Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/494410
James Debono ExpErts have called for a holis- tic plan to assess the cumulative impact of the various marinas and any future infrastructural develop- ments in Marsamxett. An Environmental Impact Assess- ment (EIA) on the development of a yacht marina at sa Maison refers to the possibility of a breakwater at the mouth of the harbour warning that "this may significantly alter the circulation and flushing time of the basin". the idea of developing a breakwa- ter at Marsamxett first proposed in 1969 was resurrected in a memo- randum of understanding (MOU) signed between China and Malta in July last year. subsequently the project was included in an applica- tion for EU funding presented in December. the study conducted by ADI also claims that a new storm water out- let being constructed at ta' xbiex headland as part of the National Flood relief plan approved in 2011, could also contribute to "cumu- lative negative impacts on water quality in Marsamxett". ADI claims that when the new outflow for storm water was ap- proved its impact on other projects in Marsamxett Harbour was not considered in the EIA. the study concludes that on its own the development of floating pontoons at Hay Wharf, sa Maison, to accommodate approximately 240 new berthing spaces for yachts is deemed to have a negligible impact on water circulation and quality. But the same EIA warns about the cumulative impact of the new storm water discharge and the other ma- rinas in the harbour. the EIA proposes a joint water quality monitoring programme for inner Marsamxett Harbour, to include the marinas in Msida, ta' xbiex, Gzira, Manoel Island, and sa Maison. this should be prepared and im- plemented in order to continue to analyse trends in water quality, possibly as part of the environmen- tal permit of the various marinas. In view of the importance of Mar- samxett Habour to the economy of Malta, especially in terms of yacht- ing, recreational navigation, tour- ism, and transportation, the EIA calls for a long-term plan for the harbour's development and man- agement. According to the study the con- figuration of the harbour with its various creeks and inlets results in a greater time for the water in the harbour to be replaced by water from outside the harbour. "the water residence time is al- ready high and increased and un- planned coastal developments in this harbour basin could lead to sig- nificant deterioration in the water quality, leading to negative reper- cussions on the viability of existing operations," the EIA says. In addition, it would be advis- able for one competent authority to own the model for the harbour and to be responsible for modelling of projects proposed within the har- bour to ensure that new proposals do not negatively impact the use of existing facilities. When assessing the EIA the Mal- ta Environment and planning Au- thority called for a study identify- ing the boat carrying capacity of the harbor, noting that similar studies have been made abroad. ADI replied that such a study cannot be included in the EIA on a single project and if conducted should take into account the storm- water discharge outfall at ta' xbiex as this could well have the "biggest impact" on water circulation. maltatoday, Sunday, 12 april 2015 News sa maison breakwater could alter harbour circulation Study on impact of new marina at Sa Maison calls for more holistic studies before new big infrastructural projects are considered Joint water quality monitoring programme proposed for inner Marsamxett