Environmental Impact Assessment

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT

Maintenance Dredging of Entrance Channel, Gaafaru, Kaafu Atoll

Proposed by Gaafaru Island Council

Prepared by Ahmed Jameel, For Water Solutions Pvt. Ltd., Maldives

March 2014 Maintenance Dredging of Gaafaru Entrance Channel EIA, Gaafaru, Malé Atoll

1 Table of Contents 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS 2 2 DECLARATION OF THE CONSULTANTS 3 3 PROPONENTS COMMITMENT 4 4 NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY 6 5 INTRODUCTION 7 6 LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE FRAMEWORK 7 6.1 LAWS AND REGULATIONS 7 6.1.1 ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND PRESERVATION ACT 7 6.1.2 PROTECTED AREAS AND SENSITIVE AREAS 7 6.1.3 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT REGULATION 2012 7 6.1.4 REGULATION ON CORAL, SAND AND AGGREGATE MINING 7 6.1.5 GUIDELINES FOR DOMESTIC WASTEWATER DISPOSAL 8 6.2 ENVIRONMENTAL PERMITS 8 6.2.1 DECISION STATEMENT (EDS) 8 6.3 RESPONSIBLE INSTITUTIONS 8 6.3.1 ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY 8 6.3.2 MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY 8 7 PROJECT DESCRIPTION 9 7.1 MAINTENANCE DREDGING OF ENTRANCE CHANNEL 9 7.2 PROJECT LOCATION AND STUDY AREA 10 7.3 NEED AND JUSTIFICATION FOR THE PROJECT 10 7.4 MAINTENANCE DREDGING METHOD 10 7.5 CREATION OF BUND WALL AROUND FILL AREA 11 7.6 PROJECT SCHEDULE 11 7.7 ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND SAFETY MEASURES 11 7.8 PROJECT INPUTS AND OUTPUTS 11 8 EXISTING ENVIRONMENT 12 8.1 CLIMATE 12 8.1.1 WIND SPEED 12 8.1.2 WIND CONDITIONS 12 8.2 GEOLOGY AND GEOMORPHOLOGY 15 8.2.1 HISTORIC SHORELINE CHANGES 16 8.3 HYDROGRAPHY 16 8.3.1 TIDE DATUM 16 8.3.2 TIDE LEVELS 17 8.4 SEA LEVEL RISE 17 8.5 WAVES 18 8.5.1 STORM SURGE 18 8.5.2 CURRENTS 18 8.5.3 TIDAL CURRENTS 19 8.5.4 MARINE WATER QUALITY 20 8.6 SOCIO ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT 20 8.7 MARINE ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY 21 9 ANALYSIS OF ALTERNATIVES 23 9.1 NO DEVELOPMENT OPTION 23 9.1.1 ALTERNATIVE TECHNOLOGICAL OPTION FOR MAINTENANCE DREDGING 23 10 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS 24 10.1 ASSESSING AND IDENTIFICATION OF IMPACT 24 10.2 IMPACT IDENTIFICATION MATRIX 24 10.3 MAGNITUDE OF IMPACTS 26 10.4 OVERALL IMPACTS OF THE PROJECT 26 10.5 UNCERTAINTIES IN IMPACT PREDICTION 27 10.6 IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES 28 10.7 IMPACTS ON THE ENVIRONMENT AND THEIR MITIGATION MEASURES 29 11 ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING 30 11.1 MONITORING REPORT 30 11.2 MONITORING SCHEDULE AND PARAMETERS 30 12 CONCLUSION 31 13 REFERENCE BOOKS AND SOURCES 32 14 ANNEX: TERMS OF REFERENCE 33 15 ANNEX: BATHYMETRY OF THE ENTRANCE CHANNELS 35 16 ANNEX: EROSION AND ACCRETION AT THE ISLAND 37 17 ANNEX: MAINTENANCE DREDGING PROJECT AT GAAFARU 39 18 ANNEX: LETTER FROM KAAFU ATOLL COUNCIL 41

Page 2 Maintenance Dredging of Gaafaru Entrance Channel EIA, Gaafaru, Malé Atoll

2 Declaration of the consultants This EIA report has been prepared according to the EIA Regulations 2012, issued by the Ministry of Housing and Environment. I certify that the statements in this Environmental Impact Assessment study are true, complete and correct to my knowledge and best of my ability Name: Ahmed Jameel (EIA 07/07 ) Signature:

Page 3 Maintenance Dredging of Gaafaru Entrance Channel EIA, Gaafaru, Malé Atoll

3 Proponents commitment

Page 4 Maintenance Dredging of Gaafaru Entrance Channel EIA, Gaafaru, Malé Atoll

ާސާލުޙ ާދާސ

.ެވެކެޓރޯޕިރ ާވިއަފިވެރުކުރާޔްއަތ ްށަކަމުތަގިއަޑަވިދެއ ެގ ެގްލިސުއަކ ުރަފާގ ކަޓޯޕިރިމ ްށަމުރުކްނުފ ުރެނ 2 ޭވެރުކްނުނޭބ ްށަމުކިނ ެދަވ ްށަރަފާގ .ކ ްނިތަމ ެގާފަލ ެގޭއ.ީޕ.ީއ ީކަޓރޯޕިރިމ ްނިއ ްނަޝުއިލޮސ ރަޓޯވ ްނުތޮގ ެގުމުލެބ ޯތްއެމަކެނާރުކްއެރަސައ ާހިކ ްށަޓްއެވާމިތ ްނުބަބަސ ެގުތަކްތަސަމޭވެރުކ ާރުކްނާޔަބ ުރަވްނިމ ާރޯފ ުރަސައ ްށަޓްއެވާމިތ ީނަވިއަފިވެރުކ ުރާޔްއަތ ްޓރޯޕިރިމ .ެވެކެޓރޯޕިރ ާވިއަފިވެރުކުރާޔްއަަތ .ެވެށޮކ ްށައާޔިރ ްށައ 2012 ާދިއާވާގ ޭހެބ ިއާމުރުކ ުރާޔްއަތ ްޓރޯޕިރ

ްށަމުރުކްނުފ ުރެނ 2 ޭވެރުކްނުނޭބ ްށަމުކިނ ެދަވ ްށަރަފާގ .ކ ީނެނެމިހިމ ިއަގްޓްކެޖޮރޕިމ ުރެނ ުރޭބ .ެވެންނެގްށޮކްނުނޭބ ްއެޕްނަޕ ްޑްނޭސ ިއާކަރަޓޭވަކްސްކެއ ީނަވިއަފިވޭރ ްށަމުރުކ ްނަކިމ .ެވެކެތަކްތަސަމޭވެރުކ ެގުށަރ .ެވެށަޑަގްއަރ ާވިއަފިދެހ ިއަގުތާރަފ ުގނަޅުހ ެގުރެނ ީނާވިއަފިހެޖަމަހ ްށަމުޅެއ ިލެވ ޭވެނޮކ ްށަމުރުކްނުފ .ެވެށަތާރަފ ުނުކެދ ެގުށަރ ީނަވިއަފިހެޖަމަހ ްށަމުޅެއ ިލެވ ޭގެނ ުރިއާރުކްނުފ ުރެނ ާރުކްނުނޭބ ްށަންނަވ ްށަރަދނަބ .ެވެކެދްއަޚަރަޝ ާވިއަފެވާމިދ ްށަޑޮބ ްށަރަވުރާހިމ ްލަސްއަމ ެގުމުރިގްއަރ ީކަދްއަހަރަސިމ

ްށޮކްތަޔާއިރ ްށަމަކްނަކިމ .ެވެކެރސައ ަޑުކ ްށަރަވ ީނާރުކ ްށަޓްއެވާމިތ ްނުމަކ ްއެއޫރްޝަމ ަޑުކ ްށަރަވ ީއިމ ާސާރިދ ުނުވެރުކ .ެވެއަފިވެނަގެނެދ ީނަވ ުރަސައ ެނާރުކ ްށަޓްއެވާމިތ ްނުބަބަސ ެގޫރްޝަމ ިމ ްނުކަތްއަތްނަކ ިލެބ .ެވެއެނެފުނ ްށަކަމަކެނޭބިލ ްއެކަތ ްނުލްއެގ ެގުރަވާވުޑޮބްނަކ ްށަޓްއެވާމިތ ްނުބަބަސ ެގ ްޓެޖޮރްޕ ިމ ުހަފްށަމުލ ެބ ްށަކަތ ިދައ .ެވެއީތޭނެމިހުނ ްއެކަތްއަތްނަކ ަނިގާމ ާވްނުލްއެގ ްށަޓްއެވާމިތ ުރިއާދްނެގ ްށައިރުކ ްޓްކެޖޮރްޕ ިމ ީކަބަބަސ .ެވެއެނާވަޑުކ ްށަރަވ ުރަސައ ޭވެދޭނ ެގޭއ ްނުމަކްއެމަކ ާރުކ ްށަކަޅޮކްސަވުދ ަޑުކ ީކަމަކިމ

ްނުތޮގިމ .ެވެއެނާވިއަފިވެރުކަގަހާފ ިއަގްޓރޯޕިރ ްސެވްނަކެނާރުކ ްއެކަތާދިއަފ ްއަތެއ ްނުބަބަސ ެގ ުޢޫރްޝަމ ިމ ްނުބަބަސ ެގުއޫރްޝަމިމ ްނުމުލެބިލެބ ްށޮކާސާރިދ ިމ .ެވެއެނާރުކ ްށަކަތަދްއުމުގިދ ުރަސައ ެގޭއ ިއަފެވަނިގ ްއަތާދިއަފޭބިލ ުއޫރްޝަމިމ ްނުމަކެނާރުކ ްއެކަތާދިއަފ ްނުބަބަސ ެގްޓްކެޖޮރްޕ ިމ .ެވެއާދިއަފ ީނާރުކ ެރުވްށަމުލްއެގ ޭބިލ ްށަޓްއެވާމިތ .ެވެއެނެފ ްށަމަކްއެމަކުޅަގނަރ ެމްނެއ ިދައ ުމްނިހުމ ީކަމުއިދްނެގ ްށައިރުކ

Page 5 Maintenance Dredging of Gaafaru Entrance Channel EIA, Gaafaru, Malé Atoll

4 Non-Technical Summary This report discusses the findings of an environmental impact study to assess the impacts of the proposed project to undertake maintenance dredging at entrance channels at Gaafru. The project is proposed by Gaafaru Island Council, will be implemented by private contractor. Gaafaru Island has two channels to access the island. The outer entrance channel is 360 m long and 30 m wide. But the width and depth of outer entrance has decreased overtime due to accumulation of sand. This channel is used to access the island lagoon from eastern side. The other entrance channel is 430 m long and 30 m wide. But the width of this channel has decreased to 15 m is some section while the depth is around 1m at MSL due to the accumulation of the sand. Due to this, the entrance channel cannot be used by the fishing vessels and other vessels to access the island. Presently, the access to the island is only possible at high tide during the day time. The entrance channel has become a hazard to be used during low tides and at night. The proposed project is to undertake maintenance dredging of the entrance channels to have adequate depth and width so that all the vessels can use it all the time. The maintenance dredging will be carried out using excavators and sand pump. The dredge material form the outer entrance channel will be disposed on to the island west of entrance channel and from inner entrance channel on to the southern side of the island which is experiencing signs of erosions. Environmental impacts were assessed for the maintenance dredging operations of the entrance channels. The main constructional impact is the direct removal of sand which had deposited on the entrance channels. The excavation and pumping of the deposited sand would create sedimentation. Sedimentation could have an impact on the marine environment. This impact is considered minor to moderate negative given that the area does not have significant coral cover. In terms of sedimentation the impacts will be small to negligible as no proposed excavation or pumping activities would not create high sedimentation. The sedimentation that would be created would be disperse to the large water body around the project area. There are very limited and few mitigation measures which could be carried out due to the low impact of that is envisage with this project. The socio-economic impacts of the project are highly positive as the project would facilitate a greater use of the entrance channel and would help with the high mobility of the community of the island.

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5 Introduction This Environmental Impact Assessment report has been prepared to fulfil the requirements of the Environmental Protection and Preservation Act, law no. 4/93 in order to assess the impacts of the proposed project to undertake maintenance dredging at entrance channels at Gaafru, Malé Atoll. The aim of this project is to ensure that the project activity does not pose significant threats to the environment during the execution of the works. 6 Legal and Administrative Framework The project conforms to the requirements of the Environmental Protection and Preservation Act of the Maldives, Law no. 4/93. The EIA has been undertaken in accordance with the EIA Regulation 2012 of the Maldives by registered consultants. Furthermore, it adheres to the principles underlined in the regulations, action plans, programmes and policies of Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure, Ministry of Environment and Energy and Environmental Protection Agency. These are discussed in detail in the following sections. 6 . 1 Laws and Regulations 6 . 1 . 1 Environmental Protection and Preservation Act Article 5 (a) of the Environmental Protection and Preservation Act (Law No. 4/93) addresses the submission of an EIA (Majilis, 1993). It states that an EIA shall be submitted to Ministry of Environment before implementing any developing project that may have a potential impact on the environment. This project complies with this act.

6 . 1 . 2 Protected Areas a nd Sensitive Areas Under Article 4 of the Environment Protection and Preservation Act, the Ministry of Environment is vested with the responsibility of identifying and registering protected areas and natural reserves and drawing up of rules and regulations for their protection and preservation. At present there are no rules and regulations made available to the public on designation and protection of habitats and heritage areas. This project does not fall to a boundary of a protected area.

6 . 1 . 3 Environmental Im pact Assessment Regulation 2012 The Ministry of Environment has issued EIA regulation on May 2012, which guides the process of undertaking the Environmental Impact Assessment in the Maldives – This guideline also provides a comprehensive outline of the EIA process, including the roles and responsibilities of the consultants and the proponents. This regulation outlines every step of the IEE/EIA process beginning from application to undertake an EIA, details on the contents, minimum requirements for consultants undertaking the EIA, format of the EIA/IEE report and many more. The guidance provided in this Regulation was followed in the preparation of this EIA report. The EIA has also been prepared by registered consultants.

6 . 1 . 4 Regulation on Coral, Sand and Aggreg a t e M i n i n g This regulation addresses sand mining from uninhabited islands that have been leased; sand mining from the coastal zone of other uninhabited islands; and aggregate mining from uninhabited islands that have been leased and from the coastal zone of other uninhabited islands for the purpose of building construction. Neither sand nor aggregate will be mined for this project for the purpose of building construction. Aggregate and sand used for this project will be imported. The dredging and

Page 7 Maintenance Dredging of Gaafaru Entrance Channel EIA, Gaafaru, Malé Atoll disposal of dredged sand will be undertaken with the required permit from Environmental Protection Agency. This regulation would not have any implication on the proposed project.

6 . 1 . 5 Guidelines for Domestic Wastewater Disposal The guideline is developed by the Maldives Water and Sanitation Authority and is implemented by the Environment Protection Agency. The guideline is to improve public health through improved sanitation and cleaner and safer environment by regulating the disposal of domestic wastewater. The proposed project has been proposed based on the requirements of this guidelines and EIA has been undertaken within the parameters defined by this regulations. 6 . 2 Environmental Permits 6 . 2 . 1 Decision Statement (EDS) The EIA Decision Statement is issued on successful evaluation of the EIA report by the EPA, Ministry of Environment and Energy. EIA Decision Statement governs the manner in which the EIA project activities must be undertaken. 6 . 3 Responsible Institutions The main government institutions that have roles and responsibilities relevant to this project are summarised below.

6 . 3 . 1 Environmental Protection Agency The Environment Protection Agency (EPA) of the Ministry of Housing and Environment has responsibility for efficient operation of the EIA process. This encompasses a number of tasks, including screening of projects and provision of general procedural advice to the project proponents throughout the EIA process. The EPA manages the review of the EIA report and is responsible for any approvals or recommendations associated with the EIA. It is also responsible for verifying that environmental protection measures are properly implemented by undertaking environmental audits in collaboration with other government as well as non government agencies with a role for environmental protection and preservation.

6 . 3 . 2 Ministry of Environment and Energy The Ministry of Housing and Environment is mandated for the effective implementation of the Environmental Protection Act of the country and has the statutory power over issues related to the environment. It has the central control over the environment protection, management, conservation and environmental emergencies. The Ministry operates mainly at a policy level and the more regulatory and technical assessment activities are mandated to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In this respect EPA has now been mandated to manage all issues relating to Environmental Impact Assessment of individual projects.

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7 Project Description This project is proposed Gaafaru Island Council. The Gaafaru Island Council has been trying to implement this project for a very long time. This project is now possible due to a voluntary contribution of a contractor to undertake the civil works of the project.

7 . 1 Maintenance Dredging of Entrance Channel The project involves excavation of 6,750 cbm of sand from inner entrance channels and 4,500 cbm of sand from outer entrance channel. The entrance channel would have a 30 m width when the entrance channel is dredged with this project. The sand removed from the outer entrance channel would be disposed on the island which is located on west of the outer entrance channel. The sand which is excavated from the inner entrance channel will be disposed on southern side of the island. This sand would be used to replenish the area which is eroding on this side of the island. The maintenance dredging would be carried out using excavators and sand pump.

Page 9 Maintenance Dredging of Gaafaru Entrance Channel EIA, Gaafaru, Malé Atoll

7 . 2 Project Location and Study Area The project takes place at the island of Gaafaru, Kaafu Atoll. Gaafaru is located on north Malé Atoll. Gaafaru is situated 04o44’7”E and 73o29’57”N towards the northern part of the north Malé Atoll.

Figure 1: Project Location: Gaafaru in north Malé Atoll

7 . 3 Need and Justification for the project The existing entrance channels at Gaafaru has become overtime shallow and narrow. Presently, in some section of the entrance channel, the depth is around 1m at high tide and width is 15m. This makes it very difficult for the vessels to use the entrance channel at low tide. The use of entrance channel is very risky at night and it is not used unless it is an emergency. The Gaafaru Council has tried to undertake this project for a long time. But this has not been possible due to lack of funding. A private contractor has given their commitment to carry out the project, when Gaafaru Councils obtain the necessary permits from the EPA.

7 . 4 Maintenance Dredging Method The main method for undertaking the dredging would be using excavators and sand pumps. The excavators would be undertake the excavation of the entrance channel on sand bed. The sand bed would be rolled as to bring the excavated material to the dredged material disposal site. Sand pump would be used to dredge the sandy part of the entrance channel. The sand pump will dredge the sand at the entrance channel and dispose the dredge material to the dredge material disposal site.

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7 . 5 Creation of bund wall around fill area The proposed filling area for dredge material disposal site will be marked by disposing sand around the boundary of the area to be filled, thus creating a bund wall. Filling will then be taken by disposing dredged sand to this area and compacting. Creating the perimeter bund wall is important to control sedimentation and prevention of silts from dispersing in to the lagoon and ultimately in to the reef.

7 . 6 P r o j e c t S c h e d u l e It is expected the maintenance dredging will take 120 days to complete depending on the weather and other conditions. Below is the tentative schedule for the proposed project.

Days 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 Mobilisation Dredging of the inner entrance channel Dredging of the Outer entrance channel Demobilisation

7 . 7 Environmental H e a l t h a n d s a f e t y m e a s u r e s It is recommended to provide personal safety equipment’s to workers during the maintenance dredging work. In addition, the following safety measures are proposed for the project. - Use of excavators and sand pump to dredge the sand from the entrance channel floor. - Workers are not allowed to be within 10 meter radius of the excavator while it is working. - Hard hats to be provided for the workers. - Work to be maximized during the low tide hours in order to prevent sedimentation and minimize it as much as possible.

7 . 8 Project inputs and outputs The project has inputs in terms of human resources and natural resources such as water and fuel. The main output of the project is the shifting of the coral rubble and sand pile around the dhoni as to turn the bow of the dhoni towards the lagoon. These inputs and outputs are summarised in the following table. Input resources How to obtain resources Workers Contractor to provide, about 8 to 10 Water Bottle and rain water for workers Fuel Diesel from the island. Table 1: Project Inputs

Products and waste Anticipated quantities Method of disposal materials Wastewater from 6 x95 litres / day. Existing toilets in the workers island. Fuel leakage from Trace amounts Natural dispersion and the machinery dilution. Dredge materials 11,250 cbm Place on the beach Table 2: Project outputs

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8 Existing Environment 8 . 1 C l i m a t e Maldives is located at the equator and experiences monsoonal climate. Maldives has two distinct seasons; dry season (northeast monsoon) and wet season (southwest monsoon). In these two seasons the temperature remains more or less the same. . Northeast monsoon extends from January to March. Since Maldives consists of small islands and are surrounded by sea, hot days are often tempered by cooling sea breezes and evening temperatures drops. Throughout the year, temperature remains almost same in the Maldives. However, daily temperature ranges from around 31oC in daytime to 23oC in night-time. The mean daily maximum temperature for Central parts (Hulhule) of the Maldives is 30.5oC and minimum temperature is 25.7oC. On the other hand, mean daily maximum and minimum temperature for South (Gan) is 30.9oC and 24.5oC, respectively. The wet season- southwest monsoon runs from mid-May to November. In this season Maldives experiences torrential rain. Central, Southern and Northern parts of the Maldives receive annual average rainfall of 1924.7mm, 2277.8mm, and 1786.4mm, respectively. The highest rainfall ever recorded in the Maldives with in 24 hour period was on 9th July 2002 at Kaadedhdhoo Meteorological Office and amounts to 219.8mm of rainfall. Maldives being located at the equator, receives plentiful of sunshine throughout the year. On average Southern atolls (Gan) of the Maldives receives 2704.07 hours of sunshine each year. Furthermore, on average central (Hulhule) parts of the country receives 2784.51 hours of sunshine per year. The relative humidity in Maldives ranges from 73% to 85%.The monthly average sunshine and rainfall is presented in the figure below

Figure 2: Monthly Average Rainfall and Sunshine

8 . 1 . 1 W i n d S p e e d The average monthly wind speed over last 10 years at Hulhulé has been derived from the above windrose diagrams and presented in table below. The maximum average wind speed has been observed in the month of January and lowest in March.

8 . 1 . 2 Wind Conditions The National Meteorological Services for Maldives provides data for wind speed as recorded at Hulhulé meteorological station, for the period 1990-2010. The month wise wind rose for the period of 20 years.

Page 12 Maintenance Dredging of Gaafaru Entrance Channel EIA, Gaafaru, Malé Atoll

Figure 3: Monthly Wind Rose Diagrams for National Meteorological Centre

WIND ROSE PLOT: DISPLAY: COMMENTS: WIND ROSE PLOT: DISPLAY: COMMENTS: Wind Speed January January February Wind Speed Direction (blowing from) February 24 hourly Direction (blowing from) 24 hourly

NORTH NORTH

40% 35%

32% 28%

24% TOTAL COUNT: CALM WINDS: 21% TOTAL COUNT: CALM WINDS:

9023 hrs. 0.27% 7262 hrs. 0.62% 16% 14% AVG. WIND SPEED: AVG. WIND SPEED:

6.02 m/s 4.99 m/s 8% 7%

WEST EAST WEST EAST

WIND SPEED WIND SPEED (m/s) (m/s)

>= 5.5 >= 5.5 3.6 - 5.5 3.6 - 5.5 2.1 - 3.6 2.1 - 3.6 0.5 - 2.1 0.5 - 2.1 Calms: 0.27% Calms: 0.62% Resultant Vector Resultant Vector SOUTH PROJECT NO.: SOUTH PROJECT NO.: 38 deg - 80% 36 deg - 77%

WRPLOT View - Lakes Environmental Software WRPLOT View - Lakes Environmental Software

WIND ROSE PLOT: DISPLAY: WIND ROSECOMMENTS: PLOT: DISPLAY: COMMENTS: Wind Speed March March April April Wind Speed Direction (blowing from) Direction (blowing from) 24 hourly 24 hourly

NORTH NORTH

25% 30%

20% 24%

15% TOTAL COUNT: CALM WINDS: 18% TOTAL COUNT: CALM WINDS:

7700 hrs. 1.95% 7271 hrs. 1.94% 10% 12% AVG. WIND SPEED: AVG. WIND SPEED:

3.88 m/s 4.04 m/s 5% 6%

WEST EAST WEST EAST

WIND SPEED WIND SPEED (m/s) (m/s)

>= 5.5 >= 5.5 3.6 - 5.5 3.6 - 5.5 2.1 - 3.6 2.1 - 3.6 0.5 - 2.1 0.5 - 2.1 Calms: 1.95% Calms: 1.94%

Resultant Vector Resultant Vector PROJECT NO.: SOUTH PROJECT NO.: SOUTH 26 deg - 59% 341 deg - 40%

WRPLOT View - Lakes Environmental Software WRPLOT View - Lakes Environmental Software

WIND ROSE PLOT: DISPLAY: COMMENTS: WIND ROSE PLOT: DISPLAY: COMMENTS: May Wind Speed June Wind Speed May June Direction (blowing from) Direction (blowing from) 24 hourly 24 hourly

NORTH NORTH

40% 40%

32% 32%

24% TOTAL COUNT: CALM WINDS: 24% TOTAL COUNT: CALM WINDS: 8662 hrs. 0.27% 8343 hrs. 0.38% 16% AVG. WIND SPEED: 16% AVG. WIND SPEED: 5.72 m/s 8% 5.54 m/s 8% WEST EAST

WEST EAST

WIND SPEED (m/s) WIND SPEED >= 5.5 (m/s) 3.6 - 5.5 >= 5.5 2.1 - 3.6 3.6 - 5.5 0.5 - 2.1 2.1 - 3.6 Calms: 0.27% Resultant Vector 0.5 - 2.1 SOUTH PROJECT NO.: 307 deg - 46% Calms: 0.38% Resultant Vector SOUTH PROJECT NO.: WRPLOT View - Lakes Environmental Software 305 deg - 46%

WRPLOT View - Lakes Environmental Software

July August

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WIND ROSE PLOT: DISPLAY: WIND ROSECOMMENTS: PLOT: DISPLAY: COMMENTS: Wind Speed July August Wind Speed Direction (blowing from) Direction (blowing from) 24 hourly 24 hourly

NORTH NORTH

40% 40%

32% 32%

24% TOTAL COUNT: CALM WINDS: 24% TOTAL COUNT: CALM WINDS:

8589 hrs. 0.50% 8417 hrs. 1.01% 16% 16% AVG. WIND SPEED: AVG. WIND SPEED:

5.23 m/s 5.04 m/s 8% 8%

WEST EAST WEST EAST

WIND SPEED WIND SPEED (m/s) (m/s)

>= 5.5 >= 5.5 3.6 - 5.5 3.6 - 5.5 2.1 - 3.6 2.1 - 3.6 0.5 - 2.1 0.5 - 2.1 Calms: 0.50% Calms: 1.01%

Resultant Vector Resultant Vector PROJECT NO.: SOUTH PROJECT NO.: SOUTH 317 deg - 46% 325 deg - 48%

WRPLOT View - Lakes Environmental Software WRPLOT View - Lakes Environmental Software

WIND ROSE PLOT: DISPLAY: WINDCOMMENTS: ROSE PLOT: DISPLAY: COMMENTS: September Wind Speed October September October Wind Speed Direction (blowing from) Direction (blowing from) 24 hourly 24 hourly

NORTH NORTH

40% 35%

32% 28%

24% TOTAL COUNT: CALM WINDS: 21% TOTAL COUNT: CALM WINDS:

8218 hrs. 0.47% 8494 hrs. 1.13% 16% 14% AVG. WIND SPEED: AVG. WIND SPEED:

5.25 m/s 5.52 m/s 8% 7%

WEST EAST WEST EAST

WIND SPEED WIND SPEED (m/s) (m/s)

>= 5.5 >= 5.5 3.6 - 5.5 3.6 - 5.5 2.1 - 3.6 2.1 - 3.6 0.5 - 2.1 0.5 - 2.1 Calms: 0.47% Calms: 1.13% Resultant Vector Resultant Vector SOUTH PROJECT NO.: SOUTH PROJECT NO.: 321 deg - 52% 320 deg - 42%

WRPLOT View - Lakes Environmental Software WRPLOT View - Lakes Environmental Software

WIND ROSE PLOT:November DISPLAY: COMMENTS: December November Wind Speed Direction (blowing from) 24 hourly

NORTH

30%

24%

18% TOTAL COUNT: CALM WINDS:

7783 hrs. 1.82% 12% AVG. WIND SPEED:

4.58 m/s 6%

WEST EAST

WIND SPEED (m/s)

>= 5.5 3.6 - 5.5 2.1 - 3.6 0.5 - 2.1 Calms: 1.82% Resultant Vector SOUTH PROJECT NO.: 355 deg - 39%

WRPLOT View - Lakes Environmental Software

Page 14 Maintenance Dredging of Gaafaru Entrance Channel EIA, Gaafaru, Malé Atoll

8 . 2 Geology and Geomorphology The islands occupy the central portion of the 3,000 km-long Laccadive-Chagos submarine ridge, which is a major feature of the Indian Ocean seafloor. They form a double chain of north-south oriented parallel atolls separated by an inner sea. The atolls rest on a submarine plateau that is 275-700 m deep, 700 km long and up to 130 km wide. Several east-west trending deep channels (~1000m) separate the atoll groups. The islands are low-lying and began forming between 3,000 and 5,500 years ago. They represent the most recent deposition along a submarine plateau that is underlain by approximately 2,100 m of mostly shallow-water carbonates resting on a slowly-subsiding volcanic foundation. The islands are primarily composed of reef-derived carbonate sediment that has been deposited by waves and currents. In simple terms, the islands tend to have taken one of three forms:  seaward-edge islands on the peripheral atoll rim, formed of sand and gravel with steep, coarse beaches along their seaward margins and sand beaches along their lagoon shores;  lagoon-edge islands composed mostly of sand with minor amounts of gravel; and  sand-clay type islands that form on peripheral rims and within lagoon, reef-top settings. The reef foundations have been in existence for millions of years. The islands, however, are some of the youngest land surfaces on earth. Because of their unconsolidated nature, the islands should be considered ephemeral from the perspective of geologic timescales. Island shorelines consist of sand, gravel, and a variety of engineering structures. The country’s beach systems are highly dynamic and subject to seasonal conditions, especially from monsoons. Although Maldives is located away from the main pathways of tropical cyclones, the presence of gravel beach ridges and cemented conglomerates attest to the fact that storm waves are an important element in the development of the islands. Erosion and accretion are, in fact, ongoing processes to which local communities have adapted in the past. Increases in population and the development of permanent infrastructure in close proximity to shorelines, however, have made erosion a prominent hazard to the country’s social and economic well-being. It is estimated that 80% of the islands are one metre or less above mean sea level. Their low elevation makes them particularly vulnerable to storms and changes in sea level. The prospect of global sea level rise and its potentially catastrophic impact on low-lying islands makes erosion management all the more urgent.

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8 . 2 . 1 Historic Shoreline Changes The best way to appreciate the historical changes on the shoreline of a natural island is through the study of the aerial Photographs. Error! Reference source not found. shows the modifications and changes that had been made to the reef and the creation of the islands through reclamation over the time.

8 . 3 Hydrography

8 . 3 . 1 T i d e D a t u m Tide data is important information in any costal development project as it determines the elevation of the structures relative to a datum. A permanent tidal record station has been established at Malé International Airport by Maldives Meteorological Services. The maximum tidal range recorded at this tide station is 1.20m. The highest astronomical tide level is +0.64m (MSL) and the lowest astronomical tide level is -0.56m (MSL). Table 4.8 gives a summary of the tide levels for the tide datum that has been widely used in Maldives.

Water level referred to Mean Tide level Sea Level (MSL) (m) Highest Astronomical Tide (HAT) +0.64 Mean Higher High Water (MHHW) +0.34 Mean Lower High Water (MLHW) +0.14 Mean Sea Level (MSL) 0 Mean Higher Low Water (MHLW) -0.16 Mean Lower Low Water (MLLW) -0.36 Lowest Astronomical Tide (LAT) -0.56 Table 3: Summary of the Tide Levels Hulhule Island, Male Atoll

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8 . 3 . 2 Tide levels The tidal regime is semi-diurnal with diurnal inequalities (twice daily). That means 2 high tides and 2 low tides per day, with different heights. Typical spring and neap tidal ranges are approximately 1.0 m and 0.3 m, respectively. 8 . 4 Sea Level Rise The Maldives, being a low lying small island state, is very vulnerable to climate change and its associated impacts, especially sea level rise. Although the country contributes only 0.001% of global GHGs, it is one of the most susceptible to climate change impacts. The average elevation of Maldivian islands is 1.5 m above mean sea level (MSL). More than 80% of the land area of Maldives is less than 1 m above MSL. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Third Assessment Report predicts that sea-level rise of up to 0.88m by 2100 will submerge the Maldives completely. Malé International Airport on Hulhulé Island is the only gateway to the Maldives. The height of the runway is only 2 m above MSL and is extremely vulnerable to climate change related sea level rise. The University of Hawaii Sea Level Center (UHSLC) monitors and gathers data on mean sea level for several stations including Hulhulé. The following graphs show the trend of monthly mean sea level as monitored at Hulhulé station for the period 2007 to 2010. Figure 4: Mean Sea Level

Year 2007 Year 2008

Year 2009 Year 2010

Source: University of Hawaii Sea Level Centre (UHSLC)

The present estimates for the sea level rise at the Maldives due to the climatic

Page 17 Maintenance Dredging of Gaafaru Entrance Channel EIA, Gaafaru, Malé Atoll changes are in order of about 0.5 cm per year. This is based on the fact that the sea level has risen 20cm over the past century (MHHE, 2001). 8 . 5 W a v e s Information on the swells around Maldives is limited, but there have been a few studies carried out around Male. Wave data for Male that were recorded for the period between June 1988 and January 1990 revealed that the maximum significant wave height (Hs) recorded for the month of June 1989 was 1.23m with a mean period (Tm) of 7.53s. For the month of July 1989 maximum recorded Hs was 1.51m and the corresponding Tm was 7.74s. In June and July 1989 mean wave periods were 5.0 – 9.0s and the peak wave periods within 8.0 – 13.0s. Wave data for the period between September 1988 and July 1989 shows a probability of exceedance of Hs = 1.0 m was approximately 0.1 and of Hs = 1.5 m was approximately 0.0015 based on the wave data of period September 1988 to July 1989. JICA, (1992) reported that the wave climate in Male region is generally higher in the months of June, July and August with a predominant wave direction of S (180º). During October-December the waves have a shorter period with wave directions varying from S and W (180 º -270 º). It is estimated that the maximum wave height outside the flat reefs can reach more than 3m (ocean side, eastern side of Hulhule), whereas on the flat reef areas the wave height can reach from 0.6 to 1.2 meters (maximum). During the field visit, monsoonal wind generated waves were experienced at the eastern side of the island, wave activity was minimal and well below 0.5m. Wind direction during field survey was south westerly direction.

8 . 5 . 1 Storm Surge Storm surge may increase the water level due to: the effect of atmospheric pressure variations - A water level variation of 10 cm occurs with a pressure variation of 10 hPa, wind effects, especially in shallow water areas

8 . 5 . 2 C u r r e n t s Several currents affect the Maldives Islands. These currents are divided mainly into ocean currents and tidal currents. The ocean currents are stronger than the tidal currents.

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A general view of the seasonal current patterns in the Indian Ocean is shown in Figure 4.5. The currents flow westward during the northeast monsoon period, and they flow eastward during the southwest monsoon period.

Figure 5: Surface Currents around Maldives (by JICA, 1992) The ocean currents flowing by the Maldives islands are also driven by the monsoonal winds. In the northern part of the Maldives, constant currents flow westward during the northeast monsoon period from December and April and eastward during the southeast monsoon period from May to August. General, the tidal currents are eastward in flood and westward in ebb, the velocity, however varies by island areas. The current patterns result from reef forms. Currents tend to be monsoonal in origin, generally setting W during the NE Monsoon (January to March) and E during the SW monsoon (May to October). During the transition months, the currents are variable. Ocean currents flowing through channels between the atolls are driven by the monsoon winds. Current speeds of 1 to 1.5 knots are reported in the Admiralty pilot. However, the current in the E/W channels of the Maldives may attain 5 knots.

8 . 5 . 3 Tidal Currents Generally, tidal currents in the Maldives are Eastward in flood and Westward in ebb.

Page 19 Maintenance Dredging of Gaafaru Entrance Channel EIA, Gaafaru, Malé Atoll

8 . 5 . 4 Marine water quality The following table illustrates the result of the marine water quality test.

Parameter Outer Entrance Channel Physical appearance Clear

Electrical Conductivity (us/cm 55100 Temperature C 28.00 Salinity (mg/l) or PPT 33300. Turbidity (NTU) 0.1

8 . 6 Socio Economic Environment The existing island does not have additional land that could be allocated for residential, commercial and industries. The population of the island is 800 with a density of 200 people per square m. The development at the island has been halted due to lack of land.

Population (2006) % share of total Atoll / Island population Both sexes Male Female K Gaafaru 800 401 399 0.27

Figure 6 Population of the island (MPND, 2006) The population of Gaafaru has remained at a constant in the past 10 years and at present about 800 people live in island. The development of the island has been halted due to lack of a good harbour and bad accessibility to the island.

The island is fishing community where over 25 vessels are used. The existing harbour at the island was constructed in 2002 and has been damaged badly during the Tsunami of 2004. The entrance channels to the islands have become too shallow that it becomes impossible to use during low tides and night.

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8 . 7 Stakeholder Perception 8 . 7 . 1 Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure was consulted as part of this EIA. Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure supports the implementation of this project by Island Council. The Ministry encourages the councils to find alternative ways to implement important civil project like this at the islands.

8 . 7 . 2 Environment Protection Agency During the scoping meeting, EPA indicated this project is a maintenance dredging project and hence the EIA need not be extensive as those carried out for harbour development project. EPA indicated that no marine study is needed for the project as this is only a maintenance dredging project. EPA also noted that this project would help to address the erosion issue by replenishing some of the areas which is experiencing island erosion.

8 . 7 . 3 Male Atoll council Malé Atoll Council noted that this project would is an important project which would have benefit not only to people of Gaafaru but always wide community that need to transit at the island. Atoll Council is very positive for the project. The Atoll Council is waiting anxiously to start the project at an earliest possible date.

8 . 7 . 4 G a a f a r u Island Council Gaafaru Island Council noted that they had been waiting anxiously to start this project. They had made several unsuccessful requests to many institutions. The Island Council expressed their full support to the implementation of the project.

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8 . 8 Marine Environment and Ecology This section outlines the existing environmental condition the entrance channels, visually using photos that were taken from the site.

Figure 7: Inner entrance channel

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9 Analysis of Alternatives This section looks at alternative ways of undertaking the various alternatives of the proposed project. There are two basic options: (1) leave the island as its form without undertaking the proposed development (no project option) or (2) undertake the proposed maintenance dredging as part of the development (undertake the project options). If the project were to continue, it would be necessary to take technical and social aspects of the project into consideration and ensure that these concerns are adequately considered before taking decisions. It is therefore important to consider all practicable options and ensure that the best available option(s) is/are chosen. The following section details the development options. 9 . 1 No Development Option The “No Development Option” implies not proceeding with the maintenance dredging. This option would likely lead to adverse socio-economic impacts including but not necessarily limited to the following:  Inability to access the island during night and low tides  Inability to develop commercial and light industries to diversify the economy  Failure to realize potential increased income from real estate industry  Failure to realize positive socio-economic benefits in the provision of jobs and the generation of revenue for the local community. Gaafaru is a fishing community with a large fleet of fishing vessels. The island is one strategic route to Male’ from Raa and Baa Atoll. Inability to access the island easily will deteriorate the island’s economy. There is a greater need to continue the development of island. Hence the socio-economic benefits outweigh the potential negative environmental and social effects. Therefore, the “No Development Option” is not recommended. 9 . 1 . 1 Alternative technological option for maintenance d r e d g i n g Gaafaru has a very shallow lagoon on eastern side of the island. The entrance channel has been made over 1.2 km south of the island. This is to have easy access to the island during the north east monsoon. However, since the reef system is large and island is found on northern side of the reef system, large amount of sediment is found in the system. Since entrance channel has been made on shallow lagoon, this area gets accumulated with sediment. There are few methods available to remove this sediment. These are using excavators, using excavators on barge, dredger, sand pump and manual method using spade. EPA has always favours the method to use spades, this is the most unpractical method due to high labour cost associated with this method. Other methods are being used as part of this project.

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10 Environmental Impacts 1 0 . 1 Assessing and identification of I m p a c t Environmental Impact identification has been undertaken by considering the proposed activities and examining the level of impact the proposed project will have on the environment. Each activity was then examined in detail to identify the construction methods, technology and other factors that would determine the potential impact of the various activities. The following three methods were used to identify the impacts of this project.  Impact Identification Matrix (refer to the matrix)  Expert judgment. This method relied on experience gained from similar projects in Maldives.

1 0 . 2 Impact identification matrix This matrix was designed to help provide an assessment and screening of the potential environmental impacts of this project. The matrix considered 17 potential environmental factors. Indicators are listed for each factor and these are used as a weighing scale. The project components are then assessed against each factor, scoring them on a scale of 1 to 10. This tool was thus utilized to help provide an assessment and screening of the potential environmental impacts of this project. The matrix will identify the impact types. Once the impact types are determined, the matrix is then used to assess the impact significance together with expert judgment. This matrix contains:  An impact assessment matrix which lists all of the 17 environmental factors and allows, for each one, to provide a score (1-10) and any additional comments. Each factor considers several sub categories (not indicated in the following matrix), depending on the project type and a total score is derived by averaging the individual scores.

 A summary of scores for each factors and the impact type, negative, positive or neutral.

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All types of projects that are listed in the EIA Regulation of 2012 can be assessed using this tool. The following table outlines the impact assessment matrix and the scores for the 17 categories derived for this project. Impacts Total score Negative Neutral Positive (1-3) (4 -7) (8 -10) Air pollution 5.00 x Waste 5.00 x Water pollution 5.00 x Noise/Vibration 5.00 x Amenity 5.00 x Ground water 5.00 x conservation Energy 5.00 x Energy efficiency 5.00 x Access to quality green 5.00 x space Flooding 5.00 x Transport 5.00 x Biodiversity 5.00 x Local environmental 5.00 x quality Resource depletion 5.00 x Health gain 5.00 x Employment 5.00 x Socio-economic 8.00 x implications Scale Score 1-3, Negative Environmental Impact Scale Score 4-7; Neutral Environmental Impact Scale Score 8-10; Positive Environmental Impact

Table 4: Impact assessment matrix for the project

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1 0 . 3 Magnitude of impacts Environmental impacts of the proposed work have been examined through the above mentioned three processes and the results are outlined in the following pages. By using the impact assessment matrix as a tool, the magnitude of the impacts can be assessed as outlined in the following table. Scores based on the impact assessment matrix < Negative Impacts > < Neutral Impacts > < Positive Impacts >* 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Magnitude Major 2, Minor 4 &5 Minor, 6 & 7 Good Very Excellent of adverse adverse Negligible good impacts. 3, Moderate adverse

Table 5: Impact magnitudes and their corresponding scores.

This EIA identifies and quantifies the significance of impacts on the environment from the proposed project. Impacts on the environment were identified and described according to their location/attribute, extent (magnitude) and characteristics (such as short- term or long term, direct or indirect, reversible or irreversible) and assessed in terms of their significance according to the following categories:  Negligible – the impact is too small to be of any significance;  Minor– the impact is minor;  Minor adverse – the impact is undesirable but accepted;  Moderate adverse – the impact give rise to some concern but is likely to be tolerable in short-term (e.g. construction phase) or will require a value judgment as to its acceptability;  Major adverse – the impact is large scale giving rise to great concern; it should be considered unacceptable and requires significant change or halting of the project.  Positive – the impact is likely to bring a positive change in the sense that it is aimed at further minimizing the impacts as a result of the proposed actions.

1 0 . 4 Overall impacts of the project The overall impact of the proposed project is positive due to the strong socio- economic potential of the proposed project. The maintenance dredging of the entrance channel will increase the accessibility to the island. This projects have high socio-political benefits associated with them. While there may be alternatives to the proposed project, these are beyond the scope of the current study. Environmental impacts were assessed for the maintenance dredging of the entrance channels at Gaafaru. The main constructional impact is the dredging of the sand and disposal of the dredged sand. Indirectly sedimentation of the lagoon would be a short term impact of the project activities.

Page 26 Maintenance Dredging of Gaafaru Entrance Channel EIA, Gaafaru, Malé Atoll

1 0 . 5 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 limited data and information regarding some sites under consideration, which makes it difficult to predict impacts. However, the level of uncertainty, in the case of this project is expected to be very low as this project requires very limited or little environmental modifications. There is no significant excavation as to cause siltation or sedimentation in the reef system. The following tables outlines the impacts and mitigation measures proposed as well as the matrix of impacts and their characterization.

Page 27 1 0 . 6 Impacts and mitigation measures Activity / Stage Potential Impacts Mitigation measures Cost of Mitigation Dredging of sand During maintenance dredging of the entrance channel, Carry dredging and excavation Included in the from the inner the sea bed of the entrance channel will be impacted. operation at low tides and acceptable contract and outer weather window entrance channels Disposal of sand This activity will spill and disperse some sediment to Carry out dredging and excavation at Included in the at the island south the lagoon and cause indirect sedimentation. low tides and acceptable weather contract of the outer window entrance channel Disposal of sand This activity will spill and disperse some sediment to Carry out dredging and excavation at at the south side the lagoon and cause indirect sedimentation. The low tides and acceptable weather of the island to disposal of the dredged material would replenish the window. Replenishment of the sand replenish the eroding area of the beach. would be a mitigation measure to beach at areas combat the existing erosion issue at the where it is island. eroding. Noise Noise generated during construction will not be an issue Not required. as the construction process will not generate high noise throughout the life cycle. However, there will be noise generated to some extent, which cannot be avoided at all. The project site is away from the island community or any resorts or guest house. Maintenance Dredging of Gaafaru Entrance Channel EIA, Gaafaru, Malé Atoll

1 0 . 7 Impacts on the Environment and their mitigation measures The following table outlines the matrix of specific impacts and their characterizations. + Impact indicator Impact Impact type (NEG POS) or (H/M/L)* Significant Direct Indirect Maginitude (N/M/MA/MoA/MaA) term Short # term Long Unavoidable Reversible Irreversible Cumulative Required Mitigation

Dredging and excavation of the entrance channel Neg M x x M x x x x Disposal of dredged material Neg M x x M x x x x + POS = positive impacts, NEG= negative impacts * H=high, M=Moderate, L=Low # N=Negligible, M=Minor, MA=Minor Adverse; MoA= Moderate adverse; MaA=Major Adverse

Table 6: Matrix of specific impacts and their characterization

Page 29 Maintenance Dredging of Gaafaru Entrance Channel EIA, Gaafaru, Malé Atoll

11 Environmental Monitoring This project has been proposed to carry out a maintenance dredging of the entrance channels at Gaaru. An environmental monitoring would be conducted at the end of the project with the support of EPA by the contractor.

1 1 . 1 M o n i t o r i n g R e p o r t A monitoring report should be compiled after the completion of the civil works. This report will be submitted to the relevant government agencies for compliance. The report will include details of the site, data collection and analysis, quality control measures, sampling frequency and monitoring analysis and details of methodologies and protocols followed.

1 1 . 2 Monitoring schedule and parameters Due to the minor impacts of this project, it is recommended to undertake the monitoring on completion of the project. This report outlines marine components covering the boundary of this project and hence it will be sufficient. Hence, the following monitoring aspects that are outlined in the report are proposed. 1- Coral reef monitoring at the project site. 2- Socio-economic environmental monitoring.

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12 Conclusion This report discusses the findings of an environmental impact study to assess the impacts of the proposed project to undertake maintenance dredging of the entrance channels at Gaafru. The project is proposed by Gaafaru Island Council. Hence, the aim of this report is to obtain the necessary approval to undertake the undertake maintenance dredging of the entrance channels at Gaafru. The main part of this project is remove the sediment that had accumulated at the entrance channels at the island. The removal and disposal of the materials would be carried out using an excavators and sand pump. Therefore, the project does not anticipate any significant environmental impacts and thus should be allowed to undertake as the benefits are far too significant.

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13 Reference Books and Sources Hoepner, T. (1999). A Procedure for Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for Seawater Desalination Plants. Desalination, vol.124, pp. 1-12. Water Solutions Pvt.Ltd. (2012). EIA of Harbour development and rehabilitation in Maavah island, Laamu Toll. Male': Water Solutions. Water Solutions Pvt.Ltd,. (2006). EIA for the development of a resort in Kalhufahalafushi in Thaa Atoll. Male': Water Solutions Pvt.Ltd.

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14 Annex: Terms of reference

Page 33

Maintenance Dredging of Gaafaru Entrance Channel EIA, Gaafaru, Malé Atoll

15 Annex: Bathymetry of the Entrance Channels

Page 35 N N " " 0 0 3 ' 3 ' 4 4 4 3 3 3 3 4 ° 73°29'15"E 73°29'30"E 73°29'45"E 73°30'0"E 3 3 3 3 °

4 Legend 2 2 3 3 4 4 9 4 9 7 7 7 7

0 0 K a a f u . G a a0 f a r u C h a n n e l D r e d g i n g0 K a a f u . G a a f a r u C h a n n e l D r e d g i n g Artificial Isand Deep Lagoon Shoreline July 2010 524155 524155 Reef line Bathymetry µ Shallow : -1.10

Deep : -15.50 N N " " 5 5 1 ' 1 ' 4 4 4 4 ° ° 4 4

523655 523655 N N " " 0 0 72°0'0"E 74°0'0"E ' 73°30'0"E ' 0 0 ° ° 5 5 N N " " 0 0 ' ' 0 0 ° ° 6 6 N N " " 0 N N ' 0 " " ' 4 0 0 4 ' ' 4 4 ° 0 0 ° 4 3 3 4 ° ° 4 4 N N " " 0 0 ' ' 0 0 ° ° 3 3 N N " " 0 0 ' ' 0 0 ° ° 4 4 " " 0 0 ' ' 0 0 ° ° 523155 523155 0 0 72°0'0"E 74°0'0"E 73°30'0"E

Geodetic Parameters Coordinate Systems :Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) Zone: 43 North Projection :Transverse Mercator (TM) Datum : WGS 1984 Longitude of Origin :0.000000000 Central Meridian:75 W Scale Factor :0.999600000000000040 False Easting :500000.000 False Northing :0.00000000 Semi-Major Axis (a) (Meters) :6378137.000 Semi-Minor Axis (b) (Meters): 6356752.3142451793

Scale: 0 50 100 N N

" Meters " 5 5 4 ' 4 '

3 Project: 3 4 4 °

° Kaafu.Gaafaru Channel Dredging 4 4

Client: Gaafaru Island Council

Contractor:

Water Solutions Pvt Ltd Ma.Shah, Dhihdhee Goalhi, Male', Maldives Tel: +(960)3341643, Fax: +(960)331643 www.water-solutions.biz 0 0 0 0 7 7 7 7 4 9 4 9 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 73°29'15"E 73°29'30"E 73°29'45"E 73°30'0"E EIIA PURPOSES ONLY Maintenance Dredging of Gaafaru Entrance Channel EIA, Gaafaru, Malé Atoll

16 Annex: Erosion and Accretion at the island

Page 37 73°29'45"E 3 73°30'0"E 3 73°30'15"E 3 3 3 4

5 0 Legend 5 5 4 K a a ff u .. G a a ff a r u C h a n n e ll D4 r e d g ii n g Deep Lagoon Shoreline Aug 2005 Shoreline July 2010 Accretion Erosion µ Reef line N N " " 5 5 1 ' 1 ' 4 4 4 4 ° ° 4 4

523715 523715 N " 0 72°0'0"E 74°0'0"E 73°0'0"E ' 0 ° 3 N N " " 0 0 ' ' 0 0 ° ° 6 6 N N " " 0 0 ' ' 0 0 3 3 ° ° 2 2 N N " " 0 0 ' ' 0 0 ° ° 3 3 N N " " 0 0 ' ' 0 0 ° ° 2 2 " " 0 0 ' ' 0 0 ° ° 0 0 72°0'0"E 74°0'0"E 73°0'0"E

N Scale: N "

" 0 50 100 0 ' 0 ' 4

4 Meters 4 4 ° ° 4 4 Project: Kaafu.Gaafaru Channel Dredging

Client: Gaafaru Island Council

Contractor:

Water Solutions Pvt Ltd Ma.Shah, Dhihdhee Goalhi, Male', Maldives Tel: +(960)3341643, Fax: +(960)331643 www.water-solutions.biz 4 4 5 5 5 0 3 4 3 3 3 3 73°29'45"E 73°30'0"E 73°30'15"E EIIA PURPOSES ONLY 73°29'45"E 3 73°30'0"E 3 73°30'15"E 3 3 3 4

5 0 Legend 5 5 4 K a a ff u .. G a a ff a r u C h a n n e ll D4 r e d g ii n g Deep Lagoon Shoreline Aug 2005 Shoreline March 2009 Accretion Eriosion µ Reef line N N " " 5 5 1 ' 1 ' 4 4 4 4 ° ° 4 4

N Scale: N "

" 0 50 100 0 ' 0 ' 4

4 Meters 4 4 ° ° 4 4 Project: Kaafu.Gaafaru Channel Dredging

Client: Gaafaru Island Council

Contractor:

17 Annex: Maintenance Dredging Project at Gaafaru

Page 39 73°29'15"E 3 73°29'30"E 3 73°29'45"E 3 73°30'0"E 3 3 3 2 3 3 5 0 5 2 2 2 9 9 K a a ff u .. G a a ff a r u9 C h a n n e ll D r e d g ii n g 524160 524160 Legend Channel_May_2009 Artificial Isand Deep Lagoon Shoreline July 2010 µ Reef line N N " " 5 5 1 ' 1 ' 4 4 4 4 ° ° 4 4

523660 523660 N N " " 0 0 72°0'0"E 74°0'0"E ' 73°30'0"E ' 0 0 ° ° 5 5 N N " " 0 0 ' ' 0 0 ° ° 6 6 N N " " 0 ' 0 ' 4 4 4 4 ° ° 4 4 N N " " 0 0 ' ' 0 0 3 3 ° ° 4 4 N N " " 0 0 ' ' 0 0 ° ° 3 3 N N " " 0 0 ' ' 0 0 ° ° 4 4 " "

523160 523160 0 0 ' ' 0 0 ° ° 0 0 72°0'0"E 74°0'0"E 73°30'0"E

Scale: 0 50 100 200 N N " " 5 5

4 Meters ' 4 ' 3 3

4 Project: 4 ° ° 4

4 Kaafu.Gaafaru Channel Dredging

Client: Gaafaru Island Council

Contractor:

Water Solutions Pvt Ltd Ma.Shah, Dhihdhee Goalhi, Male', Maldives Tel: +(960)3341643, Fax: +(960)331643 www.water-solutions.biz 9 9 9 2 2 2 5 0 5 2 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 73°29'15"E 73°29'30"E 73°29'45"E 73°30'0"E EIIA PURPOSES ONLY Maintenance Dredging of Gaafaru Entrance Channel EIA, Gaafaru, Malé Atoll

18 Annex: Letter from Kaafu Atoll Council

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Maintenance Dredging of Gaafaru Entrance Channel EIA, Gaafaru, Malé Atoll

19 Annex: Methodology The section covers methodologies used to collect data on the existing environment. The key environmental and socio-economic components of the project that were considered are physical environment, social and marine environment. In order to study the existing environment of the island, the following data collection methodologies were used during the field visits undertaken in March 2014 to the island.

1 9 . 1 General Methodologies of data collection Conditions of the existing environment were analyzed by using appropriate scientific methods. The environmental components of the study area were divided into marine and coastal zone. The marine environment of the island covered the house reef, especially southern and western side of the Thulusdhoo, around the area of the proposed project. The coastal environment covered the coastline within the project boundary at Gaaaru.

1 9 . 2 Mapping and Location identification The entire island, including reef line, shore line, vegetation line and marine survey locations (in the project boundary) and existing coastal structure were mapped. Mapping was undertaken using hand held differential GPS. The location of data collection sites were marked using handheld GPS. These data collection points include marine survey areas and proposed maintenance dredging areas.

1 9 . 3 Marine Survey To assess the benthic composition of the survey site, a visual marine survey of the proposed maintenance dredging area of the entrance channel was carried out. The benthic categorization was focused on categorizing life forms followed under the Reef Check protocol, which emphasises on benthic composition categorizing such as hard corals, sand, rock and others.

1 9 . 4 Bathymetric survey A bathymetric survey was undertaken for the purpose of EIA to assess the baseline condition of the proposed maintenance dredging areas of the inner and outer entrance channels. Bathymetric surveys were also used to estimate the volume of sand that would be generated from the dredging activity. The bathymetric survey map is attached as annexed as Appedix to this report

1 9 . 5 Marine water quality The marine water sampled was tested at the Public Health Laboratory. Using a GeoXT GPS, the positions of the locations were identified. Turbidity was the main parameter that was tested. The sampled locations are provided in Error! Reference source not found.. The marine water quality test results are attached as annex Appendix F of this report.

1 9 . 6 S t a k e h o l d e r consultation A stakeholder consultation was undertaken as part of the Environment Impact Assessment for the project. The purpose of the consutlation is to get stakeholders view on the project and analyze the potential impact of the reclamation might have on

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