(Ferrovial) Toll Roads

Environmental Surveillance Program in the Operational Phase of the R-4 Highway (Madrid, Spain)

In drawing up this document the principal corrective measures executed along the highway were taking into account, establishing a series of specific or periodic measures (monthly or six monthly) which check the suitability of the measures proposed and if appropriate suggest additional measures to be implemented.

Aspects subject to control include:

• Acoustic screening.
• Quality control of water: settling ponds, waste water treatment systems in toll and service areas etc.
• Permeability of the route: animal crossings, restoration of livestock trails etc.
• Replanting: special plantations (Tajo riverbank, El Regajal, etc.), restoration of agricultural plots, treatment of earthworks and embankments etc.
• Erosive processes on newly created surfaces.
• Animals: Escape ramps in fencing, nest boxes for bats, road kill statistics etc.

The results of execution of the surveillance plan are based on ordinary reports issued at six monthly intervals during the first three years following the reception of the works.

Construction of this transport infrastructure, which has unprecedented dimensions and which covers natural areas with specific ecological value, required the design and execution of an ambitious plan of corrective and compensatory measures in respect of its environmental impact. Some particularly relevant activities are those taking place in the Natural Reserve of El Regajal and the chalk banks of the river Tajo, as well as plans for protection of the lesser kestrel (Falco naumanni), a species which has been declared of special interest in the National Catalogue of Endangered Species. Given the complexity of the aforementioned activities, and the relevance of natural values that the company seeks to conserve, Ferrovial Agroman has obtained the collaboration of public research institutes and NGOs which have collaborated with the company on the design, control and execution of the environmental protection measures.

• Collaboration agreement with the Spanish Ornithology Society (SEO) in order to protect the lesser kestrel.
• Collaboration agreement with the Portuguese American Lepidopterology Society (SHILAP) to execute compensatory measures designed to protect various butterfly and moth species in the El Regajal-Mar de Ontígola Nature Reserve.
• Framework project for collaboration with the Centro de Ciencias Ambientales del Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC, Environmental Sciences Center of the Scientific Research Council) in developing a program for collecting chalk and woodland species used in recovering the natural environment affected by the highway.

As a result of collaboration with these centers and institutions, in 2004 a nesting area was built in Perales del Río and the beach for limnicola species in the River Tajo. The work of the second replanting campaign has been completed and the scientific program continues in the El Regajal Nature Reserve.

Environmental monitoring program for the Combined Cycle Power Plant construction in Plana de Vent. (Tarragona Spain)

In the case of the CCPP Plana del Vent, the conditions imposed by the Declaracion de Impacto Ambiental (DIA, Environmental Impact Declaration) and the Environmental Authorization from the Government of Catalonia were taken into account. A series of fact sheets were compiled for factors or elements to be controlled, establishing the parameters subjected to controls, their frequency, the activities carried out, additional measures and detailing the persons responsible for executing the plan. At the same time, through the technical assistance provided by the Department on site (monthly visits) various actions were monitored and permanently supervised by the Site Management.

Environmental Surveillance comprises a series of six monthly ordinary reports compiling the inspections carried out, with extraordinary reports drafted as necessary (in the event of accidental spills, discovery of archaeological finds etc.) The ordinary reports were used to draw up a series of conclusions which, if appropriate, lead to the adoption of additional measures.

The main parameters monitored are as follows:

• Air quality: presence of dust in suspension.
• Noise generated by works with emphasis on night work.
• Transplanting of olive and palm trees directly affected by the works.
• Quality control of water: surface, underground and marine waters.
• Control of the effect of marine phanerogams on meadows.
• Control of effects on adjacent protected areas.
• Control of sowing and planting program.
• Monitoring of territorial permeability with an emphasis on temporary occupation of livestock trails Monitoring of serviceability of the N-340 national road.
• Protection of archaeological heritage

Ecological, aesthetic and landscaping organization and arrangement of the N-260 (the Pyrenean Axis) Besalú - Argelaguer section

The landscape aspect of this section of the Pyrenean Axis is contained in the Amended version of the Construction Project.

The conditions established in the Environmental Impact Study were taken into account in the DIA and in the original Construction Project. In addition, a series of aspects were considered that had been initially overlooked and which are determining factors, such as the choice of native species with different degrees of development based on their location along the route, the use of erosion control methods (coconut netting and volumetric mesh) or replanting programs in adjacent sections.

The opinion of the Consell Comarcal de la Garrotxa was also taken into account as expressed through the Site Management. Another implemented corrective measure that had not been initially planned, consisted on the creation of a specific animal crossing in order to ensure the biological connection between protected areas of the Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park and the Alta Garrotxa Area of Natural Interest.

Environmental monitoring of the construction works for the Ocaña-La Roda highway

As mentioned, throughout 2005 work on the construction of the 180 km Ocaña-La Roda Toll Highway has continued. The Environmental Department is in charge of the environmental monitoring of the works. The inspections involved the following:

• Protection of the soil horizon.
• Quality of underground and surface water course.
• Protection of the area’s archaeological and ethnographic heritage.
• Protection of birdlife in the steppe land areas.