1. BACKGROUND

1.1 An application (No. EAB-014/1998) for an EIA study brief under section 5(1) of the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (EIAO) was submitted by the Applicant on 13th October 1998 with a project profile (No. PP-023/1998).

1.2 West Rail Phase I will provide a domestic passenger service linking Tuen Mun with West Kowloon, and includes nine new stations. In connection with the new stations at Yuen Long, Tin Shui Wai and Tuen Mun Centre, essential public infrastructure works will be required.

1.3 The project profile covers three designated projects under the EIAO by virtue of Section A.1 of the Schedule 2, Part I of the Ordinance. The three designated projects are:

1. Modification to Long Yat Road and Roads L1, L2 and L3 serving Yuen Long Station;

2. Modification to Tin Fuk Road, Ping Ha Road and Tin Yiu Road serving Tin Shui Wai Station; and

3. Improvement to Tuen Mun Heung Sze Wui Road, Yan Ching Street, Pui To Road, Ho Pong Street and Kin Fung Circuit serving Tuen Mun Centre station.

1.4 Pursuant to section 5(7)(a) of the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance, the Director of Environmental Protection issues this Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) study brief to the Applicant to carry out an EIA study.

1.5 The purpose of this EIA study is to provide information on the nature and extent of environmental impacts arising from the construction and operation of the proposed designated projects and related activities taking place concurrently. This information will contribute to decisions by the Director on:

1. the overall acceptability of any adverse environmental consequences that are likely to arise as a result of the proposed projects;

2. the conditions and requirements for the detailed design, construction and operation of the proposed projects to mitigate against adverse environmental consequences wherever practicable; and

3. the acceptability of residual impacts after the proposed mitigation measures are implemented.

2. OBJECTIVES OF THE EIA STUDY

2.1 The objectives of the EIA study are as follows:

1. to describe the proposed projects and associated works together with the requirements for carrying out the proposed projects;

2. to identify and describe the elements of the community and environment likely to be affected by the proposed project and/or likely to cause adverse impacts to the proposed project, including both the natural and man-made environment;

3. to identify and quantify emission sources and determine the significance of impacts on sensitive receivers and potential affected uses;

4. to identify any negative impacts on sites of cultural heritage and to propose measures to mitigate these impacts;

5. to identify any potential landscape and visual impacts and to propose measures to mitigate these impacts;

6. to propose the provision of infrastructure or mitigation measures so as to minimize pollution, environmental disturbance and nuisance during construction and operation of the projects;

7. to identify, predict and evaluate the residual (i.e. after practicable mitigation) environmental impacts and the cumulative effects expected to arise during the construction and operation phases of the projects in relation to the sensitive receivers and potential affected uses;

8. to identify, assesses and specify methods, measures and standards, to be included in the detailed design, construction and operation of the projects which are necessary to mitigate these environmental impacts and reducing them to acceptable levels;

9. to investigate the extent of side-effects of proposed mitigation measures that may lead to other forms of impacts;

10. to identify constraints associated with the mitigation measures recommended in the EIA study;

11. to design and specify the environmental monitoring and audit requirements, if required, to ensure the implementation and the effectiveness of the environmental protection and pollution control measures adopted.

3. DETAILED REQUIREMENTS OF THE EIA STUDY

3.1 The purpose of this study brief is to scope the key issues of the EIA study. The Applicant has to demonstrate in the EIA report that the criteria in the relevant sections of the Technical Memorandum on the Environmental Impact Assessment Process of the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (thereafter referred to as the TM), are fully complied with.

The Scope

3.2 The scope of this EIA study shall include the three designated projects mentioned in section 1 above, namely:

1. Modification to Long Yat Road and Roads L1, L2 and L3 serving Yuen Long Station;

2. Modification to Tin Fuk Road, Ping Ha Road and Tin Yiu Road serving Tin Shui Wai Station; and

3. Improvement to Tuen Mun Heung Sze Wui Road, Yan Ching Street, Pui To Road, Ho Pong Street and Kin Fung Circuit serving Tuen Mun Centre station.

Technical Requirements

3.3 The Applicant shall conduct the EIA study to address all environmental aspects of the activities as described in the scope as set out above. The EIA study shall include the following technical requirements on specific impacts :

3.4 Air Quality Impact

3.4.1 The Applicant shall follow the criteria and guidelines for evaluating and assessing operational air quality impact as stated in Annexes 4 and 12 of the Technical Memorandum, respectively.

3.4.2 The assessment area for operational air quality impact shall generally be defined by a distance of 500m from the boundary of the project area(s).

3.4.3 The applicant shall review the relevant air quality sections of the West Rail Final Assessment Report, West Kowloon to Tuen Mun Centre, Environmental Impact Assessment, to assess the adequacy of the findings and recommendations in related to the proposed development. For any additional and potential cumulative operational air quality impacts identified by the review, the procedures listed below shall be followed:

1. presentation of existing and background air quality in the study area for the purpose of evaluating the cumulative air quality impacts of the proposed projects;

2. description of the topographical and man-made features which may affect the dispersion characteristics of air pollutants within the study area;

3. identification of representative air sensitive receivers and/or potential affected uses;

4. identification of emission characteristics and provision of an emission inventory of the existing, committed and planned air pollution sources;

5. description of the assessment method (whether it be analytical, numerical or physical) and the associated assumptions, validity of the method and limits of application;

6. analysis of operational activities (after commissioning), its related air quality impact and characterization;

7. assessment of the net and cumulative air pollution impact of the proposed projects to sensitive receivers by dispersion modelling. The Applicant shall provide detailed methodology statement and key assumptions of the selected model such as emission factors and other input parameters, etc. to the Director for comment and consent before commencement of the Study. The EIA report shall include the entire output file(s) of the model run(s) in electronic format. These files shall echo all the input data. Air pollution isopleths shall be produced as an output of the study;

8. assessment of the air quality of any proposed noise mitigation measures. If noise mitigation measures such as noise canopy, which will affect dispersion of air pollutants are proposed to mitigate noise impact due to traffic flow, then the applicant shall also assess the implications of such mitigation measures on air quality impact. If noise canopy in the form of total enclosure is proposed, then both “tunnel” portal emissions and air quality inside the “tunnel” shall also be addressed; and

9. proposals of effective mitigation measures to reduce the cumulative air pollution impacts to established standards.

3.4.4 The Applicant shall follow the requirements of the Air Pollution Control (Construction Dust) regulation in dust control and shall initiate an audit and monitoring programme during construction to ensure construction dust impacts are controlled within the relevant standard as stipulated in Annex 4 of the TM.

3.5 Noise Impact

3.5.1 The Applicant shall follow the criteria and guidelines for evaluating and assessing noise impact as stated in Annexes 5 and 13 of the TM, respectively.

3.5.2 The applicant shall review the relevant noise sections of the West Rail Final Assessment Report, West Kowloon to Tuen Mun Centre, Environmental Impact Assessment, to assess the adequacy of the findings and recommendations in related to the proposed development. For any additional and potential cumulative impacts identified by the review, the procedures listed below shall be followed:

1. Determination of Assessment Area

   The area for the noise impact assessment shall include all areas within 300m from the project boundaries. Subject to the agreement of the Director, the assessment area could be reduced accordingly if the first layer of noise sensitive receivers, closer than 300m from the project boundaries, provides acoustic shielding to those receivers at further distance behind.

2. Provision of Background Information and Existing Noise Levels

   The Applicant shall provide all background information relevant to the projects, e.g. relevant previous or current studies. Unless involved in the planning standards, e.g. those for planning of fixed noise sources, no existing noise levels are particularly required.

3. Identification of Noise Sensitive Receivers
   1. The Applicant shall refer to Annex 13 of the TM when identifying the noise sensitive receivers (NSRs). The NSRs shall include all existing NSRs and all planned/committed noise sensitive developments and uses earmarked on the relevant Outline Zoning Plans, Outline Development Plans and Layout Plans.

   2. The Applicant shall select assessment points to represent all identified NSRs for carrying out quantitative noise assessment described below. The assessment points shall be agreed with the Director prior to the quantitative noise assessment. A map showing the location and description such as name of building, use, and floors of each and every selected assessment point shall be given.

4. Provision of an Emission Inventory of the Noise Sources

   The Applicant shall provide an inventory of noise sources (e.g. construction equipment for construction noise assessment; road traffic data etc.) as appropriate for the noise assessment. Confirmation of the validity of the inventory shall be obtained from the relevant government departments/authorities.

5. Construction Noise Assessment
   1. The Applicant shall carry out assessment of noise impact from construction (excluding percussive piling) of the projects during day time, i.e. 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., on weekdays other than general holidays in accordance with the methodology stipulated in paragraphs 5.3. and 5.4 of Annex 13 of the TM. The criteria in Table 1B of Annex 5 of the TM shall be adopted in the assessment.

   2. To minimise the construction noise impact, alternative construction methods to replace percussive piling shall be proposed.

   3. The Applicant shall propose practicable direct mitigation measures (including movable barriers, enclosures, quieter alternative methods, re-scheduling and restricting hours of operation of noisy task) to minimise the impact. If the mitigated noise levels still exceed the relevant criteria, the duration of the noise exceedance shall be given.

6. Operational Noise Assessment
   1. Calculation of Noise Levels

      The Applicant shall analyse the scope of the proposed road alignment(s) to identify appropriate new and existing road sections for the purpose of traffic noise impact assessment. When an existing road section undergoes major modification which will directly result in 25% increase in lanes or substantial changes in alignment or characters (e.g. change to a high speed road) of the existing road, it shall be regarded as a new road for the purpose of this noise impact assessment.

      The Applicant shall calculate the expected road traffic noise using methods described in the U.K. Department of Transport's "Calculation of Road Traffic Noise" (1988). Calculations of future road traffic noise shall be based on the peak hour traffic flow in respect of the maximum traffic projection within a 15 years period upon commencement of operation of the proposed roadworks. The Applicant shall calculate the traffic noise levels in respect of each road section and the overall noise levels from the combined road sections (both new and existing) at the NSRs.

   2. Presentation of Noise Levels

      The Applicant shall present the prevailing and future traffic noise levels in L10(1 hr) at the NSRs at various representative floor levels (in m P.D.) on tables and plans of suitable scale. Quantitative assessment at the NSRs for proposed road alignment(s) shall be carried out and compared against the criteria set out in Table 1A of Annex 5 in the Technical Memorandum. The potential noise impact of proposed road alignment(s) shall be quantified by estimating the total number of dwellings, classrooms and other noise sensitive elements that will be exposed to noise levels exceeding the criteria set in Table 1A of Annex 5 in the Technical Memorandum.

   3. Proposals for Noise Mitigation Measures

      After rounding of the predicted noise levels according to the U.K. Department of Transport's "Calculation of Road Traffic Noise" (1988), the Applicant shall propose direct technical remedies within the project limits in all situations where the predicted traffic noise level exceeds the criteria set in Table 1A of Annex 5 in the TM by 1 dB(A) or more. Specific reasons for not adopting certain direct technical remedies in the design to reduce the traffic noise to a level meeting the criteria in the TM or to maximize the protection for the NSRs as far as possible should be clearly quantified and laid down. The total number of dwellings, classrooms and other noise sensitive element that will be benefited by the provision of direct technical remedies should be provided.

      The total number of dwellings, classrooms and other noise sensitive elements that will still be exposed to noise above the criteria with the implementation of all recommended direct technical remedies shall be quantified.

      In case where a number of the NSRs cannot all be protected by the recommended direct technical remedies, the Applicant shall identify and estimate the total number of existing dwellings, classrooms and other noise sensitive elements which may qualify for indirect technical remedies under the ExCo directive "Equitable Redress for Persons Exposed to Increased Noise Resulting from the Use of New Roads", the associated costs and any implications for such implementation. For the purpose of determining the eligibility of the affected premises for indirect technical remedies, reference shall be made to the set of following three criteria:

      1. the predicted overall noise level from the new road together with other traffic noise in the vicinity must be above a specified noise level (e.g. 70 dB(A) for domestic premises and 65 dB(A) for education institutions, all in L10(1 hr));

      2. the predicted overall noise level is at least 1.0 dB(A) more than the prevailing traffic noise level, i.e. the total traffic noise level existing before the works to construct the road were commenced; and

      3. the contribution to the increase in the predicted overall noise level from the new road must be at least 1.0 dB(A).

7. Assessment of Side Effects and Constraints

   The Applicant shall identify, assess and propose means to minimize any side effects and to resolve any potential constraints due to the inclusion of any recommended direct technical remedies.

8. Evaluation of Constraints on Planned Noise Sensitive Developments/Land Uses

   For planned noise sensitive uses which will still be affected even with all practicable direct technical remedies in place, the Applicant shall propose, evaluate and confirm the practicality of additional measures within the planned noise sensitive uses and shall make recommendations on how these noise sensitive uses will be designed for the information of relevant parties.

   The Applicant shall take into account the agreed environmental requirements/ constraints identified by the study to assess the development potential of the concerned sites which shall be made known to the relevant parties.

3.6 Water Quality Impact

3.6.1 The Applicant shall follow the criteria and guidelines for evaluating and assessing water pollution as stated in Annexes 6 and 14 of the TM, respectively. The Applicant shall identify and analyse in the assessment all physical, chemical and biological disruptions of marine, or fresh water system(s) arising from construction and operation of the projects. The area for the water quality impact assessment shall include all areas within 300m from the project boundary. The applicant shall review the relevant water quality sections of the West Rail Final Assessment Report, West Kowloon to Tuen Mun Centre, Environmental Impact Assessment, to assess the adequacy of the findings and recommendations in related to the proposed development. For any additional and potential cumulative impacts identified by the review, the procedures listed below shall be followed:

1. collection and review of background information on the existing water system(s) and the respective catchment(s) sensitive receivers, which will be potentially affected by the projects both during construction and operation;

2. characterization of water and sediment quality based on collected information, characterisation of water and sediment quality on the surrounding water systems and sensitive receivers which might be potentially affected by the proposed projects both during construction and operation;

3. identification and analysis of all existing and future activities and beneficial uses related to the water system(s) and identification of all water sensitive receivers;

4. establishment of pertinent water quality objectives, criteria and standards for the water system(s) and all the sensitive receivers identified in (i);

5. identification and quantification of all activities which may lead to alteration of water system(s) identified in (i), change of flow regimes and change of catchment area(s). In particular for the proposed improvement works along Tuen Mun Pui To Road, as the proposed improvement works along Pui To Road will likely impact the Tuen Mun Nullah during construction stage;

6. identification, analysis and quantification of all existing and future water and sediment pollution sources, including point discharges and non-point sources to surface water runoff, and analysis of the provision and adequacy of future facilities or measures to reduce such pollution during construction and operation. An emission inventory on the quantities and characteristics of all these existing and future pollution sources in the assessment area shall also be provided. Field investigation and laboratory tests, as appropriate, shall be conducted to fill in any relevant information gaps;

7. rediction and quantification of impacts on the water system(s) and the sensitive receivers, including those reinstated or created wetlands outlined in the EIA study for the West Rail Phase I, due to those alterations and changes identified in (v) above and the pollution sources identified in (vi) above. Possible impacts include changes in hydrology, flow regime, sediment erosion or deposition, water and sediment quality and the effects on the aquatic organism due to such changes. The prediction shall include possible different construction stages or sequences, and different operation stages; Cumulative impacts due to other projects, activities or pollution sources within a boundary around the assessment area, subject to the agreement of the Director shall also be predicted and quantified.

8. assessment and quantification of waste water generated from on-site construction workforce and any effluent generated that would require appropriate treatment and disposal;

9. identification, assessment and evaluation of any potential stormwater impacts on identified system(s) and sensitive receivers during both construction and operation stages. Best Management Practices (BMPs) shall be recommended to reduce those potential impacts to within standards, objectives and criteria established in (iv) above.

10. appropriate mitigation measures shall be recommended to alleviate all potential impacts identified above and residual or mitigated impacts shall be predicted and compliance with all established objectives, criteria and standards identified in (iv) above during both construction and operation of the projects.

3.7 Waste Management Implications

3.7.1 The Applicant shall follow the criteria and guidelines for evaluating and assessing waste management implications as stated in Annexes 7 and 15 of the TM, respectively.

3.7.2 The applicant shall review the relevant waste management issues sections of the West Rail Final Assessment Report, West Kowloon to Tuen Mun Centre, Environmental Impact Assessment, to assess the adequacy of the findings and recommendations in related to the proposed development. For any additional and potential cumulative impacts identified by the review, the procedures listed below shall be followed:

1. Analysis of Activities and Waste Generation

   The Applicant shall identify the quantity, quality and timing of the waste arising as a result of the construction and operation activities, based on the sequence and duration of these activities.

2. Proposal for Waste Management
   1. Prior to considering the disposal options for various types of wastes, opportunities for reducing waste generation shall be fully evaluated.

   2. Having been taken into account all the opportunities for reducing waste generation, the types and quantities of the wastes required to be disposed of as a consequence shall be estimated and the disposal options for each type of waste described in detail. The disposal method recommended for each type of wastes shall take into account the result of the assessment in (c) below.

   3. The impact caused by handling (including labelling, packaging & storage), collection, and disposal of wastes shall be addressed in detail. This assessment shall cover the following areas :
      1. potential hazard;

      2. air and odour emissions;

      3. noise;

      4. wastewater discharge; and

      5. public transport.

3.8 Impact on Cultural Heritage

The applicant shall review the relevant archaeological and cultural issues sections of the West Rail Final Assessment Report, West Kowloon to Tuen Mun Centre, Environmental Impact Assessment, to assess the adequacy of the findings and recommendations in related to the proposed development. For any additional and potential cumulative impacts identified by the review, the procedures listed below shall be followed:

3.8.1 Baseline Study

A baseline study shall be conducted in accordance with the requirements set out in Annex A.

3.8.2 Impact Assessment

1. The historical, archeological and cultural heritage impact study shall take into account the importance of cultural heritage within the study area in Hong Kong and address the potential impacts to the historical, archaeological and cultural resources within the study area. Impact assessment must be undertaken to identify any sites of cultural heritage which will be affected by the proposed development subject to the result of the desktop research and field evaluation. Detailed descriptions and plans should be provided to elaborate to what extent the site of cultural heritage will be affected.

2. Preservation in totality must be taken as the first priority. Section 4.3.1(c), item 2 of Annex 10, items 2.6 to 2.9 of Annex 19 and other relevant parts of the Technical Memorandum on Environmental Impact Assessment Process shall be referred for the detailed requirements of the impact assessment.

3.8.3 Mitigation Measures

1. Besides referring to paragraph 4.3.1(d), items 2.10 to 2.14 of Annex 19 and other relevant parts of the Technical Memorandum, proposals for mitigation measures should be accompanied with a master layout plan together with all detailed treatment, elevations, and landscape plan. A rescue programme, when required, shall be proposed which may involve preservation of the historical building or structure together with the relics inside, and its historic environment through relocation, detailed cartographic and photographic survey or preservation of an archaeological site "by record", i.e. through excavation to extract the maximum data as the very last resort.

2. The programme for implementation of agreed mitigation measures should be able to be implemented, and clearly stated in the EIA report, as required in Annex 20 of the Technical Memorandum. In particular, item 6.7 of Annex 20 requires the Applicant to define and list out clearly the proposed mitigation measures to be implemented, by whom, when, where, to what requirements and the various implementation responsibilities. A comprehensive plan and programme for the protection and conservation of the partially preserved Site of Cultural Heritage, if any, during the planning and design stage of the proposed projects must be detailed.

3.9 Landscape and Visual Impact

3.9.1 The applicant shall review the relevant landscape and visual issues sections of the West Rail Final Assessment Report, West Kowloon to Tuen Mun Centre, Environmental Impact Assessment, to assess the adequacy of the findings and recommendations in related to the proposed development. For any additional and potential cumulative impacts identified by the review, the procedures listed below shall be followed:

3.9.2 The Applicant shall follow the criteria and guidelines for evaluating and assessing landscape and visual impact as stated in Annexes 10 and 18 of the Technical Memorandum, respectively. Both the impacts during construction and operation phases shall be assessed.

3.9.3 The assessment area for the landscape impact assessment shall include all areas within a 500m distance from the proposed projects. The assessment area for the visual impact assessment shall be defined by the visual envelope of the proposed projects.

3.9.4 The landscape and visual impact assessment shall include the following :

1. a baseline study to provide for a comprehensive and accurate description of the baseline landscape and visual character;

2. a review of the relevant planning and development control framework;

3. impact studies to identify the potential landscape and visual impacts and predict their magnitude and potential significance; and

4. recommendations on mitigation measures and implementation programme.

3.9.5 The Applicant shall describe, appraise and analyse the existing landscape resource and character of the assessment area. The sensitivity of the landscape framework and its ability to accommodate change shall be particularly focused on. The Applicant shall identify the degree of compatibility of the proposed projects with the existing landscape.

3.9.6 The Applicant shall assess the visual impacts of the proposed projects. The assessment shall include the following :

1. identification and plotting of visibility contours of the proposed projects within the assessment area;

2. identification of the key groups of sensitive receivers within the visibility contours with regard to views from both ground level and elevated vantage points;

3. description of the visual compatibility of the projects with the surrounding, and its obstruction and interference the key views of the adjacent areas; and

4. the severity of visual impacts in terms of distance, number of sensitive receivers shall be identified. The visual impacts of the projects with and without mitigation measures shall be assessed.

3.9.7 The Applicant shall review relevant outline development plans, outline zoning plans, layout plans, planning briefs and studies which may contain guidelines on urban design concept, designated view corridors, open space network and other design specification that may affect the appreciation of the projects. The aim is to gain an insight to the future outlook of the area affected and the ways that the projects can fit into the environment. Any conflict with statutory town plan(s) should be highlighted and appropriate follow-up action should be recommended.

3.9.8 The Applicant shall recommend mitigation measures to minimize the adverse effects identified above, including provision of a landscape design. The mitigation measures shall include the preservation of vegetation, transplanting of mature trees, provision of screen planting, revegetation of disturbed land, compensatory planting, provisioning / reprovisioning of amenity areas and open spaces, design of structures, provision of finishes to structures, colour scheme and texture of materials used and any measures to mitigate the existing land use. For bridge structures and noise barriers, presentation of photomontage of the proposed road(s) in the existing and planned urban/rural setting illustrating the effectiveness of visual impact mitigation measures shall be included.

3.9.9 Perspective drawings, plans and section/elevation diagrams, photographs on scaled physical models, photo-retouching and photo-montage shall be adopted to illustrate the landscape and visual impacts of the proposed projects. The Applicant shall record the technical details in preparing the illustration which may need to be submitted for verification of the accuracy of the illustration.

4. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING & AUDIT (EM&A) REQUIREMENTS

4.1 The Applicant shall identify in the EIA study whether there is any need for EM&A activities during the construction and operation phases of the projects and, if affirmative, to define the scope of the EM&A requirements for the projects in the EIA study.

4.2 Subject to the confirmation of the EIA study findings, the Applicant shall comply with the requirements as stipulated in Annex 21 of the TM.

4.3 The Applicant shall prepare a project implementation schedule (in the form of a check list) containing all the EIA study recommendations and mitigation measures with reference to the implementation programme.

5. DURATION OF VALIDITY

5.1 This EIA study brief is valid for 24 months after the date of issue. If the EIA study does not commence within this period, the Applicant shall apply to the Director for another EIA study brief afresh before commencement of the EIA study.

6. REPORT REQUIREMENTS

6.1 In preparing the EIA report, the Applicant shall refer to Annex 11 of the TM for the contents of an EIA report. The Applicant shall also refer to Annex 20 of the TM which stipulates the guidelines for the review of an EIA report.

6.2 The Applicant shall supply the Director with the following number of copies of the EIA report and the executive summary :

1. 40 copies of the EIA report in English and 80 copies of the executive summary (each bilingual in both English and Chinese) as required under section 6(2) of the EIAO to be supplied at the time of application for approval of the EIA report;

2. when necessary, addendum to the EIA report and the executive summary submitted in (i) above as required under section 7(1) of the EIAO, to be supplied upon advice by the Director for public inspection; and

3. 20 copies of the EIA report in English and 50 copies of the executive summary (each bilingual in both English and Chinese) with or without Addendum as required under section 7(5) of the EIAO, to be supplied upon advice by the Director for consultation with the Advisory Council on the Environment.

6.3 In addition, to facilitate the public inspection of the EIA Report via the EIAO Internet Website, the applicant shall provide electronic copies of both the EIA Report and the Executive Summary Report prepared in HyperText Markup Language (HTML) (version 4.0 or later) and in DynaDoc Format (version 3.0 or later) [for Chinese documents] and in Portable Document Format (PDF version 3.0 or later) [for English documents], unless otherwise agreed by the Director. For the HTML version, a content page capable of providing hyperlink to each section and sub-section of the EIA Report and the Executive Summary Report shall be included in the beginning of the document, and all graphics in the report shall be in interlaced GIF format.

6.4 The electronic copies of the EIA report and the Executive Summary shall be submitted to the Director at the time of application for approval of the EIA Report.

6.5 When the EIA Report and the Executive Summary are made available for public inspection under s.7(1) of the EIA Ordinance, the content of the electronic copies of the EIA Report and the Executive Summary must be the same as the hard copies and the Director shall be provided with the most updated electronic copies.

7. OTHER PROCEDURAL REQUIREMENTS

7.1 During the EIA study, if there is any change in the name of the Applicant for this EIA study brief, the Applicant mentioned in this study brief must notify the Director immediately.

7.2 If there is any key change in the scope of the projects mentioned in section 1 of this EIA study brief and in the Project Profile (No.PP-023/1998), the Applicant must seek confirmation from the Director in writing on whether or not the scope of issues covered by this EIA study brief can still cover the key changes, and the additional issues, if any, that the EIA study must also address. If the changes to the projects fundamentally alter the key scope of the EIA study brief, the Applicant shall apply to the Director for another EIA study brief afresh.

8. REFERENCE

8.1 The Applicant shall make reference to the following reports in conducting the EIA study:

1. Tin Shui Wai Development Engineering Investigations for Development of Area 3, 30 & 31 of the Development Zone and the Reserve Zone, February 1997.

2. West Rail, Final Assessment Report, West Kowloon to Tuen Mun Centre, Environmental Impact Assessment, February 1998.

Annex A

Requirements of Baseline Study for the Heritage Impact Assessment

A baseline study shall be conducted :

1. to compile a comprehensive inventory of archaeological sites, historical buildings and structures within the proposed project area including:
   • all sites of archaeological interest;

   • all pre-1945 buildings and structures;

     selected post-1945 buildings and structures of high architectural and historical significance; and

   • landscape features include sites of historical events, historic field patterns, tracks and fish ponds and cultural element such as fung shui woodlands and clan grave.

2. to identify possible threats of, and their physical extent, destruction in whole or in part of site of cultural heritage arising from the proposed project.

   The baseline study shall also include a desk-top study and a field survey.

(I) Desk-top Research

Desk-top searches should be conducted to analyse, collect and collate extant information. They include :

1. Search of Declared Monuments list under the Antiquities and Monuments Ordinance (Chapter 53).

2. Search of Deemed Monuments list through the Antiquities and Monuments Office (AMO) of the Home Affairs Bureau.

3. Search of list of sites of cultural heritage identified by the AMO.

4. Search of publications on the local historical, architectural, anthropological, archaeological and other cultural studies, such as, Journals of the Royal Asiatic Society (Hong Kong Branch), Journals of the Hong Kong Archaeological society and Antiquities and Monuments Office Monograph Series.

5. Search of other unpublished papers, records, archival and historical documents through the public library and the tertiary institutions, such as the libraries of the Department of Architecture of the University of Hong Kong and the Chinese University of Hong Kong as well.

6. Search of other unpublished archaeological investigation and excavation reports kept by the AMO.

7. Search of historical documents in the Public Records Office, the Land Registry, District Lands Office and District Office.

8. Search of cartographic and pictorial documents. Maps of the recent past searched in the Maps and Aerial Photo Library of the Lands Department.

9. Study of existing Geotechnical information (for archaeological desk-top research).

10. Discussion with local informants.

(II) Field Evaluation

In cases where the above sources of information prove to be inadequate or where the proposed project area has not been adequately studied before, field surveys and site investigations shall be conducted to assemble the necessary data.

Historical buildings and structures survey

1. Field scan of all the historical buildings and structures within the project area.

2. Conduct a photographic recording of each historical building or structure including the exterior (the elevations of all sides of the building premises, the roof, close up for the special architectural details) and the interior (special architectural details), if possible, as well as the surroundings of each historical building or structure.

3. Interview with the local elders and other informants on the local historical, architectural, anthropological and other cultural information related to the historical buildings and structures.

Archaeological Survey

Appropriate methods of field evaluation should be applied to assess the archaeological potential of the project area :

1. Definition of areas of natural land undisturbed in the recent past.

2. Field scan of the natural land undisturbed in the recent past in detail with special attention paid to areas of exposed soil which were searched for artifacts.

3. Conduct systematic auger survey/shovel testing to establish the horizontal spread of cultural materials deposits.

4. Excavation of test pits to establish the vertical sequence of cultural materials. The hand digging of 1 x 1 m or 1.5 x 1.5 m test pits to determine the presence or absence of deeper archaeological deposits and their cultural history.

If the field evaluation identifies any additional sites of cultural heritage within the study area which are of potential historic or archaeological importance and not recorded by AMO, the office should be reported as soon as possible. The historic and archaeological value of the items will be further assessed by the AMO.

(III) The Report of Baseline Study

The study report should have concrete evidence to show that the process of the above desk-top and field survey has been satisfactorily completed. This should take the form of a detailed inventory of the sites of cultural heritage supported with full description of their cultural significance. The description should contain detailed geographical, historical, archaeological, architectural, anthropological, ethnographical and other cultural data supplemented with illustrations below and photographic records.

Historical Buildings and Structures

1. A map in 1:1000 scale showing the boundary of each historical building or structure.

2. Photographic records of each historical building or structure.

3. Detailed record of each historical building or structure including its construction year, previous and present usage, architectural characteristics, as well as legends, historic person, historic events, cultural activities related to the structure.

Archaeological Sites

1. A map showing the boundary of each archaeological site as supported and delineated by field walking, augering and test-pitting;

2. Drawing of stratigraphic section of test-pits excavated which shown the cultural sequence of a site.

A full bibliography and source of the information consulted should be provided to assist in the evaluation of the quality of the evidence. It is expected that the study and result is up to an internationally accepted academic and professional standard.

END OF STUDY BRIEF