Enviromental Impact Assessment Of New Kuantan International Airport Engineering Essay

Enviromental Impact Assessment Of New Kuantan Inter study airdrome Engineering EssayThis environmental impact assessment (EIA) has been prep ard by Gemilang Alam Sekitar (M) Sdn. Bhd. as appointed consultant by the Government to evaluate a complete environmental impact assessment on New Kuantan International Airport (KIA) in Kuantan, Pahang. This report is prep ard for the authorities review, accounting Malaysia Government guidelines and regulation under Environmental Quality Act 1974 Act 127. This report has been produced firmly based onEnvironment Impact Assessment (EIA)Field visits to the shed office, and,Few discussions with State government and related Federal government officials with environmental responsibilities.To carry out EIA process, round methods are used includingMeetings and discussions with Federal and State government officials,Visit to the escort situation and surrounding areas,Discussions with citizens near the Project site,Surround noise, vent quality and fold weewee quality,Sampling and testing the sample taken in the field and in the laboratory, and,Gathering the methods with professionals knowledge, expertise and experiences.PROJECT DESCRIPTIONThe rapid economic study and tourism industry in Kuantan, Pahang has resulted in a growing demand for way transportation. The capital urban center of Pahang, Kuantan occupied with more than a half one thousand thousand of citizens, approximately 607,778 people. This 9th largest city in Malaysia has 57% Malays, 32% Chinese, 4% Indian and 7% other races. Kuantan is currently served by air mainly by sultan Ahmad Shah Airport but it is more on military purposes. Public passenger and cargo loading are no more available. The nighest aerodrome for national air transportation can be accessed from Sultan Mahmud Airport in Kuala Terengganu, about 207km or 4 hours journey on road. A small airport in Kerteh which called Kerteh Airport is located 115km from Kuantan city centre and it takes almos t two hours to reach the small airport. Kerteh Airport operations are restricted to oil-rig labours whose working for anchorperson national petroleum company, PETRONAS.This proposed Project is to design and construct a new international airport for Kuantan in enjoin to re-operate the public passenger and cargo air transportation in the city, thus rejuvenate and induce the tourism industry into higher level. Site location studies were conducted in 2005 by appointed consultant, Megah Hijau (M) Sdn. Bhd. and the subject to hunt the EIA process was identified. In 2007, about 250 hectares (ha) of democracy was purchased by Federal Government of Malaysia to construct the KIA. Based on Megah Hijaus study, site clearing was completed in 2008 by local contractor within 6 months. The clearing process was under contract with the Department of Civil Aviation Malaysia.The KIA development phase at freshman pass on meet the forecasting air handicraft demand for the year 2010. This ordain e ngage large turboprop aircraft with relevant range to cover legion(predicate) destinations locally and internationally. The development process takes in the improvement of soil and earthworks preliminarily to construct a run extraneous with 4000m length and 50m width. The Project also leave embrace the face ofPassenger and cargo terminalAccess road and car parkControl towerRescue buildingAirport staff residencesWaste water management systemElectricity generator unit and Fuel removedmAirport navigational aid and natural rubber equipmentsENVIRONMENT DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT internet sitePhysical Resources and EnvironmentProject LocationThe Project location is in flat areas with small hills, which typically the topography of Kuantan located near to the Titiwangsa range. Elevation on the bear site is range between 20 and 53m above the mean sea level. The soil of the Project site consists of muddy clay with less organic material. The correct of the soil sufficiently fit the req uirements of constructing the embankment. The embankment is used to flat the terrain areas. Luckily, the Project site is free from earthquake and soil erosion hazard.The climate at the Project site is warm and wet, typical with the climate of Peninsular Malaysia which located proximity to the equator. Rain falls throughout the year, with heavy rain normally in November to March collectable to northeast monsoon.The average monthly rainfall in Kuantan is 250 mm. Meanwhile, the monthly temperature during the day is between 29C 35C, and 26C 29C at night. Kuantan average monthly wind velocity is 4km/hour directed to the Southwest, hence there is no typhoon recorded so far.The EIA performed the monitoring test for the air quality and noise in three locations, where two on the Project site and one in the Kuantan city centre. The results are shown in the table be first gear. contentionUnit try on Point123Wind directionFromSWSWSWWind speedm/s437TemperatureC313335Humidity%899183Atmospheri c PressurecmHg717171Suspended Particulate Matterg/m3343236Oxide Nitrogen (NO2)g/m35614Sulphur Dioxide (SO2)g/m3115Carbon Monoxide (CO)ppm0.1010.1120.173Hydrocarbonppm0.0200.0170.031NoisedBA34-4136-4345-67Air Quality Standard is based on Recommended Malaysian Air Quality Guidelines (RMAQG) Department of Environment, Malaysia.Sample point 1 and 2 are taken from two different spots at the Project site, whereas the 3rd point is located in the Kuantan city centre. We can see the different in the test results at different location. The air quality in each location was better than the recommend national standard. The volume of hydrocarbon and Carbon Monoxide were higher in the city centre compare to the other sample points.On the Project site and surroundings, there is no river, stream, or lake identified. So, there provide be no impact of water pollution in the area. For this reason, the quality of the groundwater undoubted with token(prenominal) interference and can be used to add on water to the Project facilities rather than victorious the water directly from nearest river which may considerably higher in cost.Ecological ResourcesThe flora and fauna on the Project site are commonly found in most Peninsular forest. So, they are not endangered or protected species. Animals like snakes, half-baked boars, and typical local birds are the group of animal inhabit in the Project site.The flora in the site consists mainly with brushes and grasslands with no canopy trees. in that respect site currently has no sign of logging performance as the trees available are not suitable to log. Furthermore, there is no agricultural activity on the Project site with more arable land available.Economic and mankind DevelopmentThe KIA project site is located in an area with low population volume. No indigenous population found in the area. in that respect are about 500 families living in two villages, Kampung Melayu dan Kampung Cina, within a range of 10-15 km from the Project site. These residence areas are dwelling by migrants within past 20 years. They come from different places in the Peninsular Malaysia.Moreover, there is no mineral resources on the site, so that, there is no mining industry. The residents in the area are mostly working in the town as government servants, self-working, small businessman and housewife. There are mixture income backgrounds of the dwellers in the area. Overall, the income level in the area is in middle range.Kuantan, as with the rest of study capital city in Malaysia, is the one of the main focus of the Federal Government to develop the city with more economical value. Federal Government in the East Coast Economic Region (ECER) has identified the tourism industry potential in Kuantan. So, the Federal Government take this opportunity through the political platform to coordinate an appropriate approach to enhance Kuantan attraction by constructing KIA.Quality of Life ValuesOn the site, there are no historical, wildernes ses, archaeological, cultural or protected resources, or in proximity to the site. Public facilities such as school, health care centre, power line, telephone line, are not located in the Project site area or within 8km from the site. Most of the facilities are located near to the residential areas. The main roads to be access are East Coast Highway and basic access road provided by the authorities near to the neighbourhood.ANTICIPATED ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURESIn this section, we testament endanger the potential impact of the KIA development project on the surrounding environment and suggest moderateness measures. The report will cover the potential impacts associated with design, location, spin and operation. Briefly, the impacts are summed in the next table. Other additional impact on environment also will be discussed out of the table.Loss of Ecological, Cultural, or Other Resources motion Affecting EnvironmentalResources and Values practical Effects on theEnvironmentSignificance of Possible EffectsNot remarkableSignificantLow sensitiveImpact of KIA DesignFloodingDownstream flooding, erosionXSlope erosionSiltation of caught water affecting surface water qualityXHuman and petroleum waste disposalPollution of surface and groundwaterXThe look of KIA will create a solid surface in the area its covers. There will be less significant impact on slope erosion and flooding or flash flooding. A proper design of the airport base and cutting-edge construction technology will alleviate adverse impact on the drainage system.The embankment that will be built at the path strip potentially mitigates slope erosion final result. Wastewater treatment plant will be place at the site project to reduce the effect of bacteria and turbidity from human waste. KIA will use recent human waste treatment technology with environment friendly processes.It is undeniable that there will be fuel spilling occurring during the aircraft refuelling. So it is crucial to trap and treat these wastes before the wastes enter the main drainage system. To mitigate the impact, KIAs drainage system will be de sign properly to channel the waste into the subsurface drains which contain trapping system to filter out the petroleum waste. Then, the petroleum waste streams to the wastewater treatment plan to break the hydrocarbon bonds which it initiated. carry through Affecting EnvironmentalResources and ValuesPossible Effects on theEnvironmentSignificance of Possible EffectsNot significantSignificantLow metierImpact of KIA LocationDisruption of groundwaterChanges in hydrologic regimePollution by spoils leach ate declension of profitsimpairment ofdrinking water sourceirrigation usageXXXResettlementDisruption of housesXChanges in nearby land valuesIncreases land values most the KIA and general areaXEnvironmental aestheticsdegradationenvironmental aesthetics values decreaseXLoss of archaeological, cultural, orhistorical sitesLoss of significant sitesXThe gro undwater will not disrupt by the project because the level of the groundwater is 10-12 metres below the surface level of the KIAs construction site. So the Project would not impair drinking water resources and irrigation usage.The nearest residential area located about 10km outside the Project site and adequately far from airport operation. So, there is no demand to relocate they settlement.It will be minor appreciation of land value, particularly the land that closest to the Project site and main road access, East Coast Highway and basic road access to the Project location. This impact can be mitigated by a strict regulation by the local government who may control the development project off the site. Planning, zoning and appropriate permits could help avoiding unnecessary development.Action Affecting EnvironmentalResources and ValuesPossible Effects on theEnvironmentSignificance of Possible EffectsNot significantSignificantLowMediumImpact during KIA ConstructionSediment overspil lDamage to aquatic ecology and/or flooding problemsXWorkers safetyHazards to workershealth and safetyXEndemic inherited disease hazardsDamage to workershealthXMalarial disease hazardsDamage to workershealthXSlum creation hazardsSlums forming in construction housing after completionXCultural differences hazardsSocial disruptionXEscape of hazardous materialsDamage to health of nearby residentsXEscape of air pollutants and dustDamage to health and nuisanceXNoise and vibrationsDamage to health and nuisanceXQuarrying/blastingBlasting hazardsFailure to restore quarry siteHazards to safety of workers and nearby residentsLoss of environmental aesthetics and land valuesXXDisruption of nearby utilitiesDisruption to servicesXBlocking of traffic/access to the KIADisruption of through highway trafficXDuring the Project construction, there are expected to subject minimal impacts, provided that the construction will squeeze environment friendly and high technology design and construction practise s and procedures. A contractual guarantee between the contractors and the local government will be signed before the works begin, as this agreement will be the provision to mitigate environmental impacts. Special conditions and specification will be detailed in the contract to drive the construction projects undertakings in a good manner with no unduly effect to the natural environment.The impact of sedimentation and siltation will be mitigated by structuring silt barriers and sediment ponds. These temporary retention ponds practically useful to produce topsoil for agricultural purposes because the topsoil is enriches with organic matter.There will be no quarrying activity near to the site or on the site. The noise and vibration from the construction works will be minimal as no piling and drilling activities expected. Since the residential areas are 10km away from the Project site, it is expected that dust from the main construction operations and the noise from the machinery will n ot affect the villagers prominently. The local government regulated that there is no construction operation allow at night, as a part of the mitigation measures.Worker safety is one of the main factor should be highlighted by the developers. The workers will be protected by a contract and insurance policy. obedient construction practise guidelines must be complied to implement safe site undertakings. Apparently, there is no hazard from aircrafts onto the workers as KIA is a new airport project. Workers health will be monitored by the panel health care centres appointed by the developer companies.To mitigate traffic congestion in main access roads, contractors will construct a temporary lane especially for the trucks and heavy equipments to access easily into the Project site. Also there is no disruption of utilities expected because the Project will be powered by special generator.Action Affecting EnvironmentalResources and ValuePossible Effects on theEnvironmentSignificance of Pos sible EffectsNot significantSignificantLowMediumImpact during KIA OperationNoise disturbanceHazard or nuisance to nearby residentsXVibration disturbanceDamage to nearby residentsXWater pollutionDamage to surface and groundwater qualityXAir pollutionHazard or nuisance to nearbyresidents/buildingsXErosion from newly completed earthworksRisks to aquatic ecology or floodingXPollution from normalhighway runoffRisks to aquatic ecologyXHighway spills of hazardous materialsRisks to residents and passerbyXEscape of sanitary wastesHealth hazards to passengers or nearby residentsXCongestion at airport access or exit pointsLoss of era/air pollutionXHazards to traffic on highways near KIA from proximity to planes landing/taking offHighway accidentsXAs the KIA operates, there will be minimal effect of noise and vibration to residential area nearest to the airport. During the EIA study, the 10km away residents are just subject to 36-43 decibels from daily vehicle traffics. The noise analysis has been implemented using ratified methods by the International Civil Aviation establishment with the help by Department of Civil Aviation of Malaysia. The analysis proved that the aircraft noise would not bring significant impact to the residential area as anticipated earlier.The sanitary wastes will be treated in the wastewater treatment plan. Therefore, there is no issue of contaminated water around the Project site. Furthermore, Malaysia has adequate experience in managing sewage treatment operation and maintenance in KIA as the plant system adopted and improved Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) wastewater management system. The system meets the World Health Organization (WHO) standards as part of the Project requirements.As explained earlier, there is minimal air pollution around the KIA site. The absence of industry around the site area minimizes the impact. Carbon emission from the operated aircrafts will not massively alter the condition.It is anticipated that during t he KIA operation, the quality of life of the nearest population to be much better compare to existing life. The construction of KIA more-or-less will contribute to the advancement in the socioeconomic to the area near the KIA as well as city of Kuantan and other neighbouring districts, Pekan and Rompin. In addition, the infrastructure and public facilities indisputably will be improved due to the operation of KIA.COST attain ANALYSESItemsDescriptionInternal Rates of ReturnEstimated economic rate of return is 15%.Financial internal rate of return is 4.5%. An increase in pecuniary rate is due to increase in airport rates and charges.Economic BenefitsIncrease in net visitor expenditureSavings travel timeValue to foregone passengers and cargo trafficSavings cost in domestic aviation operation.Reduce hazards to aircrews and passengers.Generate employmentsIncrease property values at nearest land.Project CostsCivil worksEquipment and its installation worksConsultation costsSupervision co stsEnvironmental conserving costsMonitoring and reporting CostsMonitoring environmental impacts costsConsultant and Supervision costsMaintenance costsNonquantified Environmental ImpactsNoise pollutionAir pollution progress and groundwater pollutionMonitoring ProgramThe impacts on environment of the proposed KIA Project are expected to be less significance. However, a delicate monitoring program is needed to make sure the environments are not arbitrarily violateed by the irresponsible personnel.Monitoring program started as early as the Project begins. Monitoring during the construction process primarily highlighted on controlling the sedimentation and soil erosion. Water quality, worker safety and traffic smoothness also will be covered. subsequently the project finished, estimated 4 years, monitoring program will be continued during the operational phase. Water flow and quality, noise and vibration and air quality will be checked on monthly basis.Department of Civil Aviation an d Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad are the bodies that responsible to monitor the construction process so that the Project construction progress well. Department of Environment and local authorities are responsible to monitor regulations on environmental issues. The bodies must ensure that the contractors carry out necessary controls and mitigation measures as written and signed in the contracts. Monthly progress reports on environmental monitoring process will be prepared by the appointed consultant, Gemilang Alam Sekitar (M) Sdn. Bhd. the reports will be handed to the authorities for revision.CONCLUSIONFrom the EIA process, the KIA construction will not adversely affect the environment of the Project site, significantly. The usage of approved construction techniques will mitigate the impact of soil erosion, in fact improved the soil condition. Minor negative environment impacts can be avoided by cutting-edge technologies, good management on the Project site and appropriate regula tions.Monitoring program is necessary to review the construction works from the pre-construction until the post-construction phases. In order to make sure the monitoring program succeeded, consultants and government bodies must play their role well, so that, there will be no more harm to the environment.