Summary Reader Response Outline

Summarized Article’s Main Idea + Thesis Statement: (Level I Controlling Idea)

According to an online article, “Nature Group Seeks More Information on Impact of Cross Island Site Investigations” from Today Online (2018), the drilling works in MacRitchie forest for the Cross Island MRT line has led to concerns due to the lack of details that affirm the effectiveness of precautions taken by the Land Transport Authority (LTA). Ms Chloe Tan, project manager of Love Our MacRitchie Forest group has received questions for LTA from nine parties. Camera traps were set up three to six months before and after works to validate measures. The data collected was studied and the project was classified to have a “mainly moderate” impact on wildlife. The harm of the on-site investigation works included drillings of 16 boreholes to study the earth conditions for the MRT line to determine a tunnel under MacRitchie forest or to skirt around it. Nonetheless, LTA will be working with the various agencies on the second phase of assessment to forecast the impact of both alignments.

Drilling works in MacRitchie forest causes minimal panic and commotion amongst wildlife and the public.

1. First Supporting Idea - (Level II Controlling Idea)

Camera traps recorded the presence of wildlife such as the lesser mousedeer and the critically endangered Sunda Pangolin.

1. Second Supporting Idea - (Level II Controlling Idea)

90 camera traps were placed within a restricted area and findings suggested that similar fauna were present in the areas before and after site investigation works.

1. Third Supporting Idea - (Level II Controlling Idea)

An environmental impact assessment was done prior to the site investigation works and was classified to have “mainly moderate” impact if the proper precautions were taken.

Your Main Idea/Thesis Statement: (Level I Controlling Idea)

Tunneling works under MacRitchie forest will be more favorable rather than skirting around it.

1. First Supporting Idea - (Level II Controlling Idea)

LTA is taking the necessary precautions to mitigate the impact of wildlife in MacRitchie forest.

1. Explanation of the supporting idea

LTA has done the necessary precautions to reduce the impact on wildlife by having a detailed plan on how are they going to do their site investigations and operate machines in the forest.

1. Example or citation which supports your assertion

There was a comprehensive suite of mitigation measures, said LTA, such as reducing the number of boreholes required for the works from 72 to 16. 

In https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/environment/mrt-soil-probe-steps-to-ease-impact-on-wildlife-working

1. Other statements which help support your assertion

1. Second Supporting Idea - (Level II Controlling Idea)

An additional cost of $2 billion to skirt around MacRitchie and also affecting homes of residents living in the area.

1. Explanation of the supporting idea

As skirting around MacRitchie will take a longer route, more work has to be done in built up areas and also the procurement of more residential land to build worksites and building facilities.

1. Example or citation which supports your assertion

Both options are feasible with adequate mitigation measures, said the Land Transport Authority (LTA), which has completed a major study of the potential impact of construction works on the environment and residents. Skirting the reserve would make for a longer route and is also the more expensive option.

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/cross-island-line-running-under-nature-reserve-or-skirting-it-both-feasible-says

1. Other statements which help support your assertion

1. Third Supporting Idea - (Level II Controlling Idea)

Shorter traveling time for commuters and beneficial for those needing to travel across Singapore.

1. Explanation of the supporting idea

Having shorter traveling time gives commuters the flexibility to choose their traveling path as well as reducing the congestion from the other MRT lines.

1. Example or citation which supports your assertion

Is expected to benefit over 100,000 households and reduce travel time by 50 to 70 minutes.

https://www.propertyguru.com.sg/property-management-news/2019/1/177791/future-cross-island-line-to-cut-travel-time-by-up-to-70-mins

1. Other statements which help support your assertion

VII. Conclusion - Review of Main Idea (Tying Yours and That of the Summarized Article)

Building a tunnel underneath MacRitchie reservoir will cause panic to the public and ecosystem but this could be reduced drastically if the right steps were taken. LTA needs to study their data given and also work in hand with the various experts as well to share this data with the public. It will be more sensible to go across MacRitchie as it will reduce congestion in the other MRT lines.