1.1.1
The former
1.1.2
In
2002, the Chief Executive in Council approved the Kai Tak Outline Zoning Plans
(No. S/K19/3 and S/K21/3) to provide the statutory framework to proceed with
the South East Kowloon Development at the former
1.1.3
Development
of the cruise terminal at Kai Tak would require dredging at the existing
seawall at the southern tip of the former
1.1.4
The
current Project involves a dredging operation exceeding 500,000 m3
for construction and operation of the proposed cruise terminal at Kai Tak and
is therefore classified as a Designated Project under Item C.12, Part I,
Schedule 2 of the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (EIAO). An
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Study for the Project has been undertaken
in accordance with the EIA Study Brief (No. ESB-159/2006) and the Technical
Memorandum on Environmental Impact Assessment Process (EIAO-TM).
1.2
Project Scope and Programme
1.2.1
The
scope of the Project comprises:
l
Dredging
of marine sediment of about 1.38M m3 from the
existing seabed in the Harbour area off the southern tip of the former Kai Tak
Airport runway to provide the necessary water depth within the manoeuvring area
for cruise vessels; and
l
Removal of existing seawall of about 322,300 m3
by dredging at the southern tip of the former
1.2.2
It
is planned to implement the dredging works in two stages. The staged dredging
requirements are illustrated in Figure
1.3. The dredging programme is shown in Appendix A. Breakdown of the dredging volumes is
given in Table 1.1.
|
Stages
(Figure 1.4) |
Volume
of Dredging (m3) |
||||
|
From
Existing Seabed in the Harbour Area |
From Existing Seawall |
Total |
|||
|
850
m Berth Structure |
Transitional
Structures |
Total |
|||
|
Stage 1 Dredging Total: |
700,000 (1) |
258,500 |
63,800 |
322,300 |
1,022,300 |
|
Stage 2 Dredging Total: |
680,000 |
- |
- |
- |
680,000 |
|
Total (Stage 1 + Stage 2): |
1,380,000 |
258,500 |
63,800 |
322,300 |
1,702,300 |
Note 1: The total volume of
1.2.3
The
dredging volumes presented in Table 1.1 are the result of a detailed engineering
assessment. Quantities
have been reviewed against all available bathymetric and testing data available
to date. They are the best estimate
for the EIA.
1.3.1
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 EIA study recommendations, to assess
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 proposed Project.
It aims to provide systematic procedures for monitoring, auditing and
minimising environmental impacts associated with Project activities.
1.3.2
1.3.3
This Manual contains the following information:
·
responsibilities
of the Contractor, the Engineer or Engineer’s Representative (ER),
Environmental Team (ET) and Independent Environment Checker (IEC) with respect
to the environmental monitoring and audit requirements during the course of the
Project;
·
Project
organisation;
·
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; and
·
requirements
for review of EIA predictions and the effectiveness of the mitigation measures
/ environmental management systems and the EM&A programme.
1.3.4
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.
1.4
Project Organization
1.4.1
The roles and responsibilities of the various parties
involved in the EM&A process and the organizational structure of the
organizations responsible for implementing the EM&A programme are outlined
below. The proposed Project
organization and lines of communication with respect to environmental
protection works are shown in Figure 1.4.
The Contractor
1.4.2
The Contractor shall report to the Engineer. The duties and responsibilities of the
Contractor are to:
·
employ
an Environmental Team (ET) to undertake monitoring, laboratory analysis and
reporting of environmental monitoring and audit;
·
provide
assistance to ET in carrying out monitoring;
·
submit
proposals on mitigation measures in case of exceedances of Action and Limit
Levels in accordance with the Event and Action Plans;
·
implement
measures to reduce impact where Action and Limit Levels are exceeded;
·
implement
the corrective actions instructed by the Engineer;
·
accompany
joint site inspection undertaken by the ET; and
·
adhere
to the procedures for carrying out complaint investigation.
Environmental Team
1.4.3
The ET Leader and the ET shall be employed to conduct
the EM&A programme and to ensure the Contractor’s compliance with the
Project’s environmental performance requirements during construction. The ET Leader shall be an
independent party from the Contractor and have sufficient relevant EM&A experience
subject to the approval of the Engineer’s Representative (ER). The ET shall be led and managed by the
ET Leader. The ET Leader shall
possess at least 10 years experience in EM&A and/or environmental management.
1.4.4
The duties and responsibilities of the ET are to:
·
monitor
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 initiate proactive action to pre-empt problems;
carry out ad hoc site inspections if significant environmental problems are
identified;
·
audit
and prepare monitoring and audit reports on the environmental monitoring data
and site environmental conditions;
·
report
on the environmental monitoring and audit results to the IEC, the 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; and
·
adhere
to the procedures for carrying out complaint investigation.
Engineer or
Engineer’s Representative
1.4.5
The Engineer is responsible for overseeing the
construction works and for ensuring that the works undertaken by the Contractor
are in accordance with the specification and contractual requirements. The duties and responsibilities of the
Engineer with respect to EM&A may include:
·
supervise
the Contractor’s activities and ensure that the requirements in the EM&A
Manual are fully complied with;
·
inform
the Contractor when action is required to reduce impacts in accordance with the
Event and Action Plans;
·
employ
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
·
adhere
to the procedures for carrying out complaint investigation.
Independent
Environmental Checker
1.4.6
The Independent Environmental Checker (IEC) shall be
an independent party from the Contractor and the ET and shall advise the
Engineer’s Representative on environmental issues related to the Project. The IEC shall possess at least 10 years
experience in EM&A and/or environmental management.
1.4.7
The duties and responsibilities of the IEC are to:
·
review
the EM&A works performed by the ET (at least at monthly intervals);
·
carry
out random sample check and audit the monitoring activities and results (at
least at monthly intervals);
·
review
the EM&A reports submitted by the ET;
·
review
the effectiveness of environmental mitigation measures and project
environmental performance;
·
review
the proposal on mitigation measures submitted by the Contractor in accordance with
the Event and Action Plans; and
·
adhere
to the procedures for carrying out complaint investigation.
1.4.8
Sufficient and suitably qualified professional and
technical staff shall 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.