Construction Environmental Management Plans: Site Specific
All construction activities, whether big or small, can result in some damage to the local environment. These damages include site contamination, waste production, air pollution, noise pollution, and water-quality deterioration. Under the Environment Protection Act (EPA), any party involved in an environmental nuisance can be prosecuted. Therefore, you must have well-thought-out Construction Environmental Management Plans (CEMP) that are critical to ensure you will not run afoul of the law.
Here is a brief outline of five site-specific construction environmental management plans.
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Oily sludge removal
Sludge is a mixture of petroleum hydrocarbons (PHCs), heavy metals, solid particles, and water. Some hydrocarbons, such as the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) that are found in crude oil sludge, and heavy metals, such as copper and zinc, can cause serious harm to the environment and the health of people and animals living in the area.
Sludge can also decrease soil fertility. It can be treated with chemical, biological, or physical processes. Oily sludge removal plans should include one or all of these processes, as appropriate.
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Soil management
Soil management involves the application of interventions to protect soil (from contamination, erosion, etc.) and improve its performance. It may include removing pollutants, adding organic matter, managing pests and nutrients, keeping the ground covered, avoiding excessive tilling and compaction, increasing diversity, and monitoring soil performance regularly.
Pollutants can be removed using physical, chemical, and biological processes. Soil management benefits include pollution-free soil, increased soil fertility, increased yield, and reduced erosion.
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Groundwater and dredging management
Groundwater contamination and dredging are significant problems at a construction site. Groundwater is water found in the cracks, crevices, and spaces in soil, sand, and rocks under the ground. It can be contaminated by petroleum hydrocarbons, heavy metals, and other pollutants seeping from above.
Dredging means clearing the bed of an area of water by scooping out mud and rubbish with a dredge. Hazardous dredging can cause groundwater contamination, resulting in soil contamination and health hazards. Therefore, every construction site should have a good groundwater and dredging management plan.
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Waste management: transportation of contaminated waste
A considerable amount of waste is produced every day on a construction site. Without a proper waste management plan, the accumulated waste can soon become a hazard to the environment (soil contamination, groundwater contamination, and air pollution) and people’s health (various communicable diseases).
Therefore, a proper waste management plan must exist. It should include the transportation of contaminated waste via roadway, railway, water, or air to a facility where it is recycled, treated, stored, or disposed of. The roadway must use a high-quality vacuum truck.
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Environmental management and monitoring plan
An environmental management plan (EMP) is a plan developed to ensure that all the required environmental management practices are followed at a construction site. An effective EMP guarantees that the best practices in environmental management are applied, all state and federal environmental regulations are complied with, and the environmental risks associated with the construction activity are appropriately managed.
Once EMP is implemented, it must be adequately monitored to ensure its objectives are met on time.
All American Environment can assist you in developing and implementing Site-Specific Construction Environmental Management Plans. Call or email us today for more information on how we can assist.
To learn more about our services or to request a quote, contact us today.
We provide New Jersey environmental consulting and contracting services to Morris County, Bergen County, Essex County, Passaic County, Somerset County, Middlesex County, Union County, Warren County, Hudson County, Hunterdon County, Mercer County, Sussex County, Ocean County, and Monmouth County.
