“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 environmental evaluation anticipated a “mainly
moderate” outcome if mitigation procedures 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 alleviate
water, 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 safely carried out. According to Mahmud (2019), LTA also
reported that environmental impacts will mostly be contained to the outside of
Central Catchment Nature Reserve (CCNR) and parts of the tunnel. This point
further supports the LTA construction plans.
Secondly,
LTA have done their necessary environmental impact assessment. As stated on the
LTA website, Environmental
Resources Management 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, comprising industry experts in tunnelling and
underground construction have analysed that with mitigation measures in place,
both alignment options are safe (LTA, 2019). Having established organisations
to further evaluate the environmental impact, nature enthusiasts groups would
more convinced of the controlled environmental impact of LTA construction
plans.
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-friendly and 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. Cheng (2019) also
reported on a Today Online article that mitigation measures also includes
identifying flora species that can be preserved or salvaged for relocation and
wildlife shepherding. The dedication of LTA in making sure that
environmental impact on CCNR will be reduced to a minimal clearly proves that
LTA should proceed with their construction plans.
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
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