15.              ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND AUDIT REQUIREMENTS

 

15.1          This section outlines the EM&A requirements for the Spur Line construction and operation based on this report. Construction activities for the Spur Line include tunnelling works, piling works, concreting, draining and filling of fishponds and excavation of potentially contaminated materials. These activities have the potential to impact on the existing environment. Mitigation measures have been recommended in this Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report to prevent potential adverse impacts from the construction of the Spur Line. Based on these recommendations, the environmental monitoring and audit requirements for the construction of the Spur Line are summarised below.

 

Hydrological Monitoring

 

            Piezometer Monitoring

 

15.2          Groundwater levels in Long Valley are to be monitored across the four sections defined in the EIA/EM&A. Each section or gate comprises 3 boreholes and 5 piezometers (2 discrete piezometers and 3 standpipes);

 

15.3          Environmental controls on groundwater during the tunneling contract require the following periods of monitoring:

 

            Baseline

 

•           Baseline controls each year, or as directed by the Engineer; – a full suite of hourly monitoring across all 20 instruments for a 26 hour period, wet and dry season, spring and neap tides. Concurrently, tidal reference shall also be taken hourly from the Beas River footbridge opposite Ho Sheung Heung for each of the four monitoring periods;

 

On the basis of the four sets of results the Engineer will define an acceptable baseline groundwater envelope for each of the four sections, for the two seasons and two tides.

 

            Production Monitoring

 

As each tunnel drive approaches one of the four piezometer gates, daily monitoring of all 5 piezometers and the tide will commence;

 

•           Daily piezometer monitoring, at a time of day to be agreed with the Engineer, will be required throughout the whole period when any part of the TBM lies within +/- 50m of the gate in plan; Part of the TBM shall be defined as the length lying between the cutter face and the first whole fully completed segment of permanent tunnel lining;

 

•           The frequency of monitoring may be increased, as directed by the Engineer, should the monitored groundwater levels step outside the defined acceptable groundwater envelope for the particular gate, season and tide;

 

•           Additional ad hoc piezometer monitoring may be ordered by the Engineer, if any form of recharge is required to restore the local groundwater to the acceptable envelope or that any part of the Action Plan (as defined in the EIA) has to be invoked as a consequence of the passage of the tunnel drive.

           

            Post Production

 

15.4          After full passage of the TBM through the piezo-gate, Post production groundwater monitoring may need to be undertaken weekly, for a period of 6 weeks, or as directed by the Engineer.

 

            Surface Settlement Monitoring

 

15.5          This EIA has indicated that there is a risk of surface settlement during passage of the tunnel through Long Valley. The maximum settlement is expected to be around 40mm from data obtained from DB320 tunneling operation in West Rail. This may be considered acceptable from an engineering and stability viewpoint. However, there is a potential for this level of settlement to impact the surface water hydrology within the Long Valley area, reducing the freeboard and causing sedimentation and increasing the potential for flooding in the surrounding area.

 

15.6          A baseline topographic survey should be carried out at the locations defined in the Engineer’s predicted surface settlement contour map. During passage of the TBM, monitoring of the surface settlement should be carried out on a regular basis, with reference to the baseline level and the predicted values in the settlement contour map.

 

15.7          Smaller changes in ground level will require action to reinstate channel bund heights to minimize impacts on surface hydrology. An action level of 10mm is proposed as the level to trigger more intensive monitoring or the settlement rate. If settlement reaches a limit level of 25mm, action must be taken to reinstate the bunds that have dropped in height. The action plan described in Chapter 3, Hydrology, of this EIA should be implemented prior to this stage to enable rapid action to be taken in the case of further settlement of key watercourses and irrigation channels.

 

           


            Ecology

 

15.8          The aim of monitoring of any implemented wetland mitigation scheme should be to establish that clearly defined end objectives are met according to measurable performance criteria. Such objectives and performance criteria should be based on the broad objectives and targets as outlined here, but should be identified in detail as part of the production of a Management Plan.

 

15.9          A Draft Habitat Creation and Management Plan (HCMP) has been prepared under a separate consultancy (Environmental Support Services Contract ESGA-023), for the areas of newly created or enhanced wetland under this project.

 

15.10      The Draft HCMP covers:

 

·                      Management of mitigation areas to satisfy habitat creation and species-specific carrying capacity targets, including (but not restricted to) type of wetland habitat to be created (including re-contouring and other land forming works), water management regime (including provision of permanent water sources where required), species planting plans (including establishment techniques), vegetation management plans and programmes, fish pond stocking and drain down rotation.

 

·                      Details of extra and diversified habitat provision covered by the foregoing to increase their overall carrying capacity, increase their carrying capacity for particular target species and / or provide habitat for other target species not currently present.

 

·                      Targets and monitoring methods for food resource provision in enhanced fishponds and other open water habitats.

 

·                      Short and long term management responsibilities.

 

 

15.11      The Draft HCMP will be finalised when the EIA Report has been approved and an Environmental Permit has been granted. It will, therefore, incorporate any requirements of the Environmental Permit.

 

15.12      However, as overall objectives may take many years to be met, additional operational objectives that indicate a direction of desirable change should also be monitored (e.g. hydrological regimes and plant establishment required to produce certain habitats and wetland functions). Such information may also help to guide management activities as they proceed. In practice, the separation of 'means' and 'ends' objectives can be difficult as they may overlap in some cases. For example, establishment of a particular vegetation community may be an 'end' objective in itself, but this may also be a 'means' objective for providing suitable habitat for the re-colonization of a target species, another 'end' objective.

 

15.13      A list of wetland attributes, some of which may form an appropriate basis for measurable performance criteria is provided below. These should be measured according to clearly specified Standard Operating Procedures (including specifications on the timing and frequency of monitoring) developed as part of the Management Planning process.

 

            Pedology

·                      Change in depth (i.e. topsoil/subsoil regime)

·                      Change in organic versus mineral content

·                      Change in nutrient composition

·                      Change in anaerobic/aerobic condition

·                      pH

 

            Hydrology

·                      Water levels and storage capacity (seasonal fluctuations and flood attenuation capacity)

·                      Inflows (surface, ground, direct)

·                      Losses

·                      Surface water flow rates

·                      Hydraulic gradients

 

            Water chemistry

·                      pH

·                      BOD

·                      dissolved oxygen

·                      ammonia

·                      total oxidized nitrogen

·                      orthophosphate

 

            Ecology

·                      General habitat extent (e.g. habitat mapping and fixed point or aerial photography)

·                      Survival, growth and reproduction of key species (especially sown, planted or translocated species)

·                      Health of planted species e.g. pest or fungal attack.

·                      Plant species richness and diversity

·                      Plant community composition (individual species frequency and cover, and NVC community type) formation and zonation

·                      Vegetation structure

·                      Natural colonization and succession

·                      Maintenance of natural ecological processes

·                      Presence and abundance of Species of Conservation Importance in relation to baseline levels and target population levels for specific habitat compensation mitigation measures (i.e. within the enhanced fish pond area and reedbed/marsh areas around the San Tin Station).

·                      Presence or abundance of selected ecological indicator species

 

15.14      In addition to these general monitoring requirements, additional monitoring and research may be required to refine specific management actions required to meet particular objectives.

 

15.15      Monitoring of the territorial extent of two globally threatened species of eagle (Imperial Eagle and Greater Spotted Eagle) has been carried out as part of the Baseline Survey (November 2000 to March 2001). A key area of monitoring and research should be aimed at establishing the impacts of the railway and station construction and operation on these two species of eagle. As described above, it is not expected that residual impacts on these species are likely to be significant. However, given their globally threatened status it is proposed that these species should be included as part of the monitoring, and research should be carried out to enable enhancement of habitats for these species. Although primarily wetland species within Hong Kong, their specific habitat and particularly food requirements are not well known. Further information on these requirements would enable some refinements of the proposed habitat compensation areas to the benefit of these species. Such findings could also be applied to the management of other areas that are frequented by these wide-ranging species, such as the Mai Po Nature Reserve.

 

15.16      Detailed proposals for research into the ecology and habitat requirements of wintering Greater Spotted Eagle and Imperial Eagle should be developed during the detailed design process and included as part of the Management Plan.

 

Waste, Fisheries and Cultural Heritage

 

15.17      Provided that the mitigation measures set out in the EIA are fully implemented, the construction impacts of the project on these environmental issues will be acceptable and no environmental monitoring and audit will be required during the construction.

 

            Air Quality

 

15.18      Major potential sources of adverse air quality impact arising from the Spur Line are site formation and excavation works which involve significant amount of earth movement. The nuisance from construction vehicles and plant emission is likely to be negligible.

 

15.19      The air sensitive receivers are the same as the noise sensitive receivers and are illustrated in the Noise chapter.

15.20      It is concluded that the air quality in most of the works area will not be subjected to any significant construction impacts. With the implementation of the recommended mitigation measures described in Chapter 6, the air quality during the construction phase can be kept within acceptable levels.

 

15.21      Site formation and excavation works may have an impact on some of the sensitive receivers shown in Table 15.1. These sensitive receivers require EM&A during the site formation and excavation stages. It is recommended that 24-hour TSP is monitored at these sensitive receivers following requirements set out in the contract-specific EM&A Manual, which is to be prepared based on the EPD Environmental Monitoring and Audit Guideline for Development Projects in Hong Kong.

 

15.22      Baseline monitoring should be conducted prior to commencement of works. Action and Limit levels should be established as described in the EPD contract-specific EM&A Manual. Where exceedances occur during impact monitoring, necessary follow up will be conducted through regular site inspection and audit.

 

Table 15.1

Air Quality Monitoring Stations

 

Air Quality Sensitive Receiver in EIA

Description

ASR 4

Village House, Long Valley

ASR 14

Village House, Kwu Tung

ASR 20

Village House, Chau Tau

 ASR 29

Village House, Ha Wan Tsuen, Lok Ma Chau

 

 

Noise

 

15.23      Noise monitoring should be carried out at selected representative noise sensitive receiver during the construction period to monitor compliance with permissible noise levels for the activities being undertaken.

 

15.24      The locations of noise monitoring stations is shown in Table 15.2 and Figure 7.1.

The activities that cause potential exceedance of the noise levels (as detailed in Chapter 7 of this EIA are indicated in Table 15.2. Monitoring should be carried out at a defined frequency during these activities.

 

Table 15.2    Construction Noise Monitoring Stations

 

Noise Monitoring Stations

Equivalent RNSRs in EIA

Timing

NM1

1

During any construction works between Sheung Shui Station and the launching shaft

NM2

3

During any construction works between Sheung Shui Station and the launching shaft

NM3

4

During any construction works on works area around launching shaft

NM4

5

Construction of east EAP

NM5

8

During any works in the Kwu Tung Area

NM6

9

During any works in the Kwu Tung Area

NM7

11

During any works in the Kwu Tung Area

NM8

14

During any works in the Kwu Tung Area

NM9

16

Construction of west EAP

NM10

18

During any construction works around the west approach

NM11

19

During any construction works around the west approach

NM12

20

During any construction works around the west approach

NM13

24

During any construction works on CH+875 to CH+2000 on Lok Ma Chau Road

NM14

25

During any construction works on CH+875 to CH+2000 on Lok Ma Chau Road

NM15

27

During any construction works for Spur Line alignment CH36+350 to CH36+450

 

 

15.25      When alternative monitoring stations are proposed, the monitoring locations should be chosen based on the following criteria:

 

(a)                at locations close to the major site activities which are likely to have noise impacts;

 

(b)        close to the noise sensitive receivers (N.B. For the purposes of this section, any domestic premises, hotel, hostel, temporary housing accommodation, hospital, medical clinic, educational institution, place of public worship, library, court of law, performing art centre should be considered as noise sensitive receiver); and

 

(c)        for monitoring locations located in the vicinity of the sensitive receivers, care should be taken to cause minimal disturbance to the occupants during monitoring.

 

15.26      The monitoring station shall normally be at a point 1m from the exterior of the sensitive receivers building facade and be at a position 1.2m above the ground. If there is problem with access to the normal monitoring position, an alternative position may be chosen, and a correction to the measurements shall be made. For reference, a correction of +3dB(A) shall be made to the free field measurements.

 

15.27      The Contractor’s ET leader shall agree with the ER on the monitoring position and the corrections adopted. Once the positions for the monitoring stations are chosen, the baseline monitoring and the impact monitoring shall be carried out at the same positions.

 

15.28      To obtain baseline results, a sound level meter and data logger should be used at each designated noise monitoring as stated in Table 15.2.

 

15.29      At each location, baseline noise levels should be measured prior to construction of the project over one consecutive 7-day calendar week, Leq(30 min) measurement for hours between 0700-1900, and Leq(5 min) measurement, between 1900 – 0700 shall be taken. The measurements should be computed from consecutive Leq (5 min) readings taken throughout each 24 hour period.

 

15.30      The survey period should be selected prior to the commencement of construction activities in order to avoid other atypical noise sources. Measurements shall be recorded to the nearest 0.1 dB.

 

15.31      Impact monitoring shall be carried out at all the designated monitoring stations in Table 15.2 during the relevant construction activity in construction phase of the project. The monitoring frequency for each station on a basis of once every six days when noise generating activities are underway is as follows:

 

(a)                one set of Leq (30 min) as six consecutive Leq (5 min) between 0700-1900 hours on normal weekdays.

 

(b)               one set of Leq (15 min) as three consecutive Leq (5 min) between 1900-2300 hours (only if construction works is carried out during these hours).

 

(c)                one set of Leq (15 min) as three consecutive Leq (5 min) between 2300-0700 hours of next day (only if construction works is carried out during these hours).

 

(d)        one set of Leq (15 min) as three consecutive Leq (5 min) between 0700-1900 hours on holidays (only when construction works of this project is going on).

 

            Water Quality

 

15.32      The Spur Line will be located in tunnel from Sheung Shui to Lok Ma Chau and will not directly impact any water bodies in this area. The potential for impacts on groundwater within Long Valley is minimal, as shown in this assessment report. However, it is proposed to carry out a baseline survey of the water quality in selected wells and watercourses within Long Valley and monitor the water quality at these same locations during construction, to identify the presence of any impacts on water bodies in this area.

 

15.33      Along the alignment, several above ground structures will be constructed, including Emergency Access Points, Ventilation Buildings and the basis of the future Kwu Tung Station Box. In addition, channel diversion works are required at Chau Tau during the construction of the diaphragm wall for the cut and cover and ramp sections of the alignment. Within the viaduct section, potential impacts have been identified on fishponds, and the drainage channel to the east of Lok Ma Chau Boundary Crossing.

 

15.34      Impacts on water quality include generation of turbid runoff, which may contain concrete washings, lubricants, chemicals and other contaminants. Impacts can be substantially reduced through the implementation of good site practices, such as careful handling of chemicals and proper disposal of wastewater, and incorporation of suitable drainage systems including sedimentation and infiltration pits, and temporary grease trap and septic tank systems. Discharge should be handled in accordance with ProPECC PN1/94 on Construction Site Drainage.

 

15.35      Hydraulic impacts from culverting of streams and construction of supports for the footbridge crossing Shenzhen River are of low significance given their small scale and the predominantly tidal influence, and therefore low velocities experienced in the Lok Ma Chau area.

 

15.36      Mitigation measures for construction impacts are summarized in Table 8.17 of Chapter 8. Provided the proposed mitigation measures are fully implemented, the impacts of the project on water quality are expected to be minimal.

 

15.37      Full implementation of the proposed mitigation measures for water quality requires good site management and regular maintenance of the mitigation facilities including drainage system, silt traps, oil and grease traps, sewage treatment plant, and wetland. A minimal environmental monitoring and audit programme is therefore required to ensure effective mitigation.

15.38      Water quality monitoring locations should be selected to represent the major water bodies in the Study Area and in selected fishponds, and should include both upstream and downstream locations. Preliminary locations are shown on Figure 15.1 and Table 15.3. In addition, small streams should be monitored frequently where there is a potential for their water quality to be impacted by the Spur Line works.

 

Table 15.3

Proposed Monitoring Locations for Water Quality

during Construction of Spur Line

 

Location Code

Description

RS1

River Sutlej – downstream of Spur Line

URS

River Sutlej – upstream of Spur Line

RB1

River Beas – downstream of Spur Line

URB

River Beas – upstream of Spur Line

FP1

Selected fishponds to be monitored when works is close to this area. These locations will be modified depending on the works location.

FP2

FP3

STR1

San Tin River – downstream of Spur Line

USTR

San Tin River – upstream of Spur Line

CTC1

Chau Tau Channel – downstream of Spur Line

UCTC

Chau Tau Channel – upstream of Spur Line

LVS1

LVS2

Two streams within Long Valley, one upstream, one downstream of alignment.

LVW1

LVW2

LVW3

LVW4

LVW5

LVW6

Six well locations bordering the tunnel alignment, to be used for water quality monitoring.

 

 

15.39      For the watercourses and channels outside Long Valley, the following water quality parameters should be monitored: Dissolved Oxygen (DO), pH, temperature, turbidity, suspended solids (SS) and oil & grease. For watercourses and wells within Long Valley, water quality parameters to be monitored include: DO, pH, temperature, turbidity, SS, BOD5, TOC, Total Nitrogen, Ammonia-N and Total Phosphate. Table 15.3 indicates proposed frequencies and locations for monitoring water quality.

 

15.40      The following water quality parameters are recommended: Dissolved Oxygen (DO), pH, Water Temperature, Turbidity, Suspended Solids (SS) and Oil & Grease. Monitoring frequencies shown in Table 15.4 are recommended.

 

Table 15.4 Recommended Frequencies for Monitoring Water Quality

 

Parameter

Locations

Parameter

DO/pH/Temperature/Turbidity

RS1, URS, RB1, UR6, FP1, FP2, FP3, STR1, USTR, CTC1, USTR,

Twice a week in-situ monitoring

SS

Weekly

Oil & Grease

Biweekly/monthly depending on the type of waters

DO

LVS1, LVS2, LVW1, LVW2, LVW3, LVW4, LVW5, LVW6

Three times per week

DO, pH,

Temperature,

Turbidity,

SS,

BOD5

TOC

Total Nitrogen

Ammonia-N

Total Phosphate

LVS1, LVS2,

LVW1, LVW2,

LVW3, LVW4,

LVW5, LVW6

Weekly/biweekly depending on works being undertaken. When TBM is approaching within 50m of the location, weekly. After passing the location, biweekly for the following month.

 

 

15.41      Baseline monitoring should be conducted prior to commencement of works in accordance with the contract-specific EM&A Manual, which is prepared based on the EPD Generic Environmental Monitoring and Audit Manual. The EM & A Manual should be submitted to and approved by EPD before major works start. Action and Limit levels should be established. Where exceedances occur, action plans described in Appendix A15.1 should be implemented. Necessary follow up will be conducted through regular site inspection and audit.

 

15.42      Operation monitoring should include the performance of the sewage treatment plant and reedbed in achieving the standards expected. In addition to BOD5, SS, DO, pH, NH3-N, NO2, NO3, PO4-P and E. coli should be monitored at regular intends after starting of the reedbed system. The details of locations, frequency and parameters should be provided in the EM&A Manual to be produced subsequently.

 

Contaminated Land

 

15.43      Contaminated land assessment has concluded that there is a potential of contaminated land within the works area. During the site investigation stage, a sampling and analysis programme shall be prepared and implemented where contamination is suspected.

15.44      For example, in a potentially contaminated area as shown in Figure 10.1, samples of the ground should be taken in accordance with the sampling and analysis programme described in Contaminated Land chapter and the Land Contamination Assessment Plan (CAP). If found to be unacceptably contaminated, options for disposal on-site or treatment shall be investigated following the remediation action plan also described in the Contaminated Land chapter.

 

15.45      Runoff from potentially contaminated sites, which may be contaminated with materials from the site, should be tested for relevant contaminants in monitoring of water quality in runoff from this area.

 

15.46      Mitigation measures that should be implemented and which require monitoring during construction are listed in the EIA report and summarized in the Implementation Schedule (Table 15.6).

 

            Landscape and Visual

 

15.47      The EIA Report predicts that the construction and operational phases of the Spur Line will require a range of mitigation measures which have been designed to alleviate the predicted landscape and visual impacts, and compensate for lost landscape resources as far as possible given the project constraints. The mitigation measures identified through the EIA process have taken into consideration the following criteria:

 

•                     preservation of existing vegetation as far as possible;

•                     woodland tree and shrub planting to screen sensitive views and integrate where possible the proposals into the existing and future landscape framework;

•                     outline recommendations for the architectural treatment and design of finishes for the buildings, viaduct sections and the above ground structures associated with the tunnel section;

•                     careful consideration of significant landscape elements; and,

•                     feasibility of mitigation measures in respect of funding, implementation phasing and maintenance.

 

15.48      The detailed mitigation measures are described in section 12 of the EIA Report and the implementation schedule attached to this section.

 

15.49      Also any potential conflicts between the proposed landscape measures and any other project works and operational requirements should be resolved at the earliest possible date and without compromise to the intention of the mitigation measures.

 

15.50      As part of the contractual requirements placed on the Contractor, and Environmental Management Plan (EMP) for the works will be submitted to the Engineer, IC(E) and EPD for review. The EMP shall detail the Contractor's plans for implementing the required landscape and visual mitigation measures. This information will be entered into the revised Implementation Schedule for submittal to EPD, the effectiveness of the Contractor's implementation and maintenance of these mitigation measures shall be monitored as part of the audit programme.

 

            Baseline Monitoring

 

15.51      Baseline monitoring for the landscape and visual resources will be based on the findings and recommendations of the Tree Survey Report and Tree Felling Application and a vegetation survey of the route alignment undertaken on an ‘area’ basis. Representative vegetation types will be identified along with typical species composition so as to allow the rehabilitation of disturbed areas following the construction phase activity. The existing trees of particular concern i.e. those identified for retention on site or transplantation shall be noted.

 

15.52      The vegetation survey will be determined with reference to the habitat maps included in the EIA Report.

 

            Impact Monitoring

 

15.53      The implementation of the recommended landscape and visual mitigation measures should start with an in depth review of the detailed design drawings and tender package to ensure that the proposals meet the objectives described in the LVIA. A qualified Landscape Architect should undertake this review of the detailed design information. This review stage should highlight any deviations from the original proposals to ensure that the level of mitigation is adequate. This may involve further impact assessments for areas affected by refinements to the project.

 

            Construction Phase Audit

 

15.54      The Contractor for the implementation of the landscape construction works should employ a competent Landscape Architect during the construction phase of the project. This is particularly important during the site clearance operations when the proposed tree felling, lifting and transplantation operations will take place and during the planting and subsequent maintenance operations during the twelve month establishment period. The establishment works will be undertaken throughout the Contractor’s one year maintenance period which will be within the first operational year of the project.

 

15.55      A Landscape Architect shall audit all measures undertaken by both the Contractor and Landscape Contractor during the construction phase. This will be completed on a regular basis to ensure compliance with the intended aims of the EIA. Site inspections should be undertaken at least once every two weeks throughout the construction period and once every two months during the operational phase. In addition, the audit of mitigation measures to avoid Impacts to landscape and visual resources will be required during the construction phase, together with the supervision of the soft landscape and compensatory planting proposals.

 

            Operational Phase Audit

 

15.56      Upon completion of the works, the Landscape Contractor shall carry out the maintenance and establishment works of all the planted areas. The operational phase auditing will be restricted to the 12 month establishment period for the landscaping with the appropriate management and maintenance authority taking over the maintenance and monitoring after this period. The maintenance works shall comply with the Government General Specification for Soft Landscape Works. The key tasks to ensure the implementation of the landscape and visual impact mitigation proposals in the short term (restricted to the 12 months establishment works of the landscaping proposals with KCRC / LCSD as appropriate taking over following this period) include the following:

 

•                     Regular watering, weeding and fertilising of all trees and shrubs, and grassed areas;

•                     Regular grass cutting for reinstated areas;

•                     Firming up trees after periods of strong winds;

•                     Regular checks for and eradication of pests, fungal infection etc;

•                     Pruning of dead or broken branches: and,

•                     Prompt replacement of dead plants and grassing of failed areas of grass.

 

15.57      The management and maintenance authority will make regular weekly inspections of the planted areas during the establishment period to ensure the intended mitigation of the landscape and visual impacts are achieved.

 

15.58      In the longer term the areas of tree planting will require a management regime which includes silvicultural treatments such as thinning to optimise the area for mature trees and ensure that the stand is providing the screening required by the EIA Report. It is recommended that the long term management and maintenance regimes are based on an Operation and Maintenance Manual with a detailed implementation schedule giving due consideration to both the landscape and visual, and ecological imperatives of the proposed mitigation strategy. This will ensure the long term success of the recommended mitigation measures through an extended programme of monitoring and audit, and provide guidance to the management and maintenance authorities.

 

15.59      The broad scope of the audit is detailed in Table 15.3 below.

 

           


            Environmental Management System (EMS) for Spur Line

 

            KCRC's Environmental Management System

 

15.60      Sound environmental management is fundamental to KCRC's performance. It is only by fully integrating environmental management with all other management practices, operational, planning and decision-making processes that environmental standards can be adequately addressed.

 

15.61      KCRC are committed to minimize the environmental impact of many of its operations by implementing environmental management systems that meet the ISO 14001 standard in many aspects of their operations. This is an international environmental management system standard that once gained, certifies a company’s ability to effectively manage its environmental impacts.

 

15.62      KCRC began applying the ISO 14001 international environmental management standard to our business in 1996 to promote continual environmental improvement. In 1997, KCRC became the first transport company in Asia to obtain an ISO 14001 certificate. By the end of 1999 most of East Rail Division and Light Rail Division had been certified to ISO 14001. Currently six departments in KCRC have achieved ISO 14001 certification as shown below in Table 15.5

 

Table 15.5

ISO 14001 Certification of KCRC Departments

 

Business Units Registered with ISO 14001

Date of Certification

Freight Department, East Rail Division

Dec-99

Operations Department, East Rail Division

Dec-99

Operations Department, Light Rail Division

Nov-99

Rolling Stock Department, East Rail Division

Jan-99

Engineering Department, Light Rail Division

Nov-98

Infrastructure & Buildings Department, East Rail Division

Dec-97

Bus Engineering and Traffic Sections, Light Rail Division

Sep-97

 

 

15.63      The management of the construction and operation of Spur Line will be conducted through a number of mechanisms, which collectively ensure that the KCRC fulfils its commitments and legal requirements associated with environmental protection. These mechanisms and processes form an Environmental Management System (EMS). The EMS will draw on the following information:

 

·                      Sheung Shui to Lok Ma Chau Spur Line EIA;

·                      EM&A Programme and Manual;

·                      Environmental Permit;

·                      Environmental Management Plans;

·                      Results of Environmental Performance Reviews or Audits;

·                      Construction Method Statements; and

·                      Contractual Documentation relating to civil works packages.

 

            Sheung Shui to Lok Ma Chau Spur Line EIA

 

15.64      The current EIA document presents an assessment of the likely impacts arising during the construction and operation phases of the railway and recommends mitigation measures that will minimize these impacts on the environment. The Environmental Permit will include all the mitigation measures required to be implemented during the relevant phases. EM&A requirements have been described in the EIA Report. A draft EM&A Manual has been produced under a separate contract and will be finalized before construction starts.

 

            Sheung Shui to Lok Ma Chau Spur Line EM&A Programme

 

15.65      The draft EM&A Manual has been prepared under a separate contract (Environmental Support Services Contract, EGSA-023). The Manual provides a description of the organizational arrangements for the EM&A programme and stipulates the scope of construction monitoring (e.g. Noise, Air and Water), the parameters to be measured (e.g. Lseq 30mins Total Suspended Particulate, Suspended Solids, etc.), the frequency of monitoring and the actions to be taken in the event of exceedances of the environmental criteria being recorded. Additionally, audit requirements for landscape and visual, heritage, ecological, waste management and land contamination issues will be presented. The EM&A programme also outlines guideline for site auditing and reporting.

 

15.66      The EM&A programme provides the means by which feedback on the environmental impacts of the construction phase are provided (to be Contractor, the Corporation and, as the EM&A process is a requirement of the EIA process, the Environmental Protection Department) and by which the predictions made during the EIA can be tested.

 

15.67      An Implementation Schedule (IS) on presented in the current EIA, which incorporates mitigation measures within each section of the EIA and ties the implementation of mitigation measures to the specific work activity for which it was prescribed, thereby ensuring its timely installation.

 

            Environmental Management Plans

 

15.68      For the effective implementation of the mitigation, monitoring and remedial requirements presented in the EIA, EM&A and IS, an appropriate contractual and supervisory framework needs to be established.

 

15.69      The basis of the framework within which implementation will be managed is through the preparation of Environmental Management Plans (EMP) by the Contractor. KCRC will audit against the EMPs and advise the necessary remedial actions required which shall be enforced by the Engineer through contractual means.

 

15.70      The EMP is similar in nature to a safety or quality plan and will provide details of the means by which the Contractor (and all subcontractors working to the Contractor) will implement the recommended mitigation measures and achieve the environmental performance standards defined both in Hong Kong environmental legislation and in the EIA documentation. The primary reason for adopting the EMP approach is to make the Contractor aware of his environmental responsibilities and to ensure his commitment to achieving the standards specified.

 

15.71      The EMP approach is grounded on the principle that the Contractor shall define the means by which the environmental requirements of the EIA process, EM&A programme and contractual documentation shall be met. In the first instance, each Tenderer shall prepare a skeletal Environmental Management Plan for submission as part of the tendering process. The skeletal EMP will demonstrate the determination and commitment of the organization and indicate how the environmental performance requirements laid out in the EIA documentation will be met. It is recommended that this aspect be included as a specific criterion in the assessment of tender documents. This will act as a clear indication to all Tenderers of the Corporation’s commitment to the minimization and management of environmental impacts. Upon Contract Award, the successful Tenderer shall be required to submit a draft Environmental Management Plan for the approval of the Engineer and a final version prior to the commencement of the works.

           

            Environmental Performance Reviews

 

15.72      The environmental performance review programme comprises the regular assessment of the effectiveness of the EMPs, site practices and procedures to ensure that the required mitigation measures are routinely implemented and environmental standards are maintained.

 

15.73      The review of on-site environmental performance will be undertaken by KCRC on the basis of criteria and methodologies contained within a Review Protocol developed in advance of the commencement of construction works.

15.74      The criteria against which the reviews will be undertaken will be derived from:

 

·                      the approaches, procedures and commitments given by the Contractor in the Environmental Management Plan;

·                      the clauses contained within the Contractual Documentation; and

·                      those parts of the Contractor’s method statement which relate to the minimization of environmental impacts or other specified environmental protection measures.

 

15.75      These reviews shall focus on the effectiveness of the implemented measures to achieve the purpose, not simply the fact that a measure has been implemented. In addition, the management systems established by the Corporation’s on-site management team (i.e. the “Engineer”) to monitor the Contractor’s compliance with Contractual requirements will be included within the protocols.

 

15.76      The Review Protocols will be developed during the finalization of the on-site procedures and will be incorporated in the EM&A Manual. The likely protocols will include (but not be limited to) the auditing of the following activities:

 

·                      The allocation of responsibility for fulfilling environmental requirements and the effectiveness of lines of communication with regard to environmental issues.

 

·                      Compliance with procedures established to enable an effective response to environmental incidents, exceedances or non-compliance.

 

·                      The extent and accuracy of record-keeping related to environmental performance indicators.

 

·                      The effectiveness of environmental management activities, including:

-           the inspection, cleaning and maintenance of sediment traps and oil interceptors;

                        -           the management and disposal of on-site waste arising;

                        -           the implementation of spill prevention measures;

                        -           the maintenance of site boundary fences to prevent incursions, tipping, vehicle movements and encroachment of personnel into surrounding areas;

                        -           the measures adopted to prevent the flow of pollutants, sediment and contaminated runoff into streams and water bodies within the work site boundary; and

                        -           the speed and effectiveness of responses to complaints.

 

15.77      The protocols will comprise checklists of environmental requirements and will be amended, throughout the construction phase as necessary, to focus on areas of frequent non-compliance and to reflect the potential impacts associated with specific activities within the construction programme.

 

            Construction Method Statements

 

15.78      It is common practice for the Contractor to submit details of forthcoming works to the Engineer to seek approval for the commencement of the works as well as the methodology and equipment proposed to be used.

 

15.79      It is recommended that this process be expanded, in line with the adoption of the Contractor’s EMP, to require the signature of the Contractor’s Environmental Manager who shall comment on deviations of the specific works from that assumed in the project EIA and advise on the implications of the changes in construction methods for achieving the environmental performance criteria set out in the EIA documentation and the EMP.

 

15.80      This ongoing requirement for the Contractor to review proposed working methods, in terms of their potential to impact upon the environment, will reduce the time taken to implement the necessary environmental control measures and reduce the number of iterations a measure may have to go through before becoming effective.

 

15.81      Any changes in construction methods will need to be reflected in a revised EMP or the Contractor will be required to demonstrate the manner in which the existing EMP shall accommodate the proposed changes.

 

            Contractual Documentation

 

15.82      The key element to be included in the contractual documentation is the requirement to prepare, implement and maintain an EMP, as described above. The EMP places a contractual responsibility for on-site environmental management with the Contractor.

 

15.83      The EMP will, in part, be based upon the requirements contained within the contractual documentation. The contractual documentation would generally comprise appropriate extracts from (and references to) the EIA Report and EM&A Manual and include such typical elements as the relevant statutory environmental standards, general environmental control clauses and specific environmental management clauses, as well as an outline of the scope and content of the EMP. In drafting the documentation, due consideration shall be given to the predictive nature of the EIA process and the consequent need to manage and accommodate the actual impacts arising from the construction process. In particular, the Contractor must be placed under a clear obligation to identify and control any implications arising from changes from the EIA assumptions relating to work methods, progress rates and other estimates made during the preliminary design phase.

 

15.84      In addition, the contractual documentation shall define appropriate contractual mechanisms to ensure compliance with environmental requirements. The range of mechanisms available to the Engineer shall reflect the priority that the Corporation is to give environmental issues during the construction phase and may include provisions for suspending works pending the remediation of persistent environmental problems. Similarly, the inclusion of environmental performance milestones payments shall be considered by the Corporation as a means of enhancing the environmental performance and encouraging the Contractor to meet these contractual obligations.

 

            Electronic Environmental Management System (EEMS)

 

15.85      An Electronic Environmental Management System (EEMS) will be implemented and maintained for each of the Civil Works Contracts throughout the construction phase of Spur Line. The EEMS will function as a database for the entry of all recorded monitoring and audit information. In addition, EEMS will:

 

·                      automatically issue Notifications of Exceedance via E-mail;

·                      action Event Contingency Plans via E-mail;

·                      store details of complaints;

·                      store details of licenses/permits and notify forthcoming expires via E-mail;

·                      store construction activity details and other relevant site information an link these to the Implementation Schedule; and

·                      allow retrieval of electronic versions of the EM&A manual, EIA and other relevant documents.

 

15.86      The different users of the EEMS will have specific security clearance levels to determine extent of access.

 

Summary of Mitigation Measures and Implementation Schedule

 

15.87      Table 15.6 presents an Implementation Schedule for all the mitigation measures recommended during the EIA process to date. Mitigation measures for ecology and visual and landscape issues are also presented, although these assessments are on-going. As this EIA covers the preliminary design it will be subject to review and refinement during subsequent assessment and design stages. The schedule provides the currently available information on:

 

•           the specific mitigation measures recommended including references to the EIA;

            •           the location and timing of implementation of the mitigation measures;

 

            •           the party responsible for implementing each mitigation measure; and

 

            •           the project stage at which the mitigation measure is to be implemented.

 

 

Continue