Project Background
1.1 The study area can be broadly defined as encompassing the mostly undeveloped hillsides above the residential development at Po Shan Road and adjacent to the trimmed back slope on the site of the catastrophic 1972 Po Shan Road failure. Previous studies had been carried out and results indicated that the natural hillside above Po Shan Road is affected by high groundwater level and unfavourable geology. Sub-surface drainage measures by means of sub-horizontal drains had been installed in 1984-85. These measures have been successful in lowering the main ground water table, thus improving the stability of the slopes such that large-scale failures have not occurred in the last twenty years.
1.2 However, the hillside is susceptible to shallow failure and a shallow landslide had occurred during a rainstorm in June 2005.
1.3 The objective of the proposed project, namely “Landslide Preventive Works at Po Shan, Mid-levels – Design and Construction (Natural Terrain Risk Mitigation Works)” (hereinafter referred to as “the Project”), is to carry out detailed design and supervision of landslide preventive works on local repair of the hillside to minimize slope deterioration and shallow instability.
Project Location and Scope
1.4 The proposed landslide preventive works would be constructed to protect the existing residential developments at the toe of the project site. The location of the project is shown in Figure 1.1.
1.5 The scope of works includes the installation about 700 numbers of soil nails and about 60 numbers of raking drains on the natural terrain within the concerned area. The length of the soil nails is about 20m with a spacing of 2m horizontally and 3m vertically; the length of raking drains is about 10m with a spacing of 5m horizontally and 15m vertically.
1.6 Rock slope stabilisation works will be provided for the rock outcrop / boulders at the upper portion of the natural terrain. Measures such as scaling, installation of rock bolts / dowels, construction of concrete buttress and provision of wire mesh protection will be provided where necessary.
1.7 No tree felling will be proposed under this Project.
Preliminary Construction Programme
1.8 The proposed works are scheduled to commence in November 2007 with duration of 10 months. The preliminary construction programme for the Project is presented in Appendix A.
Concurrent Projects
1.9 Another designated project “Agreement No. CE28/2004 (GE) Landslide Preventive Works at Po Shan, Mid-levels – Design and Construction” on-going during the same period within the captioned area which will also be carried out concurrently by the Project Proponent.
1.10 According to EPD’s EM&A Guidelines for Development Projects in Hong Kong, the need of an EM&A programme for this Project is concluded with the following reasons:
· the project has the potential of causing environmental impacts which are or are likely to be prejudicial to the health or well being of the flora, fauna if the recommended mitigation measures are not properly implemented; and
· the project is situated in area of high conservation value.”
1.11 The purpose of this Environmental Monitoring and Audit (EM&A) Manual is to guide the set up of an EM&A programme to ensure compliance with the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) study recommendations, to ensure the effectiveness of the recommended mitigation measures and to identify any further need for additional mitigation measures or remedial action. This Manual outlines the monitoring and audit programme for the construction phase of the proposed Project. It aims to provide systematic procedures for monitoring, auditing and minimising environmental impacts associated with construction works and operation activities.
1.12 Hong Kong environmental regulations and the Hong Kong Planning Standards and Guidelines have served as environmental standards and guidelines in the preparation of this Manual. In addition, the EM&A Manual has been prepared in accordance with the requirements stipulated in Annex 21 of the Technical Memorandum on the EIA Process (EIAO-TM).
1.13 This Manual contains the following information:
· responsibilities of the Contractor, the Engineer or Engineer’s Representative (ER), and Environmental Team (ET), Independent Environmental Checker (IEC) with respect to the environmental monitoring and audit requirements during the course of the project.
· project organisation for the project
· the basis for, and description of the broad approach underlying the EM&A programme
· requirements with respect to the construction programme schedule and the necessary environmental monitoring and audit programme to track the varying environmental impact
· details of the methodologies to be adopted, including all field laboratories and analytical procedures, and details on quality assurance and quality control programme
· the rationale on which the environmental monitoring data will be evaluated and interpreted
· definition of Action and Limit levels
· establishment of Event and Action plans
· requirements for reviewing pollution sources and working procedures required in the event of non-compliance with the environmental criteria and complaints
· requirements for presentation of environmental monitoring and audit data and appropriate reporting procedures
· requirements for review of EIA predictions and the effectiveness of the mitigation measures / environmental management systems and the EM&A programme
1.14 For the purpose of this manual, the ET leader, who shall be responsible for and in charge of the ET, shall refer to the person delegated the role of executing the EM&A requirements.
1.15 The roles and responsibilities of the various parties involved in the construction phase EM&A process and the organisational structure of the organisations responsible for implementing the EM&A programme are outlined below. The proposed project organisation and lines of communication with respect to environmental protection works are shown in Figure 1.2.
Engineer or Engineer’s Representative (ER)
1.16 The term Engineer or Engineer’s Representative, refers to the organisation responsible for overseeing the construction works of the Project undertaken by various Contractors, and for ensuring that they are undertaken by the Contractors in accordance with the specification and contractual requirements. The ER should:
· monitor the Contractors’ compliance with contract specifications, including the implementation and operation of the environmental mitigation measures and ensure their effectiveness, and other aspects of the EM&A programme
· monitor Contractors’, ET’s and IEC’s compliance and ensure that the requirements in the EP and EM&A Manual are fully complied with
· provide assistance to the ET as necessary in the implementation of the EM&A programme
· appoint an IEC to audit the results of the EM&A works carried out by the ET
· Participate in joint site inspection undertaken by the ET and IEC
· comply with the agreed Event / Action Plan in the event of any exceedance
· adhere to the procedures for carrying out complaint investigation
The Contractor
1.17 The term “Contractor” should be taken to mean all construction contractors and sub-contractors, working on site at any one time. Besides reporting to the Engineer, the Contractor should:
· work within the scope of the relevant contract and other tender conditions
· employ an Environmental Team (ET) to undertake monitoring, laboratory analysis and reporting of EM&A
· provide assistance to ET in carrying out monitoring
· participate in the site inspections undertaken by the ET as required, and undertake any corrective actions instructed by the Engineer
· provide information / advice to the ET regarding works activities which may contribute, or be continuing to the generation of adverse environmental conditions
· submit proposals on mitigation measures in case of exceedances of Action and Limit levels in accordance with the Event / Action Plans
· implement measures to reduce impact where Action and Limit levels are exceeded
· adhere to the procedures for carrying out complaint investigation
Independent Environmental Checker (IEC)
1.18 The Independent Environmental Checker (IEC) should not be in any way an associated body of the Contractor or the ET for the Project. The IEC should be employed prior to the commencement of the construction of the Project. The IEC should have at least 7 years’ experience in EM&A or environmental management, and have project management experience. The IEC should be appointed by the ER. The IEC should:
· advise the ER on environmental issues related to the project, independent from the management of construction works, but empowered to audit the environmental performance of construction and operation
· provide proactive advice to the ER and the Project Proponent on environmental matters.
· review and audit all aspects of the EM&A programme, including the implementation of environmental mitigation measures, submission relating to EP and EM&A, and any other submission required under EP and EM&A Manual
· review and verify the monitoring data and all submissions relating to or under the EP and EM&A Manual submitted by the ET, including but not limited to the EM&A reports
· monitor the implementation of the EM&A programme and the overall level of environmental performance being achieved
· arrange and conduct regular, at least monthly site inspections of the works during construction and operation phases, and ad hoc inspections if significant environmental problems are identified
· comply with the agreed Event / Action Plan in the event of any exceedance
· check and ensure the procedures for carrying out complaint investigation being followed and check the effectiveness of corrective measures
· feedback audit results to ET by signing off relevant EM&A proforma
· Ensure the impact monitoring is conducted at the correct locations at the frequency identified in the EM&A Manual
· Check that the mitigation measures are effectively implemented
· Report the works conducted, the findings, recommendation and improvement of the site inspections, the findings, recommendation, and improvement after reviewing ET’s and Contractor’s works, and any advices to the ER and Project Proponent on a monthly basis
Environmental Team (ET)
1.19 The ET shall be employed to conduct the EM&A programme and be managed by the ET Leader. The ET Leader shall be a person who has at least 7 years’ experience in EM&A or environmental management. Suitably qualified staff should be included in the ET, and resources for the implementation of the EM&A programme should be allocated in time under the Contract, to enable fulfilment of the Project’s EM&A requirements as specified in the EM&A Manual during construction and operation of the Project. The ET shall report to the Engineer and the duties shall include:
· monitor and audit various environmental parameters as required in this EM&A Manual
· analyse the environmental monitoring and audit data and review the success of EM&A programme to cost-effectively confirm the adequacy of mitigation measures implemented and the validity of the EIA predictions and to identify any adverse environmental impacts arising
· carry out regular site inspection to investigate and audit the Contractors' site practice, equipment and work methodologies with respect to pollution control and environmental mitigation, and effect proactive action to pre-empt problems
· monitor compliance with conditions in relevant Environmental Permit (EP), environmental protection, pollution prevention and control regulations and contract specifications
· audit environmental monitoring data and site environmental conditions
· report on the environmental monitoring and audit results to the IEC, Contractor, the ER and EPD or its delegated representative
· recommend suitable mitigation measures to the Contractor in the case of exceedance of Action and Limit levels in accordance with the Event and Action Plans
· liaise with the IEC on all environmental performance matters and timely submit all relevant EM&A proforma for the approval by IEC
· advise the Contractor on environmental improvement, awareness, enhancement matters, etc., on site
· adhere to the procedures for carrying out complaint investigation
· timely submit the EM&A Report to the Project Proponent and EPD
1.20 Sufficient and suitably qualified professional and technical staff should be employed by the respective parties to ensure full compliance with their duties and responsibilities, as required under the EM&A programme for the duration of the Project.