The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) will be designating a site of about 70 hectares, as shown in the chartlet, for the dumping of excavated earth such as marine clay and silt from both public and private development projects with effect from 1 August 1999. This is to create more dumping grounds to prevent indiscriminate and illegal dumping of the excavated earth on land and in the sea.

The new dumping site has a capacity of close to 2 million cubic metres, which provides for dumping operations to be carried out over a period of two to three years. The MPA will manage and supervise the dumping operations to ensure that the site is fully utilised.

Dumping operations will be carried out by barges as the site is off-shore. All the authorised barges transporting the excavated earth to the new dumping sites are fitted with satellite-based tracking devices linked to the MPA's Dumping Management System. The tracking devices identify the barges and their positions by the Differential Global Positioning System, and monitor their draughts to ensure that there is no indiscriminate or illegal dumping, and that dumping is carried out at the designated location.

Land-based development project contractors can use this site without having to obtain the permission of the MPA. However, they should continue to use the current Pasir Ris Staging Ground, which is managed by the Building and Construction Authority (BCA), for the transfer of the excavated earth from the lorries onto the authorised barges. With effect from 1 August 1999, the contractors need only apply to the BCA for the use of the loading facilities at the Pasir Ris Staging Ground.

End of Release.