This Section
summarises the environmental outcomes associated with
the construction and operation of the Project.
11.2.1
Construction
Phase
It is not anticipated that construction work will be
undertaken at night-time and hence night-time construction noise impact is not
anticipated. The predicted day-time
construction noise levels at the NSR N1 (Hei Ling Chau Correctional Institution) and NSR N2 (Hei Ling Chau Addition Treatment
Centre (Annex)) range from 36 to 75 dB(A) and comply
with the day-time construction noise criteria of 75 dB(A).
Due to the close proximity of CSD’s Staff
Quarters (NSR N3) to the enabling work areas, the predicted day-time noise
level at this NSR will exceed the day-time construction noise criterion by
about 4 to 8 dB(A) after implementation of the
recommended mitigation measures (including provision of noise barriers, use of
quiet plant and equipment, and limiting the number of plant operating
concurrently in this area). The duration
of impact will be about one week. It
should be noted that this quarter is not currently occupied. CSD agreed not using this quarter as far as
possible during the construction period. If this is not possible, CSD agreed to use
air-conditioners for the impacted rooms during the construction period. As the NSR N3 is provided with
air-conditioners, CSD will be informed prior to the commencement of the
construction and comparatively short period of exceedance
(about 1 week), the residual construction noise impacts can be kept at
reasonable levels. The contractor will
closely liaise with the CSD to programme the noisy construction works such that
the noise impact to the CSD staff will be avoided or reduced. No unacceptable noise impact is therefore
envisaged.
Noise monitoring will be carried out at NSRs
N2 and N3 ([1])
during the
construction phase.
11.2.2
Operational
Phase
The noise assessment indicates that under the worst-case scenario (covering
a full range of operation including start-up, shut-down, cut-in, cut-out,
braking and yawing; and the full range of wind speeds), with a wind turbine of maximum sound power level of
104 dB(A) and with no tone, impulse and intermittence characteristics, the
predicted facade noise levels at the identified NSRs
will comply with the day-time and night-time noise limits at all NSRs.
Noise monitoring will be carried out at the nearest NSR (N2) during the
night-time period to confirm compliance with the required noise criterion. Noise monitoring will be undertaken in the
first 12 months of the operational period of the wind turbine to confirm the
findings of the noise assessment.
11.3.1
Construction
Phase
The direct ecological impact due to the construction of the Project is
expected to be low, and will not contribute to any potential cumulative
impact. In view of the poor vegetation
cover, it is anticipated that the Project Site does not provide an optimal
habitat for the Common Rat Snake and Bogadek’s Burrowing Lizard.
It is not expected that the construction and operation of the
Project will cause adverse impacts to these species.
A search of the Common Rat Snake and Bodagek’s Burrowing Lizard within the Project Site and
along the impacted sections of Long and Short Access Routes will be undertaken
just before the commencement of the construction works. Due to the small size of the Project Site and
given that there are no optimal habitats for Common Rat Snake and Bodagek’s Burrowing Lizard, one day-time search is
considered sufficient. The surveyor(s)
will actively search the areas within the Project Site and along the impacted
sections of access routes and pay special attention to the leave litters and
rocks. All recorded Common Rat Snake and
Bodagek’s Burrowing Lizard will be caught by hand and
translocated to the shrubland
at the north of the Hei Ling Chau
Correctional Centre (Annex), which is the less disturbed shrubland
habitat within the Study Area, immediately after the search. The search and translocation works will be
undertaken by a qualified ecologist with relevant experience in faunal
translocation works.
11.3.2
Operational
Phase
Bird collisions are
perceived as an ecological concern during the operation of the wind
turbine. The Project Site, as well as the areas in the
vicinity are not important bird habitats as there is no wetland habitat within
or in the vicinity of the Project Site to attract water birds and the Project
Site is not within the travelling path of the
migratory birds. The potential risk of bird collision will
be low. With respect to data in Hong
Kong, the Environmental Monitoring and Audit (EM&A) programme of the operating commercial scale wind turbine at
11.4
Landscape and Visual Impact
Of the eight
Landscape Resources on Hei Ling Chau
there will only be residual construction phase impacts on the Shrubland resources.
This will result in a residual impact of 0.15 ha of Shrubland.
This un-mitigated impact is classified as slight adverse. The impacts on the developed areas after
construction will be negligible as they will be replaced by new developed areas
(ie wind turbine site).
The impacts on the
Landscape Character Areas of Hei Ling Chau will vary from slight for LCAs
2 to 5 to moderate for LCA1 during construction and operation.
Viewer perception
studies in other parts of the world have shown that wind turbines are generally
accepted by the public.
The wind turbine
with the proposed aviation warning marking scheme (ie
alternative orange and white bands) as required by CAD for aviation safety
purposes may result in contrasting effect to the surrounding natural
landscape. For Disneyland Hong Kong the
visual impact will be negligible. VSRs from
According to Annex
10 of the EIAO-TM, there are no significant
impacts on the Landscape Resources or landscape Character areas. There will be moderate to significant visual
impact from the VSR of Hei Ling Chau
among the eleven VSRs. Although the visual impact is unable to
mitigate practically, the adverse effects are not considered too excessive in
view of the size of landtake and form of the
structure. Hence, the visual impact is
not unacceptable. There are no
significant visual impacts for other VSRs and there
will be no interference with key views. Therefore,
the landscape and visual impacts will be acceptable.
11.5
Construction Phase Water
Quality Impact
No marine works are associated with the construction and operation of
the Project. Due to the small scale of
the land-based construction works and the short duration of construction
period, the potential water quality impacts are negligible with the
implementation of general good construction site management practices.
It is recommended to carry out monthly site
audits to the works areas to monitor the environmental performance of the
Project and to enable prompt actions to rectify any malpractice which may give
rise to water pollution problem. Ad-hoc
visits will be made to the impacted sites in responses to any complaints or
reported non-compliance on water quality aspect.
11.6
Construction Waste Management
Implications
The anticipated quantities of construction waste (400
m3), chemical wastes (a few hundred litres, mainly are used lube
oils), sewage (1 m3 per day) and general refuse (26 kg per day) to
be generated during the construction phase of the Project will be small. With the implementation of the general good
construction site practices, the construction of the Project will not cause
adverse waste management or environmental impacts with respect to the criteria
specified in the EIAO-TM.
It is recommended that monthly audits of the waste management practices
be carried out during the construction phase to determine if wastes are being
managed in accordance with the good site practices described in this EIA
Report. The audits should examine all
aspects of waste management including waste generation, storage, recycling,
transport and disposal.
The literature review and field surveys confirmed the absence of any
11.8
Environmental Monitoring and
Audit
Noise monitoring and construction site audits
will be carried out during the construction phase to check for compliance with
the relevant criteria.
Noise monitoring (for a period of 12 months) and
bird collision survey (for a period of 12 months) will be carried out during
the operation phase.
The environmental impact assessment (covering noise,
ecology, landscape and visual, water quality, waste management and cultural
heritage) has concluded that no unacceptable environmental impacts are envisaged
due to the construction and operation of the Project.
Residual impacts associated with construction noise
have been evaluated and considered as low and acceptable in terms of the magnitude and effects
on the health. No long-term unacceptable impact on the environment is
anticipated.
In support of the Government's effort in
promoting community understanding of renewable energy and its feasibility in
·
Provide local experience on the feasibility, siting, regulatory and permitting, design, construction,
operation and maintenance of onshore wind energy application in Hong Kong;
·
Enable informed assessment of commercial-scale grid-connected
wind energy application, as an alternative energy source, in
·
Promote community understanding of wind energy
including its social, environmental and economic implications as well as
development considerations relevant to
([1])
If CSD could arrange not to use this
staff quarter (NSR N3), there will be no potential noise impact to this
NSR. Noise monitoring will not be
required at this location.