Do we need a rehabilitation plan to remove a construction camp?

Short answer

No NCEC regulation sets a rehabilitation trigger specific to construction camps, and some NCEC sector guidelines list worker camps only as temporary facilities whose land impacts must be mitigated. So the answer depends on which general trigger applies. A rehabilitation plan is required for Category 1 activities that NCEC designates, inside every Category 2 and 3 EIA, after an incident that degrades the site, and whenever NCEC asks after an inspection or audit. The plan must be prepared by an NCEC licensed provider, and after an incident or NCEC request you have 10 working days to submit it. Approval does not release the bank guarantee until the plan is implemented and a completion notice is issued.

Key terms used in this guide 16 terms

Category 1 activities: Activities expected to produce low environmental impact that does not exceed the perimeter of the activity's site. Arabic: أنشطة الفئة الأولى (meaning “activities of the first category”) Permits reg. Art. 4(4), First
Category 2 activities: Activities expected to produce moderate environmental impact throughout the different stages of the activity. The impact may be alleviated and controlled, and does not largely exceed the perimeter of the activity's site. Arabic: أنشطة الفئة الثانية (meaning “activities of the second category”) Permits reg. Art. 4(4), Second
Category 3 activities: Activities expected to produce significant environmental, social and economic impact, which may exceed the perimeter of the activity's site and adversely affect the sustainability of environmentally sensitive areas and receptors. Arabic: أنشطة الفئة الثالثة (meaning “activities of the third category”) Permits reg. Art. 4(4), Third
Closure of an activity: Complete closure or removal of an activity (translated from the Arabic guide). Arabic: إغلاق نشاط (meaning “closure of an activity”) Permit guide, definitions
Environmental audit study: The study that Category 2 and 3 activities, and any activity NCEC names in a reasoned decision, submit with the renewal of the permit to operate. It is prepared by an NCEC licensed provider using the structure in Appendix 1 of the Audit regulation. The 1446H regulation no longer defines the term. Arabic: دراسة التدقيق البيئي (meaning “environmental audit study”) Audit reg. (1446H) Art. 5 and Appendix 1
Environmental degradation: Severe damage to the environment caused by the depletion of natural resources, the destruction of natural habitats, the extinction of wildlife species, or the pollution of environmental media and the deterioration of air, water and soil quality. Arabic: التدهور البيئي (meaning “environmental deterioration”) Permits reg. Art. 1
Environmental impact assessment (EIA) study: Study aimed at determining, estimating and evaluating the environmental impact of any activity classified by the Center as category 2 or 3, with the objective of incorporating environmental considerations into the final design of the activity, along with economic, social and security considerations, and identifying the necessary alternatives and measures to protect the environment. Arabic: دراسة تقييم الأثر البيئي (meaning “study of the assessment of the environmental impact”) Permits reg. Art. 1
Environmental management plan (EMP): Measures taken by the person to ensure and sustain environmental compliance. It is submitted as part of the procedures to obtain the environmental permit. Arabic: خطة الإدارة البيئية (meaning “the environmental management plan”) Permits reg. Art. 1
Environmental permit (general): Document issued by the Center to a person before undertaking an activity. Arabic: التصريح (meaning “the permit (authorisation)”) Permits reg. Art. 1
Environmental rehabilitation: Any procedure conducted on an environmentally degraded site or one that is affected by environmental damage or pollution, to restore its natural state of environmental balance, in accordance with the standards set by the competent authority. Arabic: إعادة التأهيل البيئي (meaning “environmental re-qualification (restoring to a fit state)”) Rehab reg. Art. 1
Plan completion notice: Notice obtained after a rehabilitation or remediation plan has been implemented. Approval of the plan does not release the bank guarantee until the plan is implemented and this notice is obtained. Arabic: إشعار إتمام تنفيذ الخطة (meaning “notice of completion of implementing the plan”) Rehab guide, section 2 (d)
Rehabilitation plan: Plan that must be submitted to NCEC for certain Category 1 activities designated at classification, as part of a Category 2 or 3 EIA, whenever an incident requires rehabilitation of the damaged site, or on NCEC request after inspections or audits. Arabic: خطة إعادة التأهيل البيئي للمواقع المتدهورة (meaning “plan for the environmental rehabilitation of degraded sites”) Rehab reg. Art. 5, First (1)
Remediation of polluted sites: Any procedure conducted on a polluted site to restore it to its natural state of environmental balance in accordance with the requirements of the competent authority. Arabic: معالجة المواقع الملوثة (meaning “treatment of polluted sites”) Rehab reg. Art. 1
Remediation plan: Plan that must be developed and submitted to NCEC when any environmental pollution incident occurs while the activity is being set up, operated or closed, or on NCEC request after inspections or audits. Arabic: خطة معالجة المواقع الملوثة (meaning “plan for treating polluted sites”) Rehab reg. Art. 5, Second (1)
Sensitive receptors: Receptors that are likely to be severely affected by activity or project due to their geographical proximity or sensitive nature. They include environmental elements, living species, archeological, cultural and religious sites, and community groups (such as endangered species, hospitals, elder care centers, schools, residential complexes, and others). Arabic: المستقبلات الحساسة (meaning “the sensitive receivers”) Permits reg. Art. 1
Service provider: A person licensed by the competent authority to provide environmental services. The Audit regulation uses the singular مقدم الخدمة (meaning the service provider) for a person licensed by the Center. Arabic: مقدمو الخدمات (meaning “the service providers (those who provide the services)”) SP reg. (1446H) Art. 1 and Audit reg. (1446H) Art. 1

All 49 terms in the NCEC glossary

On this page

Does any regulation mention construction camps?
When is a rehabilitation plan required?
Is a camp on the Category 1 list?
What must the plan cover for a camp site?
How long does NCEC take to approve the plan?
Who carries out the plan, and when is the guarantee released?
What can go wrong?

Does any regulation mention construction camps?

The rehabilitation regulation, the permit guide's list of Category 1 activities that need a rehabilitation plan and the NCEC rehabilitation guidelines do not name construction camps. A camp is therefore caught only through the general triggers set out below.^{Rehab reg. Art. 5, First (1)}

The permit guide defines closure as closing or completely removing an activity. A closure approval application includes a closure plan with a timetable and a rehabilitation or remediation plan as the regulations require.^{Permit guide, Definitions (Closure) and section 11-2-1 (a) and (b)}

One environmental permit covers the main activity and its support activities only if they are on one site. The sources do not say which permit a camp on a separate site needs.^{Permit guide, section 5(b)}

When is a rehabilitation plan required?

You must prepare and submit a rehabilitation plan to NCEC in these cases:^{Rehab reg. Art. 5, First (1)}

Certain Category 1 activities that NCEC designates when it decides their classification, before it issues the permit.^{Rehab reg. Art. 5, First (1)(a)}
As part of the EIA for Category 2 and 3 activities.^{Rehab reg. Art. 5, First (1)(b)}
Whenever an incident during the activity requires the damaged site to be rehabilitated.^{Rehab reg. Art. 5, First (1)(c)}
On NCEC request, based on inspection or audit findings.^{Rehab reg. Art. 5, First (1)(d)}

The plan must also be updated with each environmental audit, after an incident and on NCEC request.^{Rehab reg. Art. 5, First (2)}

Is a camp on the Category 1 list?

Table 1 of the permits regulation requires Category 1 activities to have an approved environmental management plan, plus a rehabilitation plan for the activities specified under the rehabilitation regulation. Both must be prepared by an NCEC licensed provider.^{Permits reg. Table 1}

The permit guide lists the Category 1 activities that need a rehabilitation plan:^{Permit guide, Appendix 4}

Sand extraction.^{Permit guide, Appendix 4}
Drilling or sampling for mineral exploration.^{Permit guide, Appendix 4}
Laying underground power transmission lines.^{Permit guide, Appendix 4}
New or replacement water supply networks.^{Permit guide, Appendix 4}
Stormwater networks and emergency outlets.^{Permit guide, Appendix 4}

Construction camps are not on this list. The rehabilitation plans guideline says to refer to NCEC on which activities need a rehabilitation plan.^{Rehabilitation plans guideline, p. 5}

Check the parent project file

If the camp belongs to a project permitted on an EIA, the rehabilitation plan in that EIA may already cover its removal. Read the EIA and the permit conditions before deciding what to submit.

What must the plan cover for a camp site?

The plan follows Appendix 2 of the rehabilitation regulation. Its chapters include post-rehabilitation land use, site description, land stability, water recovery, wildlife and vegetation, chemicals and waste, facilities and equipment, public safety, monitoring, emergency management and cost.^{Rehab reg. Appendix 2}

For the facilities and equipment section, the rehabilitation plans guideline asks how you will dispose of:^{Rehabilitation plans guideline, p. 21}

Buildings, structures and other infrastructure.^{Rehabilitation plans guideline, p. 21}
Machinery, equipment and storage tanks.^{Rehabilitation plans guideline, p. 21}
Foundations, concrete slabs and construction and demolition waste.^{Rehabilitation plans guideline, p. 21}
Hazardous waste, chemicals and materials containing asbestos or radioactive substances.^{Rehabilitation plans guideline, p. 21}

The guideline also asks for:^{Rehabilitation plans guideline, pp. 14 to 23}

Land ownership, lease and use documents.^{Rehabilitation plans guideline, p. 14}
Acceptance of the new land use by the competent authorities.^{Rehabilitation plans guideline, p. 16}
Satellite images before and after rehabilitation.^{Rehabilitation plans guideline, p. 17}
Biological resources, nearby reserves and heritage features within 1,000 m, and sensitive receptors within at least 500 m.^{Rehabilitation plans guideline, p. 19}
The form and value of the financial guarantees in the cost section.^{Rehabilitation plans guideline, p. 23}

How long does NCEC take to approve the plan?

Review times depend on the trigger:^{Rehab reg. Appendix 1, First}

Designated Category 1: submit	30 working days from classification
Designated Category 1: decision	15 working days
Revised plan	5 working days
Inside a Category 2 or 3 EIA	Within the EIA review period
Incident or NCEC request: submit	10 working days
Incident or NCEC request: decision	5 working days
Objection (incident or request)	10 working days from notification

NCEC charges up to 2,000, 6,000 or 12,000 riyals per plan for review, depending on whether degradation is limited, medium or significant.^{Fees reg. Appendix 1, item 5}

A plan submitted inside an EIA or an audit study needs no extra review fee.^{Permit guide, section 1(c)}

Table source^{Rehab reg. Appendix 1, First}

Who carries out the plan, and when is the guarantee released?

Plans must be prepared by an NCEC licensed service provider. NCEC may accept highly expert entities only in exceptional cases.^{Rehab reg. Art. 5, Third}

Implementation must be by a provider licensed by NCEC for rehabilitation works. The application attaches the implementer's contract and waste transport and disposal contracts with licensed providers.^{Rehab guide, sections 3(a), 4(e) and 4(f)}

Approval of a rehabilitation plan does not release the bank guarantee. Release requires the plan to be implemented and a completion notice to be obtained.^{Rehab guide, section 2(d)}

The sources reviewed give no amount, percentage or release period for the guarantee. The rehabilitation regulation itself has no guarantee clause.

On completion you submit a final report to the NCEC regional branch and apply for the completion notice.^{Rehab guide, section 5(i) and (j)}

What can go wrong?

These problems come up most often when camps and temporary sites are closed:

What can go wrong

Starting the works before NCEC approves the plan carries 10,000, 20,000 or 30,000 riyals for Category 1, 2 or 3.^{Rehab reg. Table (1) item 7}
Not implementing an approved plan carries 15,000, 30,000 or 100,000 riyals by category.^{Rehab reg. Table (1) item 2}
Changing the method, sequence or end use without NCEC approval makes the approval void.^{Rehab guide, section 5(l)}
Not updating the plan when NCEC asks carries 20,000 riyals for Category 2 and 30,000 riyals for Category 3.^{Rehab reg. Table (1) item 6}
Uncovering fuel-stained soil during demobilisation turns the job into a pollution incident that needs a remediation plan within 10 working days.^{Rehab reg. Art. 5, Second (1)(a) and Appendix 1, Second}
Breaching the controls and requirements NCEC sets for closing the activity carries 5,000, 20,000 or 50,000 riyals per requirement for Category 1, 2 or 3.^{Permits reg. Art. 11, Table (2) No. 8}
Never applying for the completion notice, which leaves the bank guarantee in place.^{Rehab guide, sections 2(d) and 5(j)}
Inaccurate data in the plan carries 10,000 to 100,000 riyals and referral to public prosecution.^{Rehab reg. Table (1) item 1}

Demobilising a camp or closing a site?

Hills & Field checks which rehabilitation trigger applies, prepares the plan and supports you through NCEC approval and the completion notice.

Our service: Closure and rehabilitation

Talk to our team

References

Each small number in this guide shows the article or section that point comes from. Hover over or tap a number to see it, or open the full list below.

Show all 34 references and the 6 regulation texts

Rehab reg. Art. 5, First (1)
Permit guide, Definitions (Closure) and section 11-2-1 (a) and (b)
Permit guide, section 5(b)
Rehab reg. Art. 5, First (1)(a)
Rehab reg. Art. 5, First (1)(b)
Rehab reg. Art. 5, First (1)(c)
Rehab reg. Art. 5, First (1)(d)
Rehab reg. Art. 5, First (2)
Permits reg. Table 1
Permit guide, Appendix 4
Rehabilitation plans guideline, p. 5
Rehab reg. Appendix 2
Rehabilitation plans guideline, p. 21
Rehabilitation plans guideline, pp. 14 to 23
Rehabilitation plans guideline, p. 14
Rehabilitation plans guideline, p. 16
Rehabilitation plans guideline, p. 17
Rehabilitation plans guideline, p. 19
Rehabilitation plans guideline, p. 23
Rehab reg. Appendix 1, First
Fees reg. Appendix 1, item 5
Permit guide, section 1(c)
Rehab reg. Art. 5, Third
Rehab guide, sections 3(a), 4(e) and 4(f)
Rehab guide, section 2(d)
Rehab guide, section 5(i) and (j)
Rehab reg. Table (1) item 7
Rehab reg. Table (1) item 2
Rehab guide, section 5(l)
Rehab reg. Table (1) item 6
Rehab reg. Art. 5, Second (1)(a) and Appendix 1, Second
Permits reg. Art. 11, Table (2) No. 8
Rehab guide, sections 2(d) and 5(j)
Rehab reg. Table (1) item 1

How to read these references 6 texts cited

Rehab reg.: Executive Regulations for the Environmental Rehabilitation of Degraded Sites and Remediation of Polluted Sites
Permit guide: A guide to issuing and renewing environmental permits for the construction and operation of activities (NCEC, LO-1-M-005)
Permits reg.: Executive Regulations for Environmental Permits to Establish and Operate Activities
Rehabilitation plans guide: NCEC Environmental Guidelines for Rehabilitation Plans of Degraded Sites (EP-M-40)
Fees reg.: Executive Regulation for Controls and Procedures Pertaining to Financial Dues for Environmental Licenses, Permits and Services
Rehab guide: NCEC guide to requirements for preparing and implementing rehabilitation and remediation plans (LO-1-M-002)

Art. 7(4)(b) means Article 7, paragraph 4, item (b).
First, Second and Third are the numbered parts some articles are divided into. The Arabic texts write them أولاً، ثانياً، ثالثاً (meaning first, second, third).

Every text we cite is listed on our regulations page.

Regulation texts this guide is written from

Executive Regulations for the Environmental Rehabilitation of Degraded Sites and Remediation of Polluted Sites
Executive Regulations for Environmental Permits to Establish and Operate Activities
NCEC guide to issuing and renewing environmental permits for the construction and operation of activities (LO-1-M-005)
NCEC guide to requirements for preparing and implementing rehabilitation and remediation plans (LO-1-M-002-V01)
NCEC Environmental Guidelines for Rehabilitation Plans of Degraded Sites (EP-M-40-V01)
Executive Regulation for Financial Dues for Environmental Licenses, Permits and Services

This guide is general information written from the regulation texts listed above. It is not legal advice. Regulations change, and the official text always prevails. Spotted something out of date? Request a change.