Environmental Impact Assessment for the construction of a causeway between Madaveli and Hoandedhdhoo, GaafuDhaalu Proposed By: Ministry of Housing and Environment Signature: January 2012 Prepared By: TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. SUMMARY .......................................................................................................................................................... 6 2. INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................................................. 8 2.1. OBJECTIVES OF EIA ................................................................................................................................................ 8 2.2. JUSTIFICATION OF THE PROJECT ................................................................................................................................. 8 2.3. PROCEDURE AND EXTENT OF EIA .............................................................................................................................. 8 2.4. THE PROPONENT AND CONSULTANTS ......................................................................................................................... 9 2.4.1. The proponent .............................................................................................................................................. 9 2.4.2. The consultant.............................................................................................................................................. 9 2.5. STUDY AREA ......................................................................................................................................................... 9 3. PROJECT DESCRIPTION ..................................................................................................................................... 11 3.1. PROJECT LOCATION .............................................................................................................................................. 11 3.2. THE PROPOSED WORKS ......................................................................................................................................... 12 3.2.1. Construction of the causeway .................................................................................................................... 14 3.2.2. Reclaimed areas ......................................................................................................................................... 16 3.2.3. Coastal ridge .............................................................................................................................................. 18 3.3. DETAILED CONSTRUCTION WORKS METHOD STATEMENT .............................................................................................. 18 3.3.1. Mobilization & site setup ........................................................................................................................... 18 3.3.1.1. Transportation of machinery and work force ................................................................................................... 18 3.3.1.2. Establishment of project site management facilities. ....................................................................................... 18 3.3.2. Design modification, report and work procedures ..................................................................................... 19 3.3.2.1. Dredging area ................................................................................................................................................... 19 3.3.2.2. Reclamation area with revetments .................................................................................................................. 19 3.3.2.3. Causeway & culverts ......................................................................................................................................... 19 3.3.2.4. Coastal ridge ..................................................................................................................................................... 20 3.3.3. Dredging and reclamation. ........................................................................................................................ 20 3.3.3.1. Locating the dredger......................................................................................................................................... 20 3.3.3.2. Making required bunds..................................................................................................................................... 20 3.3.3.3. Dredging & Reclamation ................................................................................................................................... 21 3.3.4. Building Shore Protection Revetments ....................................................................................................... 22 3.3.4.1. Revetments in Reclaimed Area 1 & Area 2 ....................................................................................................... 22 3.3.5. RCC culverts................................................................................................................................................ 23 3.3.5.1. Design of culverts ............................................................................................................................................. 23 3.3.5.2. Construction of the culverts ............................................................................................................................. 23 3.3.6. Coastal ridge at Hoandedhdhoo. ............................................................................................................... 24 3.3.6.1. Transportation of dredge material to location ................................................................................................. 24 3.3.6.2. Development of the Coastal Ridge ................................................................................................................... 24 3.3.7. Road surface .............................................................................................................................................. 25 3.3.7.1. Paving ............................................................................................................................................................... 25 3.3.7.2. Pedestrian walkway and service pipes ............................................................................................................. 25 3.4. PROJECT TIME FRAME ........................................................................................................................................... 25 4. LEGISLATIVE AND REGULATORY CONSIDERATIONS .......................................................................................... 29 4.1. GOVERNMENT LAWS AND REGULATIONS .................................................................................................................. 29 4.1.1. Main government agencies involved ......................................................................................................... 29 4.1.2. Ministry of Housing and Environment ....................................................................................................... 29 4.1.2.1. Environment Protection and Preservation Act of Maldives (Law No. 4/93) ..................................................... 29 4.1.2.2. Environmental Impact Assessment Regulation 2007 ....................................................................................... 30 4.2. INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS .............................................................................................................................. 31 4.2.1. Environmental Conventions ....................................................................................................................... 31 4.2.2. Maritime Conventions ................................................................................................................................ 31 5. EXISTING ENVIRONMENT ................................................................................................................................. 32 5.1. CLIMATE ............................................................................................................................................................ 32 5.1.1. Temperatures ............................................................................................................................................. 33 5.1.2. Rainfall ....................................................................................................................................................... 33 5.1.3. Sunshine ..................................................................................................................................................... 34 1 5.1.4. Risk of tidal waves ...................................................................................................................................... 34 5.2. GEOLOGY AND GEOMORPHOLOGY ........................................................................................................................... 35 5.2.1. Coastal geology .......................................................................................................................................... 35 5.3. HYDRODYNAMIC REGIME ....................................................................................................................................... 37 5.3.1.