As if construction professionals didn’t have enough on their plate — supply chain issues, labor shortages, and soaring materials prices have put significant strain on the industry in recent years — one social media creator’s videos are highlighting another potential area of concern for contractors globally.
Environmental consultant and TikTok creator froggiebiologist shares details of his often-overlooked career path to his growing following of over 30,000 users.
His humorous videos of saving frogs, searching for burrowing owls, and “yelling” at construction workers attract hundreds of likes — but they also showcase a very real obstacle for many construction professionals.
Environmental consultants work with developers and construction crews to identify any environmental concerns that a project may face, whether it be a regulatory issue or a nest of owls in the middle of the job site.
Factoring in environmental concerns may seem like a hindrance, but the risks of foregoing environmental consultation are simply too great to consider. Violating environmental restrictions can cause serious delays to scheduling and payments, and can even come back to bite contractors long after the job is finished.
Learn more: Environmental Regulations in Construction – Laws Contractors Need to Know
Late last year, the Center for Biological Diversity filed a letter of intent against the Biden administration for failing to seek environmental consultation in its plans for the construction of levees across the Rio Grande Valley in Texas.
Construction began without proper consideration for the region’s wildlife, including the incredibly endangered ocelot. In doing so, the federal government had violated both the National Environmental Policy Act and the Endangered Species Act, according to the Center for Biological Diversity.
In a similar story, paleontologists have recently demanded the Bureau of Land Management to stop all construction work of a walkway across the site of 112-million-year-old dinosaur footprints after damage to the fossils was discovered.
Allegedly, paleontologists were not properly consulted in the project’s prep-work, and construction had to be shut down in order to assess damages and plot a new way forward.
Factoring in environmental regulations and consultations early will help contractors steer clear of froggiebiologist and his “serious fights for da frogs.”
All joking aside, ignoring environmental regulations can quickly lead to project delays, hefty fines, and lawsuits, making it incredibly difficult for contractors to collect payment on time.
If necessary, including a biologist or environmental consultant in early project plans will go a long way towards avoiding project disruptions.