1.1 The decommissioning of the former Cheoy Lee Shipyard at Penny’s Bay (the Project) involves the demolition of all buildings and structures, and where necessary, decontamination of site areas. The area cleared up will be used for the construction of infrastructures associated with Hong Kong Disneyland Phase 1, including the Penny’s Bay Section of the Chok Ko Wan Link Road (CKWLR), Road P2, etc. The Project shall be on the critical path for the construction of the Hong Kong Disneyland Theme Park.
1.2 By definition under the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Ordinance, the Project that is categorised as a Designated Project (DP) shall require an Environmental Permit (EP) prior to the Project commencement. In September 2000, the Project Proponent, Special Duties (Works) Division of Civil Engineering Department applied to the Environmental Protection Department for an EIA Study Brief with a Project Profile. An EIA Study Brief (No. ESB-062/2000) to guide the EIA study was issued on 9 November 2000.
1.3 The asbestos survey that has been conducted in pursuant to the Air Pollution Control Ordinance concluded the presence of asbestos-containing materials (ACM) within the Cheoy Lee Shipyard (CLS). In response to the recommendation made in the investigation report to remove the ACM at the earliest possibility to avoid inadvertent disturbance by the future site workers, the Project Proponent applied for a direct Environmental Permit (Asbestos EP) considering that the asbestos abatement work is a significant part of the Project. The Asbestos EP has been issued in late October 2001 and the asbestos abatement work is expected to complete by mid 2002.
1.4 Maunsell Consultants Asia Ltd. (MCAL) are the infrastructure consultants for the Project to assess the potential environmental impact of the shipyard decommissioning and the associated clean-up activities. The site investigation (SI) work for the land contamination commenced in June 2001 and was completed in November 2001. On the issue of land contamination, URS Corporation (URS) in association with BMT Asia Pacific Limited (BMT), collectively referred as the Independent Environmental Consultant (IEC), have conducted separate environmental assessment and remediation assessment at the CLS site. Their inputs to the land contamination process include designing the Remedial Investigation Work Plan (RIWP), providing oversight for the site investigation works, independent assessment on the nature and extent of contamination, evaluation of the risks and recommendation of any on-site clean up measures. The IEC’s report summarising their independent findings is annexed in Appendix 4I.
1.5 The purpose of this EIA Study is to provide information on the nature and extent of the environmental impacts likely to arise from the Project and related activities taking place concurrently. The information provided by this EIA Study will contribute to the decisions 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 Project to mitigate against adverse environmental consequences wherever practicable; and
iii) the acceptability of residual impacts after the proposed mitigation measures have been implemented.
1.6 This EIA Study has made reference to previously approved studies/ EIA studies relevant to the Project have been reviewed and findings have been incorporated where appropriate in this EIA Report. The relevant reports include:
(i) Environmental Impact Assessment, Construction of an International Theme Park in Penny’s Bay of North Lantau and its Essential Associated Infrastructures, Civil Engineering Department, (Feb 2000) (EIAO Register No.: AEIAR-032/2000) (the Theme Park EIA); and
(ii) North shore Lantau Development Feasibility Study, Environmental Impact Assessment Final Report, Civil Engineering Department, (Feb 2000) (EIAO Register No.: AEIAR-031/2000) (the NLDFS-EIA).
1.7 The scope of this EIA report shall cover the objectives mentioned in Section 1.2 of the EIA Study Brief. The EIA study shall also be able to address the key issues as below and any other key issues identified in this assessment exercise.
· The potential land contamination and groundwater impacts due to the present and past land uses in the Project site, and the release of gaseous emissions (including odour, volatile organic compounds and soil gas) and contaminants through surface runoff, groundwater seepage and effluent generated during the Project;
· The waste management (including handling, storage, collection, transport, treatment and final disposal) of building debris generated from demolition works, ship wreckage and on-site installation/ facilities removed during shipyard decommissioning, contaminated soil and various types of chemical wastes/ hazardous materials to be cleaned up and generated from decontamination and site clearance;
· The potential ecological impacts on flora, fauna and natural habitats, in particular the freshwater Mong Tung Hang Stream and wetland close to the Project area and rare/ restricted/ protected species identified the previous EIA studies;
· The environmental impacts of the off-site and on-site contaminated soil treatment;
· The cultural heritage impact of the decommissioning work;
· The cumulative environmental impacts of the Project, through interaction or in combination with other existing, committed and planned developments in the vicinity of the Project.
1.8 The assessment will identify impacts arising from the proposed Project on both existing and planned sensitive developments, and locations where acceptable criteria are exceeded and appropriate mitigation measures are required.
1.9 Considering the nature and environment of the Project, constructional/ operational noise, visual and landscape impacts are considered to be minimal. Landscape and visual impact from decommissioning at CLS is minimal as it has already been enclosed by the reclamation and the activities are limited to building demolition and excavation. The off-site treatment is a temporary landuse (3 years) and the landscape and visual impacts on this area is limited and no such assessment is required. These areas have not been included in the Study Brief and are outside the scope of this EIA.
1.10 The EIA Report has been prepared in accordance with the requirements stipulated in the Technical Memorandum on Environmental Impact Assessment Process. This covers relevant project information, relevant legislation, existing environmental conditions, assessment criteria and methods, assessment findings and proposed mitigation measures.
2.1 The Project proposes to decommission the existing CLS at Penny’s Bay in order to make space available for the infrastructure construction in association with the Hong Kong Disneyland Phase 1 development. Key works of the Project comprise:
(a) Demolition of the existing structures within CLS;
(b) Removal of abandoned equipment/ installation/ facilities and waste materials in CLS;
(c) Carrying out suitable decontamination works to clean up the site in accordance with the Hong Kong Environmental Legislation;
(d) Installation and operation of the on-site/ off-site treatment plants;
(e) Decommissioning of the on-site/ off-site treatment plants, site re-instatement and associated clean up work
(f) Slope improving works behind the CLS;
(g) Filling of the CLS to a new formation level after decommissioning; and
(h) Implementation of appropriate mitigation measures as recommended in this EIA report to avoid/ minimise any adverse environmental impacts arising from the Project, so that the Project site would be made safe and free of hazards for the planned future use.
2.2 The Project consists of two DP elements in accordance with the Schedule 2 of the EIA Ordinance. They are item G.4 of Part I (a waste disposal facility, or waste disposal activity for refuse or chemical, industrial or special wastes) and item 17 of Part II (a facility for ship building or repairing more than 1 ha in size or with lifting capacity in excess of 20,000 tonnes).
Cheoy Lee Shipyard
2.3 CLS is located on the north and eastern shores of Penny’s Bay, Lantau. To the southeast is an existing gas turbine electricity station operated by CLP Power Hong Kong Ltd (Figure 2.1). The shipyard operation had started on a reclaimed land leased from the HKSAR Government since 1964. Upon announcement of the Theme Park Project, the Government planned to resume the land of CLS for the associated infrastructure works. CLS has ceased its operation and the site was returned to the Government in April 2001 under a voluntary surrender. Throughout the 37 years of operation, the size of the CLS site was increased significantly a lot to suit the increasing demand. Additional land spaces were provided by further reclamation with quarrying of the hillside for reclamation materials. CLS now has a site area of about 19 hectares. The past business nature in CLS includes boat manufacture and boat repair & maintenance. Detailed description of past processes in the shipyard is given in the chapter of “Land Contamination Assessment”.
To Kau Wan
2.4 To Kau Wan (TKW) has been proposed as the proposed area where part of the contaminated soil from CLS is to be treated. A site selection exercise has been conducted and the details are presented in Section 3 on Site Selection. TKW is located on the most northern part of Lantau. To the south is the toll plaza of North Lantau Expressway and to the west is an operational shipyard. The site of TKW of about 5.8 hectares is a relatively flat area of reclamation with a vertical seawall and pier in place.
2.5 The To Kau Wan Site is designated “Undetermined” on the North-East Lantau OZP No. S/I-NEL/8. Temporary uses expected to be less than five years are always permitted as long as they comply with the requirements of other government departments. Temporary uses over five years would require planning permission from the Town Planning Board and all applications should be supported by necessary supporting assessments.
Nature, Scope and Benefits of the Project
2.6 The nature of the project is primarily of environmental improvement. Contaminated materials are permanently removed from the ground and cleaned up, removing a source of long term environmental liability. After the shipyard is decommissioned, it provides room for the infrastructure in support of the Theme Park Development. The safety of the slopes are improved. The archaeological artefacts are rescued from or preserved with the site. The scope of the project are detailed in Section 2.1.
Size and Design of the project
2.7 The decommissioning of the Cheoy Lee Shipyard involves an area of 19 hectares, removal of around 87,000 cubic metres of contaminated soil, cutting 42,100 cubic metres of soil/ rock for slope stabilisation behind the shipyard, filling the CLS after decommissioning, transporting the contaminated soil to an off-site treatment by land, construction of a 5.2 hectare soil treatment site, and operation of decontamination processes for 1.5 to 3 years. The major elements of the project design include programme interfacing with other projects, selection of a cost-effective and environmentally acceptable decontamination method, site selection for off-site treatment and ecological mitigation measures.
2.8 The preliminary work period for each Project component is given below.
|
Project Components |
Preliminary Working Period |
|
|
From |
To |
|
|
Demolition & excavation of contaminated soil |
July 2002 |
March 2003 |
|
Operation of on-site soil treatment plant |
November 2002 |
May 2003 |
|
Slope works behind CLS |
July 2002 |
December 2003 |
|
Preparation of TKW site |
July 2002 |
October 2002 |
|
Bio pile operation at TKW |
November 2002 |
November 2004 |
|
Solidification operation at TKW |
March 2004 |
March 2006 |
|
Thermal desorption operation at TKW |
February 2004 |
February 2006 |
|
Filling of CLS after decommissioning |
October 2002 |
July 2003 |
|
TKW decommissioning |
February 2006 |
July 2006 |
Interactions with Other Projects
2.9 A large-scale international theme park will be constructed together with its related development on a new reclamation to be formed in Penny’s Bay. Details of the theme park together with its essential associated infrastructure are as follows:
· Reclamation of about 290 ha. of land at Penny’s Bay, construction of about 3.3 km seawall, a public pier and construction of about 1.5 km long open drainage channel (It is expected that 70% of the reclamation work will be completed upon commencement of the CLS decommissioning);
· Construction and operation of a theme park of about 185 ha;
· Construction and operation of an approximately 32 ha. Water Recreation Centre with a 12 ha. multi-function artificial lake, water-based and land-based recreational facilities and ancillary facilities, and other essential and supporting services and utilities;
· Construction and operation of a drainage channel;
· Construction of a 3.5 km local distributor, Resort Road, around the Theme Park plus 800 m pedestrian walkway between Phases I and II of the Theme Park;
· Construction of a 1.5 km section of Chok Ko Wan Link Road from the existing Yam O interchange extending to the proposed Penny’s Bay Roundabout;
· Construction of a 4 km district distributor road from Yam O to the eastern Theme Park roundabout and associated assess roads;
· Construction of a 3.6 km long rail line linking the Tung Chung Line at Yam O to the Theme Park;
· Construction of a Public Transport Interchange (PTI) for the Theme Park close to the Penny’s Bay Station and a temporary PTI adjacent to the Yam O rail station;
· Construction of two public ferry piers for alternative transport mode and a service quay on the southern waterfront;
· Proposed slope formation and stabilization, screening and landscaping works; and
· Route 10 (NLYLH) construction work during the course of soil remediation at To Kau Wan.
Description of scenarios without the Project
2.10 The consequences of not proceeding with the project include: posing long term risks to the health of the workers/visitors/ users of the future theme park and possibly delaying the opening of the theme park.
