ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT For the Installation of an Incinerator at Kulhudhuffushi, Haa Dhaalu Atoll By Water Solutions (January 2020) Proposed by: Ministry of Environment Prepared by: Ahmed Jameel (EIA P07/2007), Abdul Aleem (EIA P03/2019) For Water Solutions Pvt. Ltd., Maldives February 2020 EIA for the Installation of an Incinerator at Kulhudhuffushi, Haa Dhaalu Atoll, Maldives 1 Table of contents 1 Table of contents ...................................................................................................... 2 2 List of Figures and Tables ........................................................................................ 6 3 Declaration of the consultants .................................................................................. 8 4 Proponents Commitment and Declaration ............................................................... 9 5 Non-Technical Summary ....................................................................................... 13 6 Introduction ............................................................................................................ 15 6.1 Structure of the EIA ...................................................................................... 15 6.2 Aims and Objectives of the EIA .................................................................... 15 6.3 EIA Implementation ...................................................................................... 15 6.4 Rational for the formulation of alternatives .................................................. 15 6.5 Coordination with other stakeholders ............................................................ 15 6.6 Terms of Reference ....................................................................................... 16 7 Policy, Legal and Administrative Framework ....................................................... 17 7.1 Environmental Protection and Preservation Act ........................................... 17 7.2 Protected Areas and Sensitive Areas ............................................................. 17 7.3 Environmental Impact Assessment Regulation 2012 .................................... 18 7.4 First Addendum to Environmental Impact Assessment Regulation 2012 ..... 18 7.5 Second Addendum to Environmental Impact Assessment Regulation 2012 18 7.6 Thrid Addendum to Environmental Impact Assessment Regulation 2012 ... 18 7.7 Fourth Addendum to Environmental Impact Assessment Regulation 2012 . 19 7.8 Fifth Addendum to Environmental Impact Assessment Regulation 2012 .... 19 7.9 Post EIA Monitoring, Auditing and Evaluation ............................................ 19 7.10 Waste management policy ............................................................................. 20 7.11 Waste Management Regulation (No. 2013/R-58) ......................................... 20 7.12 Environmental Damage Liabilities Regulation, 2011 ................................... 21 7.13 Other Relevant Legislation ............................................................................ 21 7.14 Environmental Damage Liabilities Regulation, 2011 ................................... 21 7.15 National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan ........................................... 22 7.16 National Framework for Development 2009-2013 ....................................... 22 7.17 Decentralization Act ...................................................................................... 22 7.18 Responsible Institutions ................................................................................ 22 7.18.1 Ministry of Environment ........................................................................... 22 7.18.2 Environmental Protection Agency ............................................................ 22 8 Project Description ................................................................................................. 23 8.1 Project proponent .......................................................................................... 23 8.2 Project Location and Study Area ................................................................... 23 Prepared by Water Solutions Pvt. Ltd, February 2020 Page 2 EIA for the Installation of an Incinerator at Kulhudhuffushi, Haa Dhaalu Atoll, Maldives 8.3 Need and Justification for the project ............................................................ 23 8.4 Scope of works .............................................................................................. 24 8.5 Proposed Incinerator Location ...................................................................... 24 8.6 Proposed Incinerator...................................................................................... 24 8.6.1 Process of Incineration .............................................................................. 25 8.6.2 Waste feed system ..................................................................................... 26 8.6.3 Bottom ash discharger ............................................................................... 26 8.6.4 Flue Gas .................................................................................................... 26 8.6.5 Flue gas cleaning and treatment ................................................................ 27 8.6.6 Stack .......................................................................................................... 27 8.7 Construction works ....................................................................................... 28 8.8 Project management ...................................................................................... 29 8.8.1 Project duration ......................................................................................... 29 8.9 Project Inputs and Outputs ............................................................................ 29 8.9.1 Project Inputs – Construction phase .......................................................... 29 8.9.2 Project Outputs- construction phase ......................................................... 30 8.9.3 Project Inputs – Operational Phase ........................................................... 31 8.9.4 Project Outputs – Operational Phase ........................................................ 31 9 Methodology .......................................................................................................... 32 10 Existing Environment of Maldives ........................................................................ 33 10.1 Existing general environment of Maldives.................................................... 33 10.2 Climate Settings ............................................................................................ 33 10.2.1 Wind Speed and Direction ........................................................................ 33 10.3 Existing Terrestrial Environment .................................................................. 34 10.4 Physical Parameters (Noise) .......................................................................... 35 10.5 Ground Water Quality ................................................................................... 37 10.6 Air Quality Survey ........................................................................................ 37 10.7 Existing Dump site ........................................................................................ 38 10.8 Boundaries of the area affected ..................................................................... 39 10.9 Features of the waste stream ......................................................................... 40 10.9.1 Amount of waste generated....................................................................... 40 10.9.2 Waste Composition ................................................................................... 41 10.9.3 Future trends that may affect solid waste generation include: .................. 41 10.10 Existing Socio-Economic Environment ........................................................ 41 10.10.1 Overview of Haa Dhaalu Atoll ................................................................. 41 10.10.2 Kulhudhuffushi City ................................................................................. 42 11 Environmental Impacts .......................................................................................... 43 11.1 Assessing and identification of Impact ......................................................... 43 Prepared by Water Solutions Pvt. Ltd, February 2020 Page 3 EIA for the Installation of an Incinerator at Kulhudhuffushi, Haa Dhaalu Atoll, Maldives 11.2 Uncertainty and Limitations in Impact Prediction ........................................ 43 11.3 Environmental impacts during Construction Stage ....................................... 44 11.3.1 Removal of Incinerator at Thilafushi ........................................................ 44 11.3.1.1 Mitigation Measures ...................................................................................... 44 11.3.1.2 Cost of Mitigation ......................................................................................... 44 11.3.2 Transportation of Incinerator to Kulhudhuffushi ...................................... 44 11.3.2.1 Mitigation Measures ...................................................................................... 44 11.3.2.2 Cost of mitigation .......................................................................................... 44 11.3.3 Site Preparation ........................................................................................