1.1.1
The project is entitled
“Drainage Improvement in
1.1.2
An Environmental Review (ER) was
completed in May 2000 under the DMP Study to assess potential environmental impacts
of the proposed drainage improvement works. The ER concluded that several
components of the proposed drainage improvement works in the
1.2
Location and Description
of the Project
1.2.1
The drainage improvement works comprise the construction of
drainage channels and associated works to improve the secondary and local
drainage systems in
1.3
Requirements under
the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance
1.3.1
The Project is a DP under the EIAO by virtue of I.1(b) of the
Schedule 2, Part I of the EIAO with specific DP elements as listed below.
(i)
Drainage
channels at Man Uk Pin (MUP03, MUP04A, MUP04B, and MUP05) that discharge into
an area within 300m from the nearest boundary of an existing “Conservation
Area” land use zoning [Item I.1(b)(vii) of Schedule 2 of EIAO] (Figure 1.3).
(ii)
Drainage
channel at Lung Yeuk Tau (LYT04) that discharges into an area within 300m of an
existing site of cultural heritage, the Entrance Tower of Ma Wat Wai, at Ma Wat
Wai, Lung Yeuk Tau [Item I.1(b)(ii) of Schedule 2 of EIAO] (Figure 1.2).
(iii)
Drainage
channel at Lin Ma Hang (LMH01) that discharges into an area within 300m of a
planned Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), Lin Ma Hang Stream, at Lin
Ma Hang [Item I.1(b)(i) of Schedule 2 of EIAO] (Figure 1.4).
1.3.2
An application (No. ESB-103/2002) for an Environmental Impact
Assessment (EIA) Study Brief under section 5(1) of the EIAO was submitted on
1.3.3
Pursuant to section 5(7)(a) of
the EIAO based on the project information given in the Project Profile, the
Director of Environmental Protection (the Director) issues an EIA Study Brief (ESB-103/2002)
in June 2002 to the Applicant to carry out an EIA study. A copy of the EIA
Study Brief is included in Appendix A1.
1.3.4
Subsequent to design changes, the proposed channel LYT04 has
been confirmed as not a DP under the EIAO and has been excluded from this EIA
Study. Further elaboration is provided in Chapter 2 whilst the relevant
correspondences are presented in Appendix A2.
1.4
Purpose and Objective
of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Study
1.4.1
The purpose of this EIA study is to provide information on
the nature and extent of environmental impacts arising from the construction
and operation of the proposed Project and related activities taking place
concurrently. This information will
contribute to decisions by the Director of Environmental Protection on:
(i)
The
overall acceptability of any adverse environmental consequences that are likely
to arise as a result of the proposed Project.
(ii)
The
conditions and requirements for the detailed design, construction and operation
of the proposed Project to mitigate against adverse environmental consequences
wherever practicable and reasonable.
(iii)
The
acceptability of residual impacts, after the proposed mitigation measures are
implemented.
1.4.2
The objectives of the EIA study are as follows:
(i)
To
describe the proposed Project and associated works together with the
requirements for carrying out the proposed Project.
(ii)
To
identify and describe the elements of the community and environment likely to
be affected by the proposed Project and/or likely to cause adverse impacts to
the proposed Project, including both the natural and man-made environment.
(iii)
To
identify and quantify emission sources and determine the significance of
impacts on sensitive receivers and potential affected uses.
(iv)
To
identify any potential impacts from point and non-point pollution sources on
the identified water systems and sensitive receivers during the construction
and operation stages.
(v)
To
identify and quantify any potential losses and damage to flora, fauna and
wildlife habitats.
(vi) To identify and quantify, where applicable, any potential landscape and visual impacts and determine the significance of impacts on sensitive receivers.
(vii)
To identify any potential
impacts to the historical, archaeological and cultural resources and propose measures
to mitigate these impacts.
(viii)
To propose the provision of
infrastructure or mitigation measures so as to minimize pollution,
environmental disturbance and nuisance during construction and operation of the
proposed Project.
(ix)
To identify, predict and
evaluate the residual (i.e. after practicable mitigation) environmental impacts
and the cumulative effects expected to arise during the construction and operation
phases of the proposed Project in relation to the sensitive receivers and
potential affected uses.
(x)
To identify, assess and specify
methods, measures and standards, to be included in the detailed design,
construction and operation of the proposed Project, which are necessary to
mitigate these environmental impacts and reducing them to acceptable levels.
(xi)
To investigate the extent of
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.
(xii)
To
design and specify the environmental monitoring and audit requirements, if
required, to ensure the implementation and the effectiveness of the
environmental protection and pollution control measures adopted.
(xiii)
To
consider alternative flood alleviation options with a view to avoiding or
minimizing the potential environmental impacts to the SSSI at Lin Ma Hang, the “Conservation Area” zone in Man Uk Pin,
the site(s) of cultural heritage and other sensitive uses, and to
compare the environmental benefits and dis-benefits of each of the different
option and to provide reasons for selecting the preferred option and to
describe the part environmental factors played in the selection.
1.5.1
The EIA study is conducted in accordance with the EIA Study
Brief and with reference to the Technical Memorandum on Environmental Impact
Assessment Process (EIAO-TM) as well as other relevant Ordinances, Legislation
and guidelines.
1.6
Structure of the
EIA Report
1.6.1
The backgrounds, descriptions and justifications of this
Project are provided in Chapter 2. For each of the environmental parameters
that have been identified, assessment results and mitigation measures are
presented in the following sections.
·
Chapter 3 – Air Quality Impact Assessment
·
Chapter 4 – Construction Noise Impact Assessment
·
Chapter 5 – Water Quality Impact Assessment
·
Chapter 6 – Waste Management
·
Chapter 7 – Ecological Impact Assessment
·
Chapter 8 – Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
·
Chapter 9 – Cultural Heritage Impact Assessment
·
Chapter 10 – Environmental Monitoring and Audit Requirements
·
Chapter 11 – Environmental Outcomes
·
Chapter 12 – Conclusions and Recommendations
1.6.2
The Implementation Schedule of the mitigation measures for
this Project is attached in the Appendix.