1. BACKGROUND

1.1 An application (No. ESB-019/1998) for an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) study brief under section 5(1) of the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (EIAO) was submitted by the captioned Applicant on 22 October 1998 with a project profile (No. PP-029/1998) on the captioned project.

1.2 The Applicant proposes to construct a 750 m long district distributor Road A at Cha Kwo Ling Kaolin Mine Site. This road is also shown on the Cha Kwo Ling, Yau Tong, Lei Yue Mun Outline Zoning Plan (Plan No.: S/K15/9). The project is a Designated Project under section A.1 of the EIAO.

1.3 Pursuant to section 5(7)(a) of the EIAO, the Director of Environmental Protection (the Director) issues this EIA study brief to the captioned Applicant to carry out an EIA study.

1.4 The purpose of this EIA Study is to provide information on the nature and extent of environmental impacts arising from the construction, operation of the proposed project and all 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 project;

2. the conditions and requirements for the detailed design, construction, operation, of the proposed project; 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 project and associated works together with the requirements for carrying out the proposed project;

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

4. to identify and quantify any potential losses or damage to flora, fauna and natural habitats;

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

6. 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 project in relation to the sensitive receivers and potential affected uses;

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

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

9. to identify constraints associated with the mitigation measures recommended in the study; and

10. to design and specify the environmental monitoring and audit requirements necessary 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 refer to as the TM), are fully complied with.

The Scope

3.2 The scope of this EIA study covers the proposed project mentioned in section 1.2 above.

Study Area

3.3 For the purpose of air quality impact and landscape impact assessments, the study area shall be of 500m from either side of the alignment of the proposed Road A (see Figure 1).

3.4 For noise impact assessment, the study area shall be defined by a distance of 300m from the proposed road alignment and associated facilities. The study area can be reduced accordingly if the first layer of the noise sensitive receivers (NSRs), closer than 300m from the road, provide acoustic shielding to those receivers at further distance behind subject to the agreement with the Director. Notwithstanding the above, the study area should cover the residential premises at Sceneway Garden; the kindergarten; and other noise sensitive receivers along the section of Sin Fat Road to the east of the proposed road for the purpose of assessment of road traffic noise impact from Sin Fat Road and other roads in the vicinity on the above-mentioned noise sensitive receivers.

3.5 All sensitive receivers for the visual impact assessment shall be assessed within the visual envelope outlining the area of land where there is a view of any part of the proposed project and its structure.

Technical Requirements

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

3.7 Noise Impact Study

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

3.7.2 Task 1: Provision of Background Information and Existing Noise Levels

The Applicant shall provide all background information relevant to the project, 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.

3.7.3 Task 2: Identification of Noise Sensitive Receivers

The Applicant shall refer to Annex 13 in 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.

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 of Environmental Protection 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.

For planned noise sensitive land uses without committed site layouts, the Applicant should base on the relevant planning parameters to work out site layouts for operational noise assessment purpose. For the proposed Cha Kwo Ling housing site, the Applicant may refer to the indicative layout plan in Figure 2 for the location of the housing blocks.

3.7.4 Task 3: Provision of an Emission Inventory of the Noise Sources

An inventory of noise sources (e.g. construction equipment for construction noise assessment; port equipment etc., as appropriate, for operational noise assessment) shall be provided, and the inventory shall include the road traffic data. Confirmation of the validity of the inventory shall be obtained from the relevant government departments/authorities.

3.7.5 Task 4: Construction Noise Assessment

The Applicant shall carry out assessment of noise impact from construction (excluding percussive piling) of the project 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 para. 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.

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

If the unmitigated construction noise levels are found exceeding the relevant criteria, 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.

3.7.6 Task 5: Operational Road Traffic 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 roadwork. 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.

   The Applicant should assess how, if any, the proposed road would affect the traffic noise impact from Sin Fat Road and other roads in the vicinity on Sceneway Garden; the kindergarten; and other noise sensitive receivers along the section of Sin Fat Road to the east of the proposed Road A.

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 TM. 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 TM.

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 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 in the TM 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 Proponent 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).

3.7.7 Task 6: 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.

3.7.8 Task 7: 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.

3.8 Air Quality Impact

3.8.1 The Applicant shall follow the criteria and guidelines for evaluating and assessing traffic emission impact as stated in Annexes 4 and 12 of the TM respectively.

3.8.2 The traffic emission impact assessment shall include the following:

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

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 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, its related air quality impact and characterization;

7. assessment and evaluation of the net and cumulative air quality impacts;

8. presentation of the assessment results in the form of summary table and pollution contours, whenever practicable, for comparison with relevant air quality standards and the examination of the land use implications of these impacts;

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

10. The air quality implications of any proposed noise mitigation measures should be assessed; and

11. The report which is submitted to Air Policy Group of EPD should include all input and output file(s) of the model run(s) in electronic format.

3.8.3 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 the construction stage, if necessary, to ensure construction dust impacts are controlled within the relevant standard as stipulated in Annex 4 of the TM.

3.9 Construction Waste Management Impact

3.9.1 The Applicant shall assess the waste management implications arising from the construction and operation of the project in accordance with Annex 7 and 15 of the TM. The assessment of waste management impacts shall cover, but not limited to, the following:

1. Analysis of Activities and Waste Generation

   Identify the quantity, type, quality and timing of the liquid and solid waste arising as a result of the construction, 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 waste reduction / reuse / recycle shall be fully evaluated.

   2. Apart from taking into account all the opportunities for reducing waste generation, the types and quantities of the wastes required to dispose 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 section (c) below. All solid waste, wastewater and sludge, both during construction and operational phases, shall be conveyed by suitable means to be disposed properly outside the water gathering grounds.

   3. the impact caused by handling (including labeling, packaging and storage), collection, and disposal of wastes shall be addressed in detail. This assessment shall cover but not be limited to the following areas:
      • potential hazards;

      • air and odour emission;

      • noise;

      • wastewater discharge; and

      • public transport.

3.10 Land Contamination Impact

3.10.1 For land contamination assessment, the study area shall be defined within the boundary of the road project.

3.10.2 The Applicant shall follow the guidelines for evaluating and assessing potential contaminated land issues as stated in Annex 19 sections 3.1 and 3.2 of the TM. The Applicant may refer to the report entitled "Preliminary Landfill Gas Hazards & Land Contamination Assessment for Potential Public Housing Sites at Cha Kwo Ling Kaolin Mine Site (Site No. R05) & Site East of EHC, Lei Yue Mun (Site No. R08)" for information.

3.10.3 The Applicant shall provide a clear and detailed account of the present land use (e.g. description of the activities, chemicals and hazardous substances handled with clear indication of their storage and location by reference to a site map) and the relevant landuse history in relation to possible land contamination (e.g. accident records, change of land use etc).

3.10.4 During the execution of the EIA study, the Applicant shall submit a contamination assessment plan (CAP) to the DEP for endorsement prior to conducting an actual contamination impact assessment of the land/site. The CAP shall include proposals on sampling and analysis required and shall aim at determining the nature and the extent of the contamination of the land/site.

3.10.5 Based on the endorsed CAP, the Applicant shall conduct a land contamination impact assessment. If land contamination is confirmed, a remedial action plan shall be prepared to formulate necessary remedial measures.

3.11 Landfill Gas Impact

3.11.1 The Applicant shall follow the criteria and guidelines for evaluating and assessing the potential landfill gas impact as stated in Annex 7 and 19 of the TM respectively. The Applicant may refer to the report entitled “Preliminary Landfill Gas Hazards & Land Contamination Assessment for Potential Public Housing Sites at Cha Kwo Ling Kaolin Mine Site (Site No. R05) & Site East of EHC, Lei Yue Mun (Site No. R08)”, the “Landfill Gas Hazard Assessment – Guidance Note” and the ProPECC PN 3/96 “Landfill Gas Hazard Assessment for Developments adjacent to Landfills” for reference, (see Figure 1 of the consultation zone of Sai Tso Wan Landfill Site).

3.11.2 The landfill gas impact assessment shall entail two main components which are qualitative risk assessment and landfill gas precautionary / protection design. Specifically, the assessment shall include the following technical tasks:

1. review of background information and studies related to the relevant landfills;

2. identification of the nature and extent of the sources, including the likely concentrations and/or amounts of hazardous emissions which might have the potential for impacts on the proposed project(s);

3. identification of the possible pathways through the ground, underground cavities, utilities or ground water, and the nature of these pathways through which the hazardous emissions must traverse if they were to reach the proposed project(s);

4. identification of the potential receivers associated with the proposed project(s) which are sensitive to the impacts of the hazardous emissions;

5. qualitative assessment on the degree of risk which the hazardous emissions may impose on the receivers for each of the source-pathway-receiver combinations; and

6. design of suitable level of precautionary measures for the proposed project(s), if needed.

3.12 Water Quality Impact

3.12.1 The study area shall be within 300m from either side of the proposed road alignment.

3.12.2 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.

3.12.3 All physical, chemical and biological disruptions of ground water system (which are caused by the Sai Tso Wan Landfill and other sources) arising during the construction and operation of the project shall be identified and analysed in the impact assessment.

3.12.4 In the water quality impact assessment, the Applicant shall address the following:

1. collection and review of background information on the existing water system(s) and evaluate whether the nearby Sai Tso Wan Landfill would be affected by the proposed Road A particularly during construction works;

2. characterization of water quality on the surrounding water systems and sensitive receivers which might be potentially affected by the proposed project both during construction and operation;

3. establishment of pertinent water and sediment quality objectives, criteria and standards for the identified water system(s) and sensitive receivers;

4. identification on any construction activities such as on-site concrete batching, excavation and filling which might lead to alternation of water courses, increase sediment loading to downstream watercourses or drainage systems, leachate breakout from nearby Landfill and changes of catchment area(s);

5. prediction and quantification of impacts on the water system(s) and sensitive receivers due to changes identified in (iv) above. Possible impacts in particular during construction include changes in sediment erosion, deposition and contaminated construction runoff and the effects on the identified sensitive receivers and water system(s) due to such changes. The prediction shall take into account and include possible different construction stages or sequences. Cumulative impacts due to other projects activities or pollution sources within a boundary of 300 m from both sides along the identified water system(s) and sensitive receivers, shall be predicted and quantified;

6. assessment and evaluation of any potential water quality impacts on the identified water system(s) and sensitive receivers due to sewerage arising from on-site construction workforce. Any effluent generated would require appropriate treatment and disposal;

7. identification, assessment and evaluation of any potential stormwater impacts on the identified water system(s) and sensitive receivers during construction stages as to reduce the water and sediment quality impacts to within standards, objectives and criteria established in item (iii) above. Best management practices shall be recommended to reduce any potential impacts arising from stormwater and construction runoff during both construction and operation phases;

8. establishment of erosion control plan during construction as per assessments carried out in (v) above. This erosion control plan shall incorporate details such as locations, sizes and types of best management practices, which will be used to reduce stormwater and construction runoff pollution arising during construction works. In addition, contingency plan shall also be included as part of this plan to prepare for any potential leachate breakout from the nearby Landfill during construction works. These requirements shall be incorporated in the project contract document and formed part of the permit conditions.

3.13 Ecological Impact

3.13.1 The Applicant shall follow the criteria and guidelines for evaluating and assessing potential ecological impact as stated in Annexes 8 and 16 of the TM respectively.

3.13.2 In the ecological impact assessment, the Applicant shall examine the flora, fauna and other components of the ecological habitats within the project areas and other areas likely to be affected by the project. It should be the aim to protect, maintain or rehabilitate the natural environment. In particular, the proposed project shall avoid impacts on recognised sites of conservation importance (e.g. Country Parks, Sites of Special Scientific Interest) and other ecological sensitive areas. The assessment shall identify and quantify as far as possible the potential ecological impacts associated with the project. The study shall evaluate the environmental acceptability of the project.

3.13.3 The assessment shall include the following tasks :

1. review the findings of relevant studies and collate all the available information regarding the ecological characters of the study area;

2. evaluate the information collected and identify any information gap relating to the assessment of potential ecological impacts to the terrestrial and aquatic environment;

3. carry out necessary field surveys which shall cover at least 4 months, and investigations to verify the information collected, fill the information gaps identified and fulfill the objectives of the EIA study;

4. establish the general ecological profile and describe the characteristics of each habitat found; major information to be provided shall include :
   1. description of the physical environment;

   2. habitat maps of suitable scale (1:1000 to 1:5000) showing the types and locations of habitats in the study area;

   3. ecological characteristics of each habitat type such as size, vegetation type, species present, dominant species found, species diversity and abundance, community structure, inter-dependence of the habitats and species, and presence of any features of ecological importance;

   4. representative colour photos of each habitat type and any important ecological features identified;

   5. species found that are rare, endangered and/or listed under local legislation, international conventions for conservation of wildlife/habitats or red data books;

5. investigate and describe the existing wildlife uses of various habitats with special attention to woodland and any other habitats and wildlife groups identified as having special conservation interests by this study;

6. describe all recognized sites of conservation importance in the proposed development site and its vicinity and assess whether these sites will be affected by the proposed development or not;

7. using suitable methodology, identify and quantify as far as possible any direct, indirect, on-site, off-site, primary, secondary and cumulative ecological impacts such as destruction of habitats, reduction of species abundance/diversity, loss of feeding grounds, reduction of ecological carrying capacity and habitat fragmentation;

8. evaluate the significance and acceptability of the ecological impacts identified using well-defined criteria;

9. recommend all possible alternatives (such as modifications of layout and design) and practicable mitigation measures to avoid, minimize and/or compensate for the adverse ecological impacts identified;

10. evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of the recommended mitigation measures and define the scope, type, location, implementation arrangement, subsequent management and maintenance of such measures;

11. determine and quantify as far as possible the residual ecological impacts after implementation of the proposed mitigation measures;

12. evaluate the severity and acceptability of the residual ecological impacts using well-defined criteria. If off-site mitigation measures are considered necessary to mitigate the residual impacts, the guidelines and requirements laid down in the PELB Technical Circular No. 1/97 shall be followed; and

13. review the need for and recommend any ecological monitoring programme required.

3.14 Landscape and Visual Impact

3.14.1 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 TM respectively. Landscape and visual impact assessment shall cover the following:

1. a baseline study to provide 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.

3.14.2 Assessment of Landscape Impacts

The Applicant shall describe, appraise and analyze the existing landscape resource and character of the Study Area. It shall focus particularly on the sensitivity of the landscape framework such as green belt, open space etc. and its ability to accommodate change. The Applicant shall identify the degree of compatibility of the proposed project with the existing landscape. Impacts should be quantified to allow an assessment of the significance of such impacts.

3.14.3 Assessment of Visual Impacts

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

1. identification and plotting of visibility contours and visual envelope of the proposed project. The Study Area visual impact assessment shall be defined by the visual envelope of the proposed project.

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 project with the surrounding, and its obstruction and interference with key views of the adjacent areas; and

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

3.14.4 Review of Planning and Development Control Framework

The Applicant shall review outline zoning plans, outline development plans, layout plans, planning briefs and relevant studies such as the Metroplan, the Central and East Kowloon Development Statement which may contain such information as urban setting, designated view corridors, areas of high landscape value, open space network etc. Such review will give an insight to the future outlook of the area affected and ways the project can be assimilated into the environment. Any conflict with the statutory town plan shall be highlighted and appropriate follow up action shall be recommended.

3.14.5 Proposals for Mitigation Measures

The Applicant shall recommend mitigation measures to minimise the adverse effects identified in 3.14.2 and 3.14.3 above, including the 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, 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 disturbance to the existing landuse. Parties shall be identified for the on-going management and maintenance of the proposed mitigation works to ensure their effectiveness throughout the operational phase of the project. A practical programme and funding proposal for the implementation of the recommended measures shall be presented.

3.14.6 Presentation Materials

The Applicant shall record the technical details on preparing the illustrative material, which may need to be submitted for verification of the accuracy of the illustrations. Perspective drawings, plans and section/elevation diagrams, photographs of scaled physical models, oblique aerial photographs, photo-retouching and computer generated photomontages shall be adopted to illustrate the landscape and visual impacts of the project.

4. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND 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 operational phases of the project and, if affirmative, to define the scope of the EM&A requirements for the project 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 checklist as shown in Annex 1 attached) containing all the EIA study recommendations and mitigation measures with reference to the implementation programme.

5. DURATION OF VALIDITY

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 40 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.

3. 40 copies of the EIA report in English and 40 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. OTHERS 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 project mentioned in section 1 of this EIA study brief and in the Project Profile (No. PP-029/1998), 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 project fundamentally alter the key scope of the EIA study brief, the Applicant shall apply to the Director for another EIA study brief afresh.

Environmental Assessment and Noise Division
Environmental Protection Department
November 1998

| Figure 1| Figure 2 | Annex 1 |