Environmental / Ecological Clerk of Works

ECOFACT has extensive experience in the provision of Environmental and Ecological Clerk of Works services, particularly in relation to wind farm construction projects. We follow the code of conduct of the Association of Environmental & Ecological Clerks of Works (AEECoW). AEECoW is the qualifying body for Environmental and Ecological Clerks of Works (Env/EcCoW).

Environmental / Ecological Clerk of Works are involved in the following:

• Surveying to monitor environmental/ecological sensitivities at the site
• Monitoring work activities in close proximity to sensitive environmental receptors to ensure impacts are minimised, e.g. preventing pollution run-off to watercourses
• Auditing of site management plans and method statements to ensure environmental compliance
• Providing advice on the delivery of agreed mitigation measures
• Liaising with stakeholders such as  regulators, planners and members of the public
• Preparing compliance and audit reporting

An Ecological Clerk of Works (EcCOW) oversees construction activities in ecologically sensitive areas to ensure that construction works follow a pre-determined methodology designed to prevent significant ecological impacts. The ecological clerk of works’ presence on site can be permanent or periodical during the course of a construction project. The ecological clerk of works can assist in co-ordinate site activities with the construction contractor. Should it be necessary to deviate from a pre-agreed methodology, the ecological clerk of works can respond on the ground to changing site conditions and propose alternative mitigation measures to ensure a project can stay on schedule without causing negative ecological impacts.

Key examples of our previous project history as Environmental / Ecological Clerk of Works include numerous roles in this position on Office of Public Works (OPW) projects since 2001 on a range of river maintenance and drainage schemes. We provided ecological site monitoring and contributed to environmental elements of the Construction Method Statements during the construction of the Phase 1 upper section of this scheme. We were also contracted to complete the site investigation works in relation to ecological constraints and mitigations for the Phase 2 lower scheme. Recently we also prepared assessments for the Templemore Flood Alleviation scheme, Waterford Flood alleviation scheme, Lower River Shannon (Clonlara) flood scheme, and Fermoy Drainage Scheme Phase 1.

ECOFACT have also recently completed the following Ecological Clerk of Works (EcCOW) monitoring projects in relation to infrastructure; with particular reference to the implementation of mitigations during construction stage and the preparation of Construction Method Statements for ecological interests:

• Ecological monitoring of the Ennis Fergus Upper Flood Alleviation Scheme; encompassing terrestrial and aquatic interests, including lamprey species, salmonids and fish passage issues and bats.
• Ecological monitoring of the Fermoy Flood Alleviation Scheme which included bat, otter and fisheries mitigations, as well as invasive species management.
• Ecological monitoring of the Mullingar SIS pipeline construction contract for Pierse Contractors which included lamprey, fisheries and bat mitigations.
• Construction phase ecological consultancy and development of Silt Control Method Statements with regard to drainage design and protection of sensitive wetland habitats for the N7 Nenagh to Limerick National Road Scheme.
• Full Ecological Impact Assessment and ecological site monitoring for a number of Water Treatment Plants and pipeline routes on behalf of Galway County Council including the Clifden WTP, Inisbofin WTP, Tully WTP, Costello WTP and pipeline and Roundstone pipeline
• Ecological site monitoring and implementation of mitigations for drainage maintenance works and instream works undertaken by the OPW, Laois County Council and Galway County Council which included ecological impact assessment, construction phase ecological consultancy and development of Silt Control Method Statements with regard to drainage design and protection of sensitive wetland habitats.

More recently we have provided Environmental and Ecological Clerk of Works for a number of wind farm construction sites in Co Galway, Leitrim, Sligo, Kerry and Cork.