ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT For the Proposed Harbour Expansion Project at Hulhudheli Island, Dhaalu Atoll, Maldives Hulhudheli Island. Photo by: Water Solutions (February 2020) Proposed by: Ministry of National Planning and Infrastructure Prepared by: Ahmed Jameel (EIA P07/2007), Abdul Aleem (EIA P03/2019) Mohamed Umar (EIA P02/2019), Ibrahim Faiz (EIA P05/2017) For Water Solutions Pvt. Ltd., Maldives April 2020 EIA for the Proposed Harbour Expansion Project at Hulhudheli. 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 THIRD 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 Dredging and Reclamation regulation ........................................................... 20 7.11 First Amendment to the Dredging and Reclamation Regulation .................. 21 7.12 Waste management policy ............................................................................. 21 7.13 Environmental Damage Liabilities Regulation, 2011 ................................... 22 7.14 National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan ........................................... 22 7.15 National Framework for Development 2009-2013 ....................................... 22 7.16 Decentralization Act ...................................................................................... 22 7.17 Third National Environment Action Plan (NEAP III) .................................. 22 7.18 8th Addendum to the Decentralization Act of Maldives ............................... 23 7.19 Responsible Institutions ................................................................................ 23 7.19.1 Ministry of Environment .......................................................................... 23 7.19.2 Environmental Protection Agency ............................................................ 23 7.19.3 Ministry of National Planning and Infrastructure ..................................... 23 7.20 International Conventions ............................................................................. 24 7.20.1 Convention on Biological Diversity ......................................................... 24 Prepared by Water Solutions Pvt. Ltd, April 2020 Page 2 EIA for the Proposed Harbour Expansion Project at Hulhudheli. Dhaalu Atoll, Maldives 8 Project Description ................................................................................................. 25 8.1 Project proponent ............................................................................................... 25 8.2 Project Location and Study Area ....................................................................... 25 8.3 Need and Justification for the project ................................................................ 26 8.3.1 Why the proposed design? ........................................................................ 26 8.4 Scope of works .................................................................................................. 27 8.5 Description of the proposed harbour ................................................................. 27 8.5.1 Concept design .......................................................................................... 27 8.5.2 Breakwater ................................................................................................ 28 8.5.3 Quay wall .................................................................................................. 29 8.5.4 Revetment ................................................................................................. 31 8.5.5 Groyne....................................................................................................... 31 8.5.6 Other features ............................................................................................ 31 8.5.7 Dredging of the harbour basin and channel .............................................. 32 8.5.7.1 Machineries used for dredging ...................................................................... 32 8.5.8 Reclamation of eastern and western side of the harbour and backfilling .. 32 8.5.8.1 Location and size of the reclaimed area ........................................................ 32 8.5.8.2 Stockpiling of excess dredge material ........................................................... 33 8.5.8.3 Method and equipment used for reclamation and their justification ............. 34 8.5.9 Leveling of the south side of the island .................................................... 34 8.6 Construction works ............................................................................................ 34 8.6.1 Mobilization .............................................................................................. 34 8.7 Project management........................................................................................... 35 8.7.1 Project duration ......................................................................................... 35 8.7.2 Emergency plan in case of spills (diesel, grease and oil) .......................... 35 8.7.3 Equipment used ......................................................................................... 36 8.7.4 Material Storage ........................................................................................ 36 8.7.5 Fuel Management ...................................................................................... 36 8.8 Project Inputs and Outputs ................................................................................. 36 8.8.1 Project Inputs ............................................................................................ 36 8.8.2 Project Outputs .......................................................................................... 37 9 Methodology .......................................................................................................... 38 10 Existing Environment of Maldives ........................................................................ 39 10.1 Existing general environment of Maldives.................................................... 39 10.2 Existing Marine Environment ....................................................................... 39 10.3 Methodology of marine surveys .................................................................... 39 10.3.1 Data Processing methodology .................................................................. 40 10.4 Coral reef ....................................................................................................... 40 Prepared by Water Solutions Pvt. Ltd, April 2020 Page 3 EIA for the Proposed Harbour Expansion Project at Hulhudheli. Dhaalu Atoll, Maldives 10.4.1 Benthic composition at site 1 (M1) .......................................................... 40 10.4.2 Benthic composition at site 2 (M2) .......................................................... 41 10.4.3 Benthic composition at site 3 (M3) .......................................................... 43 10.5 Status of fish abundance ................................................................................ 44 10.6 Marine water quality and bathymetry ........................................................... 45 10.7 Marine Protected and Sensitive Areas ........................................................... 45 10.8 General Climate Settings ..............................................................................