ENVIRONMENTAL FEATURES & MONITORING PROGRAM

ALORIE LEPA LEPA RESORT

SUMMARY AGENDA
PULAU MABUL, SEMPORNA - SABAH, MALAYSIA

JEWEL OF MABUL DEVELOPMENT SDN. BHD. (936071-M) C-04-04, Block C, 4th Floor, Warisan Square 88000 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah Malaysia

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ENVIRONMENTAL FEATURES & MONITORING PROGRAM

ALORIE LEPA LEPA RESORT

ALORIE LEPA LAPA: A Real & Present Eco-Friendly Statement

THE RESORT
The Alorie Lepa Lepa eco-resort will be a First for Sabah with regards to providing a state-of-the-art 21st century recreational facility catering to worldwide patronage nearby some of the most beautiful coral reef ecosystems in the entire world. Situated in the very heart of the most diverse region of our planet for coral reef flora and fauna, this water village type resort will offer visitors and guests a truly exotic and memorable life time experience. Developed and guided with internationally recognized 5 star hospitality standards, all features of the resort design is critically, realistically, and well thought out with regards to assuring all aspects and features are feasible, economical and ecologically sound. Both with the design and operations, the resort is fully able to support visitors and guests for overnight and extended stays in all manners of comfort and safety.

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ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT (EIA) & BASE LINE SURVEY

In order for the Alorie Lepa Lepa resort to be feasibly developed, efficiently designed, and to eventually be installed at the shallow water edge of the Mabul Islands fringing coral reef, a comprehensive environmental impact assessment was undertaken to assess the biodiversity of the areas marine flora and fauna. The initial survey showed that the very southern portion of Mabuls fringing coral reef was quite diverse with a high level of live coral coverage. With this in view, the entire resort layout was re-designed and moved away from this portion of Mabuls fringing reef and well to the east of it. Once the final EIA survey and report was completed and submitted to the various Sabah State government agencies, the Environmental Protection Department gave its approval of the same. Only with this approval did the developers gain a title for the 80 acres of submerged land that will host the Alorie Lepa Lepa resort. The EIA specifically addresses all aspects of the resorts installations as well as its ongoing operational hospitality endeavours as a world class 5 star facility. From proper and environmentally sound management of construction methods, to handling solid and liquid waste, to how the resort will benefit the local island communities is all fully and comprehensively mapped out in the approved EIA. Prior to the start of the Alorie Lepa Lepa resort construction, a Base Line survey will be made to give the Environmental Protection Department and the resort developers a reference of existing flora and fauna biodiversity. This survey will be undertaken a month prior to the scheduled construction commencement. Even though an EIA was fully completed with surveys, it is vitally important to conduct a reference base line survey just prior to the start of the resorts installation works so that the existing flora and fauna can be assessed in a before and after scenario with regards to the construction works and the subsequent presence of permanent installations.

COOPERATIVE INSTITUTIONS AND NGO

Along with briefings given and direct support offered from various government agencies, Jewel of Mabul Development Sdn. Bhd. has invited various Sabah based and national environmentally aware institutions and NGOs to be involved both in the design & planning stages as well as during the final operational commencements. Use of specific building materials, water and energy conservation measures, and design features will be cooperatively assessed. With the direct consultation of Wild Asia, the Alorie Lepa Lepa resort will also be striving to achieve the prestigious Green Globe certification. The Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Borneo Marine Research Institute has also been invited to assist in the on-going monitoring program by conducting field research specifically geared to the health and wellbeing of the indigenous marine flora and fauna and how the existence of the resort affects the same.
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CORAL REEF ASSESSMENT & MONITORING

As required within the scope explained in the EPD approved Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the Alorie Lepa Lepa resort, the first year of construction will require a monthly environmental assessment report. This monthly report will also include water quality testing at five (5) different locations in and around the resort submerged land area. The internationally recognized coral reef assessment protocol of Reef Check will be undertaken at no less than 18 permanent transect monitoring sites. Permanent sites are important to assess on a monthly basis if there are any flora/fauna biodiversity changes during the resort installations. In addition, the shallow water reef flat regions nearby the resort will have several permanent transects designated to assess sea grass health. Protocol for undertaking this assessment will be from Survey for Tropical Marine Resources, 2nd edition, AIMS. To assess individual coral colony health and wellbeing, the PADI AWARE Coral Watch program will be used at no less than 50 individual locations that will extend from the north eastern to the southern edge of the Mabul reef community. All permanent monitoring sites will be fixed via GPS locations. Data will be collected, assessed and incorporated into a formatted monthly report to be submitted to Environment Protection Department (EPD), Sabah, by our certified EIA consultant Integrated Environmental Consultants (Sabah) Sdn. Bhd. (IEC).

FRESHWATER
One of the first aspects addressed in having a resort of this calibre is to provide a more than adequate freshwater supply to maintain a variety of supporting features from simple drinking water, showers after swimming or diving, to supporting the food and beverage operation. Water is also required to ensure the sanitation systems are able to efficient operate at all times. The Developers have chosen to use a modern, efficient reverse osmosis desalination system to produce the anticipated daily volume needs for guests, visitors and support staff.

WASTE WATER
Waste water and sanitary systems for the Alorie Lepa Lepa resort will utilise stateof-the-art treatment systems that will include moving bed bio-film reactor technology (MBBR) in which very little sludge is produced and the bulk of the nitrogenous waste is harmlessly released into the atmosphere. Though the effluent from this type of treatment is clear and relatively odourless, there is a high nutrient percentage still present. This effluent will then be passed through as specialized, modular hydroponics application before the water is either discharged from the resort or used for watering and maintaining the
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resorts decorative plants and foliage. All piping and related sewage and sanitations systems will be properly installed to ensure that there will no leakage to enter the surrounding coral reef eco system. Septic tanks are difficult to properly maintain in tropical environments and require de-sludging on an annual basis. Effluent even from properly maintained septic tanks is high in nutrient constituents, high in pathogens-bacteria, and extremely harmful to coral reef ecology; causing suspended algae blooms as well as aiding in benthic macro-algae to compete with live coral coverage. Though commonly used in island villages and resorts in the Semporna region, septic tanks are primarily designed for in ground use where the effluent is injected into the ground-soil via a leach field. Septic effluent water should never be directly discharged to the sea or water sheds. Consequently, the Developers of the Alorie Lepa Lepa resort have chosen to use innovative and state-of-the-art treatment systems.

FOOD, SOLID WASTE & LAUNDRY

A percentage of food wastes will be collected / compacted for transport back to the mainland with the remaining incorporated into modern and efficient composting system, whereas, the generated humus-soils can be utilised for resort decorative plants. The use of disposable paper and plastic will be reduced by providing washable F&B napkins and reusable food storage containers. Metal cans, plastic containers, Styrofoam, and other solid waste will be safely removed from the resort and delivered to its shore side support facility for proper disposal. Laundry services will be provided for both resort general operations and guest use but will be located on the mainland so as to eliminate or greatly reduce the use of detergents and soaps at the resort itself as well as reduce the need for freshwater.

POWER GENERATING & SAVINGS

Solar and specialized wind power systems are being considered to operate the resorts extensive boardwalk night lighting systems by having solar energy captured and stored in efficient battery banks strategically located throughout the facility. To generate hot water in each of the Villa / Chalets, a specialized hybrid solar panel and hot water heater tank system is being considered along with other more efficient ways to produce hot water for the entire facility. Modern, efficient diesel electrical generators will be incorporated into an automatic load switching system that will turn off or on generators based on load uses throughout the entire resort facility. All fuel and related oils, lubricants will be handled carefully for use, storage, and movement into and out from the resort. Fuel storage will be maintained within more than
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adequate sized leakage retaining chambers.

SOCIAL BENEFITS TO THE REGION

In order for the Alorie Lepa Lepa resort to aid and assist the local communities and nearby island villages in formulating strategies to give realistic and alternative ways and means for bettering their financial and monetary income, aquaculture endeavours have been identified. High value species aqua-farming has been identified for sea cucumber and giant clams. Also the expansion of seaweed farming to the Litigaan reef has also been considered with a CR program established by the resort marine resources consultants. Designs are now being done up in which a small family pod can have seven (7) water village prefab houses set up in a circular pattern, whereas, rainwater collection/filtration and sanitary systems will located on an 8th house unit. Each Pod cluster will be able to house an average of 50 people. While little can be achieved in terms of direct positive impacts to the island residents due the lack of employment opportunities (for those without valid documentation), additional programs will be considered under a Corporate Responsibility (CR) program. Foremost amongst other issues to be addressed on the island is the lack of healthcare services for most residents. Provision of a monthly clinic service (by bringing in nurses and health staff from a private clinic) on the island is being considered. This service will focus efforts on:
Providing deworming tablets to children Providing health education to children and women relating to nutrition, family planning, hygiene, STDs Providing access to birth control methods Providing powdered milk to expectant mothers (for calcium and other key vitamins and minerals) Providing ante-natal checks and guidance to expectant mothers

In this way, it is intended that the child mortality rate will decrease, and the quality of life will improve among villagers. The additional benefit for the resort operators is that the village will become a more scenic area for tourists to visit without being faced with the current aberrant social problems. Where possible, the island residents will be given priority to be employed by the resort. For those unable to work legally, additional business opportunities, such as the sale of fish to the restaurant and the sale of handicrafts to the resort and guests, will help to provide a livelihood for the people living on the island who can clearly be classified as hardcore poor, and in need of additional financial opportunities.

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1 SIPADAN ECO PLATFORM

The Developer, Jewel of Mabul Development Sdn. Bhd., will also commission a specialized floating platform (approximately 65 feet long by 25 feet wide), entitled 1 SIPADAN Eco-Platform, that will initially serve as a working station to undertake all aspects of monitoring the resort installations in compliance to the approved EDP Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). A team of divers and marine biologists will work from this platform on a daily basis to ensure that all contractors are undertaking their specific areas of resort installations in an environmentally sound manner; minimising ecological disturbance and affection. Once the Alorie Lepa Lepa resort is fully installed, completed, and operational, the 1 SIPADAN Eco-Platform will serve as a rest & relaxation cum picnic station for divers coming from resorts that are located in Mataking, Pom Pom, and thereabouts. The marine ecological monitoring program will continue also from the 1 SIPADAN Eco-Platform with a small dive locker, laboratory bench, and support boats. During visits to the 1 SIPADAN EcoPlatform, dive tourists will be able to view a variety of educational materials; from posters to specially produced DVDs showing the various marine programs and research endeavours underway in and around the resort. Programs and projects anticipated will include fish aggregating artificial reefs, coral farming, and perhaps giant clam farming.

MARINE RESEARCH CENTRE

In addition to the Social programmes, the second strand to the CR Programme is the Marine Research Centre. The infrastructure, and basic equipment of the centre, including wet and dry lab, tanks for study of live specimens, dark rooms for photography and study of nocturnal and deep water species will be provided by the Developer. The facilities will be available to local students, educational institutions, NGOs and government departments. An annual allowance for disposables and additional equipment will be allocated from the Alorie Lepa Lepa resort management and operator to be distributed based on submission of research proposals. International researchers will be able to use the facilities (assuming all research licences and permits have been approved) upon payment of bench fees for use of the facility.

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