Environmental Impact Assessment Development of Gulhi Falhu, Kaafu Atoll, Maldives Doc number: 06008-08-R-02-SROS-c-EIA Gulhi Falhu Date : 1 July 2010 Environmental Impact Assessment Development of Gulhi Falhu, Kaafu Atoll, Maldives Document Control Sheet Client: Gulhi Falhu Industrial Zone Limited Title: Environmental Impact Assessment Development of Gulhi Falhu, Kaafu Atoll, Maldives Summary: Copy: Issue Date: Recipient(s): Remark(s): 1-2 Archive Hydronamic bv, Master file 3 Client 4 5 6 7 8 Rev: Issue Date: Engineer: Sign Review (DIC/IDC): Sign c 1-July-2010 S. Ross + A. Kramer J.W.H. van de Meene b 29-May-2010 S. Ross J.W.H. van de Meene a 26-May-2010 S. Ross J.W.H. van de Meene DIC: Department Internal Check / IDC: Inter-Department Check Document number: 06008-08-R-02-SROS-c-EIA Gulhi Falhu Status: Draft Preliminary Final Keywords: CONFIDENTIAL: The subject matter is confidential between Hydronamic BV and the Client. All or any part of the matter contained herein shall not be divulged to any third party without written permission of Hydronamic BV. Doc No : 06008-08-R-01-SROS-c EIA Gulhi Falhu.doc Page ii Date : 1 July 201030 June 2010 Environmental Impact Assessment Development of Gulhi Falhu, Kaafu Atoll, Maldives Table of Contents 1 Introduction ................................................................................... 6 1.1 General ...................................................................................... 6 1.2 Background of the Study .............................................................. 6 1.3 Aim and scope of EIA ................................................................... 7 1.4 Terms of Reference ...................................................................... 7 1.5 Experience of proponents with similar projects ................................. 8 1.6 Field work .................................................................................. 8 2 Problem Analysis and Justification of Project ..................................... 9 2.1 General ...................................................................................... 9 2.2 Problem analysis .......................................................................... 9 2.2.1 Land scarcity in the Malé area ....................................................... 9 2.2.2 Population pressure ...................................................................... 9 2.2.3 Extreme weather conditions and sea-level rise .................................. 9 2.3 Justification of the project .......................................................... 10 2.4 Potential users .......................................................................... 11 3 Project Setting ............................................................................. 12 3.1 General .................................................................................... 12 3.2 Environmental legislation ............................................................. 12 3.3 National policies ........................................................................ 12 3.4 International Context .................................................................. 13 3.5 Responsible Ministries and Institutions in the Maldives .................... 14 3.6 IEE or EIA ................................................................................. 14 4 Project description ........................................................................ 15 4.1 Master Plan Considerations ......................................................... 15 4.1.1 Characteristics Gulhi Falhu .......................................................... 15 4.1.2 Sea Conditions .......................................................................... 16 4.1.3 Phased Development .................................................................. 17 4.2 Technical Boundary Conditions .................................................... 18 4.3 Design Considerations and Design ................................................ 18 4.3.1 Reclamation design levels ........................................................... 19 4.3.2 Design and construction quantities for phase 1 and 2 ...................... 19 4.4 Dredging and reclamation method alternatives ................................ 19 4.4.1 Method and equipment, alternatives ............................................. 19 4.4.2 Revetment construction .............................................................. 22 4.4.3 Quay wall ................................................................................. 23 4.5 Project Planning ......................................................................... 23 5 Description of the Natural Environment .......................................... 25 5.1 General .................................................................................... 25 5.2 Methodology ............................................................................. 26 5.3 Physical Environment ................................................................. 26 5.3.1 Geology ................................................................................... 26 5.3.2 Climate .................................................................................... 27 5.3.3 Tides and Waves ....................................................................... 29 5.4 Marine environment ................................................................... 30 5.4.1 biodiversity ............................................................................... 30 Doc No : 06008-08-R-01-SROS-c EIA Gulhi Falhu.doc Page iii Date : 1 July 201030 June 2010 Environmental Impact Assessment Development of Gulhi Falhu, Kaafu Atoll, Maldives 5.4.2 Coral survey ............................................................................. 32 5.4.3 Reef atoll side ........................................................................... 33 5.4.4 Reef Vaadhoo Kandu side ........................................................... 40 5.4.5 Summary results ecological survey 2010 ....................................... 47 5.4.6 Resorts and dive sites ................................................................ 49 5.4.7 Dive sites & coral reefs ............................................................... 49 5.4.8 Navigation ................................................................................ 50 5.4.9 Waste & pollution ...................................................................... 50 5.4.10 Currents ................................................................................... 50 5.4.11 Planning ................................................................................... 50 5.5 Protected areas and species ........................................................ 50 5.6 Gaps in baseline information ........................................................ 52 6 Description of Economic and Social Environment .............................. 53 6.1 General .................................................................................... 53 6.2 Socio-economic conditions and employment opportunities in the Maldives................................................................................... 53 6.3 Objectives ................................................................................ 54 6.4 Villingili, the Island ..................................................................... 54 6.5 The consultation ........................................................................ 55 6.6 Opinions expressed .................................................................... 55 6.7 Conclusion and recommendations ................................................ 55 7 Assessment of Environmental and Social Impacts ............................. 56 7.1 General .................................................................................... 56 7.2 Environmental impacts during construction .................................... 56 7.2.1 The dredging locations ............................................................... 56 7.2.2 Suspension of sediments ............................................................ 56 7.2.3 Waste handling and pollution control ............................................ 59 7.2.4 Noise, light and air quality ........................................................... 59 7.3 Boskalis SHE-Q.......................................................................... 60 7.4 Environmental impacts after construction ...................................... 60 7.4.1 Loss of marine habitats ............................................................... 60 7.4.2 A large basin at the shallow reef flat ............................................. 60 7.4.3 Alien species ............................................................................. 60 7.4.4 Increased human activities and population ..................................... 61 7.5 Social impacts during construction ............................................... 61 7.6 Socio-economic impacts after construction .................................... 62 7.7 Comparison of No Development and different dredging & reclamation options ..................................................................................... 62 7.7.1 No construction ......................................................................... 62 7.7.2 Dredging alternatives .................................................................. 62 7.7.3 The dredging location and its impact ............................................. 63 7.7.4 Resuspension of sediments ........................................................