Environmentally compatible construction work in Andermatt Reuss
March 15, 2023
Environmentally compatible construction work in Andermatt Reuss
Environmental impact monitor again gives positive upshot for 2022. Despite increased construction activity last year, the environmental requirements were correctly complied with. The environmental impact monitor draws up a report each year about activities with relevance to the environment. The reporting covers the ecological benefits in connection with operation of the golf course, as well as the environmental impact and measures associated with construction work.
Beat Hodel has been tasked with environmental monitoring at Andermatt Swiss Alps AG
since construction began in 2009. The environmental measures and decisions concerning
the Andermatt Golf Course are taken by the Expert Commission for Ecology. Last year, a
total of 36 weekly inspections were conducted at the construction site between March and
the end of November. Beat Hodel has concluded that the environmental requirements “are
being complied with in an exemplary manner, and the responsible individuals at Andermatt
Swiss Alps demonstrate great awareness for environmental issues.”
Emission control and measurements
Machinery with more than 18 kilowatts of power that is deployed at the construction site is
required to be outfitted with inspected particle filter system. Spot checks have shown that all
machinery complies with this. Two machines used for landscaping that did not meet the
requirements were barred from the site.
Dust monitoring showed elevated values at times, but they never exceeded the emissions
cap in the Ordinance on Air Pollution Control. Measures were promptly taken, which very
rapidly lowered these values again. The noise pollution associated with cement-removal
work using ultra-high pressure water jets was also efficiently reduced by completely
enclosing the work. In addition, this work was communicated to the residents in advance
and the working hours were limited to seven hours during a period of two weeks.
Water pollution control
In 2022 three wastewater treatment plants were in operation. Groundwater lowering was
necessary for the expansion of the podium. The resulting groundwater was discharged into
the Unteralpreuss river, whereby the Unteralpreuss was monitored in the inflow and outflow
of the discharge point. A measuring point in the Reuss river was used to monitor the
discharge of purified water from the construction of the cooling centre with open
dewatering. The groundwater was monitored at two measuring points. No significant
negative effects were ascertained. Washing and drilling wastewater was collected on site in
troughs and disposed of professionally off site.
Nature conservation
Since completion of the golf course, the Expert Commission for Ecology assembles once a
year for an on-site inspection and meeting. Going forward, the GEO-certified course is
looking to participate in the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf as a further
environmental certification.
The old outbuildings on the golf course were repurposed by a bat specialist. Two buildings
have potential for large colonies of Alpine long-eared bats (Plecotus macrobullaris).
Andermatt Swiss Alps AG – Welcome home.
Andermatt Swiss Alps AG, with registered office in Andermatt, plans, builds, and develops the year-round destination of Andermatt. In 2009 Andermatt Reuss came into being, with apartment buildings, hotels, and chalets. The Andermatt Swiss Alps Group owns the The Chedi Andermatt and Radisson Blu Reussen hotels, an 18-hole, par-72 championship golf course and the Andermatt Concert Hall. A close partnership is in place with Andermatt-Sedrun Sport AG (SkiArena Andermatt-Sedrun, the gastrobrand Mountain Food and the Swiss Snowsports School Andermatt) and its majority shareholder Vail Resorts, Inc. for developing the destination. Vail Resorts, the largest operator of ski resorts, and Andermatt Swiss Alps are together pursuing the vision of becoming The Prime Alpine Destination. In doing so, they are committed to an intact environment and a sustainable future that will enable coming generations to have an extraordinary home. During high season, Andermatt Swiss Alps and Andermatt-Sedrun Sport AG have more than 1,000 employees working at the locations in Altdorf, Andermatt and Sedrun.