Environmental Sustainability

i. What is your geographic sphere of interest? How was that chosen and why?

Environmental sustainability is a critical concern in our project. The mainly geographic sphere of interest is the surrounding area of East Wilder Road and the Connecticut River. This was chosen due to the project location and environmental impact throughout and after the construction. Those residents lived here will be influenced by the construction pollutants, especially the waste water will contaminate the Connecticut River.

ii. What is your time frame of interest? How/Why did you choose that?

For Environmental aspect, consider the expectation from our community partner. We are going to design for 100-year-storm culverts. With respect to the climate change, if the precipitation become larger which influence the flow rate, we may need to redesign the culvert system.

iii. How are air, surface water, soil, and groundwater impacted by your project?

Our project aims to repave the selected road section, redesign the culvert system and alleviate slope erosion problem. In the process of construction, it will release carbon dioxide and other construction pollutants which will influence the air quality of the surrounding area. The asphalt using to repave the road has the potential to leach carcinogenic compounds which will damage the soil. The construction waste may also contaminate water.

The main purpose of redesigning culvert system is to collect the stormwater to mitigate runoff problem.In addition, the culvert material (PVC) release toxic chemicals damage the soil and water. On the other side, the reduction of sediment due to efficient culvert system improves the water quality and reduces pollution.

iv. What are the biological ecosystem impacts (positive and negative) by your project?

The initial construction will produce pollution to the surrounding green area and generate construction noise to the residential. Another environmental problem is that the soil underneath the paved areas absorbs very little water, the natural aquifers below the road will dry up, reducing the amount drinking water to people and wildlife. However, after the construction is finished, the erosion problem has been solved which promote the growth of forest and provide more habitat for animals. In addition, a nice road and environment can attract more people to visit.

v. Provide appropriate references for information you use to support your statements to the questions above.

These should be recent enough to apply to the present situation. Case study examples from similar projects, and community partner derived information for your projects are usually the most credible references.

(asphalt damage)
(the damage of paving road)
(smoother road advantage)

vi. Use established metrics whenever they are applicable as those are generally more widely recognized and accepted.

Modify or create new metrics if you need to but do so with proper substantiation.
One way to analyze sustainability of a project is to review the metrics established by Vermont Act 250. There are 10 criteria need to be considered to improve sustainability in the project. Most of them are fall into the category of environmental sustainability which will be discussed in the next table.

vii. Create a table of environmental factors impacted by your project, with the positive and negative impacts quantified.

Include the weighting of each of those factors within the geographic and time spheres you are using.

Factor Impact Geographic Time

Construction: negative Construction will produce pollution and noise to the residential. The surrounding area of East wilder road Depends on construction time
Air and water pollution :negative Air and water pollution due to construction will prevent the plant life and destroy wildlife habitat The surrounding area of East wilder road and the Connecticut River Short-term influence if the construction is under proper control and the wastes are
Runoff mitigation: positive Removing surface runoff water The surrounding area of East wilder road and the Connecticut River Culverts are design to be 100-year storm

Resolve slope erosion problem: positive Improve the growth of forest and provide more habitat for wildlife The stream site of the East Wider Road Long-term benefits which is good for the environment

Aesthetics impact: positive A nice road and environment can attract more visitors East wilder Road as well as the town of Lebnon. Long-term benefits both for residents and visitors.

viii. Address environmental sustainability in a manner consistent with:

1. The interests and goals of your community partner?
To prepare a 100-year-strom culverts system to mitigate runoff problem, reduce the sediment on the stream site to improve water quality. Resolve the slope erosion problem in order to improve the growth of green in the surrounding area to provide more habitat for animal’s life. The growth of the trees will also improve the air quality.

2. Your responsibility as a Professional Engineer?
As a Professional Engineer, environmental sustainability must be considered in all parts of our project. Sustainable materials need to be considered both in the pavement staff and culverts’ material. The runoff volume will be collect to reduce the pollution to the site and Connecticut river. Road will be repaved under safe construction. To clear the construction waste properly to mitigate the pollution problem.

3. What you have learned in your undergraduate education.
Sustainability is a critical concept in all design projects, we need to consider it in all steps of our design. Environmental sustainability is related to all aspects of our lives. Sustainable material need to be used in all parts of our project including both pavement and culverts. Additionally, adjust the angle of culverts can resolve the slope erosion problem in order to reduce the l