ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT For the construction and setup of a sewerage system in Baarah Island, Haa Alif Atoll, Maldives Photo: Google Earth Proposed by: Ministry of Environment and Energy Prepared by: Hassan Shah (EIA P02/2007) For Water Solutions Pvt. Ltd., Maldives September 2017 BLANK PAGE EIA for the construction and setup of an island sewerage system in Baarah Island, Haa Alifu Atoll 1 Table of contents 1 Table of contents ...................................................................................................... 1 2 List of Figures and Tables ........................................................................................ 7 3 Declaration of the consultants .................................................................................. 9 4 Proponents commitment ........................................................................................ 10 5 Non Technical Summary ....................................................................................... 17 6 Introduction ............................................................................................................ 20 6.1 Structure of the EIA ........................................................................................... 20 6.2 Aims and Objectives of the EIA ........................................................................ 20 6.3 EIA Implementation .......................................................................................... 20 6.4 Rational for the formulation of alternatives ....................................................... 21 6.5 Coordination with other stakeholders ................................................................ 21 6.6 Terms of Reference............................................................................................ 21 7 Policy, Legal and Administrative Framework ....................................................... 22 7.1 Environmental Protection and Preservation Act ................................................ 22 7.2 Protected Areas and Sensitive Areas ................................................................. 23 7.3 Land Law ........................................................................................................... 23 7.4 Environmental Impact Assessment Regulation 2012 ........................................ 23 7.5 FIRST Addendum to Environmental Impact Assessment Regulation 2012 ..... 23 7.6 Second Addendum to Environmental Impact Assessment Regulation 2012 ..... 24 7.7 THIRD Addendum to Environmental Impact Assessment Regulation 2012 .... 24 7.8 FOURTH Addendum to Environmental Impact Assessment Regulation 2012 24 7.9 Post EIA Monitoring, Auditing and Evaluation ................................................ 25 7.10 Regulation on sand and aggregate mining for building construction ............ 25 7.11 Guidelines for Domestic Wastewater Disposal ............................................. 26 7.12 Responsible Institutions ................................................................................ 26 7.12.1 Ministry of Environment and Energy ....................................................... 26 7.12.2 Environmental Protection Agency ............................................................ 26 7.12.3 Maldives Energy Authority ...................................................................... 26 7.13 Relevant Policies ........................................................................................... 27 7.13.1 National Water and Sewerage Policy ....................................................... 27 7.13.2 National Energy Policy ............................................................................. 27 7.13.3 Carbon Neutral by 2020 ........................................................................... 27 7.13.4 Third National Environment Action Plan (NEAP III) .............................. 27 7.14 International Conventions ............................................................................. 28 Prepared by Water Solutions Pvt.Ltd, Sep 2017 Page 1 EIA for the construction and setup of a sewerage system in Baarah Island, Haa Alifu Atoll 7.14.1 Convention on Biological Diversity ......................................................... 28 7.15 Relevant Policies ........................................................................................... 28 7.15.1 National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan ....................................... 28 7.15.2 Waste Management Policy ....................................................................... 28 7.15.3 National Framework for Development 2009-2013 ................................... 29 7.15.4 Decentralization Act ................................................................................. 29 7.15.5 Waste management Regulations ............................................................... 29 7.15.6 Regulation on cutting down, uprooting and export of trees ..................... 29 7.15.7 Guidelines for Domestic Wastewater Disposal ........................................ 30 7.15.8 Post EIA Monitoring, Auditing and Evaluation ....................................... 30 8 Project Description ................................................................................................. 31 8.1 Project proponent ............................................................................................... 31 8.2 Project Location and Study Area ....................................................................... 31 8.3 Need and Justification for the project ................................................................ 31 8.4 Scope of works .................................................................................................. 32 8.5 Literature Review .............................................................................................. 32 8.5.1 Existing literature about Baarah ................................................................ 32 8.5.2 Relevant studies and literature for Baa Rah island ................................... 32 8.5.3 Environmental threats and risks in Baa Atoll ........................................... 33 8.5.4 What are Mangroves? ............................................................................... 33 8.5.4.1 Cultural significance of Mangroves ...................................................... 34 8.5.4.2 Ecological Setting ................................................................................. 34 8.5.5 Threats to Mangroves................................................................................ 35 8.5.5.1 Climate change ...................................................................................... 35 8.5.5.2 Existing Anthropogenic impacts ........................................................... 35 8.5.5.3 Potential impacts from agriculture ........................................................ 36 8.5.5.4 Potential impacts from the sewerage system ......................................... 36 8.6 Description of the Proposed Sewerage System ................................................. 37 8.6.1 System overview ....................................................................................... 37 8.6.2 Components of the sewerage System ........................................................ 38 8.6.2.1 House connections ................................................................................. 38 8.6.2.2 Pumping Stations (or Lifting Stations) .................................................. 39 8.6.2.3 Environmental and social issues related to the proposed pumping station locations 41 8.6.2.4 Cleanouts (CO) ...................................................................................... 45 8.6.2.5 Manholes ............................................................................................... 45 8.6.2.6 Sewer mains .......................................................................................... 49 8.6.2.7 Ground Conditions ................................................................................ 49 8.6.2.8 Excavation & Dewatering ..................................................................... 49 Prepared by Water Solutions Pvt.Ltd, Sep 2017 Page 2 EIA for the construction and setup of a sewerage system in Baarah Island, Haa Alifu Atoll 8.6.2.9 Bends ..................................................................................................... 50 8.6.2.10 Vents.................................................................................................... 50 8.6.3 Sea outfall ................................................................................................. 51 8.6.3.1 Justification for the location of sea outfall ............................................ 51 8.6.3.2 Equipment’s required for the construction of offshore pipeline ............ 52 8.6.3.3 Alternative location ............................................................................... 53 8.6.4 Other Considerations ................................................................................ 53 8.6.4.1 Emergency Storage................................................................................ 53 8.6.4.2 Emergency outfall system ..................................................................... 53 8.6.4.2.1 Catchment Overflow Links (LO) ................................................... 53 8.6.4.2.2 Emergency Flow Relief Structures (EFRS) ................................... 53 8.6.5 Connections to the Sewer System ............................................................