ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT Proposed MEQ Boatyard Development Project Himmafushi Island, K. Atoll November 2017 Prepared for: MEQ Boatyard Pvt. Ltd. Prepared by: Mohamed Zuhair (EIA01/15) & Ibrahim Shakir (BP03106) Page | 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS ާސާ ލާ ހު ދާ ސާ .............................................................................................................................................. 17 1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .......................................................................................................... 19 2. INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................ 22 2.1 OVERVIEW OF THE PROJECT ......................................................................................... 22 2.2 LEGAL REQUIREMENT .................................................................................................... 23 2.3 PROJECT JUSTIFICATION AND RATIONALE .............................................................. 23 2.4 DONORS AND INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS ................................................... 24 2.5 EIA BACKGROUND TO THE EIA .................................................................................... 25 2.6 EIA APPROACH, SCOPE AND OBJECTIVE ................................................................... 25 2.7 EIA METHODOLOGY ........................................................................................................ 26 2.8 EIA REPORT STRUCTURE ............................................................................................... 27 2.9 REVIEW OF RELEVANT STUDIES ................................................................................. 27 2.10 EIA TEAM ........................................................................................................................ 28 2.11 EIA TERMS OF REFERENCE (TOR) ............................................................................ 29 3. STUDY AREA ............................................................................................................................. 30 4. PROJECT DESCRIPTION .......................................................................................................... 33 4.1 PROJECT LOCATION AND SETTING ............................................................................. 33 4.2 PROJECT PROPONENT ..................................................................................................... 33 4.3 PROJECT OUTLINE ........................................................................................................... 34 4.3.1 Scope of the Project ...................................................................................................... 34 4.3.2 Boatyard Development Concept ................................................................................... 34 4.4 PROJECT DEVELOPMENT ............................................................................................... 35 4.4.1 Temporary Setup and Arrangements ............................................................................ 35 4.4.2 Project Mobilization ...................................................................................................... 36 4.4.3 Dredging and Land Reclamation .................................................................................. 36 4.4.3.1 Dredging ................................................................................................................... 36 4.4.3.2 Land Reclamation ..................................................................................................... 40 4.4.3.3 Protection of Reclaimed Land ................................................................................... 44 4.4.4 Support Infrastructure ................................................................................................... 44 4.4.4.1 Factory ...................................................................................................................... 44 4.4.4.2 Workshops ................................................................................................................. 45 4.4.4.3 Slipway ...................................................................................................................... 45 4.4.4.4 Boat Lifting Facility .................................................................................................. 45 4.4.4.5 Staff Building and Mess Room .................................................................................. 46 4.4.4.6 Admin Building and Manager Accommodation ........................................................ 46 4.4.5 Support Services ........................................................................................................... 46 Page | 2 4.4.5.1 Powerhouse ............................................................................................................... 46 4.4.5.2 Air Compressor Room and RO Plant ........................................................................ 46 4.4.5.3 Storage Facilities ...................................................................................................... 46 4.5 BOATYARD OPERATIONS ............................................................................................... 47 4.5.1 Environmental Monitoring During Project Implementation ......................................... 47 4.5.2 Key Measures for Environmental Protection During Project Implementation ............. 47 4.6 PROJECT MANAGEMENT ................................................................................................ 48 4.6.1 Project Duration ............................................................................................................ 48 4.6.2 Staffing and Accommodation ....................................................................................... 48 4.6.3 Communication ............................................................................................................. 48 4.6.4 Site Access .................................................................................................................... 48 4.6.5 Work Safety .................................................................................................................. 48 4.6.6 Potential Accidents, Hazards, Health and Safety Measures.......................................... 49 4.6.7 Emergency Plan for Oil Spills ...................................................................................... 50 4.6.8 Project Inputs and Outputs ............................................................................................ 50 4.6.8.1 Project Inputs during Construction Phase ................................................................ 50 4.6.8.2 Project Outputs during Construction Phase ............................................................. 51 4.6.8.3 Project Inputs during Operation Phase .................................................................... 51 4.6.8.4 Project Outputs during Operation Phase ................................................................. 52 4.7 ACTIVITIES THAT ARE LIKELY TO CAUSE MAJOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS 52 4.8 AFFECTED BOUNDARIES ................................................................................................ 52 5. LEGAL, POLICY AND ADMINISTRATIVE FRAMEWORK ................................................. 54 5.1 RELEVANT LAWS AND REGULATIONS ....................................................................... 54 5.1.1 Environmental Protection and Preservation Act (Law No. 4/93) and Amendments .... 54 5.1.2 EIA Regulation (2007) and Amendments ..................................................................... 55 5.1.3 Environmental Damage Liabilities Regulation (2011) ................................................. 56 5.1.4 Dredging and Reclamation Regulation (2013) ............................................................. 56 5.1.5 Waste Management Regulation (2013) and Amendments ............................................ 57 5.1.6 Management, Use and Control of HCFC Substances Regulation, 2010 ....................... 57 5.1.7 Land Use Plan and Implementation Regulation ............................................................ 58 5.1.8 Regulation on Fuel Handling and Storage .................................................................... 58 5.2 RELEVANT POLICIES ....................................................................................................... 59 5.2.1 National Framework for Development, 2009-2013 ...................................................... 59 5.2.2 Maldives National Strategy for Sustainable Development, 2009 ................................. 60 5.2.3 3rd National Environment Action Plan ......................................................................... 61 5.2.4 National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, 2016 – 2025 ..................................... 61 5.2.5 National Solid Waste Management Policy, 2007 ......................................................... 62 5.3 RELEVANT AUTHORITIES .............................................................................................. 63 Page | 3 5.3.1 Ministry of Environment and Energy, MEE ................................................................. 63 5.3.2 Environment Protection Agency, EPA ......................................................................... 63 5.3.3 Ministry of Defense and National Security, MNDS ..................................................... 63 5.3.4 Himmafushi Island Council .........................................................................................