Construction
During construction the practical and physical interaction ?takes place between the project and the host environment. It is when the landscape is actually altered, species and habitats disturbed, traffic introduced, and resources and products consumed.
The on-the-ground aspect of construction makes it the time when environmental impacts and enhancements can be most easily observed. The local environment is subject to rapid change and environmental quality is most at risk.
On the Ground: Bigwin Island Golf Club, Ontario, Canada.
Design by Stanley Thompson; Redeveloped by Doug Carrick.
The construction phase clearly has the most potential to generate pollution, through the emission of particulate emissions and dust, contamination of water and the generation of noise. In addition construction activities can also pollute and damage soil. Short-term construction impacts may lead to permanent, long-term detrimental effects. Many natural and semi-natural ecosystems are vulnerable when disturbed, and their innate capacity to recover may be destroyed.
Construction is the time to find ways to deliver as light a project as possible. For example, one course phased in development of some parts of a site to reduce disturbance on breeding birds, feeding invertebrates, and flowering plants. Another used recycled vegetable oils to meet half the construction fuel needs. Another reported that they had an extremely positive experience engaging local conservation groups to monitor and minimize the adverse impacts. The advice added little overhead but significantly reduced negative results.
Construction Methods Statement
Responsible construction can be built around an environmentally focused Construction Methods Statement, which should include:
- Location of a temporary compound for machinery and the storage, handling and disposal of hazardous materials
- Physical protection of ecological hot spots and key habitats
- Demarcation of water protection measures such as bio-filters and silt traps
- Delineation of haulage and access routes
- A soil damage alleviation plan
- Daily or seasonal timing of works (e.g., freezing conditions) to avoid or reduce ecological disturbance
- Training and briefings for all contractors regarding sensitivities and environmental compliance measures.
