The MTR has developed an “Environmental Code of Practice for the Works of Tung Chung Cable Car Project” October 2002. This booklet will be provided to all personnel directly and indirectly involved in the construction works for this project. In addition training will be given to the workforce to ensure there is full comprehension and ‘buy-in’ to the policies being adopted for this Project.
Details extracted from the Code of Practice include:
“The following Code of Practice shall apply to all employees of the MTRC and their contractors involved in construction of the Tung Chung Cable Car Project. Failure to abide by these rules and regulations could result in the individual worker being barred from further work on the project.
A.1 Activities Prohibited Inside Country Park
The following activities are prohibited within
Country Parks unless species written agreement is given by the Country and
Marine Parks Authority:
(a) Making or upgrading of roads, tracks or paths;
(b) Closure or blockage of any road, track or path;
(c) Erection of permanent signs, notices or advertisements;
(d) Using fire or stoves; and
(e) Felling of trees (with a trunk diameter more than 100mm at a height
of 1m above ground level).
Failure to adhere to the above can result in fine
under Hong Kong laws with the result that the contractor, the MTRC or both
could be excluded from future Government tenders.The following activities are
prohibited within Country Parks unless the Country and Marine Parks
Authority give specific written agreement:
(a) making or upgrading of roads, tracks or paths;
(b) closure or blockage of any road, track or path;
(c) erection of permanent signs, notices or advertisements;
(d) working on Sundays and public holidays and the hours between 6p.m. to 8a.m. (note that the assessments elsewhere in the text have taken account of potential use of a CNP - although it is recognised that this is not a foregone conclusion;
(e) using of vehicles;
(d) using fire or stoves; and
(e) cutting or trimming of trees.
Failure to adhere to the above can result in a fine under Hong Kong laws with the result that the Contractor, the MTRCL or both could be excluded from future Government tenders.
A.2 Access Trails to Sites
A.2.1 Only one pathway no wider than 1.0m shall be established to reach all of the work Sites within the Country Park (prior approval from Country and Marine Parks Authority is required). No additional paths shall be constructed.
A.2.2 Flags shall be placed indicating the lateral extent of the pathway. Flags shall be placed accordingly, so that workers can easily distinguish the next set of pathway flags.
A.2.3 A different set of coloured flags shall be used to define boundaries of the work Site.
A.2.4 There shall be no work outside of the Site.
A.2.4 Workers shall not move any flags and shall notify the Engineer if any maintenance is needed on the pathway or to the flags themselves.
A.3 Human Disturbance to Habitat Including Litter and Waste
A.3.1 Prior to works commencing on Site, a complete photographic record shall be obtained of the Site, its surroundings, any watercourses and any dams or pipes constructed by others.
A.3.2 A photographic survey of the Site shall also be made upon completion of all works. Following review of the photographic record, additional measures may be needed to reinstate the Site properly to its former state.
A.3.3 Workers shall not leave or burn any litter on Site. See Section 3.1 herein. All surplus construction materials brought onto Site shall be removed from Site and daily clearance of general litter shall be undertaken. Particular care shall be taken with bottles, wire, polystyrene lunch boxes, plastic wrapping, cans and non-degradable materials.
A.3.4 Workers shall use portable toilets provided. In between tower locations should it be necessary workers shall use spades to bury all fecal material, toilet paper and the like at least 150mm below the ground and at least 50m away from Site, walking tracks or watercourses.
A.3.5 Workers shall not disturb birds and other animals.
A.3.6 Animals shall not be fed and no food shall be left for any animals.
A.3.7 No pets of any type shall be allowed on Site.
A.3.8 Watercourses within and adjacent to the Site shall be treated with extreme care. They shall not be polluted with soaps, detergents or excretion and shall not be used as repositories for waste materials.
A.3.9 Run-off from Site shall be properly controlled to prevent pollution or siltation to the streams.
A.3.10 Water shall be brought onto Site and shall not be diverted from the existing stream courses within the Country Park.
A.3.11 All necessary precautions shall be taken to protect all rivers,
streams, watercourses, drains and the like against silting, pollution,
contamination of water supply and injury to fish, birds or plant life.A.3.1Prior to works commencing on site, a complete
photographic record shall be obtained of the site, its surroundings, any
watercourses and any dams or pipes constructed by others.
A.3.2 A photographic survey shall also be made of
the site upon completion of all works.
Following review of the photographic record, additional measures may be
needed to make the site looks good.
A.3.3 Workers shall not leave any litter on
site. Litter shall not be burned on
site but shall be removed off site. See
Section A.1 above. All surplus construction materials brought onto
site shall be removed from site and daily clearance of general litter shall be
undertaken. Particular care shall be
taken with bottles, wire, polystyrene lunch boxes, plastic wrapping, cans and
non-degradable materials.
A.3.4 Portable toilets shall be provided or as a last
resort wWorkers shall use spades to bury
all faecal material, toilet paper and the like at least 150mm below the ground
at least 50m away from any walking tracks, construction sites, or watercourses.
A.3.5 Watercourse shall not be polluted with soaps,
detergents or excretion.
A.3.6 Workers shall not disturb birds and other
animals.
A.3.7 Animals shall not be fed and no food shall be
left for any animals.
A.4 Risk of Hill Fires
A.4.1 There shall be no smoking, cooking or use of
open fires on any Site in connection with the Project. Welding or hot work is
not permitted. See Section 3.1
herein.
A.4.2 No cigarette lighters or matches shall be carried onto the Site.
A.4.1 There shall be no smoking, cooking or use of
open fires on any site in connection with the Tung Chung Cable Car
Project. Welding or hot work is also
not permitted. See Section A.1 above.
A.4.2 No cigarette lighters or matches shall be
carried onto the site.
A.5 Air Pollution Damaging Flora and Fauna
A.5.1 No vehicles shall be allowed on Site without written permission from the Country and Marine Parks Authority.
A.5.2 No haul road shall be formed for carrying out the works of the Project.
A.5.3 There shall be regular cleaning and frequent watering of the Site during dry periods to avoid dust, but attention should be paid to prevent washing waste materials off Site.
A.5.1 No vehicles shall be allowed on site without
written permission from the Country and Marine Parks Authority.
A.5.2 There shall be regular cleaning and frequent
watering of the sites during dry periods to avoid dust, but attention should be
paid to prevent washing waste materials off site.
A.5.3 Water shall be brought onto site and shall
not be diverted from the existing stream courses within the Country Park.
A.6 Storage and Handling of Potential Pollutants
A.6.1 No fuel or oil shall be stored within the Country Park.
A.6.2 Extreme care shall be exercised during the transportation, handling and storage of potential pollutants and in the operation of mechanized equipment to avoid spillage.
A.6.3 Contractor shall propose an emergency spillage plan to the approval of the Engineer prior to the commencement of work within the Country Park.
A.6.4 All necessary materials shall be provided on Site for emergency spill measures and workers shall be trained in emergency spill response.
3.6.4A.6.1 No fuel or oil shall be stored within the
Country Park.
A.6.2 Watercourses within and adjacent to the
working areas shall be treated with extreme care. They shall not be used as repositories for waste materials. Extreme care shall be exercised during the
transportation, handling and storage of potential pollutants and in the
operation of mechanized equipment to avoid spillage.
A.6.3 MTRC contractor shall propose an emergency
spillage plan in the Method Statement to the approval of the Engineer for all
works within the Country Park.
A.6.4 The contractor shall provide for all
necessary materials on site for emergency spill measures and shall be trained
in emergency spill response.
A.7 Works in Areas with Vegetation
A.7.1 Some of the work Sites might locate in areas with dense vegetation. No trees or vegetation shall be removed and no open access roads shall be formed without prior approval from the Engineer.
A.7.2 Workers shall go around areas with dense vegetation and not through them.
A.7.3 Vegetation clearance, where agreed by the Engineer, to gain access to any work Sites shall consist of the minimal removal of grass, shrubs and saplings with trunks less than 10cm in diameter.
3.7.3A.7.1 Most of the investigation locations are not located in
areas with dense vegetation. The
contractor is not allowed to fell any trees or form any open access roads in
any area or remove any vegetation without approval from the Engineer.
A.7.2 Workers shall go around areas with dense
vegetation and not through it.
A.7.3 Vegetation clearance, where agreed by the
Engineer, as required by the contractor to gain access to any investigation
location, shall consist of the minimal removal of grass, shrubs and saplings
with trunks less than 100mm in diameter.
A.8 Precautions to Prevent Pollution
All necessary precautions shall be taken to protect all rivers, streams, watercourses, drains and the like against silting, pollution, contamination of water supply and injury to fish, birds or plant life.
A.9 Safety Inside Country Park
All necessary precautions shall be taken to ensure public safety within the Country Parks; to prevent fires; and to avoid erosion or the slippage or wash of loose materials within or beyond the limits of the Site. Appropriate directional and warning signs shall be installed and maintained at strategic points as agreed and requested by the Country and Marine Parks Authority. Excavated area shall be properly covered when no work is in progress to avoid soil erosion.
Refer to the MTRCL Safety Guidelines for Persons Worked in Country Parks for further directions on safety.
All necessary precautions shall be taken to ensure
public safety within the Country Parks; to prevent fires; and to avoid erosion
or the slippage or wash of loose materials within or beyond the limits of the
site. Appropriate directional and
warning signs shall be installed and maintained at strategic points as agreed
and requested by the Country and Marine Parks Authority. Excavated area shall be properly covered
when no work is in progress to avoid soil erosion.
Refer to the MTRC Safety Guidelines for Persons
Worked in Country Parks for further directions on safety.
A.10 Special Conditions
A.10.1 No pets of any type shall be allowed on any site.
A.10.2 No haul road shall be formed for carrying out the works of the Project.
A.10.3 Details of drilling fluid additives confirming that they will not contaminate the water gathering grounds shall be deposited.
A.10.4 Site run-off from the Project shall be properly controlled to prevent pollution or siltation to the streams.”
In addition to this Code of Practice, monitoring and audit requirements have been identified to ensure the works are carried out to the highest standard. The specific requirements will be detailed in the EnvironmentalMonitoring and Audit Manual, a summary is provided below.
Full compliance with the dust criteria will be achieved at all ASRs with the implementation of mitigation measures. Dust monitoring (1 hour) is recommended to ensure that the dust levels do not exceed the criteria during the construction phase at Ngong Ping and Tung Chung.
Regular noise monitoring during construction is recommended to ensure that the noise levels do not exceed the criteria at Ngong Ping and Tung Chung.
Water quality monitoring will be confined to monitoring, if required, to confirm the construction works do not affect the Water Gathering Grounds. It should be noted that the form of construction at the Ngong Ping Terminal has not yet been confirmed and could be modular form will require little water usage. In the event of spillages an emergency response plan and including monitoring (during and following the event) would need to be effected. Should effluent reuse be considered for use at Ngong Ping, then a monitoring programme will need to be agreed between MTRC, EPD, WSD and DSD depending of the water uses.
The assessment has concluded that the handling, transportation and disposal of waste materials during construction will not give rise to significant impacts if appropriate mitigation measures are implemented. However, it is recommended that during construction phase, regular site inspections and supervision of the waste management procedures shall be undertaken as part of the EM&A procedures, to ensure proper control, all waste is removed from site areas as appropriate and illegal disposal of waste is not being undertaken. Waste EM&A during the operational stage is not required. Further details of the specific construction phase EM&A requirements are detailed in the EM&A Manual.
It is stipulated that EM&A for
ecology is undertaken during both the design, construction and operational
phases of the project to ensure that all mitigation measures are fully complied
with. In
particular, the objectives of the design audit shall be to ensure that the
design process clearly implements the design ecology mitigation specified in
the mitigation Section and to ensure that such designs are ecologically
feasible and effective. The construction and operational EM&A
objectives shall be to ensure that the ecological contract works and
construction mitigation procedures recommended in Section 7.11 are carried out
as specified and are effective. The
construction and operational phase EM&A will be carried out as part of the
site audit programme. Further details
are provided in the EM&A Manual.
As stated in Annex 16 of the TM, the purpose of ecological monitoring of the audit are:
· to monitor the effectiveness of the mitigation measures;
· to detect and unpredicted ecological impacts arising from the proposed development;
· to verify the accuracy of the predictions of the ecological assessment study; and
· to recommend action plans in response to unpredicted impacts, and/ or failed mitigation.
The Cable Car Project will involve the construction of a terminus building at Ngong Ping with the associated necessary drainage and infrastructure development and the erection of a number of towers bases across an extensive area of remote countryside that contains a variety of different ecosystems. Some of the proposed works are located on or near sensitive ecological habitats and rare/ and or protected flora and fauna species which will need protection.
It is recommended that ecological monitoring shall be undertaken by the MTR’s Environmental Team which shall include specialist ecologists who will be involved in the:
· the briefing and training of construction contractors/ subcontractor crews;
· attending site meetings to agree on appropriate construction practices etc. prior to work commencing on site and to highlight areas of ecological importance;
· identifying rare or protected species in the vicinity of the works at the appropriate time of year, marking species/ features and areas to be avoided and advising on methods an details of protection;
· liaison with survey and construction crews to modify layouts as needed to avoid sensitive areas
· monitoring and reporting performance of construction crews though the submission of regular monthly progress reports; and
· immediate correction of situations which violate the intent of the mitigation plan.
Before commencement of any works of site or any setting out of works or storage areas, the baseline ecological surveys should be checked against final rehabilitation proposals to ensure minimum damage to existing vegetation and streams. It will be necessary to rope off and protect specific plants or habitats of special interest identified during ecological surveys. The habitat and ecological constraint maps should enable this to be carried out effectively.
It is also recommended that the ecologist conducts regular field surveys and sampling of impacted flora and fauna species using the site and it’s surrounding during project construction and operation.
In general, the performance of monitoring and audit from an ecological prospective will need to be integrated with the overall monitoring and audit plan for the project as a whole. The commencement and program of the engineering works, which is currently unknown, would once established enable the ecological monitoring program to be prepared based on seasonality factors.
Of potential concern during early years of operation could be erosion of recently revegetated areas. This should be monitored visually following storms and corrective measures should take place if any form of erosion occurs. Mitigation should respond to the nature and type of impact and should be assessed on an individual basis.
The risk of contamination of surface and groundwaters by chemical should be reduced if the principles given in Section 5 Water Quality (screen all materials for hazard potential) are followed. Because of the importance of the general areas for wildlife, it is considered necessary to maintain close liaison with local nature conservation experts.
Success of the replanting should be monitored by regular visual inspection and special care should be undertaken to ensure that any damaged, diseased or dying trees or shrubs are replaced as required. A detailed program of visits should be agreed prior to commencement of the contact but is likely to be at least twice a year during the maintenance period for three years.
Mitigation measures must be audited to ensure effective implementation and to quantify results. Detailed monitoring plans shall be developed and agreed prior to commencement of construction in the Country Park. There will be an opportunity to benefit from experiences gained in early stages of the contract.
The monitoring and auditing will be conducted by an Environmental Specialist who is preferably be a member of the Hong Kong Institute of Environmental Impact Assessment (or similar accredited environmental professional) with a minimum of 5 years experience of work in Hong Kong and preferably has a suitable background in natural history and a professional qualification in terrestrial ecology or botany. Monitoring should be undertaken as per Table 12.1 below.
Table 12.1 Monitoring of the Construction and Operation Phases and the Mitigation Measures
|
Trigger |
Immediate Response |
Action Required |
Monitoring |
Duration |
|
Visible sedimentation or pollution (i.e. hydrocarbon sheen) in stream/ watercourse in the Study area. |
ER, Contractor, AFCD and EPD will be notified
|
ER and Contractor investigate the source of sedimentation/ contamination.
Additional sediment traps to be installed at appropriate locations by contractor as determined by the ET/ER |
Monitoring by visual inspection should be undertaken at the stream that is impacted upon by the ET. |
Daily for 3 days or until the visible sheen is not present.
|
|
Amber, Red or Black Rain Storm event , Cyclone and Typhoon Warnings as predicted by the Hong Kong Observatory.
|
Contractor shall inspection of all construction sites for potential erosion and sedimentation. |
Additional measures to prevent erosion and run off from site by contractor before the actual raining start |
Ensure the additional measures is adequate |
Until 24 hours after rainfall resulting from Amber, Red or Black Rain Storm event , Cyclone and Typhoon Warnings cease
|
|
Fuel or chemical spill.
|
Contractor shall notify ER/ET. Then AFCD and EPD will be notified by ET.
Immediate bunding of spill. |
Assessment of the spill and further action as determined by the Contractor/ER . |
Ensure remedial measures properly implemented. Monitoring of spill and drainage channel/ waterway (if present) for contaminants. |
Daily for five days. |
|
The presence of rare or protected flora or fauna species within or adjacent of a construction area (to approximately 10m) |
ER, Contractor, AFCD and EPD will be notified by ET.
Cessation of construction activities until determination by the ET. |
Submit proposal by contractor to be agreed by ER/ET |
None. |
N/A |
|
Wastes/ litter within the study area. |
Inform ER and contractor.
|
Litter to be removed with one day by contractor |
ER to ensure . |
N/A |
|
The presence of any potential sources of fire (i.e. lanterns, cigarettes etc) that is on site. |
Contractor, ER, AFCD will be notified.
Immediate removal from site. |
Investigation cause by ER and contractor |
None. |
N/A |
|
Unauthorized clearing/ areas not adequate fenced for construction activities, evidence of trampling outside existing paths and construction areas. |
ER, contractor and AFCD will be notified.
Cease further clearing. Fencing of construction areas.
|
Fencing of construction areas.
|
Checking of construction areas and trails for other unauthorised clearing, trampling etc. at all works sites by ER/ET. |
As required |
|
Transplantation of flora species.
|
None. |
None. |
Checking plant survival and health by ET. |
Weekly for the first month (for maintenance) and 6 monthly for 24 months. |
The EIA has recommended the EM&A for landscape and visual resources is undertaken during both the construction and operational phases of the project. The implementation and maintenance of landscape compensatory and restoration planting measures is a key aspect of this and should be checked to ensure that they are fully realised. Potential conflicts between the proposed landscape measures and any other project works and operational requirements are resolved at the earliest possible date and without compromise to the intention of the mitigation measures. In addition, implementation of the mitigation measures recommended by the EIA will be monitored throughout the construction phase site audit programme.
The landscape and visual impacts assessment of the EIA recommended a series of mitigation measures to ameliorate the landscape and visual impacts of the project. The measures include:
· tree transplanting;
· tree protection;
· topsoil conservation for reuse;
· hydroseeding and replanting to temporarily disturbed areas;
· construction of boardwalk footpath;
· reinstatement of obsolete hillside trail;
· reuse of excavated stone material for upgrading existing footpath;
· sensitive design of terminal buildings;
· the use recessive colour scheme for gondolas; and
· consideration of the use of interchangeable colour panels at the Nei Lak Shan Angle Station.
The landscape and visual baseline will be determined with reference to the habitat maps included in the EIA Report and detailed tree survey to be completed before the works can commence as well as preliminary site conditions verification surveys.
A competent landscape architect should be employed by the Contractor for the implementation of landscape construction works and subsequent maintenance operations during the 12-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 cable car.
All measures undertaken by both the Contractor and Landscape Contractor during the construction phase and first year of the operational phase shall be audited by a Landscape Architect, as a member of the ET, on a regular basis to ensure compliance with the intended aims of the measures. Site inspections should be undertaken at least once every two weeks throughout the construction period and once every two months during the operational phase. The broad scope of the audit is detailed below.
· The extent of the agreed works areas should be regularly checked during the construction phase. Any trespass by the contractor outside the limit of the works, including any damage to existing trees and woodland shall be noted.
· The progress of the engineering works should be regularly reviewed on site to identify the earliest practical opportunities for the landscape works to be undertaken.
· The tree and shrub transplanting and planting operations
· Topsoil protection and storage operations
· All existing trees and vegetation within the study area which are not directly affected by the works are retained and protected
· The methods of protecting existing vegetation proposed by the Contractor are acceptable and enforced.
· All landscaping works are carried out in accordance with the specifications, with particular attention to approved use of herbicides or pesticides.
· The species and mix of new plant species to be planted are suitable.
· The newly planted trees, shrubs and grassed areas are maintained throughout the establishment period, particularly in respect of the following:
a. regular watering, weeding and fertilising of all planting and grass reinstatement;
b. regular grass cutting for reinstated areas;
c. firming up of plants after periods of strong winds or heavy rain;
d. regular checks for and eradication of pests, fungal infection etc.;
e. pruning of dead or broken branches; and
f. prompt replacement of dead plants and re-grassing of failed areas.
to
be advisedNo adverse impacts are anticipated and no
monitoring is required.
There is no monitoring requirement for the risks.