Often in development works and construction, works have to carried out in environmentally sensitive sites. Adequate consideration has to be given to the impacts to the flora and fauna existing within or traversing through the site.
In Singapore there is a robust framework to ensure that impacts from any such works are mitigated and development work can co-exist with nature.
At the onset of a project within an environmentally sensitive site, a Form A/B submission has to be made to the local planning and technical agencies. The outcome of this submission will define whether an Environmental or Biodiversity Impact Assessment (EIA or BIA) has to be undertaken. These studies will provide baseline information of the flora and fauna within the site and make recommendations for conservation, protection, translocation and mitigation measures.
Following the approval of the EIA/BIA, the National Parks Board and other agencies may have specific requirements with regards to the usage of the site. Specifically, in compliance with Section 10 of the Wildlife Act, directives may be issued to the project stakeholders to implement environmental and wildlife related measures to safeguard the wildlife and flora at the Site.
The parties to which these directives will be issued are the developer, the Qualified Person (PE or Registered Architect) for the works, and the builder. Strict compliance to these directives should be observed. Among these directives, depending on the sensitivity of the site, one of them would be to put in place a comprehensive Environmental Monitoring and Management Plan (EMMP), produced by a competent environmental specialist. The EMMP would need to be reviewed and approved by the National Parks Board and other relevant technical agencies before any works commence within the site. Additionally, Development Control (DC) plans for the site would need to be cleared with the authorities.
Some physical measures to be implemented within and around the site would include embedded hoardings, gated locations for animals to exit, directional clearances, monitoring of air, noise and water quality and robust erosion control and construction effluent controls measures. Pre felling inspections by qualified ecologists and trapping and translocation of animals by wildlife specialists may also be required depending on the type of flora and fauna on site. Education of workers on encounters with wildlife and constant monitoring throughout the project are crucial both for the safety of the wildlife as well as the workers.
Measures to reduce the impacts of construction activities include minimizing the footprint of construction, the selection of precast systems to reduce wet works within the site, restricting working hours, and utilization of low vibration and low noise methods for activities such as piling and demolition.
As the demand for infrastructure and development grows, adequate and constant reflection on the impacts to nature and co-existence need to be considered.
ABL have carried out numerous projects involving environmentally sensitive sites as QP in Singapore and have a keen understanding of the regulations, processes and stringent supervision and monitoring required.