EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background
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Detailed Environmental Impact Assessment Proposed Marine Facilities at Sungai Batu Pahat EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background The State of Johor has the intention to develop a port with associated facilities on some state land located along the riverbank of Sg. Batu Pahat in parallel with the State of Johor Development Plans 2002-2020. The project will involve upgrading of the existing 5 jetties at the present port be combined as well as the development of a cluster of residential premises that requires some land reclamation by the riverbank. The Johor State Government has signed an agreement with the concession holders to realize the project which gives significant impacts towards the development of the area: 1. Privatisation Agreement 2. Development Agreement 3. Agreement To Lease The documents were signed on 29th November 2006. The project concessionaire holder is Second Port Logistics Sdn. Bhd. (SPL) who has commissioned Uni-Technologies Sdn. Bhd., Universiti Teknologi Malaysia to carry out a Detailed Environmental Impact Assessment (DEIA) study of the proposed project. Batu Pahat is the second largest town in the state of Johor, located 240 km south of Kuala Lumpur and approximately 125 km north of Johor Bahru (“JB”). Batu Pahat district has a population of approximately 300,000 and has a significant base of manufacturing industries. The project site is located along the Batu Pahat riverbank on the northern side. About half of this will occupy Lot PTD 1668 in Mukim Peserai while the remaining portion will occupy Lot PTD 504 in Mukim Bagan. The site, some 5 km to the northwest of Batu Pahat Township, is currently accessible from Jalan Peserai in the east, from Jalan Kg. Muhibbah in the south, and Jalan Tambak in the west. The access road via Jalan Tambak, which forms an important part of the town’s riverbank, is currently used by Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) for river maintenance. 1.2 Legal Requirement The amendment to the Environmental Quality Act 1974 requires that an EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment) study be carried out for the proposed project, which is prescribed under Section 34A of the Act and the Environmental Quality (Prescribed Activities) (Environmental Impact Assessment) Order 1987. Construction of the project involving a port and associated residential premises is an activity that will most likely create an impact on the environmental quality at the project site as well as the vicinity of the project site. A Detailed EIA (DEIA) study is thus mandatory to the requirement of the DOE, which should be undertaken by SPL and submitted for the DOE approval. Prepared by: Uni-Technologies Sdn. Bhd., Universiti Teknologi Malaysia. ES-1 For: Second Port Logistics Sdn Bhd Detailed Environmental Impact Assessment Proposed Marine Facilities at Sungai Batu Pahat 1.3 Project Proponent and EIA Consultant The project proponent entered into agreement is the State Government of Johor while the project’s concessionaire holder is the Second Port Logistics Sdn. Bhd. (SPL) appointed by the State Government of Johor. The DEIA consultant appointed by SPL to carry out the DEIA is Uni-Technologies Sdn. Bhd, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia. Project Proponent - Second Port Logistics Sdn. Bhd. No. 55-3, Jalan Susur Larkin Perdana 1, Larkin Perdana, 80350 Johor Bahru, Johor Darul Ta’zim. Tel : 07 - 234 0162 & 07 - 235 0162 Fax : 07 - 232 0162 Project Consultancy - Elementrade (M) Sdn. Bhd Suite 1304, Tingkat 13, Bangunan AMDB No. 1, Jalan Lumut, Kompleks Damai 50400 Kuala Lumpur. Tel : 03-40418835 Faks : 03-40418836 The consultant appointed by SPLSB to carry out the DEIA study is: UNI-TECHNOLOGIES SDN. BHD. Level 2, Industry Centre Building, Technology Park, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 UTM, Skudai, Johor Tel: 07 – 558 1990 or 07 -5531523 Fax: 07 – 554 1990 Contact person: Assoc Prof Dr Norhan Abd Rahman Dr. Mohd Badruddin Bin Mohd Yusof 1.4 Scope and objective of DEIA In general, the DEIA study is to predict the consequences of the proposed development on the environment. It is aimed at foreseeing and addressing potential problems at an early stage from project planning to design to construction and thereafter. It is a management tool normally used by the decision makers in assessing the negative impacts of the project prior to giving approval for implementation. The DEIA study thus should provide a comprehensive assessment on the potential impacts that could possibly be caused by the development on the environment physically, chemically, biologically, and socially. The study should thus in general recommend mitigating and abatement measures appropriate and specific to the project site so as to contain the impacts to the minimum possible as required by the DOE. Post EIA monitoring and environmental management plan (EMP) should also be incorporated as part and parcel of the study. Prepared by: Uni-Technologies Sdn. Bhd., Universiti Teknologi Malaysia. ES-2 For: Second Port Logistics Sdn Bhd Detailed Environmental Impact Assessment Proposed Marine Facilities at Sungai Batu Pahat 2.0 STATEMENT OF NEED The proposed development is aimed at placing and organizing the existing jetties within the government’s river reservation. As it is, the present port is well below any standards and is not in order practically in its entirety. This therefore calls for an urgent need to relocate the port in a more suitable location where modern port facilities can be put in ample space at par with other established ports in the country. The needs of the project are as follows: a) To uplift the standard of living in the central districts by escalating the region’s economic activities such as manufacturing, tourism and other services in parallel with the wish of the State Government and Federal Government based on established economic policy. b) To capitalize on the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) arrangement by way of improved border-trade activities among the member nations. c) To provide opportunities for market potentials of the local products mainly from local agro-based industries including coconuts, canned pineapples and fishing activities. Other complementary activities including workshops, spare part shops and other related industries would also bring in income to the local people and the State Government. d) To improve on state revenue in terms of increased taxation and other collectibles. e) To provide Batu Pahat a wider regional economic connectivity via sea route. f) To help reduce the existing traffic congestion along Jalan Shah Bandar in Batu Pahat by relocating the CIQ to the development area. g) To provide new business/employment opportunities for the locals. h) To provide a more secure and efficient checkpoint for trading goods. i) To allow more new local or foreign investors entering the new developed area. Whereas in the hierarchy of ports development, in Malaysia has started from the Federal ports principally Port Klang, Pulau Pinang Port, Johor Port, Kuantan Port and Bintulu Port, followed by smaller State-based feeder ports located at major rivers in various states, many of which are in Peninsular Malaysia. Prepared by: Uni-Technologies Sdn. Bhd., Universiti Teknologi Malaysia. ES-3 For: Second Port Logistics Sdn Bhd Detailed Environmental Impact Assessment Proposed Marine Facilities at Sungai Batu Pahat 3.0 PROJECT LOCATION The town of Batu Pahat is second largest industrial area after Johor Bahru (JB). Its is 240km to the south of Kuala Lumpur and about 125km to the north of JB(Figure 1). The Batu Pahat District, with 300,000 populations, is significantly manufacturing industry based. The project site, partly in Mukim Peserai) and partly in Mukim Bagan 5km northwest of Batu Pahat Town (Figure 2), is accessible from Jalan Peserai in the east; from Jalan Kg. Muhibbah in the south; and from Jalan Tambak in the west. The access via Jalan Tambak forms the town’s important part of the riverbank which is currently used by DID for river maintenance. Land by the riverside is generally State-owned where a number of six jetties are available, one operated by the State Government and five others operated by private operators under temporary occupation permit. These jetties currently handle import/export to and from Sumatra. Countries from South East Asia especially Indonesia uses the small boats via sea. Figure 1: Location of Batu Pahat Prepared by: Uni-Technologies Sdn. Bhd., Universiti Teknologi Malaysia. ES-4 For: Second Port Logistics Sdn Bhd Detailed Environmental Impact Assessment Proposed Marine Facilities at Sungai Batu Pahat Figure 2: Location of Project 4.0 PROJECT DESCRIPTION a) Port Concept The new port would comprise modern facilities additional to the existing port facilities to ensure the smooth running of the day-to-day port-related activities. The port would essentially act as a feeder port for goods en route to Johor Port or Klang Port for onward domestic distribution and/or export. Thus the port would compliment its function to the existing jetties and other facilities via the provision of features such as general cargo terminal plus container yard. The cargo terminal is for handling sizable bulk cargo such as wood, iron, silver bar and break bulk cargo while the yard is to provide adequate space for loose bulk cargo like cement, cereals, etc. Also provided would be space for storing liquid bulk, hazardous or easily inflammable goods, both gas and liquid; and for safety reasons this would be located in safe distances away from human settlements and other developments. There is space to be made available for premises such as customs complex, police complex, fishermen’s jetties for the handling of sea harvests, and a ferry terminal for tourists going to Dumai/Bengkalis (Indonesia), Muar, Melaka, and also passengers going on river cruising along the Batu Pahar River. Prepared by: Uni-Technologies Sdn. Bhd., Universiti Teknologi Malaysia. ES-5 For: Second Port Logistics Sdn Bhd Detailed Environmental Impact Assessment Proposed Marine Facilities at Sungai Batu Pahat b) Housing Concept It is possible that the housing complex be arranged with its frontage facing the river to take advantage of the scenic view of the riverfronts.