1.
INTRODUCTION
1.1
Project
Background
1.1.1 At present, the average daily and weekend patronage volumes that are required to be handled at Lo Wu, Boundary Crossing are 236,000 and 278,000 respectively. The Easter holiday in 2000 saw a record high throughput of 335,851 passengers. These high patronage volumes are stretching the operation of Lo Wu to its limit.
1.1.2
The Sheung Shui to Lok Ma Chau Spur
Line (Spur Line) project was originated by Hong Kong SAR Government to relieve
the congestion at the Lo Wu Boundary Crossing to provide the transport backbone
for the future Kwu Tung North New Development Area, and together with the
proposed Northern Link, to provide a strategic link between East Rail and West
Rail in the northern part of the New Territories. Given the continued surge of
cross boundary passenger volume, the railway and immigration facilities will
reach their limits on a daily basis in the near future, to an extent only seen
on festival days at present. The overcrowding will cause serious public safety
concerns and unsatisfactory service.
1.2.1
As described in the EIA Study Brief issued by the
Environmental Protection Department (EPD) for the Spur Line (ESB-085/2001), the
purpose of the EIA is to provide information on the nature and extent of environmental
impacts arising from the construction and operation of the proposed designated
project and related activities taking place concurrently. This information will
contribute to decisions by EPD on:
(i) the overall acceptability of any adverse environmental consequences that are likely to arise as a result of the proposed project;
(ii) the conditions and requirements for the detailed design, construction and operation of the proposed project to mitigate against adverse environmental consequences wherever practicable; and
(iii) the acceptability of residual impacts after the proposed mitigation measures are implemented.
1.2.2
Mitigation measures will be identified to enable the
EIA to demonstrate that the Spur Line Project is environmentally viable.
1.2.3
At the time of this Environmental Impact Assessment
Report (EIA), two planning studies are in progress, one for North-West New
Territories (NWNT), one for North-East New Territories (NENT). The proposed
development area for the Planning and Development Study on NWNT is outside the
Spur Line Study Area and will therefore not be evaluated in this report There
will be a close interface between the Spur Line and the ongoing Planning and
Development Study on NENT (the NENT Study). The proposed Kwu Tung North New Development area (NDA) was
presented to the public in October 1999.
Based on the Preliminary Layout Plans subsequently prepared for the NDA,
the EIA is currently under preparation.
1.2.4
As the Spur Line is in tunnel through the Kwu Tung
North NDA, there will be no above ground impacts related to railway noise on
future sensitive receivers in the development. Potential groundborne noise impacts from the operation of
the railway will be mitigated through the incorporation of Floating Slab Track
(FST) through the NDA section of the alignment. The removal of all potential noise impacts on future
developments in the area provides much greater flexibility for the planners of
the Kwu Tung North NDA and is a key benefit of the tunnel option.
1.2.5 The EIA report will form the basis for a decision by EPD for approval of the scheme under the EIA Ordinance, to facilitate the public inspection process of the report and obtain the Environmental Permit for the construction and operation of the Spur Line.
1.2.6 The EIA report addresses all issues identified in the Study Brief as described in Table 1.1.
Environmental Issues
Addressed in this EIA Report
|
Environmental Issue [Study Brief reference] |
Description |
|
Hydrology
and Surface Settlement (i), (ii) & (iii) |
Defines the hydrological regime within Long Valley, including surface
water and groundwater.
Identifies the potential impacts and mitigation measures to reduce the
impacts during construction of the tunnel, including changes to the groundwater
level and surface settlement along the alignment. Where possible impacts may
occur, monitoring is proposed and contingency plans defined. |
|
|
Potential groundwater level changes
during operation are evaluated using a 2-D model and compared with existing
influences on groundwater levels to determine significance. |
|
Ecology (iv),
(v) & (vi) |
Collates all updated ecological
information within the Study Area and presents details of ecological
characteristics of each habitat and associated species. Identifies and quantifies potential
impacts from the proposed scheme, with particular reference to key
hydrological and ground settlement impacts on ecological resources from the
tunnel section in Long Valley, and impacts on wetlands at Lok Ma Chau due to
the proposed station. Cumulative
impacts are also addressed. For
all identified impacts, mitigation measures are proposed, covering both
construction phase and long-term operational impacts, and a description of
the feasibility, likely effectiveness, means of implementation and
management, and residual impacts is provided. |
|
Fisheries (vii) |
Describes the existing pond aquaculture
activities and resources in the Study Area and identifies potential impacts
on fish farming activities resulting from the construction and operation of
the project. Describes mitigation
measures proposed, with reference to the ecology chapter. |
|
Air
quality (viii) |
Identifies sensitive receivers along the
railway alignment that may be affected by dust impacts during construction,
and air quality impacts during operation. Presents mitigation measures and a monitoring and audit
programme to control potential impacts. |
|
Noise (ix) |
Identifies sensitive receivers during the
construction phase of Spur Line.
Describes potential impacts from key construction activities along the
alignment and details mitigation measures to be implemented to minimize
impacts. Identifies sensitive receivers during the
operation of Spur Line and presents predicted day and night airborne noise
levels. Impacts from relocation
of the existing East Rail and cumulative noise impacts from Spur Line and
East Rail are described and assessed.
Fixed noise sources are evaluated. For all impacts, practical mitigation measures are described. |
|
Water
quality (x) |
Describes existing sensitive receivers
and potential impacts to them during construction of the project. Present mitigation measures to be
implemented to minimize impacts to receiving waterbodies. Quantifies, as far as possible, potential
impacts from stormwater (including track run-off) and sewage from Lok Ma Chau
Station during operation.
Describes measures to be implemented to meet the Zero Discharge Policy
requirements. Describes the
existing surface water and groundwater regime in Long Valley. Evaluates potential impacts to the
drainage systems of Long Valley, including settlement and during bored tunnel
construction and due to the presence of the tunnel during operation. A monitoring programme and
contingency plans are described to identify and mitigate impacts. |
|
Waste (xi) |
Describes and quantifies types of waste
generated during construction and operation of Spur Line and the timing and
duration of the waste generation and likely routes for disposal. Identifies means of reducing waste
generation and draws up a waste management plan for handling, transport and
disposal of wastes generated. |
|
Contaminated
land (xii) |
Identifies areas of potentially
contaminated land within the Spur Line Study Area, current land use, likely
contaminants present and extent of hazard. Presents a sampling and analysis
programme in the form of a Contaminated Action Plan (CAP) to determine the
extent of contamination and proposes remediation measures for mitigation
where necessary. |
|
Cultural
Heritage (xiii) |
Updates previous records of sites of
cultural importance within the Study Area, including historical buildings and
archaeological remains. Particular attention is given to historic buildings
listed in the Study Brief and recent findings in the NENT Study. Where
impacts occur, mitigation measures are proposed, including a detailed Archaeological
Impact Assessment before construction work commences, if this is required. |
|
Visual
and Landscape (xiv) |
Identifies sensitive receivers and
assesses the potential visual impacts on them and on surrounding landscape as
a result of Spur Line construction and operation. Particular attention is given to Lok Ma Chau station, the
viaduct and above ground structures related to the railway. Impacts due to tree felling are
identified and mitigation measures presented. Appropriate mitigation measures
are designed to mitigate impacts. |
|
Construction (xv) |
Description of the construction
techniques and equipment to be used during Spur Line construction, and
details of the extent to which technologies are proven in other projects. |
|
Land-Use (xvi) |
Describes the potential impacts of the
Spur Line alignment on proposed landuses in the Kwu Tung North NDA. In particular, the benefits of
placing the Spur Line in tunnel are described. |
1.3
The Approach
1.3.1
The
approach that has been taken in carrying out this EIA has been to establish the
“worst case” scenario for each of the potential environmental impacts to be
assessed, as outlined in the Study Brief. An explanation of each “worst case”
is provided at the beginning of each chapter together with details of the
methodology to be adopted in undertaking the assessment. Where residual impacts
have been predicted then appropriate mitigation measures have been recommended.
1.3.2
The assessment criteria and guidelines in the TM on
EIAO have been followed in establishing present and future sensitive receivers
that may be affected, the types of impacts of concern and the methodology for
evaluating the impacts and developing mitigation solutions. The EIA Study Brief
for the Spur Line (ESB-085/2001) has identified issues of particular concern
that require detailed study. These
include potential hydrology impacts arising from tunnel construction and
operation, consequential impacts on the ecology of Long Valley, mitigation of
impacts on the ecology of Lok Ma Chau fishponds and waste generation and
disposal. Reference has been made
to the previous EIA (as required by the Study Brief) to identify the benefits
that result from selection of the tunnel option.
1.3.3
In
the case of operational train noise, airborne noise has been eliminated through
selection of the tunnel option. Potential impacts from air-borne,
structure-borne and ground-borne noise and vibration have been subject to
extensive research by KCRC for West Rail, MOS Rail and the Hung Hom to Tsim Sha
Tsui extension of East Rail. The noise and vibration attenuating techniques
that have been developed for mitigating impacts on these projects will be
applied to the Spur Line to minimise impacts from this source.
1.3.4
The EIA addresses concerns on the potential impacts
from tunnel construction and operation on the surface and sub-surface hydrology
of Long Valley. The approach has
been to establish a baseline groundwater envelope from which impacts can be
identified. Surface water and groundwater flows (including tidal influence) are
evaluated. Potential impacts are assessed through the provision of detailed
information on the specialised tunnel boring machine, and modelling techniques
to demonstrate the change in permanent groundwater levels resulting from the
presence of the tunnel.
Contingency plans are described to mitigate identified impacts.
1.3.5 Potential impacts on the ecological habitats of Long Valley are addressed in relation to possible changes in the hydrology and the effectiveness of the mitigation proposed. A detailed account of impacts and proposed mitigation of ecological impacts is presented for the Lok Ma Chau fishponds area, including details of enhancement mechanisms and management proposals to minimise residual impacts on this ecological resource.
1.3.6 Waste volumes and requirements are detailed in the EIA and details provided of possible recycling and re-use opportunities. Disposal options and routes are presented to demonstrate that there is no insurmountable impact form the tunnel construction.
1.3.7 Other issues which required particular attention included landscape and visual impacts and potential impacts on Cultural Heritage. A full assessment has been presented in the current EIA Report.