LECTURE 3: MITIGATION MEASURES

AIR QUALITY

- Water or dust palliative(screen) should be applied to exposed soil surfaces at the construction
site(s) and equipment as frequently as necessary to control fugitive dust emissions.
- Soil binder should be spread on any unpaved roads used for construction purposes, and all
construction parking areas.
- Trucks should be washed off as they leave the construction site(s), as necessary, to control
fugitive dust emissions.
- Construction equipment and vehicles should be properly tuned and maintained. Low sulfur fuel
should be used in all construction equipment.
- Track-out reduction measures such as gravel pads should be used at access points to minimize
dust and mud deposits on roads affected by construction traffic.
- Transported loads of soils and wet materials should be covered prior to transport, or adequate
freeboard (space from the top of the material to the top of the truck) should be provided to
reduce deposition of particulate during transportation.
- Dust and mud that are deposited on paved, public roads due to construction activity and traffic
should be removed to decrease particulate matter.
- To the extent feasible, construction traffic should be routed and scheduled to reduce
congestion and related air quality impacts caused by idling vehicles along local roads during
peak travel times.
- Grading and earth moving should be suspended when wind gusts exceed 25 mph unless the soil
is wet enough to prevent dust plumes.

WATER POLLUTION AND LAND POLLUTION

- Minimize construction impacts on receiving water bodies by implementing an erosion and
sediment control plan and following best management practices.
- Limit vegetation clearing to what is necessary to construct the wastewater facilities.
Only trees and shrubs within the limits of construction and tree limbs extending into the
clearance area should be removed.
- Using and maintaining vegetative cover appropriately during construction will minimize erosion
of excavated soil and sediment loading to surface waters.
- Limit grading, excavation, and filling activities to what is necessary to construct the
wastewater facilities.
Limit the size of all excavations within the 100-year floodway of streams, lakes, and marine
waters, and perform this work dry season.
- Limit impacts from in-water construction by depositing excavated sediments in barges for on-
land disposal or in near-shore dykes areas rather than side casting them.Such measures could be
required if the excavated sediments were contaminated.
- If they were contaminated and had to be hauled offsite, clean fill material would be used to refill
the trench around the pipe.
 - Avoid using open, “cut-and-cover” construction in crossing water bodies wherever possible;
use tunneling or other “trenchless technology” construction methods (especially in areas with
contaminated sediments) to minimize sediment disturbance.
- Use sedimentation basins to reduce discharge of water high in suspended solids. Use
appropriate “housekeeping” procedures for handling chemicals and petroleum products during
construction.
Compensatory mitigation for unavoidable adverse construction impacts includes:
- Revegetation of disturbed areas with native trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants.
o This would compensate for impacts and minimize colonization by invasive species. A
diverse mixture of vegetation would stabilize soils, minimize erosion, and eventually
shade aquatic habitats.
o Sediment control features would be retained until the plants cover the site.
- Use sediment control devices downstream of paving activities.
- Contain and properly disposal of construction wastes or slurry (e.g., from saw cutting; concrete
curing/finishing; or washouts for concrete, stucco, paint, caulking, sealants, or drywall plaster).
Through measures such as use of portable (and impermeable) sumps, vacuuming, chemical
application controls, and off-site waste disposal in an approved location.
- Minimize the amount of hazardous materials stored onsite, and restrict storage/use locations to
areas at least 20M from storm drains and surface waters.
- Properly maintain all construction equipment and vehicles.
- Use covered and/or enclosed storage facilities for hazardous materials, and maintain accurate
and up-to-date written material inventories.
- Store hazardous materials off the ground surface (e.g., on pallets) and in their original
containers, with the legibility of labels protected (or replaced if labels are damaged).
- Use impervious liners (or other applicable methods) in material storage and vehicle/equipment
maintenance and fueling areas, prevent discharge in the event of a spill.
- Place warning/information signs in hazardous material use/storage areas to identify the types of
materials present, applicable use restrictions, and containment/clean-up procedures.
- Mark storm drains (and other appropriate locations) to discourage inappropriate hazardous material
disposal.
- Provide training for applicable employees in the proper use, handling and disposal of hazardous
materials, as well as appropriate action to take in the event of a spill.
- Implement solid waste management efforts, such as proper containment and disposal of construction
debris (e.g., use of watertight dumpsters and daily trash collection/removal) and street sweeping.
- Store absorbent and clean-up materials in appropriate on-site locations where they are readily
accessible.
- Properly locate and maintain portable wastewater facilities.
- Use less hazardous materials wherever feasible and recycle appropriate (i.e., non-hazardous)
construction debris for on- or off-site use whenever feasible.
- Monitor and maintain hazardous material use/storage facilities and operations regularly (at least
weekly) to ensure proper working order.
- Use dust-control measures such as watering to reduce particulate generation for pertinent
locations/activities (e.g., concrete removal).
NB
- Conform with applicable requirements related to the removal, handling, transport, and disposal of
hazardous materials generated during demolition, including efforts such as implementing appropriate
sampling and monitoring procedures; proper containment of contaminated materials during
construction; providing protective gear for workers handling contaminated materials; ensuring
acceptable exposure levels; and ensuring safe and appropriate handling, transport, and disposal of
hazardous materials.

WASTE

- Soil sampling should be conducted in areas within the Area proposed to be disturbed and/or
excavated prior to soil export, reuse, or disposal to characterize the soil for the presence of
hazardous materials (e.g., metals, petroleum hydrocarbons, volatile organic compounds,
pesticides, etc.).
- Prior to renovation or demolition of existing structures, surveys should be conducted to
evaluate the presence, locations, and quantities of hazardous building materials.
- Prior to commencement of excavation activities, a Site and Community Health and Safety Plan
should be prepared to manage potential health and safety hazards to workers and the public.
- Prior to commencement of excavation activities, a Soil Management Plan should be prepared to
address the notification, monitoring, sampling, testing, handling, storage, and disposal of
contaminated media or substances that may be encountered during construction activities.
- Prior to commencement of excavation activities, a Groundwater Management Plan should be
prepared to address the notification, monitoring, sampling, testing, handling, storage, and
disposal of potentially contaminated groundwater.
- Contract specifications should include references to the potential to encounter contaminated
soil, groundwater, or other regulated wastes during construction activities.
- If contaminated soil is present, appropriate abatement actions should be implemented in
accordance with applicable regulatory requirements.

NOISE
- Construction vehicles and equipment noise would be reduced using properly sized and
maintained mufflers, engine intake silencers, and engine enclosures.
- Equipment could also be turned off when not in use and activities could be confined to
between 7 am and 7 pm.
- Where sheet piles are needed and soil conditions allow, vibratory pile drivers would be used
instead of impact pile drivers.
- Stationary construction equipment would be located away from sensitive receptors, such as
residences, where possible.
 - Where this is not possible or where noise impacts are still substantial, portable noise barriers
could be placed around equipment with the opening directed away from sensitive receptors.
- Construction specifications would provide that noise levels for scrapers, pavers, graders, and
trucks should not exceed 90 dBA, and pile drivers should not exceed 95 dBA at 15M as
measured under the noisiest operating conditions.
- For all other equipment, specifications would provide that noise levels should not exceed
85 dBA.
- Substituting hydraulic or electric models for impact tools such as jack hammers
and pavement breakers would further reduce construction noise.

PLANTS AND ECOSYSTEM

- Trenchless technology and/or sheetpiling methods can be employed to minimize plants
destruction.
- In case of Pipeline installation, pipeline alignments would be designed to minimize destruction
of existing vegetation
- Site restoration would include backfill of sediments, similar to those removed, and possible
replanting of the disturbed area.
- Construction in streams and near shore areas should not take place during designated
fishery closure periods to protect migratory and resident fishery resources.
- Open, “cut-and-cover” construction in crossing water bodies would be avoided
wherever possible through use of tunneling or other “trenchless technology”
construction methods, especially in areas with contaminated sediments. This
would minimize sediment disturbance.
- Use of heavy equipment on shorelines or in other sensitive areas would be
minimized.
- Material excavated from streams, lake bottoms, and nearshore marine areas as
part of pipeline trenching operations would not be sidecast. The material would
be stored and used for backfill of the trench as appropriate.
- Contaminated material would be disposed of at approved upland or confined sites.
- Vegetated areas disturbed during construction would be replanted, if possible, to restore
habitat and provide noise and visual buffers for wildlife.
- Construction would be timed to avoid and/or minimize impacts to sensitive species
during breeding seasons.