further details on the result are elaborated in Chapter 3: Existing Environment under Section 3.4.1 . 6.5. Road Network and Traffic A Traffic Impact Assessment (TIA) has been conducted to study the impact of the proposed development on the existing road network within the vicinity of the development and to determine if the roadway and junction layout can cope with the future traffic demand. Generally, the proposed site is accessible from Federal Road 001 at the Police Station Junction via the existing 2-lanes local road at Taman Clonlee 3. Besides this, there is an indirect access from federal Road 061 via the existing local road at Taman Clonlee 1 and 2.