1                                            Introduction

1.1                                      Introduction

This Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Report addresses the potential environmental impacts associated with the construction and operation of a project entitled “Proposed Karting Track in DD 134, Lung Kwu Sheung Tan, Tuen Mun” (hereinafter referred to as the Project). 

The Project is classified as a Designated Project by virtue of Item O.4 of Part I of Schedule 2 (ie a motor racing circuit) under the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (Cap. 499) (EIAO). 

This report has been prepared by ERM-Hong Kong, Limited (ERM) in accordance with the EIA Study Brief (No. ESB-135/2005) and the Technical Memorandum of the Environmental Impact Assessment Process (EIAO-TM).  The Study Area for the Project is presented in Figure 1.1.

1.2                                      Background

Currently, there is no outdoor karting track in Hong Kong that meet international standard for kart racing.  The project proponent, HGH Limited, is proposed to develop an outdoor karting track at Lung Kwu Tan, Tuen Mun.  The design of the karting track will meet international standard for kart racing and safety standard, and will only serve members of the Hong Kong Kart Club for sporting purposes. 

The karting track will be managed by the Project Proponent and oversee by the Hong Kong Kart Club (HKKC).  HKKC is a member of the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China, as well as one of the sporting organizations under the subvention of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department. 

1.3                                      Purpose and Objectives of this EIA Report

The purpose of the EIA is to provide information on the nature and extent of environmental impacts arising from the construction and operation of the Project and related activities that take place concurrently, to contribute to decisions on:

·       The overall acceptability of any adverse environmental consequences that are likely to arise as a result of the Project;

·       The conditions and requirements for the detailed design, construction and operation of the Project to mitigate against adverse environmental consequences wherever practicable; and

·       The acceptability of residual impacts after the proposed mitigation measures are implemented.

The detailed requirements of the EIA Study are set out in the EIA Study Brief.  The objectives of the EIA Study are:

i.           To describe the Project and associated works together with the requirements for carrying out the Project;

ii.         To identify and describe elements of community and environment likely to be affected by the Project and/or likely to cause adverse impacts to the Project, including natural and man-made environment and the associated environmental constraints;

iii.        To provide information on the consideration of alternatives to avoid and minimize potential environmental impacts to environmentally sensitive areas and other sensitive uses; to compare the environmental benefits and dis-benefits of each of different options; to provide reasons for selecting the preferred option(s) and to describe the part environmental factors played in the selection of preferred option(s);

iv.       To identify and quantify emission sources and determine the significance of impacts on sensitive receivers and potential affected uses;

v.         To identify and quantify any potential landscape and visual impacts and to propose measures to mitigate these impacts;

vi.       To propose provision of mitigation measures so as to minimize pollution, environmental disturbance & nuisance during construction & operation of Project;

vii.      To investigate the feasibility, practicability, effectiveness and implications of the proposed mitigation measures;

viii.    To identify, predict and evaluate the residual environmental impacts (i.e. after practicable mitigation) and the cumulative effects expected to arise during the construction and operation phases of the Project in relation to the sensitive receivers and potential affected uses;

ix.       To identify, assess and specify methods, measures and standards, to be included in the detailed design, construction and operation of the Project which are necessary to mitigate these environmental impacts and cumulative effects and reduce them to acceptable levels;

x.         To investigate the extent of the secondary environmental impacts that may arise from the proposed mitigation measures and to identify constraints associated with the mitigation measures recommended in the EIA study, as well as the provision of any necessary modification; and

xi.       To design and specify environmental monitoring and audit requirements to ensure the effective implementation of the recommended environmental protection and pollution control measures.

As specified by the EIA Study Brief, the EIA has addressed the following key environmental issues associated with the construction and operation of the Project.

·       The potential air quality and noise impacts from construction and operation of the Project to nearby sensitive receivers, taking into account the cumulative impact from the existing and planned sources of pollution in the vicinity of the Project;

·       The potential water quality impact from the construction and operation of the Project on the relevant water system(s);

·       The waste arising as a result of the construction and operation activities of the Project;

·       The potential land contamination from operation of the Project; and

·       The potential landscape & visual impacts from construction and operation of the project.

It should also be noted that since the Project has no impact on agriculture and fisheries resources, agriculture and fisheries impact is not assessed in this EIA Report.

1.4                                      Approach to the EIA Study

The criteria and guidelines stipulated in the EIAO-TM, the EIA Study Brief, and other relevant legislation polices, and guidelines are adopted in carrying out this EIA Study.

To address the environmental concerns associated with the proposed karting track, the EIA Study has made reference to the operation of existing karting track located in Macau.  In particular, on-site noise measurement was conducted to ensure that the potential noise emissions from the karting track operations are fully address in the EIA Study.

It should be noted that no models were used for the air and water quality assessment.  For the noise assessment, actual on-site measurements were undertaken at a racing event whereby the participated karts were powered by the same engine to be used in this Project.  The distance and barrier attenuation was calculated based on well proven standard acoustical principals.  However, it should be noted that to allow a conservative assessment, the maximum noise emission of the kart was adopted.  Also, the assessment has assumed 100% downwind propagation.  In reality, the wind direction will vary from time to time and therefore, the actual noise levels perceived at the NSRs are expected to be lower than the predicted levels.

1.5                                      Structure of this Report

The remainder of this EIA Report comprises the following sections.

Section 2

Provides information on the consideration of alternatives for the siting, design and operation of the Project.

Section 3

Provides a description of the Project highlighting the key infrastructure for the Project and the operation activities.

Section 4

Presents the findings of the air quality impact assessment.

Section 5

Presents the findings of the noise impact assessment.

Section 6

Presents the findings of the water quality impact assessment.

Section 7

Presents the findings of the waste assessment.

Section 8

Presents the findings of the land contamination assessment.

Section 9

Presents the findings of the landscape and visual impact assessment.

Section 10

Provides a summary of the conclusions and environmental outcomes drawn from the detailed assessment of the Project.