Boskalis Sustainability Report 2020

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“WE CREATED AN INTERACTIVE PROJECT WEBSITE AS PART OF OUR GRIEVANCE MECHANISM, ALLOWING LOCAL STAKEHOLDERS, AND ANYONE ELSE, TO VOICE A CONCERN OR EXPRESS AN OPINION”

of revetments to protect the new land. “Before we started, we took additional mitigation measures to construct bunds, ensuring stability,” explains Piek, “and took a pro-active approach to managing the dredging – whenever we noticed turbidity, which could impact marine ecosystems, we ceased our operations until conditions calmed.” Gulhifalhu, like most of the Maldives, is rich in coral and our operations could have potentially threatened both the ecosystems supported by the coral and local livelihoods that depend on it. Ellen van den Brom is an engineer who was closely involved in the project. “Before we started our operations, we carried out an Environmental Impact Assessment on behalf of the client,” says Van den Brom, “which is quite rare as this is usually carried out by the project developer.” VULNERABLE ECOSYSTEMS “The Maldives’ first recognized diving site is located on the southern edge of Gulhifalhu, making it a protected area in terms of historical and cultural value, and, because the ecosystems are so vulnerable, there are strict dredging regulations in place. Our assessment identified not only the potential impact of our operations on the coral and the ecosystems it supports, but also on local communities. The ecosystems throughout the Maldives represent a vital part of its economy. To make sure we addressed these challenges effectively, we engaged an accredited consultant for the development of the EIA.” Stakeholder consultation identified some concerns about the project from a local NGO located on the island of Villingili, located next to Gulhifalhu. The NGO was worried that the Gulhifalhu lagoon was being turned into a port and that it could be negatively impacted by the planned operations. Like other local communities, they realized the economic importance of the port but were worried about the environmental impact as well as the potential visual impact of the project, the seawater changing color due to turbidity for example. We engaged with the NGO to discuss our work methods and as a result of this dialog, we implemented additional environmental measures including barriers to further reduce any spread of sediment in the water, and minimize potential impact on the Villingili reef. CORAL RELOCATION Before the start of the reclamation works, we relocated coral from Gulhifalhu, placing some of it near the resort island of Furanafushi where it is forming a new reef to strengthen the existing one. Other measures taken included implementing a green valve, a bund wall

and silt screens in the lagoon to reduce the potential spread of sediment, which otherwise could negatively impact underwater ecosystems, as well as acting as a further barrier to prevent the spread of plumes in the water. “During this project we also had to think out of the box,” says Van den Brom. “Normally a community liaison officer would conduct frequent, face-to-face conversations with key stakeholders, especially in a region with small communities like the Maldives. However, COVID-19 restrictions made this almost impossible so we created an interactive project website as part of our grievance mechanism, allowing local stakeholders, and anyone else, to voice a concern or express an opinion. Even though the major land reclamation works are complete, we still update the site regularly with the results of regular water quality monitoring for example. To date, none of the monitoring results have exceeded the limits of the environmental permit.” Based on the success of the feedback form on the website, Boskalis is now working on a standard template to share the experience with other projects. CHALLENGING PROJECT Looking back at a challenging project, Piek says that one of the high points given the various challenges, was when they received the approved environmental permits. “And, in light of the issues created by COVID-19, it was extremely satisfying when our dredging vessel started, and then completed, the reclamation activities.” Boskalis has executed several climate-adaptive dredging and reclamation projects in the Maldives. Following the devastating 2004 tsunami we reconstructed the islands of Th. Vilufushi in 2006 and Ga Villingili in 2008. Subsequent projects included the reclamation of land at a further four islands across the northern atolls of the Maldives in 2010, and the initial development of Gulhifalhu in 2010 and 2012.

SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2020 – BOSKALIS

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