7.                  environmental monitoring and audit

 

Introduction

 

7.1               This section further elaborates the requirements of environmental monitoring and audit (EM&A) for the construction and operation phases of the Project, based on the assessment results of the various environmental issues.  The objectives of carrying out EM&A for the Project include the following:

·         provide an early indication should any of the environmental control measures or practices fail to achieve the acceptable standards;

·         monitor the performance of the Project and the effectiveness of mitigation measures;

·         verify the environmental impacts predicted in the EIA Study;

·         determine project compliance with regulatory requirements, standards and government policies;

·         take remedial action if unexpected problems or unacceptable impacts arise; and

·         provide data to enable an environmental audit.

 

7.2               The following section summarises the recommended EM&A requirements for the Project.  Details of the specific requirements are provided in a stand-alone EM&A Manual.

 

Noise Impact

  Construction Phase

7.3               As insignificant construction noise impacts would be anticipated, noise monitoring was not considered necessary.  However, environmental audit was recommended to monitor the implementation of good site practices during the construction phase.

Operation Phase

7.4               The predicted helicopter noise impacts from the proposed new helipad were shown to be acceptable.  However, it was recommended to conduct noise monitoring for six years for the first year after the commencement of operation of the proposed new helipad.  Real-time reporting of monitoring data for the Project through an internet website is required.   The EM&A programme and requirements during the operation phase are presented in the stand alone EM&A Manual. The extension of helicopter noise monitoring will be reviewed after one year operation of the proposed new helipad.

 

Water Quality Impact

Construction Phase

7.5               The construction phase water quality impact would be temporary and localised during construction.  No unacceptable residual water quality impacts would be expected during the construction phase of the Project, provided that all the recommended mitigation measures are properly implemented.

 

7.6               Implementation of regular site audits is recommended to ensure that the recommended mitigation measures are to be properly undertaken during the construction phase of the Project. It can also provide an effective control of any malpractices and therefore achieve continual improvement of environmental performance on site.

Operation Phase

7.7               Water quality impact due to operational stage effluent would be minimized through design and operational practices as recommended in ProPECC PN 5/93. No operational water quality monitoring and audit is therefore recommended.

 

Air Quality Impact

Construction Phase

7.8               With the implementation of appropriate mitigation measures stipulated in the Air Pollution Control (Construction Dust) Regulation, dust levels at all ASRs would be expected to comply with the dust criteria.  Dust monitoring during the construction stage was considered not necessary given the very limited scale of construction activities which could be a potential source of construction dust.  However, site audits are required to ensure that the dust control measures presented in the EIA Report are properly implemented. 

Operation Phase

7.9               No adverse air quality impact arising from the operation of proposed new helipad would be identified.  Requirement for environmental monitoring and audit is considered unnecessary.

 

Waste Management Implications

 

7.10           Waste management would be the contractor’s responsibility to ensure that all wastes produced during the construction of the Project are handled, stored and disposed of in accordance with the recommended good waste management practices and EPD’s regulations and requirements.  The mitigation measures recommended in Section 6 should form the basis of the site Waste Management Plan to be developed by the Contractor at the construction stage.

 

7.11           Waste arisings generated during the construction activities should be audited periodically to determine if wastes are being managed in accordance with approved procedures and the site Waste Management Plan.  The audits should look at all aspects of waste management including waste generation, storage, transport and disposal.  An appropriate audit programme would be to undertake a first audit near the commencement of the construction works, and then to audit on a quarterly basis thereafter.  In addition, the routine site inspections should check the implementation of the recommended good site practices and other waste management mitigation measures