Mitigation of the Impacts of Land Development, Waste Disposal, and Construction on Coasts

Objective
At the end of the lesson, you should be able to cite ways to prevent or mitigate the impact of land development, waste disposal,
and construction on coasts.

The modifications in coasts are not solely caused by coastal processes. Some human activities contribute to the alteration of
coastal landscapes. They can worsen the effects of coastal processes.

What are some effects of human activities on the coasts? How can the effects of human activities be prevented from
negatively affecting coasts?

Learn about it!

Human activities such as land development, waste disposal, and construction cause different changes in coastal features. It is
vital that impacts of these activities be prevented or mitigated to help the coasts in withstanding coastal processes.

Coastal Land Development

Coastal land development is due to the demand in space, structures, and facilities that are used for various human needs. It
aggravates the effects of coastal processes. It increases the incidents of sand mining and sediment run-off that contribute to
coastal erosion. In addition, the increase in establishments leads to higher demand for freshwater which then contribute to
saltwater intrusion.

Several ways must be employed to control the impact of land development on coasts. In the Philippines, PD 1586 has established
the implementation of Philippine Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). EIA allows the determination of the possible
environmental consequences of implementing a project, and it also plans possible preventive and enhancing methods for
mitigation of the determined risks. EIA points out the dangers before, during, and after development. Meanwhile, environmental
risk assessments (ERAs) are done in an ongoing project and help identify and evaluate the effects on the ecosystem of any
hazards caused by land development. Developments must also have blueprints that ensure that coasts are preserved,
infrastructures are used efficiently, and the development itself has a beneficial use for the community. Lastly, controlling activities
of development must be employed to ensure the protection of coasts from strain.

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Waste Disposal
The increase in development and population may lead to increased amounts of waste disposed of in a coastal area. The wastes
are sometimes disposed of in landfills built near the coasts. The construction of these landfills not only causes land and water
pollution to the coastal area but also amplifies the effects of coastal erosion and results in saltwater intrusion.

Effective solid waste management planning and implementation must be carried out by the residents and users of coastal
areas. Managing solid wastes at the community level prevents coastal deterioration. Industrial wastes must also be properly
managed and not released in coastal areas.

Construction
Constructions on coasts are consequences of the increasing land development in the area. If done haphazardly, these
constructed infrastructures can cause more harm to the coast. 
It is crucial that these structures are built at a safe distance from the coasts. This ensures both the structures’ and coasts’ safety.
Structures must also have strong foundations to withstand the coastal harshness so that they will not deteriorate. It is also
suggested that the buildings be elevated so as not to impact directly the coastal soil and for their protection against coastal
processes. If possible, reinforcing building envelopes should be considered to protect the infrastructure and land from coastal
threats. Building envelopes are structures that separate interior from exterior, like walls, doors, roofs.

Explore!
Identify a coastal area near your home or school. What are the possible risks to this area brought about by coastal land
development, waste disposal, and construction? What regulations does your local government implement to protect these areas?

Try it!
You recently finished rural studies and your expertise is coastal management and protection. A coastal area community has
agreed for land development and is seeking your help to draft rules and regulations for the agreement with the contractor. What
provisions will you include in the agreement? Draft your own terms of agreement for the land development project that
emphasizes coastal protection.
What do you think?
What will be the effect on coastal areas if unregulated land developments, waste disposal systems, and construction activities
continue to happen?

Key Points

 Coastal land development, waste disposal, and construction are three major human activities that directly affect
coasts.
 Coastal land development is a thriving activity due to increasing demands. Unfortunately, it contributes to the incidents
of soil erosion and saltwater intrusion.
 Risk assessment, blueprint development, and control of activities can mitigate the effects of coastal land
development.
 Construction of landfills not only pollutes the soil and water but also causes erosion.
 Effective solid waste management can prevent the effects of waste disposal along coastal areas.
 Construction of building envelopes and strong foundations for infrastructures, and conducting works at a safe
and acceptable distance from the shoreline are mitigation procedures for the effects of construction on coastal areas.
 Q1
 Which of the following human activities have major impacts on coastal changes?
 Multiple Choice
 construction
 land development
 waste disposal
 incineration
 Explanation
 Land development, waste disposal, and construction directly contribute to the changes on coasts similarly as how some
coastal processes affect the coasts.
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 Q2
 Which of the following waste facilities can cause erosion as well as land and water pollution?
 Multiple Choice
 landfills
 disposal bins
 incinerators
 recycling plants
 Explanation
 Landfills are constructed on coastal areas to accommodate collected solid wastes. Construction and maintenance of a
landfill along a coast can lead to erosion and coastal deterioration.
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 Q3
 Which of the following involves the study of a coastal area to determine possible environmental risks before starting land
development projects?
 Multiple Choice
 Environmental Impact Assessment
 Developmental Ban
 Environmental Risk Assessment
 Blueprint Development
 Explanation
 Environmental impact assessments are done before the implementation of a project. They determine possible risks and
hazards that may occur before, during, and after execution of a development. They also suggest practices that will
mitigate the effects of the risk and hazards.
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 Q4
 Which of the following result in coastal erosion during a coastal land development?
 Multiple Choice
 sand mining
 sediment run-off
 demolition
 wave generation
 Explanation
 Sand mining and sediment run-off result from construction activities that can result in erosion after some time.
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 Q5
 Which of the following is a possible consequence of the increase in demand for freshwater when a coastal area is
developed?
 Multiple Choice
 saltwater intrusion
 coastal accretion
 decrease in businesses
 increase in population
 Explanation
 Increase in the demand for freshwater during a coastal area development will lead to excessive water pumping that leads
to saltwater intrusion.
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 Q6
 Which of the following best mitigates the effects of coastal land development?
 Multiple Choice
 Control the activities that can be done in the area.
 Abandon an on-going development on the coastal area.
 Encourage developers for the coastal land.
 Prevent development of coastal areas.
 Explanation
 Controlling activities on land development is a non-invasive way of overseeing land development projects.
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 Q7
 Which of the following are effective principles of solid waste management on coasts?
 Multiple Choice
 proper program implementation
 planning
 assessment
 abandonment of landfills
 Explanation
 Planning, implementation, and assessment are crucial steps in making an effective solid waste management program.
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 Q8
 Which of the following best describe the effect of constructions on coasts?
 Multiple Choice
 Constructions release chemicals that alter the biological health of coasts.
 Constructions use materials and employ activities that alter the surface of the coasts.
 Constructions do not affect the coasts in general.
 Constructions provide sand and rocks that help build up the coastal soil.
 Explanation
 Construction activities along coasts use materials and employ activities that alter the surface of the coasts. Some
chemicals used in construction cause harm to the biological health of coasts.
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 Q9
 Which of the following best explains why construction of infrastructures must be done at a “safe distance” from the
coasts?
 Multiple Choice
 It protects the infrastructure from coastal processes.
 It protects the construction from the effects of high tides.
 It provides the infrastructure with a better view of the coasts.
 Construction does not pose dangers to the coasts.
 Explanation
 Enforcing a safe distance regulation protects the infrastructure from coastal processes and the coasts from the possible
effects of construction of infrastructure near the coast.
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 Q10
 A coastal area was hit by strong waves two years ago. The current mayor of the town decided to let contractors
develop the land right away.
 Was the mayor’s decision right? Why?
 Multiple Choice
 No. The area did not undergo environmental impact assessments before project implementation. The land development
may cause more damage to the area.
 No. An area previously affected by coastal processes must be abandoned.
 Yes. Developers will provide the area with better structures and the land will have a better appearance.
 Yes. The coastal area has been safe from waves from two years so it is safe to let the contractors develop the land
immediately.
 Explanation
 Environmental impact assessment should be done before allowing any development in a coastal area. It will properly
evaluate the positive and negative effects of land development in an area.