28. This IEE concludes that significant environmental impacts are unlikely to result from the proposed King's Wharf rehabilitation. Potential environmental impacts during construction will be within acceptable levels. Nonetheless, mitigation measures have been prepared and workers' safety will be enforced. Potential environmental impacts during port operations have been identified and to enhance the effectiveness of the mitigation, mitigation measures in Appendix 12 will be implemented. Therefore, the potential adverse environmental impacts of the Project during construction and the port operations thus can be mitigated to acceptable levels. This IEE concludes that a detailed EIA is not warranted.

　

　

　

29. Lautoka Port is strategic to the Fiji Islands' economy as an alternative to the main port in Suva. Lautoka Port is on the northwestern side of the Fiji Islands' largest island, Viti Levu, approximately 1 km from the center of Lautoka town. The port is Fiji Islands' second largest port, principally catering to the bulk export of raw and semiprocessed wood chips and sugar. Because a 20-fold increase is projected by 2003 of containerized exports, primarily bottled water and fodder, the port facilities must be expanded.¹

　

　

30. MPAF has commissioned a number of engineering and economic investigations assessing options to cater for the projected demand on port facilities. The investigations recommend

　

　

31. Physical Resources. Lautoka Port is on the northwest side of Viti Levu. Its tropical maritime climate receives light to moderate winds, mainly local sea breezes, temperatures of 18℃-32℃, and a relatively low rainfall of 2,000 mm/year. The rainy season is November to April. In this period, the area is exposed to cyclones. The Port has a moderate tidal range of 0.9-1.5 m. The port is on the open coast, where tidal currents are minor. Under ambient conditions, the port is protected from ocean swells from the southwest by the outer barrier reef and the Yasawa Island chain. The in-shore water quality is degraded by pollution from industries a few meters east of the area for reclamation. The combined effects of the good tidal flushing and strong deepwater currents in the channels have, however, helped maintain relatively clean waters around the port. The Lautoka area sediments are basaltic and sand-size volcanic agglomerates and volcanogenic sediments. In places, muds, sands, and shells have deposited over the Ba Group bedrock including around Queen's Wharf. This is overlain by recently deposited, very soft, marine silty clays and sands. In the deeper water, the upper 1-2 m of recent sediments are coarse to silty sand. The bedrock at the project site is sandstone including soapstone, basaltic sandstone, volcanic sandstone, and altered rock. The tidal flats are edged with a border of rocks moved onshore during cyclone.

　

32. The major ecosystem at the reclamation site is the foreshore area covered by 1-2 m of water at high tide, but exposed during low tide. The area is ecologically depleted. The impoverished intertidal flats and the foreshore are exposed to pollution from adjacent industries and overexploitation by the local people. Several mangrove trees can be seen from the substrate, but appear to be covered in mud, and may not survive. The dominant fauna is the fiddler crab, Uca sp. Benthic fauna is also impoverished as a result of cumulative effects of pollution from the land-based industry. Polychaete worms often associated with anoxic conditions dominated the benthic fauna of the area. The small area of mangroves at the northeastern corner of the area to be reclaimed comprises 20-30 trees. Because the area is small and trees are fairly short, fauna is not abundant or diverse. The biological breakdown of organic wastes from the industries and residential areas close to shore releases high levels of biological oxygen demand material and nutrients into the water. The relatively clean waters offshore indicate the effective dilution and dispersion of these pollutants, as well as the filtering capability of the mangroves around Tava Island. Local residents sometimes use this area for line fishing at high tide. MPAF has compensated for the loss of fishing by the residents as a result of the Project.

　

33. The Sabeto River and its terrain have been previously used as borrow sources and are the proposed borrow site for the Project. The landscape surrounding the river is dominated by steep hills with forested summits, with some massive cliff faces. Beneath these, the landform is broken and steep, deeply indented by numerous small streams that merge into larger creeks and then form the Sabeto River. The river mouth has dense mangrove stands. The river valley has large areas under sugarcane cultivation. The riverbanks and valley gullies are graced by large overhanging rain trees with secondary regrowth of herbs and shrubs forming the undergrowth.

　

34. Human Environment. Lautoka's urban area has a population of 36,083. The land in Lautoka City is occupied by industry and manufacturing in the west of the port areas and, to a lesser extent, to the north of the city; the civic center with retail and government services is in the north, and residential areas are in the eastern areas. Port activity is long established and, with the sugar industry, has been the main factor influencing land uses. Industrial and agricultural activities and employment rely on the port for export and are generally compatible with the activities occurring at the port.

　

　

35. Potential environmental impacts were screened using ADB's Environmental, Guidelines for Selected Infrastructure Projects. The outcome of the screening process was used to determine the mitigation action to be associated with the construction and operation of the port. The screening process found that no significant environmental impacts will arise from the rehabilitation of Lautoka Port.

　

36. Construction Phase. The construction is unlikely to cause environmental impacts, but slight impacts that may arise must be mitigated. The environmental management plan (EMP) will include a schedule of detailed activities to implement mitigation measures including monitoring. Most potential environmental effects from construction, including water quality, traffic, and dust, can be mitigated by sound construction practices and management and monitoring. The EMP for construction will be implemented by the contractor as a contract requirement, and be monitored by MPAF supported by the project management consultants.

　

37. The extension of the Queens Wharf by 150 m northward is not expected to cause significant ecological impact because no coral reefs are in the affected area. The location of the access-bridge rules out any significant environmental impact. Because the affected area is within the existing port area, no new threats to the environment or marine ecosystems will arise. The sites of the wharf extension and the access bridge are not accessible for fishing due to the port activities. The reclamation will have impacts on the ecology, except for the destruction of a small stand of mangroves on the northeastern corner of the area to be reclaimed. If these mangroves are destroyed, MPAF will require the contractor to replant mangrove seedlings in nearby areas to compensate for the loss.

　

38. Operational Phase. The potential environmental and social effects of the Project can be mitigated by appropriate operational procedures. Procedures to satisfactorily mitigate the effects will be identified. MPAF will prepare practical operational plans for the management of the port and port access traffic, and a hazardous materials spill contingency plan. MPAF will also require oil and chemical companies to review their handling, storage, and emergency procedures regularly, to provide training to their workers and any MPAF workers involved in oil and chemical handling, and to ensure that the companies have sufficient spill response equipment at the port. These procedures will be documented and reviewed regularly, and their implementation via training and workplace practice monitored by MPAF. The EMP is a key benefit of the Project.

　

　

39. No significant environmental impacts are expected during the construction work at Lautoka Port. All identified impacts are minor and can be satisfactorily mitigated. Therefore, a detailed environmental impact assessment study is not warranted.

　

40. MPAF will prepare an EMP and establish practical procedures to mitigate impacts of increased port operations. The Project-related mitigation measures could improve current conditions at the port and the EMP will mitigate effects of the proposed expansion.

　

　

41. Significant environmental impacts are unlikely to occur as a result of the proposed Lautoka Port activities. The impacts that do occur can be mitigated (paras. 36-37). The Lautoka Port mitigating procedures is in Appendix 12.

　

　

　

42. The Department of Environment of the Ministry of Local Government, Housing and Environment is currently reviewing the Sustainable Development bill of 1999. The draft bill is expected to receive Parliament's consideration during 2002. The draft bill covers environment impact assessment and management of development projects, and provision for controlling, regulating, and policing the release of wastes from industry. Once the bill is approved by Parliament, enforcement of the environmental requirement is legally binding. The Department of Environment will be the coordinating body in cross-sectoral environmental issues.

　

43. MPAF's Occupational Health, Safety, and Tower Control Section is responsible for surveillance of the port operations, including monitoring discharges from ships at the wharf and carrying out other environmental checks on operations at the ports. Fire and emergency drills and safety training is carried out by the Occupational Health, Safety, and Tower Control Section. To enhance surveillance of the port operation and to ensure the implementation of Clean Port Management Policy, MPAF, has employed 2 additional personnel giving it a total of 10. Thus, 12-hour shifts with 2 people per shift have been put in place, and the section can undertake 24 hour surveillance. This has enhanced the capacity of the section to police and monitor port operations.

　

　

44. Monitoring will ensure that environmental impacts of the Project will be minimized. The two major monitoring phases are during construction and during operation of the port, and are considered within MPAF's capability.

　

45. Construction. No major environmental impacts are expected from construction. Workers will use protective eyewear, disposable dust protection mouth pieces, and ear-muffs and an experienced supervising engineer will carry out strict, regular inspections of all activities associated with the construction works. A monitoring program on water quality will be undertaken under the EMP prior to and during construction. The results of these tests can then be compared with similar tests, undertaken at fixed intervals (as determined by the water quality engineer) during construction. If water quality tests show that acceptable limits have been breached, construction will be halted to allow the particulates to disperse.

　

46. Operation. Continued environmental surveillance during port operation under the control of Pollution of the Port Regulations, 1990 (or forthcoming updated Regulation) will include (i) sewage discharge; (ii) garbage disposal; (iii) ballast water disposal; (iv) disposal of oily, galley, bathroom, and laundry wastes; (v) contaminated tank washings or cargo washings; (vi) disposal of bilge water containing oil; (vii) ship accidents; (viii) accidental release of undesirable substances; (ix) discharge of refuse; and (x) disposal of putrefying or objectionable matter (rubbish, corrosive substances, and dead plants and animals). Water quality will be monitored regularly to determine the long-term impact of port operations on the marine environment (especially on turbidity, pathogenics, and heavy metals).

　

　

47. MPAF will engage in public awareness and education programs. These programs will inform the general public, especially children, of the value of the ocean and ports, and educate them on the role the public can play in preserving the cleanliness and vitality of the marine environment.