Environmental impact assessment for touristic activities on the Arabian gulf, case study: Saudi Arabia

ABSTRACT

The numerical matrix, as an environmental impact assessment technique was applied to study the different environmental impacts of the proposed resort in the Eastern Region of Saudi Arabia Kingdom. The different physicochemical, biological, and socioeconomic factors have been subjected to detailed studies and data collection. It was found that the construction phase of the project has recorded -36 as the highest negative impacts in all the project's processes. While, after the resort will be fully functional; the total impacts have been estimated to be + 34. In comparison with the cumulative impacts of the area prior to the project which have recorded -4, it is proved that the construction phase will impose severe impacts upon the project site, which has been caused through some permanent changes to the environment as in the soil nature factor. The landfilling process was found to be the most negatively affecting process, unless a restricted mitigation measures will be enforced to secure a positive or as less negative impacts as possible