environment & hr section survey and overview of innovative...
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Environment & HR Section
Survey and Overview of Innovative
Construction Practices
Marie Venner, Venner Consulting
and Ellis Powell, NC DOT
Stewardship – A Top
AASHTO Priority
“We must continue to change our
culture to one that has an
environmental ethic and
assumes an environmental
stewardship role.. It the right
thing to do… the common sense
thing to do.” James Codell -AASHTO President ’02 –’03
• DOTs are seeking ways to efficiently and effectively benefit the environment in the course of their business, without “reinventing the wheel.”
• Environmental Stewardship Practices, Policies, and Procedures Guide was developed as a tool to assist DOTs in meeting the public’s demand for mobility while ensuring that transportation projects protect and enhance natural and cultural resources.
• Incorporating environmental stewardship practices into regular DOT activities builds good will with regulatory agencies and the public and is key to developing the needed support for DOT work.
• The Guide can be used in developing and updating DOT manuals, procedures, policies, performance standards, bulletins, specifications, and in formal training as well as tailgate discussions.
Letter from Chair of Subcommittee on Construction, Len Sanderson
Environmental & HR Section SurveyDesigned and Conducted by
Ellis Powell, NCDOT
Over 75% of Responding State DOTs
Have a Formal Permit Monitoring or
Erosion Control Monitoring Process
• Not at all – 32%
• Very limited – 41%
• Some involvement ― 23%
• Moderate to heavy involvement – 9%
(viewed as very productive)
Construction Involvement in
Environmental Planning and Permitting Processes
States Using Incentives or Disincentives to Ensure
Environmental Compliance
• Approximately two-thirds inspect weekly or after rain events
• Half of the remaining inspect every two weeks
• The remainder inspect monthly or at regular, unspecified intervals
Regular Frequency of Erosion &
Sedimentation Control Inspection
86% of Responding State
DOTs Perform ESC Training
Perform ESC Perform ESC Perform ESC Perform ESC TrainingTrainingTrainingTraining
Do Not Perform Do Not Perform Do Not Perform Do Not Perform ESC TrainingESC TrainingESC TrainingESC Training
Most Responding State DOTs Did Not Have Certification Process for ESC
DOT Responses to ESCNon-Compliance:
Give Required Time to Comply
DOT Responses to Erosion &
Sedimentation Control Non-Compliance: Penalties
DOT Responses to Erosion & Sedimentation Control Non-Compliance:
Penalties Passed on to Contractor
DOT Responses to Erosion & Sedimentation Control Non-
Compliance: “Stop Work” Orders
DOT Responses to Erosion & Sedimentation Control Non-Compliance: Stop Payments
• Six states indicated that a separate environmental preconstruction meeting might be held for especially sensitive sites
• Two states require a separate environmental preconstruction meeting
Environmental Preconstruction Meetings Prior to Work in/around
Jurisdictional Areas
Contractor Environmental History Usually Not Taken Into Account in
Prequalification
DOT Responses to Erosion & Sedimentation Control Non-
Compliance: Rescind or Revoke Certification or Prequalification
• 55% of responding DOTs have yet to use Design-Build
• DOT most commonly obtains the necessary permits
• MD, OR, WA, KS and NC, provide incentives for reduction of environmental impacts
• TxDOT implementing an EMS on State Hwy 130 Design-Build
Environmental Design-Build
• NC is conducting research on buffer requirements, lateral affects and turbidity reduction
• MDSHA research on feasibility of coagulant use to flocculate suspended sediments
• CT , KS, IL, TX new products testing: matting, gross particle separators, reinforced turf sod for ditch lining, and a mulch slurry tackifier
• Caltrans new technology program
ESC Product Research
Commitment Tracking Systems:
Woodrow Wilson Bridge
• Nearly 1,400 environmental commitments and special conditions
• 30 permits, 20 regulatory agencies
• Quarterly compliance reporting
• Documenting successful impact minimization
EMS in Construction
• An Environmental Management System or EMS is a comprehensive approach to addressing an organization’s top environmental issues.
• It includes the policies, procedures, tools, training, and auditing elements required to ensure that environmental goals and requirements are effectively and efficiently met.
TxDOT Construction EMS
• Pilot EMS in 3 Districts
• Cross-functional teams from Design, Construction, Maintenance, including inspection + Senior Advisory
• Increasing monitoring frequency
• Commitment tracking for all environmental responsibilities in Construction
• Clearly defined roles, responsibilities
• Adequate training and understanding of environmental requirements, prevention and control procedures
• Looking at contractor’s role, communicating requirements, and compensation
No *Yes Location of SW3P (Job site or other location).
N/A No *Yes A brief description of the project?
N/A No *Yes The name and telephone number of a local contact person?
N/A No *Yes The permit number or a copy of the NOI?
Does the notice contain the following information:
N/A No *Yes Is a notice posted in a publicly accessible location near where construction is actively
underway (and moved as necessary)?
N/A No *Yes Does the construction site have a Stormwater Permit?
Required Information and Documentation
Stormwater Pollution Prevention
NameHIGHWAY:
DEQC:CSJ:
DATE:PROJECT:
TxDOT ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITMENT CHECKLIST
For Construction, Maintenance and Facilities Projects
WSDOT EMS Focus On Compliance Systems, Management
• “Know what committed to do, ensure it is done, document it, look for ways to do it better next time, and if applicable, ensure we maintain it”
• Construction regions each have plans for how they will maintain compliance. Plans include: procedures, training, tracking performance, conducting constructability reviews, and commitment tracking
• Building environmental procedures into construction manual and standard specifications—drawing from AASHTO Compendium/Stewardship Practice Guide
• Construction compliance environmental support staff and environmental training for construction
• Commitment tracking system in use as of July 2005―includes an optional tool for matching commitments with Standard Specs, General Special Provisions, Standard Plans, or writing a Special Provision to cover the commitment. Users of the tool must associate each commitment with one or more of those contract provisions to ensure it is carried out
WSDOT EMS for Temporary Erosion and Sedimentation Control
• Inventoried and analyzed existing internal policies, procedures, guidance
• Identified “inadequate standardization.” New specs require all construction contractors to follow regulatory guidelines
• Updated manuals to integrate Program improvements
• Worked with Design Office to create 14 erosion and sediment control Standard Plans ― mirror Standard Specs and increase quality of ESC planning efforts
• Training: EC Design, EC Construction Course, Construction Site ESC Certification Course
• Creating compliance evaluation measures to monitor performance, analyze data, and report on Program effectiveness
• Assessment program identifies 1) how well protecting water quality, 2) areas that need improvement, 3) strategies to use in making improvements
WSDOT TESC Assessment Database & Performance Reporting• All construction sites visited. Scores entered in TESC
assessment database for reports at project, regional and state levels--150 questions
• Recommendations clearly identified, associated with standard specs to be applied in addressing concerns
• Can provide regional & statewide reports on all projects + trends related to focal areas/requirements
• BMP report on use frequency, correct application, maintenance, and overall effectiveness of 37 BMPs
• All sites evaluated & characterized based on inherent risk of erosion (size, timing & duration of work, soils, slopes, groundwater levels, need for in-water work)
• Runoff from 20% of projects that meet the risk criteria tested during storm events and during critical periods of in-water work
• Monitoring results are used to evaluate project performance and to validate results of the TESC assessment database
WSDOT Construction Environmental Training
• Construction Site Erosion and Sediment Control Certification
• Environmental Compliance for Project Inspectors
• ESA and Project Delivery
• Wetlands and Construction
• Spill Plan Reviewer Training
• Just-in-Time Training
• Excavation and Embankment Inspection
• Drainage Inspection
Caltrans Stormwater Pollution Prevention Training for Construction• Water Pollution Controls While You Work: Temporary
BMPs on Highway Construction Sites
• Field Application Training for ESC BMPs
• ESC BMP Implementation
• SWPPP and WPCP Preparation Workshop
• Water Pollution Control - Compliance for Construction Sites for Resident Engineers
• Inspecting for Water Pollution Control on Construction Sites
• Water Quality Sampling and Analysis on Construction Sites
• Management of Construction Site Dewatering Operations
• Introduction to Construction (Boot Camp) -Stormwater 4 Modules
South CarolinaDOT
• Earmarked $2 million to develop alternate methods for clearing and grubbing at construction sites, to minimize erosion
• Reduced landfilling and burning
• Implemented waste minimization program at maintenance facilities and bridge construction sites
Construction Phasing Requirements• Size of work area is determined by the grading, seeding and
final slope protection the Constructor can complete within 30 calendar days
• Work will be considered started with grubbing and will be considered complete when the specified cover material is applied (straw/hay/compost/bark mulch, blanket, sod, hydroseeding)
• Work Progression Schedule and Contingency Plan for failure of Erosion and Sedimentation Control measures required
• Plan for unforeseen circumstances; if conditions are encountered in an active work area which requires extra care or work which the Contractor is unable to continue at that time, the Contractor will be allowed to open up additional work area(s) with the approval of the Project Engineer only after the original work area is temporarily protected, i.e., straw/hay/compost/bark mulch. Extensions must have approval of Project Engineer and be accompanied by a written report explaining unforeseen circumstances, need for the extension and ESC measures to be employed. Inconvenience to the Contractor, poor planning or not having adequate or appropriate equipment will not be considered unforeseen circumstances
Nova Scotia Transportation and Public Works Phasing Requirements (cont.)
• Identify measures for non-compliance. Once the grubbing operation within a specific work area has begun, work shall be continuous from grubbing through to the placement of seed (including fertilizer, lime) and final slope protection, where required. If after 30 calendar days the above described work is not completed, then: (a) No additional work area(s) will be allowed to commence until these work areas are completed; and (b) All work areas will be immediately protected with straw/hay or compost/bark mulch. If, in the Project Engineer’s judgment, there is non-compliance with erosion and sediment control provisions or if the Contractor receives a warning or citation from DEL or DFO, then corrective action may require a shutdown of construction activities, until such time as the non-compliance is satisfactorily corrected.
MDSHA ESC Program Improvements
• New Quality Assurance Rating System
• Inspection Checklist: Project Scope, Installation of Controls, Maintenance of Controls, Stabilization, Timely Corrective Action, and Contractor Proactivity (ratings in each category ― incentive/disincentive awarded quarterly based on average QA rating)
• Training/Certification Program for contractors, inspectors, and designers. Contractor superintendents and ESC managers will be required to be certified. Revocations may occur for poor performance
• Incentive/Disincentive program
• Allows NCDOT to design and approve erosion and sedimentation control plans for NCDOT highway construction projects
• Allows NCDOT to self monitor and enforce the Sedimentation Pollution Control Act of 1973 for NCDOT highway construction projects
The North Carolina Sedimentation Control Commission’s Delegation
Agreement with NCDOT
NCDOT Erosion & Sedimentation
Control Delegation Agreement
• Sedimentation Control Commission reviews the delegation annually to ensure the program functions properly
• NCDOT continues to receive good evaluations from the commission and is improving the program continuously
• NCDOT benefits from trained personnel performing inspections and resolving constructability issues on highway projects resulting from erosion control issues
NCDOT ESC Stormwater
Certification
Impacts: Contractors,Subcontractors,
CEI & NCDOTPersonnel
Level I: Installer/Inspector
Level II: Site Management
Level III: Design of E&SCPlans
Level I: INSPECTOR / INSTALLER
DOT/CEI Personnel Who Inspect:• Installation of EC Devices• Establishment of Vegetation
Contractor’s/Crew Foremen Responsible For:• Installation of EC Devices• Establishment of Vegetation
Level II: SITE MANAGEMENT
DOT/CEI Personnel Serving As:• DOT Lead Inspector• CEI Project Manager
Contractor Personnel Responsible For:• Grading Operations• Bridge and Culvert Activities
• Seeding Operations
• Utility Operations
Level III: DESIGN OF ESC PLANS
DOT Engineers & Technicians Responsible For:• E&SC Plan Design
• Reclamation Plans
Contractor/CEI Engineers & Technicians Responsible For:• E&SC Plan Design
• Reclamation Plans
Date Description2005 Level II Training Targeted
Level II Training Requirement Implemented On Jobs Let AfterDecember 31, 2005February/March: Level II Training – 6 Locations Across The StateFall: Level II Training – Additional 6 Locations Across The State
2006 Level I Training TargetedLevel I Training Requirement Implemented On Jobs Let AfterDecember 31, 2006
TBA Level III Training & Implementation TBD
NCDOT Stormwater CertificationImplementation Schedule
• North Carolina water quality standards: runoff from the project cannot increase the turbidity of the receiving stream above the standard level
• If the receiving stream exceeds the standard, then the runoff cannot increase the turbidity at all
NC Turbidity Standards
Streams
Lakes
Trout
Turbidity
Monitoring….
• Monitoring
equipment downloads data
every 20 minutes
• Mecklenburg
County responds
when parameters
are exceeded
15 Automated Monitoring Stations Were Installed Along the Corridor Prior to Construction
• In Charlotte NC, NCDOT worked with Mecklenburg County DEP to monitor the water quality in Long Creek during the construction of the Charlotte outer loop. In 2004:– 364,029 Turbidity Samples Taken– 283* Samples Exceeded Limits: *24 of the
283 Exceeded Limits Resulted From I-485 Construction
• Mecklenburg County 2004 Annual Monitoring Report: “NCDOT Staff Are to Be Commended for the Excellent Work They Have Done During the Calendar Year 2004 to Prevent Sediment From Leaving the I-485 Construction Projects”
NCDOT Turbidity Monitoring cont.
AASHTO Environmental Stewardship Practices Guide
Go to: AASHTO Center for Environmental Excellence –
Construction Tab4.2. Work Area
• Preparing Access and Staging Areas• Construction Phasing, Sequencing, or Acceleration• Preserving Local Fish and Wildlife through Attention to
Timing Restrictions• Accelerated Construction• Pre-Contract and Pre-Construction Activities
4.3. Construction Involving Historic Properties & Cultural Resources
• Common Procedures Established for Construction in Areas Involving Historic Properties or Other Cultural Resources
• Discovery of Historic Properties or Other Cultural Resources During Construction
4.4. Construction in Streams, Wetlands, and Other Environmentally Sensitive Areas
• Wetlands and Riparian Areas
• Vegetation Protection
• Fish & Wildlife Protection
– Migratory Birds, including Bald Eagles
– Removal of Beaver Dams
• Stewardship Considerations to Avoid Watercourse Contamination
• State Resources and Fact Sheets for Stream Crossings
• Erosion Control in Environmentally Sensitive Areas
4.5 Erosion & Sedimentation Control BMPs and Resources
4.6. Vehicle Fluid, Fuel, and Washwater Control
• Construction Vehicle Washing Areas
• Vehicle and Equipment Fueling
• Vehicle and Equipment Maintenance
AASHTO Environmental Stewardship Practices Guide
AASHTO Environmental Stewardship Practices Guide
4.7. Air Quality Control Practices
• Diesel Emission Reduction Strategies
– Idling Reduction
– Diesel Engine Retrofits through Fleet Management
– Use of Clean Fuels
– Sample Diesel Emission Controls: The Boston Central Artery/Tunnel (CA/T) and New Haven Harbor Crossing
• Dust Control in Construction and Maintenance
– Model Air Monitoring and Dust Control Practices on Boston’s Central Artery Project
• Practices to Minimize Emissions during Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) Construction
– Guidance for Plant Mix Production and Field Compaction Temperatures of HMA
– Aggregate, RAP, and Anti-Stripping Environmental Stewardship Practices
– HMA Facility Burner Operation and Maintenance Practices for Reducing Emissions
• Minimizing Volatile Organic Compounds from Traffic Paint
AASHTO Environmental Stewardship Practices Guide
4.8. Noise Minimization
• Underwater Pile Driving Practices and Conservation Measures
• Blasting Practices and Mitigation Measures• Land-based Construction Noise Control Practices• Construction Noise Pathway Controls
4.9.Materials Storage, Collection, and Spill Prevention on Construction Sites
• Materials Management on Construction Sites• Materials Storage• Control of Sediment from Raw Materials Storage Areas• Collection, Disposal, and Diversion of Waste Materials on
Construction Sites– Practices to Retain and Avoid Toxic Runoff From Waste
Material Storage
– Construction Waste Landfill Diversion
– Spill Prevention and Pollution Control for Hazardous Materials
AASHTO Environmental Stewardship Practices Guide
4.10. Vegetation Management in Construction
• Noxious Weed Control in Construction
• Revegetation and Vegetation Salvage Plan
• Site Preparation
4.11. Soil Management in Construction
• Earthwork and Soil Management
• Contouring
• Subgrade Preparation
• Topsoil Preservation
4.12. Establishing Vegetation at Construction Sites
• Establishing Native Grasses and Forbs
• Seed Selection and Specification
• Seeding Methods, Considering Texture and Size
– Drop, Drill, and Broadcast Seeding Methods
– Hydroseeding
• Mulches
• Fertilizer
• Irrigation
• Vegetation Establishment on Steep Cut Slopes
