1. BACKGROUND

1.1 An application (No. ESB-023/98) 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 12 November 1998 with a project profile (No. PP-033/98).

1.2 The Applicant proposes to demolish all the buildings and structures including three chimneys with a maximum height of 60m, and to clear the land in the proposed Kennedy Town Comprehensive Development Area (KTCDA). The KTCDA mainly includes the Kennedy Town Incineration Plant (KTIP), the Kennedy Town abattoir (KTA), an Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) depot and an open area used for car-parking.

1.3 The KTCDA site is situated next to Victoria Road, adjacent to Victoria Harbour, with a site area of about 34,000 square metres. The KTIP was put into service as a municipal solid waste incinerator in 1967 and ceased operation in March 1993. The KTA which includes an incinerator for disposal of animal carcasses, is still in use under lease to the Hong Kong Slaughter House Company. The former EMSD depot is currently allocated to New World First Bus Co. as a bus depot. The demolition of municipal waste incinerator is a Designated Project under item 3 of Part II, Schedule 2 of the EIAO. The EMSD has removed all electrical and mechanical installations and equipment within the KCIP.

1.4 Pursuant to section 5(7)(a) of the EIAO, the Director of Environmental Protection (the Director) 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 demolition 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 project;

2. the conditions and requirements for the detailed design and/or demolition of the proposed project 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 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 identify and quantify emission sources and determine the significance of impacts on sensitive receivers and potential affected uses;

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

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

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

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

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

9. 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 (hereinafter referred 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 and 1.3 above. The KTCDA includes buildings and chimneys that are mainly reinforced concrete structures. The demolition works will be carried out by conventional method using mechanical breakers and jackhammers. However, alternative methods of demolition such as explosive techniques might also be used.

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:

AIR QUALITY IMPACT

3.4 The Applicant shall follow the requirements of the Air Pollution Control (Construction Dust) Regulation in dust control and, subject to section 4 below, shall initiate a monitoring and audit program during demolition to ensure demolition dust impacts are controlled within the relevant standard as stipulated in Annex 4 of the Technical Memorandum.

3.5 The Applicant shall undertake an asbestos abatement plan and the relevant statutory requirements under the Air Pollution Control Ordinance. All asbestos containing materials should be removed before the demolition in accordance with the Air Pollution Control Ordinance.

3.6 If blasting is to be applied for demolition, a construction dust impact assessment will be required. The assessment shall include the following:

1. The assessment area shall generally be defined by a distance of 500m from the boundary of the project area.

2. Presentation of the existing and background air quality area for the purpose of evaluating the cumulative dust impacts of the proposed project.

3. Identification of emission characteristics and provision of an emission inventory of the existing, committed and planned air pollution sources.

4. Description of the assessment method (whether it may be analytical, numerical or physical) and the associated assumptions, validity of the method and limits of application.

5. Assessment of net and cumulative air pollution impact of the proposed project 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 input data. Air pollution isopleths shall be produced as an output of the study.

6. Proposals of effective mitigation measures to reduce the cumulative air pollution impacts to established standards.

NOISE IMPACT

3.7 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.

3.8 The study area for noise impact assessment shall include an area within 300m from the project boundary. Subject to the agreement of the Director, the study area can be reduced accordingly if the first layer of the noise sensitive receivers (NSRs), closer than 300m from the project boundary, provides acoustic shielding to those receivers located further away.

3.9 The noise impact assessment shall include the following:

Provision of Background Information

3.9.1 The Applicant shall provide all background information and any relevant current or previous studies relevant to the project including existing noise levels.

Identification of Noise Sensitive Receivers

3.9.2 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.

3.9.3 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 including name of building, use, and number of floors of all selected assessment points shall be given.

Provision of an Emission Inventory of the Noise Sources

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

Noise Assessment

3.9.5 The Applicant shall carry out assessment of noise impact from demolition (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 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.

3.9.6 To minimize the demolition noise impact, alternative demolition methods to replace percussive means shall be proposed as far as practicable.

3.9.7 If the unmitigated demolition 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 tasks) to minimize the impact. If the mitigated noise levels still exceed the relevant criteria, the duration of the noise exceedance shall be given.

WASTE MANAGEMENT IMPLICATIONS

3.10 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.

3.11 The study area shall be generally within 500 m from the proposed project. Where off-site impact may be caused (e.g. waste disposal or dumping), the study area shall also include locations beyond this limit.

3.12 The assessment of waste management implications shall cover the following :

Analysis of Activities and Waste Generation

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

Proposal for Waste Management

3.12.2 Prior to considering the disposal options for various types of wastes, opportunities for reducing waste generation shall be fully evaluated.

3.12.3 Having 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 details. The disposal method recommended for each type of wastes shall take into account the result of the assessment as below.

3.12.4 The impact caused by handling (including labeling, 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.

LAND CONTAMINATION IMPACT

3.13 The Applicant shall follow the guidelines for evaluating and assessing potential land contamination issues as stated in sections 3.1 and 3.2, Annexes 19 of the TM.

3.14 The Applicant shall provide a clear and detailed account of the present land use (including 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 (including accident records, change of land use etc).

3.15 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.

3.16 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.

HAZARD TO LIFE(The assessment is only required if blasting using explosives is to be applied for demolition)

3.17 If there is storage of explosives on site, the Applicant shall follow Annexes 4 and 22 of the TM in conducting a hazard assessment and shall include the following in the assessment:

1. identification of all hazardous scenarios associated with the transport, storage and use of explosives for blasting operations;

2. execution of a Quantitative Risk Assessment expressing population risks in both individual and societal terms;

3. comparison of individual and societal risks with the Criteria for Evaluating Hazard to Life stipulated in Annex 4 of the TM; and

4. identification and assessment of practicable and cost effective risk mitigation measures.

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 demolition 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) 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 50 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. 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 Section 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. 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 project mentioned in section 3 of this EIA study brief and in Project Profile (No. PP-033/98), 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.

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