14. SCHEDULE OF ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITMENTS

All mitigation measures identified in this Environmental Statement are necessary to protect the environment prior to and during construction, or during operation of the proposed road and bridge. These measures will be incorporated into the Contract Documents. This will provide a mechanism to ensure compliance with environmental commitments.

The purpose of the Schedule of Environmental Commitments is to collate mitigation measures identified throughout the ES, both for ease of reference and for use by those overseeing the Contract Documents. It is intended to provide a record of commitments that will be incorporated within the Contract Documents and to which the contractor will be obliged to adhere throughout the Contract period, although it is recognised that there may be a need to revise or supplement the commitments by agreement between the Contractor, the Scottish Government, the planning authority and other interested parties as construction proceeds.

Table 14.1 provides a summary of the mitigation measures, which are detailed more fully in the relevant sections of this ES. Reference should be made to individual sections of the ES for further explanation. Specifically, the following has been tabulated in Table 14.1:

the mitigation measure;
the effect of the mitigation on the impact;
the timing of the mitigation measure;
any monitoring requirements; and
Any additional consultation required.

Should the contractor propose significant changes or modifications to the proposed scheme assessed for this EIA, this would mean that the impacts could be different and therefore appropriate mitigation measures to address these impacts will be required to be implemented. If this is the case, the contractor will be required to publish an addendum to the ES, within which appropriate impacts and mitigation measures will be laid out. This addendum will include a revised Schedule of Environmental Commitments to reflect any changes. The revised commitments will then be included in the contract documents. The final design will not give rise to impacts which are any worse than those described in this ES unless a subsequent addendum is issued for consultation.

The Schedule of Environmental Commitments (Table 14.1) addresses the predicted impacts previously summarised in the Environmental Impact Tables (Table 13.1). The mitigation item numbers provided in the first column of Table 14.1 enable cross-referencing between these two Tables.

Table 14.1 Schedule of environmental commitments. All mitigation required during the construction, operation and maintenance of the scheme.

Item no.	Mitigation Measure	Effect of Mitigation on Impact	Timing of Mitigation Measure	Monitoring Requirements
1	Strip turves and substrate by hand or small excavator in areas to be affected so that they can be re-used during re-establishment of the area after construction.	Prevents irreparable damage to moorland vegetation and peat.	Pre construction
2	Re-establishment of peat and their overlying turves.	Maintains the site’s ecological integrity.	Post construction	Post construction site visits to monitor re-establishment of site area.
3	Re-use of stored peat turves on new embankment slopes.	Prevents loss of vegetation and introduction of non-local vegetation.	Post construction	As above
4	Left over excavated glacial drift deposits can be used to re-grade the wider embankment slopes.	Recycling of local material, minimising use of material from other sources.	Post construction
5	Protect the stored turves and substrate from excess precipitation, high winds and direct sunlight, and they should be stored for as short a period as possible.	Maintains their condition, so they can be re-instated.	During construction	Monitoring of turves during storage to ensure that they are kept in good condition.
6	Storage of bulk material not permitted directly on peatland.	Prevents damage (compaction) to sensitive peat.	During construction
7	Additional soil or substrate procurement will be from local sources.	To maintain the visual integrity of the site.	During construction
8	Watering exposed soil surfaces (during dry conditions).	Prevents erosion by Aeolian processes.	During construction
9	Schedule construction activities so that the area and duration of soil exposure are minimised.	To reduce potential for erosion and sedimentation of water courses.	Pre construction
10	Where disturbance to soils sensitive to erosion is probable during construction of the temporary bridge, they must be removed or protected by geotextiles or other protective materials.	Prevents unnecessary damage to vegetation and peat.	Pre construction
11	If there are to be exposed cuttings within the moraines they will be graded so that the minerogenic material lies at an angle several degrees below the angle of repose for sand substrate.	This will prevent slippage of material and its consequent mobilisation/transportation.	During construction
12	Access to slopes following reinstatement of material must be prevented to minimise the erosion risk.	To minimise the erosion risk.	Post construction
13	Fine, biodegradable geotextile netting will be used to maintain soil stability whilst vegetation re-colonises or re-establishes itself.	Prevents loss of soil and the seed bank from erosion and stabilises exposed soil and young growth.	Post construction
14	Monitor the areas of peat to be re-established for a minimum of at least 3 years.	To ensure successful re-establishment.	During operational phase	Annual monitoring of turves condition and regeneration of vegetation
15	Try to minimise steep, exposed and bare slopes that are susceptible to erosion.	To prevent a supply of sediment that could smother vegetation or enter the watercourse.	Pre and during construction
16	Minimise compaction of soil by constructing suitable pathways for construction staff to travel along.	Prevents damage and compaction to the peat.	Pre and during construction
17	Re-use excess excavated materials in the construction of embankments and landscaping where possible.	Prevents foreign material having to be used and the excavation of locally-sourced material.	During construction
18	All other cuttings will be covered by the peat and turves which have been stored on completion of the works.	Restores the landscape to as near its pre-construction character as possible.	Post construction
19	Minimise or eliminate the delivery of sediment to the river channel.	To prevent/reduce sedimentation of the watercourses.	During construction
20	Sand bag the banks of the river or enclose the banks with sediment fences to prevent slope wash from entering into the river channel, or at least intercepting the larger sediment particles.	As above	Pre and during construction	Monitor the condition and state of the sand bags and sediment fences to ensure that sediment doesn’t pass through.
21	Install silt traps along channel margins using suitable geotextile matting.	As above	Pre and during construction	Monitor and clean traps after periods of rainfall or activity.
22	All debris from the demolition of the bridge must be removed from the site to ensure material does not enter the river channel and disposed of at an official landfill site or recycled on site. Deck will be removed by the formation of a number of fragments formed by stitch drilling/coring from above with dust removal by vacuum.	Reduces sedimentation of the water courses and smothering of surrounding vegetation.	During construction
23	Wheel-wash facilities must be used to minimise accumulation of mud on road surfaces and to minimise the transfer of sediment, and the effluent generated must be removed from site.	Prevents the spread of material around the site and the resultant sedimentation of watercourses.	During construction
24	Prevent or contain drainage and surface runoff from the site during site clearance, construction and post construction to ensure no water pollution or sedimentation. These will be covered by PPGs 5 and 6, and within the required Method Statement.	Prevents water pollution and sedimentation.	Pre and during construction	Monitor and check for any leakage from the containment methods.
25	Provision of a crash deck or similar structure to protect the River Ba from construction materials and debris.	Prevents foreign materials from entering the watercourse.	During construction
26	Aggregate must not be stored close to the river channel, the surrounding slopes or sensitive areas in order to minimise risk of material being washed into the channel during rainfall.	Minimises the risk of material being washed into the channel during rainfall.	Pre and during construction
27	Drainage will be via a catch-pit and swale which shall be designed, installed and maintained in line with the SUDS manual.	Will improve water quality	Pre, during and post construction
28	Adopt pollution prevention procedures at all times.	To prevent pollution.	During construction
29	No abstraction of water from or disposal of water into any watercourses.	Prevents alteration to the hydrological regime and pollution.	Pre and during construction
30	Work at the edge of watercourses will be minimised, but where required, the banks of the watercourse will be protected. If necessary a CAR licence will be sought, otherwise CAR General Binding Rules to be followed.	To prevent erosion of river banks and sedimentation of watercourse.	During construction	Ensure the measures taken to protect the river banks are effective.
31	Oils, fuels and chemicals will be stored in bunded areas at the standard requirement of 110% of containment capacity of the volume stored.	To prevent pollution from leaks and spills.	Pre and during construction	Monitor regularly for leaks.
32	Spillage trays will be fitted to any stationary construction plant.	As above.	During construction	Regularly check that spillage trays are in good condition.
33	Any water resulting from washing out/cleaning plant and equipment will be contained and the sediments allowed to settle before being suitably disposed of.	To prevent pollutants from affecting vegetation and watercourses.	During construction	Monitor for leaks in the containment devices.
34	In-river working will be restricted to the immediate vicinity of the existing bridge with no access permitted upstream of this in order to safeguard the population of the protected freshwater invertebrate species.	Prevents disturbance to aquatic fauna and disturbance to sediments.	Pre and during construction
35	The Contractor will comply with the following SEPA Pollution Prevention Guidelines: PPG1, PPG2, PPG4, PPG5, PPG6, PPG10, PPG13, PPG22 PPG23 and PPG26.	To reduce and/or eliminate the pollution potential.	During construction
36	The Contractor will be required to produce Method Statements for the construction activities to meet the SEPA requirements.	As above.	Pre construction
37	When working in close proximity to controlled surface waters, contractors will be required to comply with the requirements of the Water Environment (Controlled Activities) (Scotland) Regulations 2005 at all times.	As above.	During construction
38	Habitat clearance required for the scheme and the peatland and turf translocation procedures will be adhered to.	To avoid unnecessary damage to habitats and to ensure the integrity of the moorland.	Pre and during construction
39	Habitat clearance and tree removal will be undertaken ‘outside of the bird breeding season’ and done under the guidance of the Contractor’s Experienced Ecologist. If site clearance can’t be undertaken outwith the bird breeding season, then all vegetation will first have to be checked for breeding birds before removal. If evidence of breeding birds is found then ground clearance must cease until nests have been vacated.	To avoid disturbance to breeding birds.	Pre and during construction	Monitoring by the Contractors Experienced Ecologist.
41	Fencing off vegetation (and associated terrestrial invertebrates) in areas where no works are occurring at Ba Bridge with a geotextile membrane to protect both vegetation and invertebrates.	To prevent the deterioration of adjacent habitat due to potential construction pollutants.	During construction	Daily monitoring of protective fencing to ensure the integrity of the fencing and whether any animals have become trapped.
42	Night time working will be kept to a minimum in order to prevent disturbance to sensitive nocturnal species such as otter and bat. Any artificial lighting will be very localised, temporary and direct illumination of the River Ba will not occur. Otter fencing will be put in place along the river banks to encourage otters to continue to use the river corridor as a commuting route.	To avoid disturbance to local fauna.	During construction
43	Compliance with SNH’s consultation response, which requires a method statement, set of principles and landscape restoration plan to ensure that the desired end result for the replacement bridge, topsoil reinstatement and re-establishment of vegetation is achieved.	To ensure that there is little disturbance to the landscape.	Pre construction
44	The contractor will be required to employ proactive working methods to minimise dust creation by ensuring all workers are aware of the possibility for dust nuisance, the conditions likely to result in dust nuisance and the measures required to avoid or minimise dust nuisance.	To prevent dust generation that may affect local vegetation and air quality.	Pre construction
45	Requirements to avoid, minimise and control the generation of airborne dust will be developed by the contractor as a Method Statement.	As above.	Pre construction
46	Minimise drop heights during the handling of bulk materials.	As above.	During construction
47	Undertake regular vehicle maintenance to ensure that emissions of soot and other pollutants in vehicle exhausts are minimised.	To prevent air pollution.	Pre and during construction
48	Switch off machinery and vehicles which are not in use.	As above.	During construction
49	Cover dust-producing materials in trucks leaving and entering the construction site.	To prevent dust generation that may affect local vegetation and air quality.	During construction
50	Conform to all relevant local authority requirements or restrictions for dust generation during construction.	As above.	During construction
51	Should unanticipated archaeological artefacts/remains be encountered during construction, they should be dealt with in accordance with procedures set out in ‘Special Requirements in Relation to Historic Scotland’ and agreed with Historic Scotland, Scottish Natural Heritage and the Scottish Executive. A trained archaeologist will be called in if artefacts are believed to have been uncovered.	To protect and preserve any unanticipated archaeological artefacts.	During construction
52	Minimise the area of temporary land-take and the duration of its use.	To avoid wide-spread disturbance to moorland habitats.	During construction
53	During re-instatement of land, particular care will be taken to minimise disturbance to adjacent habitats.	To prevent further wide-scale damage.	Post construction	Monitor the condition of vegetation adjacent to re-instated areas
54	Low-noise-emission machinery will be used where feasible.	Minimise noise disturbance.	During construction
55	Machines that are used intermittently will be shut down between periods of activity.	As above	During construction
56	All machinery will be well maintained (abnormal increases of noise are often associated with wear and tear, indicative of mechanical failure).	As above.	During construction	Continually monitor the performance of machinery.
57	All construction work will be undertaken in accordance with codes of practice for construction work and piling as outlined in BS 5228.	As above.	During construction
58	Fence off works with clear signage to avoid any adverse health and safety issues for pedestrians.	Increase pedestrian safety near and passing through the site.	During construction
59	Provision of designated temporary access routes (footways on the temporary bridge).	As above.	During construction
60	Provide sufficient room within the TM area to allow cars to pass cyclists.	Reduce the danger and stress experienced by cyclists.	During construction
61	The size and extent of working and storage areas should be minimised.	To avoid stress and delays to travellers.	Pre and during construction
62	Appropriate traffic management to maintain continuous traffic flow.	Reducing delays and driver frustration.	During construction
63	Install clear, advanced warning signs of the road works.	Reducing driver stress.	During construction
64	Good maintenance of the construction site and storage areas.	As above.	During construction
65	Use of temporary floodlighting to be utilised only when strictly necessary.	To avoid disturbance to fauna and not dazzle motorists.	During construction
66	Development and implementation of a strategy to anticipate and manage emergency vehicles needing access.	To facilitate emergency responses.	Pre construction
67	Minimise the movement of construction plant and equipment on site.	Prevents delays and driver frustration.	During construction
68	Any waste materials will be stored in designated areas and removed from the site in accordance with the Duty of Care principals and appropriate waste management licences obtained.	To reduce pollution and visual impact.	During construction
69	Excavated or imported soil will be stockpiled in a location away from watercourses and covered or wetted to minimise wind erosion. The stockpile area will be bunded to provide an impermeable barrier to the potential migration of pollutants into nearby water bodies. It may be necessary to cover stockpiles in times of particularly poor weather to prevent pollution of watercourses.	To prevent pollution and sedimentation.	During construction	Monitoring of bunding to ensure no leaks.
70	Any concrete will be mixed away from areas close to watercourses or locations where infiltration of water into the ground is possible. Ideally, the concrete will be mixed off site and delivered to site. When conducting concrete works in or close to watercourses, an impermeable barrier may be necessary to prevent transport of cement particles to the watercourse.	Prevent contamination of watercourses.	During construction
71	Limit the extent and location of working and storage areas to non-sensitive areas.	Prevents unnecessary damage to vulnerable terrain.	Pre construction
72	The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 should not be compromised during construction.	Minimises the risk of injury to employees.	During construction
73	If the compounds require lighting and provision of utilities, including water, foul drainage/septic tanks and electricity, they will make the necessary arrangements with local landowners and comply with the relevant regulatory authority requirements for this purpose. It will be important to ensure that no areas are used that could significantly adversely impact on sites or features identified within the ES as requiring protection.	Reduce disturbance to the local environment and infrastructure.	Pre and during construction
74	Use of local materials, materials that weather rapidly and sensitive design.	Minimises the impact of the structure on the character of the area.	during and post construction
75.	The Contractor’s Experienced Ecologist will be appointed to oversee all operations that could impact upon the environment and will be on site during sensitive operations.	Will ensure mitigation measures are implemented correctly in order to protect the environment and will be a source of advice throughout the work	Pre, during and post construction
76.	An otter ledge will be incorporated into the design of the new bridge	Will ensure improved access for otters along the River Ba	During construction
77.	The population of protected freshwater invertebrate species will be monitored during and for at least 3 years post construction.	This will provide evidence of any damage to the population caused by construction activities and also will monitor any short-term recovery of the population due to improved drainage.	During and post construction.	Ongoing throughout the works and thereafter on an annual basis for at least 3 years.
78.	Bat, otter and water vole surveys are to be conducted prior to construction.	Will ensure protected species have not moved into the area. If evidence is found then SNH and the Scottish Government will be consulted and appropriate licences obtained as necessary.	Pre construction.