Restoration Project Documents - Project Planning and Management for Ecological Restoration - page 147

Box 9-1. Acronyms Can Get You into Hot Alphabet Soup!
A state agency developed contract plans for a bridge replacement project. During the
environmental process, a small population of an endangered annual plant was found
along one side of the bridge approach. The biologist labeled the area as an “environ-
mentally sensitive area.” The plan preparer accurately drew the site and labeled it
“ESA” because the area was too small to contain the full wording. The project went
to construction, and the biologist visited the site to discover that the contractor had
parked his equipment in the area. When approached, the contractor said that “ESA”
stands for Equipment Storage Area!
Lesson learned: The state instituted a program of spelling out the words for ESA
at least one time on each sheet where a designated area is located. Also, the plans
are now reviewed by the environmental units prior to advertising to ensure that all
mitigation measures are clearly marked or included in the specifications. Mandatory
prejob meetings take place with a representative from the environmental department
to discuss the environmental issues of the project.
standardized specifications and provisions wherever possible. Good projects have failed as a result
of poor specifications or assumptions (box 9-1).
Specification Standards
Standardized specifications—such as those published by the Construction Specifications Institute
(CSI)—along with CSI's program for specification preparation, organization, and methodology, are
great sources for guidance in preparing specifications. CSI's member organization has worked for years
with various trades in the construction industry and has developed a standardized methodology for
preparing specifications and contracts. Misunderstandings and possible legal battles can be avoided
through the use of a specification structure like that developed by CSI (http://www.csinet.org/). The
highly variable nature of restoration work necessitates accurate and precise specifications. Clarity is
an absolute necessity to ensure complete understanding of what is desired.
A number of commercial vendors provide standard specifications for their products. This will
ensure correct application or use of the material. The following guidelines for specification writ-
ing will help you through the process:
1. Begin with the end objectives in mind.
2. Describe the expected outcome or product that you hope to attain.
3. Rely on standards as much as possible; do not waste time reinventing something that has
been done. Use an existing format.
4. Be concise; do not overdescribe things.
5. Consider whether a drawing or construction detail might better describe what you are
looking for.