Johor orders detailed EIA on two mega estuary projects
By R. Sittamparam (NST Online: www.nst.com.my)
13 August, 2007
JOHOR BARU: The state government has ordered the developers of two mega projects at the Sungai Pulai estuary in Pontian to conduct a detailed environmental impact assessment (DEIA) at the proposed sites. The projects, under the Iskandar Development Region, are a petrochemical industries estate on a 913ha mangrove swamp and a petroleum bunkering hub on a reclaimed 40ha island.
Menteri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman said the DEIA was necessary as the two projects were in the vicinity of the Sungai Pulai estuary, which included a Ramsar heritage site.
"We gazetted a total of 9,126ha of mangrove forests at the 22.6km-long, 2.83km-wide Sungai Pulai estuary as a Ramsar site in 2003.
"Some of the mangrove forests at the estuary, however, had degenerated over the years. Any development at the estuary should, therefore, consider the fragility of the mangrove system."
It is learnt that a comprehensive EIA (CEIA) had been done for the petrochemical industries estate. No EIA has been done for the other project.
The DEIA is overseen by a panel of experts, which monitors the EIA consultant's work and scrutinises the final report.
Feedback from non-governmental organisations and local communities is also considered.
The CEIA bypasses this procedure as it only requires approval from relevant government agencies.
Ghani said the Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA) should understand that it was an asset to have a Ramsar site within its locality.
"In respect of the Ramsar site and rich biodiversity of the Sungai Pulai estuary, any proposed development in the area must be subjected to a detailed EIA.
"We are insisting on a DEIA requirement for the two projects because they are next to the sensitive estuary."
According to the Ramsar Convention citation, the Sungai Pulai estuary is the largest riverine mangrove belt in the peninsula.
With its seagrass beds, inter-tidal mudflats and inland freshwater riverine forests, the site represents one of the best examples of a lowland tropical river basin.
Speaking after opening a disaster relief seminar here yesterday, Ghani said efforts were under way to complete the deepening of strategic rivers like Sungai Johor before the rainy season, between December and January next year.
"Work to remove sediment is expected to increase the river depth by another 3.6m, giving it a bigger holding capacity and increased water flow," he said. |
