Cross Island Site Investigation Summary Reader Response Draft 1

“Nature Group Seeks More Information on Impact of Cross Island Site Investigations" from Today Online, nature enthusiasts groups are inviting the community to submit queries to the Land Transport Authority (LTA), hoping to get more information on the results of drilling works done at Macritchie forest for the upcoming Cross Island MRT line(CRL) (Neo, 2018). Earlier, LTA stated that camera traps spotted the presence of animals.According to Ms Chole Tan, project manager of Love Our Macritchie Forest, nine parties have submitted questions about the possibility of LTA publicly releasing the outcomes of their monitoring programmes (Neo, 2018). Drilling of boreholes are used find out soil and rock conditions influencing the decision of the tracks going under the nature reserve or around it. An assessment was done before works started determining the environmental impact if mitigation measures were taken. But there is a lack of evidence on the effectiveness of mitigation measures. Second phase of the assessment was done to foresee the outcome of constructing and operating the MRT line. Based on the points elaborated, LTA has done the necessary measures mitigating the impact on the environment therefore LTA should go ahead with their construction plans.

Firstly, LTA have emphasized that mitigation measures will be a necessity for contractors doing site investigations. Mitigation measures which includes having enclosures to reduce the impact of noise. According to the Straits Times, Mr Chong Kee Sen, president of The Institution of Engineers said the measures implemented could successfully alleviatewater, noise, soil and other environmental impacts (Tan, 2019). In my opinion, since LTA highlighted the reduced impact with mitigation measures, the CRL construction plans can be safety carried out. LTA also reported that environmental impacts will mostly be contained to the outside of Central Catchment Nature Reserve (CCNR) and parts of the tunnel (Mahmud, 2019).

Secondly, LTA have done their necessary environmental impact assessment. As stated in LTA website, Environmental Resources Management (ERM) assesses that the environmental impact for both options can be adequately managed with comprehensive mitigation measures and monitoring plans in place (LTA, 2019).  With this environmental impact assessment done, this clearly shows that LTA have evaluated their options clearly before coming to a final decision. An International Panel of Advisors (IPA), comprising industry experts in tunnelling and underground construction have analysed that with mitigation measures in place, both alignment options are safe (LTA, 2019).

Lastly, LTA have been taking all steps in making sure to mitigate potential environmental impact. According to The Straits Times, 3 hector of forest needs to be cleared to tunnel under the CCNR which will cause a loss of habitat for the wildlife (Tan, 2019). LTA said that, if mitigation measures are carried out, such as safety barriers made wildlife-friendlyand trees being re-planted, the effect of the upcoming train line on CCNR would be reduced(Tan, 2019). With this statement, LTA have showed that they will continue to make sure that environmental impact on CCNR will be taken care of even after the end of constructing of CRL. Today Online also reported that mitigation measures also includes identifying flora species so as to be able to preserve or salvaged for relocation and wildlife shepherding(Cheng, 2019). 

LTA have taken all necessary mitigation measure to reduce the impact of CRL on the CCNR. LTA have also displayed that they will be responsible for the environmental impact. With these, LTA should go ahead with their construction plans.

References

Cheng, K. (2019). Cross Island Line: Environmental impact can be ‘adequately managed’ for both alignment options being considered, study finds. Retrieved 29 September 2019, from https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/cross-island-line-environmental-impact-can-be-adequately-managed-both-alignment-options

LTA. (2019). Environmental Impact Assessment (Phase 2) Report | Press Room | Land Transport Authority. Retrieved 29 September 2019, from https://www.lta.gov.sg/apps/news/page.aspx?c=2&id=73fa7dcb-0dfc-40df-83fb-38c16b1bb267

Mahmud, A. (2019). Cross Island Line environmental impact on nature reserve can be 'adequately managed': LTA study. Retrieved 29 September 2019, from https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/cross-island-line-environmental-impact-central-nature-reserve-11864492

Neo, C. (2019). Nature group seeks more information on impact of Cross Island Line site investigations. Retrieved 29 September 2019, from https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/nature-group-seeks-more-information-impact-cross-island-line-site-investigations

Tan, A. (2019). Call for 'zero impact' for Cross Island MRT Line under MacRitchie nature reserve. Retrieved 29 September 2019, from https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/environment/call-for-zero-impact-for-mrt-line-under-macritchie-nature-reserve

Tan, A. (2019). Mitigation measures can cut wildlife impact of running Cross Island MRT line under nature reserve: LTA. Retrieved 29 September 2019, from https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/environment/running-mrt-line-through-central-catchment-nature-reserve-may-endanger

Summary Reader Response Outline

Style 1: Traditional Linear Outline

Summarized Article’s Main Idea + Thesis Statement (Level I Controlling Idea):

“Nature Group Seeks More Information on Impact of Cross Island Site Investigations" from Today Online, nature enthusiasts groups are inviting the community to submit queries to the Land Transport Authority (LTA), hoping to get more information on the results of drilling works done at Macritchie forest for the upcoming Cross Island MRT line (CRL) (Neo, 2018).

I.      First Supporting Idea – (Level II Controlling Idea)

According to Ms Chole Tan, project manager of Love Our Macritchie Forest, nine parties have submitted questions about the possibility of LTA publicly releasing the outcomes of their monitoring programmes (Neo, 2018).

II.    Second Supporting Idea – (Level II Controlling Idea)

An assessment was done before works started determining the environmental impact if mitigation measures were taken. But there is a lack of evidence on the effectiveness of mitigation measures.

III.   Third Supporting Idea – (Level II Controlling Idea)

Second phase of the assessment was done to foresee the outcome of constructing and operating the MRT line.

+ Your Main Idea/Thesis Statement (Level I Controlling Idea):

LTA has done the necessary measures mitigating the impact on the environment therefore LTA should go ahead with their construction plans.

IV.    First Supporting Idea - (Level II Controlling Idea)

LTA have emphasized that mitigation measures will be a necessity for contractors doing site investigations. Mitigation measures which includes having enclosures to reduce the impact of noise.

a. Explanation of the supporting idea

LTA has highlighted nine mitigation measures which will be a requirement while doing on site investigations.

b. Example or citation which supports your assertion

According to the Straits Times, Mr Chong Kee Sen, president of The Institution of Engineers said the measures implemented could successfully alleviate water, noise, soil and other environmental impacts (Tan, 2019).

c. Other statements which help support your assertion

LTA also reported that environmental impacts will mostly be contained to the outside of Central Catchment Nature Reserve (CCNR) and parts of the tunnel (Mahmud, 2019).

V.     Second Supporting Idea - (Level II Controlling Idea)

LTA have done their necessary environmental impact assessment.

a. Explanation of the supporting idea

The environmental impact for both alignments are analysed.

b. Example or citation which supports your assertion

Environmental Resources Management (ERM) assesses that the environmental impact for both options can be adequately managed with comprehensive mitigation measures and monitoring plans in place (LTA, 2019).

c. Other statements which help support your assertion

An International Panel of Advisors (IPA), comprising industry experts in tunnelling and underground construction have analysed that with mitigation measures in place, both alignment options are safe (LTA, 2019).

VI.   Third Supporting Idea - (Level II Controlling Idea)

LTA have been taking all steps in making sure to mitigate potential environmental impact.

a. Explanation of the supporting idea

LTA are carefully looking through all possibilities in making sure to mitigate potential environmental impacts.

b. Example or citation which supports your assertion

According to The Straits Times, 3 hector of forest needs to be cleared to tunnel under the CCNR which will cause a loss of habitat for the wildlife (Tan, 2019). LTA said that, if mitigation measures are carried out, such as having safety barriers made wildlife-friendly the re-planting of tress, the effect of the upcoming train line on CCNR would be reduced (Tan, 2019).

c. Other statements which help support your assertion

Today Online also reported that mitigation measures also includes identifying flora species so as to be able to preserve or salvaged for relocation and wildlife shepherding (Cheng, 2019).

VII.  Conclusion –Review of Main Idea (Tying Yours and That of the Summarized Article’)

LTA have taken all necessary mitigation measure to reduce the impact of CRL on the CCNR. LTA have also displayed that they will be responsible for the environmental impact. With these, LTA should go ahead with their construction plans.

Cross Island Site Investigation Summary draft 2

“Nature Group Seeks More Information on Impact of Cross Island Site Investigations" from Today Online’s website (2018), nature enthusiasts groups are inviting the community to submit queries to the Land Transport Authority (LTA), hoping to get more information on the results of drilling works done at Macritchie forest for the upcoming Cross Island MRT line. Earlier, LTA stated that camera traps spotted the presence of animals. According to Ms Chole Tan, project manager of Love Our Macritchie Forest, nine parties have submitted questions about the possibility of LTA publicly releasing the outcomes of their monitoring programmes. Drilling of boreholes are used find out soil and rock conditions influencing the decision of the tracks going under the nature reserve or around it. An assessment was done before works started determining the environmental impact if mitigation measures were taken. But there is a lack of evidence on the effectiveness of mitigation measures. Second phase of the assessment was done to foresee the outcome of constructing and operating the MRT line.

Cross Island Site Investigation Summary draft 1

By inviting the community to submit queries to the Land Transport Authority (LTA), a group of nature enthusiasts hope to get more information on the results of drilling works done at Macritchie forest for the upcoming Cross Island MRT line. Thus far, nine parties have submitted responses to the group. Earlier, upon the completion of works, camera traps spotted the presence of animals and it is an encouraging sight. To determine if the tracks should go under the nature reserve or around it, drilling of boreholes is used find out soil and rock conditions. An assessment was done before works started to determine the environmental impact if mitigation measures were taken. Due to the lack of evidence on the effectiveness of mitigation measures, it led to volunteers compiling questions for LTA. Second phase of the assessment was done to project the outcome of the construction and operation of the MRT line.

Assignment 1

Subject: Self introduction

Dear Mdm Fazilah

               I am Johnathan Perera and I am currently studying in Sustainable Infrastructure Engineering (Land). Before serving 2 years of National Service, I was a diploma student in Temasek Polytechnic studying Aerospace Electronics.

My passion in engineering took flight when I went for the Air Show in 2016. I was fascinated about how engineering could make big machines work. People saw the pilots as the stars of the show but I saw the engineers as the stars. They were the one that worked tirelessly behind the scene to make the Air Show as successful as it was.

               My strength in communication is that I am an active listener. My friends often confide in me when they have problems troubling them. They feel comfortable telling me about such problems as I would always pay my fullest attention to them and display good active listening attributes such as maintaining eye contact and not interrupting them when they are speaking.

As for my weakness in communication, I lack clarity when communicating. When I was serving the National Service, I was often put in positions where I had to deliver instructions to my peers. However, I am often not clear with the instructions that I try to get across to my peers. Time and time again, my peers would feedback to me that I had to speak louder and clearer as they found it difficult to comprehend what I was trying to put across.

               By the end of this module, my goal is to be able to speak with more clarity and be able to present myself as a confident speaker in front of a crowd. This will greatly help my journey through my course and my future endeavours.

               Lastly, I would like to express my gratitude for taking the time to read this through.

Yours sincerely

Johnathan Perera

SIE 2016 T3 Group 3