Coastal sensitivity mapping

environmental consultants in brunei and east malaysia, EIA, impact assesment, Sensitivity index, Coastal zone management, landscape architecture, sewage treatment, planning, engineering consultants

integrated environmental consultants specialising in environment, landscape, planning and engineering

BRUNEI COASTAL SENSITIVITY MAPPING AND OIL SPILL RESPONSE

CLIENT: BRUNEI SHELL PETROLEUM COMPANY SDN. BHD.

Brunei National Oil Spill Contingency Plan required updated mapping of natural resource information and strategies for defense and clean-up of oil spills. IEC were selected for the work with support from University of Malaysia Sarawak, for their expertise in marine resources and conservation.

Approximately 180kms of coastline were studied including inner Brunei Bay offshore islands, patch reefs, wrecks and artificial reefs close to the surface. Field survey and aerial surveillance enabled mapping of coastal types, wildlife habitats, mangroves and river deltas.

Coastal landuse and cultural features were placed on the database together with planned infrastructure and oil related facilities.

Coastline types were described using Sensitivity Indexing from North American Oceanic Atmospheric Association, modified by IEC for tropical environs and with temporal factors to allow for lifecycle, habitat changes, and wildlife migration routes.

Defense strategies against oil spills examined Best Practice promoted by ITOPF, EARL and AMSA to assess the characteristics of oil spills and weathering in tropical waters. Use of Dispersants was also evaluated for anticipated mixing of oil into the water column and impact on marine fauna and coastal habitats. This work resulted in production of Dispersant Maps for different tide conditions, and further studies on Toxicology of Dispersants in tropical waters.

Clean-up strategies were formulated according to size of spill, weathering characteristics, and site conditions of landfall so that response methods were appropriate to geomorphological type and coastal sensitivity rating.

Environmental Decision Guides were created for Offshore and Inshore Oil Spills ensuing response strategies incorporated key sensitivities and natural features.

Information from the project is presented as an Intranet site for use by Oil Spill Managers and International Response Teams.

All maps were converted to GIS MapInfo format for compatibility with GPS receivers and presented in hardcopy and electronic versions at scales ranging from 2,500 to 120,000.

RECENT PROJECTS:

|COASTAL SENSITIVITY MAPPING FOR BRUNEI| |LANDSCAPE PLANNING FOR UNIVERSITY OF BRUNEI DARUSSALAM|

|EFFECTS OF OVERTRAWLING ON SEABED PIPELINES| |OPEN SPACE AND RECREATIONAL PLANS|