Soil erosion, water pollution, dust dispersal and slope failure are expected to occur at borrow pits if no proper earthwork management and demarcation controls are implemented. Impacts on traffic and transportation such as damage to public roads, contamination of roads with dirt, road congestion, etc., can be anticipated during transportation of earth materials from the borrow pit to the development site.
Target
Control of earth extraction activity at the borrow pits to control soil erosion, water pollution, dust dispersal, and slope failure as well as traffic and transportation impacts.
Standard Operating Procedures
6.1 Refer to the EIA/PMM and AEC/MD for establishing the borrow pit site. Check and identify:
i. Runoff management and sediment control facilities i.e., temporary earth drains, check dam, silt fences, silt traps or sediment basin, etc., buffer and slope protection measures to be provided at the borrow pit.
ii. Specification, location and sequence in providing runoff management and sediment control facilities, buffer and slope protection measures.
6.2 Construct runoff management and sediment control facilities at the borrow pit. Below are general sequences for providing facilities:
i. Mark the borrow pit and/or buffer boundaries based on the SOPs detailed in Environmental Condition: Control of Site Development.
ii. Construct temporary perimeter earth drains and sediment basin prior to carrying out extraction activities.
iii. Connect temporary earth drains to the sediment basin to divert all surface runoff into it.
6.3 No direct discharge of surface runoff from the disturbed area into public drains, rivers or watercourses.
6.4 No construction of runoff management and sediment control facilities in rivers or watercourses.
6.5 Conduct site clearing at the active working area only.
6.6 Conduct extraction activities by phases and avoid activities during rainy days.
6.7 Prohibit extraction of earth outside the borrow pit boundary.
6.8 Establish slope protection measures as per the earthwork plan and/or slope protection plan approved by the relevant local authorities.
6.9 Erect suitable speed limit and safety signs at the borrow pit entrance to notify public road users.
6.10 Construct a wash bay / wash through with a silt trap of not less than 1m x 1m x 1.2m (depth) in size (based on Drawing design) at the location shown in the approved EIA/PMM and AEC/MD.
6.11 Clean tyres and undercarriage of transportation vehicles at the wash bay / wash through before leaving the borrow pit to avoid formation of bulky deposited dirt and earth on public road surfaces.
6.12 Refer to requirements from the Local Authorities for transportation routes and/or JKR for access involving road reserves (application of wayleave).
6.13 Obtain consent from private landowners if access through their land is required.
6.14 Cover transported earth materials with canvas or tarpaulin sheets.
6.15 Avoid off-site transportation activities during peak traffic hours as stated in the AEC/MD.