VLH Ltd, Nereide Ltd, Saltlake Resorts Ltd Proposed Beach Erosion Protection Works at Bel Ombre Environmental Impact Assessment

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1 VLH Ltd, Nereide Ltd, Saltlake Resorts Ltd Proposed Beach Erosion Protection Works at Bel Ombre TATO/EIA/01 Issue 15 February 2017 This report takes into account the particular instructions and requirements of our client. It is not intended for and should not be relied upon by any third party and no responsibility is undertaken to any third party. Job number Arup SIGMA Ltd Bagatelle Office Park Bagatelle Mauritius

2 Non-Technical Summary Heritage Le Telfair Golf & Spa Resort, Heritage Awali Golf & Spa Resort, LUX Tamassa Resort and Outrigger Mauritius Beach Resort, have been facing beach erosion problems on the beach front facing their respective properties. The management of these luxury hotels have seen the shoreline facing their developments retreated significantly over the past decade and being aware of the vulnerability of their developments to shoreline erosion, have collaborated together and commissioned specialists in the field to develop an overall coastal protection strategy to protect and nourish the beaches in front of their properties. The owners of the abovementioned resorts namely Saltlake Resorts Ltd (owner of Outrigger Mauritius Beach Resort), Néréide Ltd (owner of LUX Tamassa Resort) and VLH Ltd (owner of Heritage Le Telfair Resort and Heritage Awali Resort) thus wish to carry out beach rehabilitation works along the beach stretch and within the lagoon facing the above-mentioned resorts with a view to restore the beach face in front of their properties. Each Promoter will be responsible and liable for the proposed works in front of his property only. According to the Environmental Protection Act 2002 Act No.19 of 1 st July 2002, its 2008 amendment and regulations, an (EIA) Report is required for: Item 31 Modification of existing coastline such as beach reprofiling, coastal protection works and removal of basaltic and beach rock. Item 7 Construction of breakwaters, groins, jetties, revetments and seawalls. In pursuance with the provision of the EPA 2002, the Proponent has commissioned Arup SIGMA Ltd, Consulting Engineers, to prepare this Environmental Impact Assessment Report. The purpose of this EIA is to present the technical justifications for the proposed beach erosion protection works and assess the potential environmental impacts and identify appropriate mitigating measures associated with the proposed rehabilitation works comprising of: Construction of a m long groyne at the Citronniers River mouth with crest height of 1m above MSL. Construction of three current deflector reefs in front of Heritage Le Telfair and Heritage Awali Resorts, with average crest height of 0.5m above MSL and of length 40m. Artificial reef modules will be designed and locked into the basalt structure of the breakwater to encourage the settlement of biota into the structures. Thus, combining improved ecological function, providing a coastal attraction for visitors and tourists to snorkel and explore while altogether protecting the shoreline. Construction of a stormwater outfall of length 15m between Heritage Awali Resort and Tamassa Resort. Joining and raising the crest height of the two existing reefs in front of Tamassa Resort. Page 1

3 Construction of a stormwater outfall of length 25m between Tamassa Resort and Outrigger Resort. Removal of one existing groyne and the scattered rocks near the shoreline of Outrigger Resort. The rocks recovered will be used for the construction of two reefs incorporating artificial reef modules in front of Outrigger Resort. Nourishment and re-profiling the beaches facing the resorts, with the beach crest starting from +2m AMSL and sloping down to -1m AMSL. From +2m AMSL the beach will grade down to the existing seabed level with a slope 1:15. The Promoters are Saltlake Resorts Ltd, Nereide Ltd and VLH Ltd has informed the Ministry of Environment, Sustainable Development, Disaster and Beach Management of the works that are intended to be carried out in view to restore the beach front facing the resorts. As per the modelling exercise carried out by Professor Kerry Black, each structure can be implemented individually without affecting the neighbouring areas as each breakwater will act as an obstruction to its particular wave path. The proposed structures are essentially independent of the other structures and could be built at the convenience of each resort. From the receipt of all statutory approvals, it is anticipated that the remedial works including Reef R1, R2, R3, R3a and the two stormwater outfalls will start in mid- May 2017 and be completed by mid-august 2017 (3 months) as detailed in the table below. Reefs R4, R5 & R6 will be implemented as per the maintenance schedule of each resort and their respective implementation dates will be communicated by the Promoters accordingly. Table 1: Tentative implementation schedule Project Components Construction of reef R1 (Groyne) Beach recharge next to reef R1 (Groyne) Construction of reef R2 Beach recharge in front of Heritage Le Telfair Construction of reef R3 Beach recharge in front of Heritage Awali Construction of reef R3a Construction of stormwater outlet 1 Construction of stormwater outlet 2 Construction of reef R4 Beach recharge in front of LUX Tamassa Start of Works Mid-May 2017 Tentative Completion Dates Mid-August 2017 As per Resort s occupancy and maintenance plan Proponent Name VLH Ltd VLH Ltd and Néréide Ltd Néréide Ltd and Saltlake Resorts Ltd Néréide Ltd Page 2

4 Project Components Construction of reef R5 Construction of reef R6 Beach recharge in front of Outrigger Resort Start of Works Tentative Completion Dates As per Resort s occupancy and maintenance plan Proponent Name Saltlake Resorts Ltd Assessment Methodology As part of the EIA exercise, beach erosion protection works have been proposed by Arup SIGMA Ltd in association with: Professor Kerry BLACK, of Sanctuary Beach Pte Ltd who is a renowned oceanographer has provided the beach remediation strategy to restore the beach face in front of the hotel properties. Mr. Iain WATT, the Client s Representative who has advised the team on how to integrate marine biology within the proposed new reefs. The baseline environment and constraints have been established for the existing site. As part of the EIA exercise, baseline data for the marine environment has been acquired by Mr. Rishi Dev PERSAND, marine biologist who has carried out the marine biota survey of the area under study. Site investigation comprised Historical photographs, including Google TM Earth aerial photographs Detailed bathymetric surveys Decadal time series of waves, wind, weather and tidal climates Wave/current/sea level measurements Drogue tracking from several release locations Laboratory analysis of beach sediment for grain sizes Biological investigations Sand samples were collected within the study area and the grading analysis was undertaken. The appropriate measures have been identified in the detailed methodology of the remediation works to reduce the environmental impacts to the immediate environment to a minimum. Page 3

5 Conclusion It is essential to maintain the quality of service of those luxury resorts. Thus, the restoration of the beach front is to be undertaken. The detailed scientific study that supports this EIA has revealed the causes of the beach erosion and an appropriate remediation strategy. By adopting the mitigation measures proposed in this EIA report, the overall environmental impact during construction has been assessed as follows: Environmental aspect Impacts on the marine environment Impacts during seabed re-profiling works Interference with longshore transit processes Spillage of hydrocarbons Generation of noise nuisance Dust emission during construction phase Visual impact of works on landscape Impacts from generation of domestic wastewater Reduced beach accessibility Disturbance of boat traffic in lagoon Assessed residual impacts after mitigation Moderately Adverse Moderately Adverse Negligible Adverse Moderately Adverse Negligible Adverse (Temporary) It is considered that the proposed remediation works will comply with all relevant environmental legislation and should therefore be recommended for approval of an EIA Licence under the EPA Page 4

6 Mr. Jaganadhen CHELLAPEN Chief Project & Development Officer Mr. Dev POOLOVADOO Group Financial Controller Mr. Damian J. CLOWES Director VLH Ltd Néréide Ltd Saltlake Resorts Ltd Derick STEINHOBEL Director, RPEM Arup SIGMA Ltd With the collaboration of: Professor Kerry Black - Sanctuary Beach Pte Ltd Mr. Iain Watt - Client s Representative Mr. Rishi Dev Persand - Marine Biologist Mr. Rajnish Deelchand - Arup SIGMA Ltd Mrs. Eliane Rioux - Arup SIGMA Ltd Mr. Saleem Bundhoo - Arup SIGMA Ltd Page 5