General Requirements and General Conditions
Cornell's construction projects, if improperly managed, could have big impacts on the local environment. To keep those impacts under control, Cornell uses a number of compliance tools. One of these tools is the use of the Contract Documents to inform the contractor of their obligations and responsibilities for protecting the environment.
Cornell General Requirements and General Conditions (GRs and GCs) are part of every project the endowed campus manages. Contract College facilities also have their own GRs and GCs, often based on the policies created by the State University Construction Fund.
The GRs and GCs specify the contractor's role in protecting the environment during their work on campus. Elements of these GRs and GCs include the following:
- General Environmental Requirements: Includes requirements for preparing the site for use; disposal of "spoil" materials (excess soils and vegetation); dust control, noise reduction, hazardous or toxic materials, rerouting of storm or sewer lines (to prevent mistakes); and rerouting of air exhaust points. In general, this section makes the contractor responsible for reducing each of these impacts while on Cornell property.
- Spill Control: Requires measures for reducing the potential for spills of petroleum or chemical materials used in the construction process - and defines the responsibility for clean-up in the event something goes wrong.
- Soil Erosion and Sediment Control: Requires planning and implementation of programs to reduce soil runoff and erosion during site disturbances. For sites of one acre or more, a formal Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan is also required which provides measures to control storm water impacts after construction.
- Refrigerant Compliance: Provides guidance and requirements for work involving refrigerants on campus.
- Wetland Protection and Construction: Requires wetland protection and provides design requirements for replacement wetlands on projects that include these features.
The Environmental Compliance and Sustainability Office (ECOS) is responsible for maintaining these GRs and GCs and updating them as regulations or campus standards change.
For more information, contact Steve Beyers, P.E., ECOS Services Team Leaders smb75@cornell.edu.
Of Related Interest
Did You Know?
Cornell's College of Veterinary Medicine will be disposing of its waste through a clean "non-burn" technology. The university met with members of 17 Ithaca community groups over two years to arrive at a consensus-based decision to use this new, more expensive technology.
