What is Encroachment?

Encroachment is the advancement of roads, buildings, and other man-made structures into natural areas such as floodplains and rivers. But many of these natural areas have been in place for hundreds of years, so committing to such encroachment must be done with caution. For example, changing the nature of a floodplain may make an area more susceptible to floods and make an area more unpredictable. Also, changing an area may introduce more pollutants to the natural environment, which can make permanent changes to a place’s wildlife.

Throughout the years, encroachment has raised concerns about its adverse effects to the environment. In Vermont, it has been studied that 121,000 acres of Vermont’s wetlands have been lost due to encroachment, and 71% of Vermonts lakes exhibit signs of disturbance due to such encroachment. So if encroachment can detriment these natural features, what can civil engineers to to help.

One method that is suggested is to make restoration efforts. If a floodplain has been displaced from encroachment, efforts can be taken to restore the safety of the areas surrounding a floodplain. Floodwalls and other anti-flood measures can be taken in response to an encroaching project, and restore the balance in the area that may be endangered by a floodplain.

Also, civil engineers may have to install antipollution measures. In a floodplain for example, pollution can often occur from water running off from the area. Knowing this, engineers can construct water retention structures that can prevent water from leaving the floodplain and being contaminated. Adding on to this, civil engineers may have to work with environmental engineers to implement anti-pollution structures to reduce run-off from intruding a natural area.

Encroachment may be a necessity in a project, but it is best to avoid this practice at all costs. It often disrupts environments that have been in place for thousands of years, and in turn causes unpredictable environmental behavior. But if encroachment is the only manner in which a project can continue, civil engineers should consider every measure to reduce the impact and harm such encroachment may have.