Geho0112bwak e e PDF
Geho0112bwak e e PDF
Geho0112bwak e e PDF
Scoping guidelines on the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of projects J11 Bridges and culverts Page 1
Explanatory note
For projects which require Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), a scoping This guidance note provides information on the most likely potential
exercise should be undertaken early in the planning stages of the project. environmental impacts of interbasin transfer of water. However, each project
This enables the project to be designed to avoid or minimise negative must be considered on a case-by-case basis as the detailed characteristics of
environmental impacts and provides an opportunity to incorporate positive the proposal and the site will determine the potential impacts.
environmental enhancements into the project. Early consultation with all
interested parties, including the Environment Agency, is an essential part of This guidance is based on the main legal requirements on EIA stemming
scoping. Even if a project does not require EIA under EIA legislation, it may from the EC Directive and the UK Regulations. However, developers should
be advisable (and in some cases necessary) to undertake a scoping exercise seek independent legal advice to ensure that the proposed development is
in any case (e.g. to support applications for other relevant consents and carried out in compliance with the requirements of this and any other
authorisations needed to carry out the project). relevant legislation relating to planning as well as to pollution control.
This guidance note must be read in conjunction with the Scoping Handbook, which provides
general guidance on the EIA process and the scoping of projects.
Scoping guidelines on the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of projects J11 Bridges and culverts Page 2
This guidance note must be read in conjunction with the Scoping Handbook, which
provides general guidance on the EIA process and the scoping of projects.
Contents
In addition, the following scoping guidance notes The following scoping guidance notes may be Introduction 3
are relevant to all bridge and culvert projects: relevant in certain circumstances:
Development control and EIA 4
A1 Construction work F6 Water-based recreation
Potentially significant environmental effects 5
A2 Demolition and decommissioning F7 Angling and sport fishing, including
works fish stocking Mitigation measures 14
A4 Vegetation management and J4 Flood storage areas and flood References and further reading 17
conservation enhancements embankments
Scoping guidelines on the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of projects J11 Bridges and culverts Page 3
1 Introduction
1.1 This guidance note, in conjunction with the Scoping Handbook and the Background to development type
notes listed on the previous page, seeks to help developers and other 1.3 Bridge and culvert activities involve the construction of permanent
interested parties identify the potential impacts of bridge and culvert engineering structures across watercourses and larger rivers. The
developments on the environment as a whole. It should be emphasised construction of bridges may impact upon the local environment and river
that the list of impacts is by no means exhaustive and that a full dynamics particularly where instream span supports are required. The
investigation into positive and negative impacts should be undertaken. construction of culverts may be required to contain the flow of a
Early consultation with the Environment Agency and other relevant watercourse and to channel it below or around man-made structures. The
organisations will enable the identification of environmental issues and type of culvert used will depend upon the engineering requirements of the
constraints and the avoidance of sensitive areas, thus reducing the need site. Culvert designs may range from steel or concrete slab arranged at the
for redesigning and mitigating avoidable impacts at a later stage. sides of a watercourse, which may or may not be covered, to cylindrical
four sided pipes where the stream bed is replaced. In the first instance
1.2 Following this brief introduction, an overview of the legal requirements for some element of a natural watercourse is retained, the latter are examples
EIA in relation to bridge and culvert projects is provided. The potential of artificial water channels. The construction of bridges and culverts and
environmental impacts of such projects are identified in Section 3. The their associated activities may have significant effects on the surrounding
text and summary table in this section will enable the reader to begin to environment. A thorough scoping exercise and careful consideration of
identify the likely impacts arising from the particular proposal under alternatives are, therefore, of prime importance.
consideration. The subsequent sections present the mitigation measures
that may be relevant to bridge and culvert developments, followed by key
references and further reading.
Scoping guidelines on the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of projects J11 Bridges and culverts Page 4
Scoping guidelines on the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of projects J11 Bridges and culverts Page 5
Scoping guidelines on the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of projects J11 Bridges and culverts Page 6
previous land use may be disturbed during construction works, causing impact adversely upon aquatic populations. In addition to this, local
pollutants such as heavy metals to enter ground and surface waters. ecological populations may be adversely affected by pollution incidents
attributed to fuel leaks and oil spills associated with construction,
3.8 In order to protect vulnerable groundwater resources it is the policy of maintenance and decommissioning operations on site. The physical
the Environment Agency to encourage new developments to locate in presence of both bridge and culvert engineering structures may affect
areas of low vulnerability to groundwater pollution. However, this policy ecological populations in a number of ways. The local ecology may be
does not imply an automatic prohibition on such projects within source disrupted as habitat corridors become severed. In addition, culverts may
protection zones. act as barriers to the migration of fish and small mammals. Bridges in
particular will cause some shading of the river bank and bed thereby
Land potentially altering the aquatic flora present in the river bed. Ecological
impacts may operate over a longer time-scale, as populations take time
3.9 Bridge and culvert projects will have implications for land-take, the
to respond to environmental changes (time lag).
physical characteristics and land use of the site. Issues to consider include
the effect on landscape character from change in land use, soil erosion
and compaction resulting from the construction and decommissioning Human environment
phases of the development. The potential for contamination via runoff 3.12 The potential impacts of a development for bridges and culverts on the
from roads and hardstandings must be addressed. human environment may take a variety of forms. They are divided here
into sections covering socio-economic and health issues; amenity, visual
impact and nuisance issues; and culture, heritage and archaeology.
Air and climatic factors
3.10 The construction and decommissioning phases of bridge and culvert 3.13 The potential for socio-economic and health impacts (real and
developments have the potential to affect local air quality and climate. perceived) arising from bridge and culvert developments is likely to be
During these activities, local air quality may decline as a result of gaseous small. Such operations usually require comparatively small staffing levels
and particulate emissions from vehicle movements on and off site. and, as a result, employees are not likely to have a significant effect on
local socio-economic issues. However, such social issues should be
Ecology considered when scoping an EIA.
3.11 The removal of native vegetation and its replacement with bridge and
3.14 The identification of which of these issues are significant or are perceived
culvert engineering structures can cause direct damage, disturbances,
to be significant is an important function of public involvement during
fragmentation or loss of terrestrial and aquatic habitats and ecology.
the scoping exercise. Understanding likely public concerns is a key issue
Construction and decommissioning activities could also result in the
and reference to experiences from other similar developments and any
increased sediment loading of streams and changes in turbidity may
public representations to the local planning authority should be made.
Scoping guidelines on the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of projects J11 Bridges and culverts Page 7
3.15 Other issues that commonly need to be addressed are the visual impact Table J11
of the engineering structures and any additional buildings associated 3.17 The impact identification table highlights:
with it. Any restrictions to access that may arise as a result of the
development should also be considered, as should the creation of • sources of impact (development activities);
nuisances such as noise and vibration from traffic during the
• potential impacts;
construction and decommissioning phases, dust in the air, and mud and
slow vehicles on public roads. Also, the amenity use of nearby streams or • receptors for these impacts.
lakes may be affected if reduced water quality causes harm to fish.
3.18 It is recommended that the table is annotated and used during
3.16 Impacts on architectural and archaeological heritage may arise from site consultations with other interested parties. Reference should also be
preparation and construction, as features may be removed or disturbed. made to the prompt lists detailing impacts and sources of impacts in the
The likelihood of there being any unrecorded sites and their potential for Scoping Handbook.
discovery should also be examined.
Scoping guidelines on the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of projects J11 Bridges and culverts Page 8
Table J11 Summary of key potential impacts of bridge and culvert developments
Potential receptors of impact Construction phase Operation phase/ongoing site maintenance Decommissioning/post-operation
WATER Surface water Use of vehicles and machinery Physical presence of bridge Site drainage
hydrology and • Increase in surface runoff from soil compaction • Upstream potential impediment to flow, • Increase in surface runoff from bank areas
channel Works next to or near watercourses decreased water velocity and increased depth – during decommissioning due to soil
morphology • Change in flow velocities increased flood risk compaction
• Increased erosion and subsequent changes in • Change in deposition regime upstream, caused • Possible increased flood risk
bed and bank stability by changes in flow and potential flood risk and
• Increased flood risk changes to riffle/pools
Earthworks • Downstream potential increased water velocity,
• Increased sedimentation of watercourses and turbulence and erosion
Physical presence of culvert
• Loss of pools/riffles, alteration of natural bed
slope, decreased water turbulence and
oxygenation, increased bank erosion
downstream.
Scoping guidelines on the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of projects J11 Bridges and culverts Page 9
Potential receptors of impact Construction phase Operation phase/ongoing site maintenance Decommissioning/post-operation
Soils Use of vehicles and machinery on site Use of vehicles and machinery for on site Use of vehicles and machinery on site
• Compaction maintenance • Compaction
• Erosion • Soil compaction • Erosion
Earthworks • Soil erosion Decommissioning earthworks
• Further erosion of exposed soil Physical presence of bridge/culvert • Further erosion of exposed soil
• Removal or alteration of soils on site for • No significant impact • Removal or alteration of soils on site for
bridge/culvert construction bridge / culvert removal
Geology Excavations
• Removal of rock by excavation works
AIR Local air Use of vehicles and machinery Use of vehicles and machinery for on site Decommissioning activities
quality • Emissions from construction site traffic maintenance • Temporary vehicular emissions associated
• Dust generation • Short-term exhaust emissions no with site remediation
significant impact
Regional/
global air
Scoping guidelines on the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of projects J11 Bridges and culverts Page 10
Potential receptors of impact Construction phase Operation phase/ongoing site maintenance Decommissioning/post-operation
FLORA Aquatic Drainage works and use of vehicles Physical presence of culvert Decommissioning activities
AND ecology • Negative impact on flora and fauna from • Interruption of river corridor isolating habitats • Negative impact on aquatic flora and fauna
FAUNA increased sediment loading of streams with potential decrease in species numbers from increased sediment loading of streams
Materials management and local biodiversity Materials management
• Harm to aquatic flora and fauna from oil, • Potential barrier created to the upstream • Harm to aquatic flora and fauna from oil,
fuel, cement or other substances migration of wildlife fuel, cement or other substances entering
entering watercourses • Reduced daylight in enclosed culvert tunnel watercourses
inhibit plant life Restoration design
• Increased water velocities in culvert • Opportunity for enhancement of nature
may impede fish migration and conservation value
spawning upstream
Physical presence of the bridge
• Changes to deposition, depth and water
velocities may result in the loss of sensitive
plant, invertebrate and fish species
• Turbidity may contribute to reduced
ecological diversity
• Potential downstream changes to the
aquatic community
• Shading of the watercourse may reduce
aquatic flora in the vicinity of the bridge
• Potential barrier to fish migration and the
movement of aquatic mammals along the
river corridor
Materials management from ongoing site
maintenance
• Direct and indirect effects from oil, fuel or other
substances entering the aquatic environment
Scoping guidelines on the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of projects J11 Bridges and culverts Page 11
Potential receptors of impact Construction phase Operation phase/ongoing site maintenance Decommissioning/post-operation
FLORA Terrestrial Earthworks and excavations Physical presence of culvert Decommissioning activities
AND ecology • Habitat removal, fragmentation or severance • Alteration or loss of terrestrial habitats • Negative impact on terrestrial flora and
FAUNA • Disturbance to, or loss of, species (including • Creation of barriers to mammals fauna from vehicular activities, disturbance
continued rare and sensitive species) • Alteration of the channel bank habitat and habitat severance.
Physical presence of bridge Materials management
• Loss of riparian habitat by virtue of land use • Harm to terrestrial flora and fauna from oil,
adjacent to a watercourse for development fuel, cement or other substances entering
• Upstream impoundment may cause an watercourses
inundation of terrestrial and riparian habitats Restoration design
• Destabilisation of nearby wetlands - potential • Opportunity for enhancement of nature
waterlogging of riparian areas – death of conservation value
mature trees, shrubs and flowers
HUMAN ENVIRONMENT
Socio- Earthworks and excavations Physical presence of bridge Restoration design and after-use
economic1 • Disruption of services and roads where • Potential for disruption to commercial and • Public perception of the area may improve
construction activities occur near to recreational navigation following sensitive restoration plans
highways • Changes to the angling quality
• Construction-related employment
Health and Earthworks and excavations Physical presence of bridge/culvert structures Decommissioning activities
safety1 • Risk of injury on construction site • Risk of harm to humans falling from the • Risk of accident or injury to authorised and
• Risk of injury through construction traffic structure into the watercourse unauthorised persons on site
Negative publicity
• Adverse reaction to perceived health issues
1 The Agency considers that key impacts to be identified and assessed are likely to include the following, but further advice and guidance should be sought from the relevant competent authority, as indicated in the Scoping Handbook.
Scoping guidelines on the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of projects J11 Bridges and culverts Page 12
Potential receptors of impact Construction phase Operation phase/ongoing site maintenance Decommissioning/post-operation
HUMAN ENVIRONMENT
continued
Amenity Earthworks and excavations Physical presence of bridge/culvert structures Restoration design
• Temporary loss of amenity during • Possible alteration of rights of way or reduction • Provision of amenity/recreational area
construction phase in access to riparian habitats
• Reduced recreation opportunities e.g. angling
and boating
• Loss of visual amenity
Nuisance Use of vehicles and machinery Use site maintenance vehicles and machinery Decommissioning activities
• Noise from construction traffic • Noise • Temporary noise nuisance caused to
and operations Physical presence of bridge / culvert structures communities proximal to the
• Mud on roads • Collection of unsightly litter behind decommissioning activities
the structures • Temporary visual intrusion
Architectural • Damage to known or unknown features of • Bridges of archaeological or architectural • Damage to known or unknown features of
and archaeological or cultural importance importance may have restrictions on certain archaeological or cultural importance.
archaeological types of use/maintenance.
heritage1
1 The Agency considers that key impacts to be identified and assessed are likely to include the following, but further advice
and guidance should be sought from the relevant competent authority, as indicated in the Scoping Handbook.
Scoping guidelines on the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of projects J11 Bridges and culverts Page 13
Scoping guidelines on the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of projects J11 Bridges and culverts Page 14
4 Mitigation measures
4.1 Following the scoping exercise and the identification of potential ground pressure machinery. If necessary, soil should be carefully
environmental effects, mitigation measures should be proposed to avoid removed and stored for subsequent reinstatement;
or reduce potential negative impacts to air, water, land, ecology and
• use of dust control strategies;
humans, or to introduce positive aspects to the development. Guidance
has been provided by the Environment Agency to assist developers on a • storage of fuel, equipment and construction materials so as to
range of relevant subjects in the form of Pollution Prevention Guidelines minimise the risk of soil contamination or water pollution (see
(see the Scoping Handbook. Other relevant publications are listed in Environment Agency Pollution Prevention Guideline 1, General Guide to
Section 5). the Prevention of Water Pollution);
Scoping guidelines on the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of projects J11 Bridges and culverts Page 15
measures are interrelated. For example, correct storage, use and disposal • oil interceptors or drip trays are used in vehicle parking areas, and are
of chemicals used for site maintenance would reduce the risk of soil inspected and cleaned regularly;
contamination, pollution of surface and groundwaters, and harm to
terrestrial and aquatic ecology.
• a risk assessment is carried out for each substance to be used or stored
on site, and the appropriate containment measures installed.
Protecting the water environment
4.6 In order to minimise potential impacts on the water environment in the Protecting the land environment
design and running of bridge and culverting operations, the project
4.7 Impacts on soils and landscape may be mitigated by the following:
proponent must ensure that:
• culverts should incorporate a low flow channel within its base to retain • effective stabilisation of altered landforms so as to minimise soil erosion
sufficient water depth for aquatic life at such times; and the potential for water pollution from suspended solids;
• watercourses should not be deepened or widened up or downstream • with regard to bridge construction, where the substratum of a
of culverts; watercourse is disturbed by construction, this should be replaced.
• bridge soffit levels and flood spans should be at least 1 metre above Protecting ecology
the maximum known flood level to allow floating debris to pass freely
4.9 Measures designed to prevent or reduce impacts to water or land will
through the structure;
also help to prevent adverse impacts on ecology. The following list
• an appropriate water management system is used during the identifies further measures to reduce or avoid impacts to terrestrial and
construction period, including, for example, efficient land drainage aquatic species and their habitats:
and the use of constructed ponds for receiving site runoff to reduce
the impact of runoff on nearby watercourses; • existing habitat features should be incorporated into site design and
protected from change;
Scoping guidelines on the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of projects J11 Bridges and culverts Page 16
• further habitats should be created to compensate for habitat losses Protecting the human environment
and to improve the landscape and ecological potential for the site;
4.10 Some of the measures noted above can also reduce possible impacts on
• culverts should be wide enough to allow for ledges approximately humans. Mitigation measures more specific to the human environment
500mm wide and 300mm above the normal water level for the are listed below:
passage of mammals and should link to the banks up and downstream
of the culvert; • management operations should aim to minimise disturbance to
adjacent residential and recreational uses;
• baffles should be incorporated into the design of the culvert base to
provide shelter for fish as they pass through the culvert; • where access restrictions result, arrangements for alternative access
should be made with the provision of gates, bridges or stiles;
• holes and ledges should be incorporated onto the design of culverts
for use as nesting sites; • safety concerns should be addressed by such measures as implementing
strict health and safety procedures, and the installation of adequate
• bat and bird boxes should be provided within the riparian areas;
fencing and other site security to prevent trespass and vandalism;
• where clear span bridges are not a feasible design then a ledge, either
• sites of archaeological or cultural interest should be preserved in situ
in the form of a concrete shelf or gravel side bar, or mammal tunnels
where possible, as relocation is rarely possible, thorough archaeological
should be provided;
investigations should be carried out where damage is unavoidable.
• consideration should be given to the provision of features within the
bridge design to encourage nesting birds and bats.
Scoping guidelines on the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of projects J11 Bridges and culverts Page 17
6 Department of the Environment (1995) Preparation of Environmental 14 Environment Agency (2000b) River Rehabilitation: Practical Aspects from
Statements for Planning Projects that Require Environmental Assessment – A 16 Case Studies. EA Conservation.
Good Practice Guide. HMSO, London.
15 Environment Agency (2000c) Pollution Incident Response Planning.
7 Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (2001) Pollution Prevention Guidelines No. 21. Environment Agency, Bristol.
Planning Policy Guidance Note 25: Development and Flood Risk. Stationery
Office, London. 16 Environment Agency (2000d) Low Flow Alleviation: Benefit Assessment
Guidelines: version 3. EA Water Resources. Environment Agency, Bristol.
8 Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (2000)
Environmental Impact Assessment: A Guide to the Procedures. Thomas
Telford Publishing, London.
Scoping guidelines on the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of projects J11 Bridges and culverts Page 18
17 Environment Agency (2000e) General Guide to the Prevention of 25 Environment Agency (1998d) River Habitat Quality. Environment
Water Pollution. Pollution Prevention Guidelines No. 1. Environment Agency, Bristol.
Agency, Bristol.
26 Environment Agency (1998e) Policy and Practice for the Protection of
18 Environment Agency (1999a) Maintenance of Structures over Water. Groundwater (second edition). Environment Agency, Bristol.
Pollution Prevention Guidelines No. 23. Environment Agency, Bristol.
27 Environment Agency (1997) River Works. Environment Agency, Bristol.
19 Environment Agency (1999b) Environment Agency Policy Regarding
Culverts – Explanation of Policy. Environment Agency, Bristol. 28 ERM (2001a) Guidance on EIA – Scoping. Prepared by ERM for the
European Commission in June 2001. Available from:
20 Environment Agency (1999c) Environment Agency Policy Regarding http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/eia/eia-support.htm.
Culverts – Policy Statement. Environment Agency, Bristol. Commission of the European Communities, Brussels.
21 Environment Agency (1999d) Environment Agency Policy Regarding 29 ERM (2001b) Guidance on EIA – Screening. Prepared by ERM for the
Culverts – Technical Guidance on Culverting Proposals. European Commission in June 2001. Available from:
http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/eia/eia-support.htm.
22 Environment Agency (1998a) Working at Construction or Demolition Commission of the European Communities, Brussels.
Sites. Pollution Prevention Guidelines No. 6. Environment Agency, Bristol.
30 ERM (2001c) Guidance on EIA – EIS Review. Prepared by ERM for the
23 Environment Agency (1998b) River Mussels. Environment Agency, European Commission in June 2001. Available from:
Bristol. http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/eia/eia-support.htm.
Commission of the European Communities, Brussels.
24 Environment Agency (1998c) River Life. Environment Agency, Bristol.