Environmental impact monitoring draws a positive conclusion - measures to protect the environment take effect
The year 2023 was once again characterised by an elevated level of construction activity at Andermatt Swiss Alps. The work along the national road in particular was extremely challenging in terms of construction and safety, but also with regard to the environment. The measures to protect the environment took effect.
Since the start of construction in 2009, environmental consultant Beat Hodel has been responsible for the overall environmental impact monitoring on the construction sites of Andermatt Swiss Alps AG. Last year, the local environmental impact monitoring team (Elias Willimann, Hannah Bichsel), which he supervises, carried out a total of 38 inspections between March and December, the results of which are recorded in a protocol. Ecological decisions on the Andermatt Golf Course continue to be made by the Expert Commission for Ecology.
Immission control
The machines used on the construction site with an output of over 18 kilowatts must be equipped with a tested particle filter system. Random checks have shown that all machines comply with this requirement.
The dust monitoring shows that the limit value of the Ordinance on Air Pollution Control was comfortably complied with. A brief increase in the period from the end of May to the beginning of June was due to Saharan dust and not to construction activity.
Sheet piling had to be vibrated into the ground along the entire perimeter of the podium extension (Lot 4, Hotel 4C). A noise concept was drawn up for this work. All noise-intensive work was communicated to guests and neighbours in advance by the client Andermatt Swiss Alps.
Water protection
The pH values were monitored before and after the discharge point of the water from the groundwater well into the Unteralpreuss. They showed no abnormalities. Due to the dense subsoil and existing depressions, four sedimentation tanks and a neutralisation system were ordered for open dewatering on the construction site. The purified water was discharged into the Reuss in the Schöllenen via a meteoric water channel. Due to short-term increases in the pH value during rain events in the meteoric water channel, the meteoric water flowing from podium lot 3 was collected as an additional measure and channelled via an additionally installed neutralisation system. The sludge collectors were also pumped out and the sludge disposed of in an environmentally friendly manner.
Nature conservation
The Andermatt Golf Course was one of the first golf courses in Switzerland to receive the internationally recognised GEO certificate. After three years, the course was successfully recertified. 2013 a vegetation monitoring was carried out. A total of ten red-listed species and numerous orchid species were counted. In addition to the Bäz cantonal nature reserve, the ecologically valuable wetland meadow at tee 4 was transferred to a cantonal nature reserve with the consent of Andermatt Swiss Alps.
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 villas. The Andermatt Swiss Alps Group owns the The Chedi Andermatt and Radisson Blu Reussen hotels, the holiday apartments Andermatt Alpine Apartments, an 18-hole, par-72 championship golf course and the Andermatt Concert Hall. A close partnership is in place with Andermatt-Sedrun Sport AG (Andermatt-Sedrun mountain railways, various restaurants, the Swiss Snowsports School Andermatt and the sport shop Gleis 0) 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.
