EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Introduction

This is the fifty-first monthly Environmental Monitoring and Audit (EM&A) report prepared by Maunsell Environmental Management Consultants Limited (MEMCL) for the “Castle Peak Road Improvement between Ting Kau and Sham Tseng, Tsuen Wan” (The Project). This report documented the findings of EM&A Works conducted during the impact period in September 2006.

As informed by the Contractor, construction activities in the reporting period were:

· Landscaping works;

· Road paving;

· Slope works;

· Retaining wall construction;

· Backfilling; and

· E&M works.

The construction works had commenced since July 2002. The Contractor implemented most of the environmental mitigation measures and effectively minimised the impacts arising from the construction activities.

The IC(E) verified Marine Water Quality Baseline Monitoring Report (Rev.2) had been submitted to the EPD on 24 July 2003. Comments were received from EPD on 27 August 2003. Response to comments was verified by IC(E) via e-mail communication. Revised pages were issued to the Contractor on 1 September 2003 for their onward submission to EPD, AFCD, ER and IC(E).

Environmental Monitoring Works

Air Quality

1-hour TSP Monitoring

All 1-hour TSP monitoring results complied with the Action and Limit Levels (AL Levels) in the reporting month.

24-hour TSP Monitoring

All 24-hour TSP monitoring results complied with the Action and Limit Levels (AL Levels) in the reporting month.

Construction Noise

The noise monitoring was conducted for daytime only in the reporting month. All the monitoring results were below the limit level in the reporting month.

Water Quality

In the reporting month, thirteen sessions of water quality monitoring were conducted. A total of 22 action and 46 limit level exceedances were recorded. As no marine works were conducted at the Reclamation Site in the reporting month, the exceedances were considered not associated to the Project.

Landscape and Visual

Two landscape site audits were conducted in the reporting month. No retained trees were felled. The Contractor protected most exposed slopes/surfaces by hydroseeding, shotcreting and tarpaulin sheeting. However, some permanent hydroseeding previously covered by dust generated from soil nail installation did not germinate satisfactorily. The Contractor was requested to re-apply hydroseeding to these areas after slope work completes. On the other hand, 2 retained trees outside Rhine Terrace were suspected to be dead after demolition of rock fall fence. The Contractor was reminded to propose remedial measures for these 2 suspected dead trees. Exposed slope surface at Vista Del Mar was eroded and soil debris was deposited in the stream. 1 retained tree outside Ting Kau Villa felled during the rainstorm on 1 June 2006. One broken branch was found on a tree outside Rhine Terrace.

Complaints, Non-compliance and Prosecutions

No environmental complaint, non-compliance or prosecution was received in the reporting month.

Permits and Licences

No new environmental permit and licence was applied or obtained in the reporting month.

Environmental Site Inspection

Site inspections were carried out weekly by the Environmental Team to ensure proper implementation of environmental mitigation measures specified in the EM&A Manual and compliance with relevant environmental legislation.

In the reporting month, 4 site inspections were conducted. Due to occasional drizzle and rainy conditions, dust nuisance was mild in the reporting month. Yet, insufficient dust mitigation measures, such as insufficient water dampening of the haul roads during dry weather. Due to unstable weather condition and frequent showers in the reporting month, no obvious construction dust impact was observed.

As there were no marine works, the water quality impact was minimal from the reclamation area in the reporting month. The Contractor was requested to clear the soil and debris deposited inside Ting Kau Nullah.

For waste and chemical management, accumulated C&D material was occasionally observed at E03B, Slope 13 and under FB06. The Contractor was requested to timely dispose of sorted construction waste and to provide drip trays for oil containers.

Future Key Issues

Wet season will be continued. The Contractor should maintain all drainage channels, cover all open stockpiles during rainfall, maintain sufficient and utilise wastewater treatment facilities in each works area for proper treatment of silty surface runoff and groundwater.

Air quality impact would be arising from mis-handling of dusty material, such as bagged cement or breaking. Therefore, appropriate measures such as dampening of dusty material before handling, enclosing and / or spraying water continuously onto dusty operation would be required during dry condition.

General refuse should be collected properly in enclosed bins. Excavation, rock breaking and formwork removal would be on-going in the coming month. The Contractor was advised to maintain on-site sorting of inert and non-inert construction waste. Non-inert construction waste should be timely collected for off-site disposal. Proper chemicals management should be maintained in the forthcoming month. The Chemical Waste Storage Area should also be properly managed.