13.               Environmental monitoring and audit

Introduction

13.1            This section further elaborates the requirements of EM&A for the construction and operation of the Project, based on the assessment results of various issues.  The following sections summarize the recommended EM&A requirements.  Details of the EM&A programme are presented in a stand-alone EM&A Manual released separately. 

Noise Impact

Construction Phase

13.2            Construction noise impacts from this Project would be expected at NSRs identified in this EIA.  Appropriate mitigation measures would be required in order to alleviate the impacts to meet the EIAO-TM criteria.  Noise monitoring during construction phase needs to be carried out to ensure that such mitigation measures would be implemented properly.

13.3            The construction activities will be carried out during daytime (between 0700 and 1900 hours).  If there is construction work undertaken in restricted hours, measurements will also be carried out for the following periods:

·        Between 1900 and 2300 hours;

·        Between 2300 and 0700 hours of next day; and

·        Between 0700 and 1900 hours on Sunday or public holidays

13.4            Noise monitoring shall be carried out at all the designated monitoring stations, and measurement shall be undertaken at a minimum logging interval of 30 minutes for daytime and 15 minutes (as three consecutive Leq, (5 minutes) readings) for evening time and night time.  The Leq, L10 and L90 shall be recorded at the specified interval.  Type 1 sound level meters, which comply with the International Electrochemical Commission (Publications 651:1979 and 804:1985), must be used for carrying out the noise measurement.

13.5            Ad hoc noise monitoring shall also be carried out if necessary.  Prior to the commencement of the Project, baseline monitoring shall be measured for a continuous period of at least 14 consecutive days at a minimum logging interval of 30 minutes for daytime and 15 minutes (as three consecutive Leq, (5 minutes) readings) for evening time and night time. The Leq, L10 and L90 shall be recorded at the specified interval.  Details of the EM&A programme are provided in a stand-alone EM&A Manual. 

Operation Phase

13.6            Although no adverse fixed noise source impact is expected during the operation of the Project with the proposed mitigation measures in place, it is recommended that operational phase noise monitoring should be undertaken during the night-time show performance at Aqua City as well as not during the lagoon night show to ensure compliance with the EIAO-TM noise criteria.  Details of the EM&A programme are provided in a stand-alone EM&A Manual. 

Landscape and Visual Impact

Construction Phase

13.7            A baseline review shall be undertaken upon award of the construction contracts.  The purpose of the review is:

n                      to check the status of the landscape resources within and adjacent to the works site

n                      to determine whether or not any change has occurred to the status of the landscape resources since the EIA

n                      to determine and to recommend amendments to the design of the landscape and visual mitigation measures due to the above changes, if any.

13.8            The landscape and visual mitigation measures shall be incorporated in the detailed design, so as to ensure the effectiveness of the mitigation measures described in Table 4.8, Section 4 of EIA report.  Any changes to the mitigation measures that may be recommended to match the baseline review result or to match the ongoing EM&A shall also be incorporated in the detailed design.

13.9            The design, implementation and maintenance of mitigation measures shall be checked bi-weekly to ensure that they are fully realised.  Any potential conflicts among the proposed mitigation measures, the project works, and operational requirements from the Park’s management shall also be identified and resolved early.  The proposed mitigation measures should always be treated with priority.

13.10        A Registered Landscape Architect with substantial construction site experience shall be responsible for supervising the landscape works during the Construction Phase and the Establishment Period.

13.11        A competent person, trained in the theory and practice of outdoor lighting and illumination requirements and lighting systems will be employed to design the overall lighting strategy to avoid night-time glare.

Operational Phase

13.12        All landscape and visual mitigation measures shall be monitored quarterly during the first year of the Operational Phase.

Ecological Impact

13.13        Monitoring requirements for terrestrial ecology are outlined in Section 5.144-5.146 of the Report. In summary, monitoring would include:

n                      The implementation of all mitigation measures described in the Report should be subject to regular audit.

n                      Following transplantation, the health and condition of individuals of the species of conservation interest affected by the proposed works should be monitored. 

n                      No adverse impact on coral communities would be anticipated during the construction and operation phase of the Project, nevertheless, coral monitoring is proposed as a precautionary measure.  The coral monitoring programme would focus on the coral communities located close to potentially impacted areas.  The details of monitoring programme are discussed in the EM&A manual.

Waste Management Implications

13.14        Waste management will 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.

13.15        It is recommended that the 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, recycling, 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.

Land Contamination

13.16        For CBD site, the site investigation has been undertaken from 31 March to 3 April 2006. The results showed that concentration of Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon (TPH), arsenic and tin exceeded the relevant Dutch B values. 

13.17        A Remediation Action Plan (RAP) has been prepared which essentially recommends removal of the underground tanks and any local soil contamination around them as well as replacing the removed material with clean fill.  Considering the estimated contaminated soil volume is about 150m3, such soil is recommended to be excavated and disposed of at EPD’s designated landfill site.

13.18        For the soil with elevated level of heavy metals, Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) test will be conducted as a further study in order to determine the leachability (hence the toxic risk) of the soil at the CBD Site. For a conservative approach, the clean-up strategy has been proposed for the soil contaminated with arsenic/tin.

13.19        For HKSM site, the part responsible for SI at the HKSM site would need to submit a CAP for EPD’s endorsement. Site investigation should be conducted as soon as possible after the site operation ceases. A CAR should be prepared to document the findings of the site investigation. Interpretation of laboratory testing results in accordance with the ProPECC Note No. 3/94 and comparison of the findings with relevant standards, such as the ‘Dutch B’ levels in the Dutch guidelines or other international practices as appropriate shall also be included in the CAR.

13.20        If land contamination is confirmed, a Remediation Action Plan (RAP) should be prepared and drawn up to formulate necessary remedial measures. The subsequent CAR and RAP should be endorsed by EPD before implementation of any remediation works. The contaminated sites should be remediated before commencement of any construction work at the concerned sites which may disturb the ground.

13.21        In the event that the current users or responsible parties of the HKSM Site do not fulfil its obligations to undertake a CAP, CAR or RAP or the necessary remediation to the satisfaction EPD, and the site handed-over to OPC is not totally cleaned (for technical or other reasons), then the whole HKSM site will initially be fenced off and the suspected contaminated area will be fully demarcated and isolated. The purpose of fencing the site is to restrict access to ensure there would be no risk to the general public.  Following this, OPC undertakes to carry out, to the extent outstanding, the site investigation.

13.22        Once the SI results are available, the potential contaminated area could be identified and the fenced-off area could be adjusted to isolate only the area of contamination. OPC would ensure that no work would be undertaken within the fenced off area. OPC would modify the design of the new entry plaza and access road so as to accommodate this fenced off area in its layout and to limit access to, as well as circulation around it.

Air Quality Impact

Construction Phase

13.23        With the implementation of the dust suppression measures stipulated in the Air Pollution Control (Construction Dust) Regulation and proposed mitigation measures, potential construction dust impact would comply with the HKAQO.  Dust monitoring requirements are recommended in the EM&A Manual to ensure the efficacy of the control measures.  Details of the EM&A programme are provided in a stand-alone EM&A Manual.

13.24        No adverse air quality impact on the ASRs in vicinity of the Park would be identified during operation phase of the Proposed Project.  Requirement for environmental monitoring and audit is considered not necessary.

Water Quality Impact

13.25        The water quality assessment concluded that the identified water quality impacts could be minimized by implementing the recommended mitigation measures to control site runoff and drainage during the construction works.  No unacceptable residual water quality impact was expected.  Effluent discharge from the site to the public drain would be required to comply with the terms and conditions of a discharge licence issued by EPD under the WPCO, and no discharge shall be permitted to the artificial ponds.  The monitoring of water quality within the artificial ponds (which are the only water bodies located within the works areas) during the land-based construction activities is therefore not considered warranted for the Project.  However, it is recommended that regular site inspections be undertaken to inspect the construction activities and works areas in order to ensure the recommended mitigation measures are properly implemented.

13.26        Operational phase discharges from Ocean Park would be required to comply with the terms and conditions of a discharge licence issued by EPD under the WPCO.  Ocean Park already carried out routine monitoring as part of normal operations.  Additional water quality impact auditing and monitoring during operational phase would not be necessary.

Sewerage and Sewage Treatment

13.27        EM&A associated with sewerage and sewage treatment is not considered to be necessary.

Impact on Cultural Heritage

Archaeology

13.28        A programme of archaeological investigation, including test pit excavations should be conducted prior to the construction phase at the School of Motoring and City Bus Depot sites. The scope of the Archaeological Investigation should be agreed with Antiquities and Monuments Office prior to its commencement. 

13.29        A qualified archaeologist should undertake the investigation.  The archaeologist should apply for a licence to excavate and search for antiquities in accordance with the Antiquities and Monuments Ordinance (Cap. 53). Upon any discovery of significant cultural remains during the AI, the archaeologist will report the findings immediately to AMO and provide field registers for examination upon request.  An archaeological investigation report should be compiled to satisfy and comply with the Antiquities and Monuments Office requirements. 

13.30        The paving and any artificial layers currently covering the HKSM and bus depot site should be removed in the areas where archaeological testing will be conducted before the AI can commence.  The access to the School of Motoring and City Bus Depot sites  during the AI should be restricted to designated personnel only.

Built Heritage 

13.31        The grave (G1) should be preserved in situ and if any works take place within one metre of the grave then a one metre buffer zone (marked by a one temporary fence) should be provided by the contractor for the duration of the construction works.

Hazard to Life

13.32        The blasting activities should be inspected and audited at practical intervals to ensure that the assumptions and recommendations from the QRA and the safeguards and recommendations from the systematic hazard identification are consistently implemented in accordance with the intent of the hazard to life assessment.