The environmental impacts associated with
the construction and operation of the Project are summarised in the following
sections.
3.1
Construction
Phase Air Quality
The construction phase air quality impact
assessment indicates that dust generating activities and gaseous emissions from
construction plant for the Proposed Beach Development may potentially cause air
quality impacts to adjacent Air Sensitive Receivers (ASRs). The construction of the Proposed Beach
Development involves site formation, localised widening of
Potential air quality impacts associated
with gaseous emissions of diesel-powered construction vehicles and equipment
are expected to be relatively small as only a small number of diesel construction
vehicles and plant will be operated in the limited works areas at any one
time. The requirement for all
construction plant to use ultra-low-sulphur diesel (ULSD) will further reduce
the potential air quality impacts. The potential cumulative dust impacts from the
contemporary occurrence of the Tolo Harbour Sewerage of Unsewered Areas Stage I
Phase IIC project (Tolo Harbour Sewerage Improvement) works have been assessed,
the cumulative dust impacts will expect to be minor.
To ensure compliance with the relevant dust
criterion at the ASRs and implementation of appropriate control measures during
the construction phase, a programme for dust monitoring and site audit has also
been recommended.
3.2.1
Construction Phase
Construction noise impact
at the selected Noise Sensitive Receivers (NSRs) located proximately to the Proposed Beach Development has been predicted. Mitigation
measures are required to be implemented to mitigate the construction noise
impacts. Practicable mitigation
measures, including use of quiet construction plant and movable noise barriers,
have been recommended to be implemented for different work stages. With the implementation of mitigation
measures, the mitigated construction noise levels at the representative NSRs are
anticipated to comply with the construction noise criterion of 75 dB(A)
throughout the construction period.
Construction noise monitoring has been recommended to ensure compliance
with the construction noise criterion.
The potential cumulative noise impacts
from the contemporary occurrence of the Tolo Harbour Sewerage Improvement works
have been considered, and the assessment result indicates that the cumulative
construction noise level at the NSRs complies with the construction noise
criterion of 75 dB(A).
Weekly noise monitoring will be carried out
at the proposed monitoring stations during the construction phase to ensure the
construction noise criterion is met.
In addition, regular site audits twice a month will be conducted to
ensure recommended mitigation measures are properly implemented.
3.2.2
Operational Phase
The predicted operational noise levels at the
representative NSRs are expected to comply with the daytime criteria based on
the assessment using a set of specified maximum SWLs for the fixed plant to be
installed at the Proposed Beach Development. Attenuation measures, if required, will
be provided to the fixed plant for achieving the guaranteed noise levels during
the detailed design stage, and therefore operational phase noise monitoring is
not required.
3.3.1
Construction
Phase
The water quality modelling works have
indicated that for both the dry and wet seasons, no exceedances of the Water
Quality Objectives (WQO) and the evaluation criterion are predicted to occur
during the dredging and sandfilling operations. The impact assessment has also shown
that other land-based construction works, if properly controlled, are not
expected to cause any adverse impacts to the surrounding waters and the
sensitive receivers. With the
implementation of the proposed mitigation measures and good site management
practices, water quality impacts will be further minimised.
Marine water quality monitoring will be
conducted to evaluate whether any impacts would be posed by the marine works on
the surrounding waters during the undertaking of dredging and filling
works.
3.3.2
Operational Phase
No operational impacts to water quality are expected to occur if mitigation measures are fully implemented. Considering that the improvement works, including the diversion of drains, the provision of groynes and with DSD’s new sewerage system to be in place, the beach water quality is expected to be significantly improved. The proposed site is suitable to operate as a bathing beach with regard to the compliance with the WQO for E. coli and high likelihood of achieving Beach Grade 2 (Fair) standard during its operation phase. In addition to the improvement works, the operator will pay best effort to provide the greatest protection for the bathers. It is also noted that the Tolo Habour Sewerage of Unsewered Areas Stage I Phase IIC (Agreement No. 18/94) including Lung Mei area, as part of the Sewerage Master Plan (SMP) Works, is expected to be gazetted prior to the operation of the Proposed Beach Development. This will further improve the water quality in the Lung Mei region since it is mandatory for new developments to connect to the public sewer. CEDD and LCSD will closely monitor the implementation programme of the village sewerage projects to achieve the target sewerage connection rate to communal sewers before the beach is put into operation.
In addition to the compliance with water quality standards, Lung Mei is considered to be the best location for the proposed beach development in view of the community demand and accessibility:
·
Community
Demand: There is no beach facility in the east region of the
·
Accessibility: Lung Mei is located next to the existing
road (
3.4.1
Construction
Phase
It is anticipated that a total
of approximate 10,500 m3 of marine sediment will be dredged. About 6,380 m3 of the
sediments are uncontaminated and can be disposed of at the open sea disposal
sites and about 2,620 m3 of the Category M sediment (which passed
the biological screening) will be disposed of at dedicated open sea disposal
sites. The remaining 1,500 m3
of the Category M (which failed the biological screening) will have to be disposed
of at the confined marine disposal site at East Sha Chau. The final disposal site for the dredging
sediments will be determined by the Marine Fill Committee (MFC) and a dumping
licence will be obtained from Environmental Protection Department (EPD) prior
to the commencement of the dredging works.
About 13,800 m3 of
excavated materials will be generated during construction phase and 8,280 m3
(about 60%) of which will be reuse on-site. The surplus excavated soil will be reused
in other concurrent construction projects in
The anticipated quantities of
demolition waste (470 m3), construction waste (225 m3),
chemical wastes (a few hundred litres, mainly are used lube oils), sewage (6 m3
per day) and general refuse (65 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 Proposed Beach
Development will not cause adverse waste management or environmental impacts
with respect to the criteria specified in the EIAO-TM. A waste
monitoring and audit programme will be conducted to monitor and control
construction contractors’ performance on waste management.
3.4.2
Operational
Phase
During the operational phase, it is
estimated that a maximum of 10 m3 of sewage and 1,520 kg of general
refuse will be produced each day by visitors during peak season. In view of the small quantity of sewage
and general refuse to be generated and their proper disposal to foul sewer or
transfer station/landfill, no adverse environmental impact associated with the
management of these wastes is anticipated during the operation of the Proposed
Beach Development.
The ecological resources recorded within
the Study Area include secondary woodland, shrubland, stream, channel, pond, sandy shore with backshore vegetation, village/modified area,
mangrove, sandy shore and artificial/ disturbed shoreline, as well as
subtidal soft and hard bottom and associated wildlife. Of these habitats, mangrove has high
ecological value, secondary woodland has moderate to high ecological value and
shrubland has moderate ecological value.
The remaining habitats are of low to low to moderate ecological value.
A total of 3 coral species (including Oulastrea crispate, Cyphastrea serailia and Psammocora superficialis), which
considered as common species in Hong Kong and 20 terrestrial species of
conservation interest were recorded within the Study Area, including 2 plant
species (Red Azalea and Incense Tree), 4 bird species (Black Kite,
White-bellied Sea Eagle, Osprey and Created Goshawk), 13 uncommon butterfly
species (Brown Pansy, Common Nawab, Danaid Egg-fly, Dark Evening Brown, Great
Swift, Indian Palm Bob, Painted Jezebel, Plain Tiger, Silver Streak Blue, South
China Bush Brown, Tailed Sulphur, White-edged Blue Baron and Yellow Orange Tip)
and one reptile species (Common Rat Snake).
The Proposed Beach
Development will be located mainly in low quality habitats, including
village/modified area, sandy shore with backshore vegetation and channel. The potential
construction and operational impacts on the natural habitats are considered to
be low. The corals within the Study
Area and area in the vicinity would not subject to any direct loss (due to
construction works) or indirect loss (due to change of water quality). No adverse residual impacts are expected
after the implementation of the recommended mitigation measures. The measures include the adoption of
good construction practices and provision of mangrove seedling planting. These measures will reduce potential
disturbance to the surrounding environment. Environmental monitoring and audit
measures in form of regular checks as part of the site inspections will also be
undertaken.
Information from a study on fishing
operations in
3.6.1
Construction Phase
Significant construction phase impacts to
fisheries resources and fishing operations are not expected to occur. Potential impacts to fisheries resources
and fishing operations, as well as impacts to fish fry, may arise from the
temporary and permanent loss of habitat due to dredging and sandfilling. Given the small size of marine habitat
affected, the associated impacts to fisheries resources are considered as
acceptable. Impacts arising from
the proposed dredging or sandfilling works are predicted to be largely confined
to the specific works areas and the predicted elevations in suspended sediment
concentrations at the sensitive receivers are not predicted to cause
exceedances of the assessment criterion.
Silt curtain will be provided during the
dredging and sandfilling works in the marine water as precautionary
measure. Adverse impacts to water
quality are not predicted. Water quality monitoring will be conducted at Yim
Tin Tsai (East) Fish Culture Zone during the dredging and sandfilling works.
3.6.2
Operational Phase
Significant operational phase impacts to fisheries
resources and fishing operations are not expected to occur. Approximately 4.7 ha of coastal waters
will be restricted for fishing operation during the operation of the beach. Adverse impacts to fisheries are not
predicted to be significant given the small size of the affected area. Impact from sewage and wastewater
discharge is not anticipated to occur as the sewage and wastewater generated
from the beach building facilities will be discharged into the public
sewer. No additional
fisheries-specific mitigation measures are required during operation.
3.7
Landscape
and Visual Impact
Three Landscape Character Areas (LCAs) were
identified and the residual impacts on the LCA1 (Foreshore Landscape) will be moderate. For LCA2 (Inshore Waters
Landscape), the residual impact will be slight
and for LCA3 (Coastal Rural/Suburban Landscape) the residual impact will be negligible. Two new LCAs will also be
created ‘Recreational Beach Landscape’ and ‘Coastal Urban Recreational
Landscape’ as a consequence of the project.
Of the seven Landscape Resources (LRs) identified, there will be no significant
residual impacts on any of the LRs after the implementation of mitigation
measures. There will be moderate residual
impacts on Trees/Backshore Shrubland and the Sandy/Rocky Beach LRs. There will
be slight residual impacts on the
Water LR and for the Shrubland, River, Road and Village,
the residual impacts will be negligible. One new LR will also be created ‘Sandy
Beach’ as a consequence of the project.
Four visually sensitive receivers (VSRs) including VSR 1 (Tai Mei Tuk),
VSR 2 (Lung Mei Residents), VSR 3 (BBQ site) and VSR 4 (Lo Tsz Tin residents)
were identified. The un-mitigated
visual impacts for VSR 1 (Tai Mei Tuk), VSR 2 (Lung Mei Residents) and VSR 4
(Lo Tsz Tin residents) in operation stage will be significant.
However, with the implementation of the mitigation measures, the impact
will be more acceptable resulting in moderate/significant in Operation
Day 1 and moderate in Operation Year 10. For VSR 3 (BBQ Site -
West of the site), the unmitigated visual impacts will be moderate/significant. However, with the implementation of the mitigation measures, the
impact will be reduced to moderate in Operation Day 1 and slight
in Operation Year 10. In sum, the proposed beach development will
inevitably change the existing waterfront view of the area.
However, there will be no significant residual impacts for any VSRs.
With the adoption of the mitigation measures, the residual impact will be
reduced to a large extent and is considered acceptable.
There will be various lighting fixtures
associated with the project, with the most visible light source being the
carpark lighting. Whilst these
lights will contribute to the general ambient light levels of the area, the
impacts are not expected to be significant. According to Annex 10 of the
Technical Memorandum on the Environmental Impact Assessment Process
(EIAO-TM) the Landscape and Visual Impacts are considered acceptable with
mitigation.
3.8
Environmental
Monitoring and Audit
3.8.1
Construction
Phase
Construction dust monitoring (in terms of Total Suspended Particulates) will be
conducted once every 6 days at ASRs A4 (No. 101 Lung Mei Tsuen) and A6
(No. 79 Lo Tsz Tin Tsuen) to ensure the dust
level compliance with relevant criterion.
Weekly
noise monitoring at NSRs N1 to N4 (village houses Nos. 103 and
165A Lung Mei and Nos. 70 and 79 Lo Tsz Tin) will be carried out during the construction phase to
ensure the noise level at the NSRs are compliance with the noise criterion. If house No. 101 Lung Mei (N2a) is changed to residential use, noise
monitoring station should be moved from N2 to N2a.
Water quality
monitoring (3 days per week) during baseline monitoring (prior to the
dredging works), impact monitoring (during dredging and sandfilling works) and
Post Project Monitoring (after completion of sandfilling work) will be conducted to verify the distance of sediment
plume dispersion, to identify whether the potential exists for any indirect
impacts to occur to ecological sensitive receivers and to ensure that any
deteriorating water quality (including the Fish Culture Zone) is readily
detected and timely action taken to rectify the situation. Details of the water quality monitoring
requirements and monitoring locations (including Yim Tin Tsai Fish Culture
Zone) are presented in the Environmental Monitoring and Audit Manual.
A one day-time search of the Common Rat
Snake within the land based Proposed Beach Development just before the
commencement of the construction works will be undertaken. All recorded Common Rat Snake should be
caught by hand and translocated to the shrubland at the north of the Study
Area, immediately after the search.
The Common Rat Snake search and translocation works should be undertaken
by a qualified ecologist.
The
following regular environmental site audit/inspection will be carried out to
ensure:
·
the dust control
measures and good site practice recommended are adopted;
·
the recommended noise
mitigation measures are properly implemented;
·
the recommended good construction site
practices are adopted to minimise the potential ecological impacts;
·
Waste streams are inspected to determine if
wastes are being managed in accordance with the approved procedures and the
site Waste Management Plan and all
aspects of waste management including waste generation, storage, recycling,
transport and disposal are audited; and
·
the quality
of the constructed landscape are maintained and inspection of the proposed
plant material will be undertaken prior to delivery on site.
3.8.2
Post-Construction Phase
Monitoring for E. coli is recommended at the various locations including the outfalls of the culvert/channel and at the beach during within 6 weeks after the completion of the construction works. The purpose of the monitoring is to investigate the characteristics of E. coli loading in the box culverts and to establish relationship with E. coli levels in the beach.
Implementation programme of the village sewerage projects should be also monitored to achieve the target sewerage connection rate to communal sewers before the beach is put into operation.
3.8.3
Operational Phase
EPD has well established a comprehensive water quality monitoring programme for all gazetted beaches to detect any deterioration of beach water quality, which will also be implemented in this Lung Mei bathing beach. In case the Lung Mei beach water quality tends to be deteriorated and becomes not desirable for swimming, LCSD will close the beach temporarily until the beach water quality becomes suitable for swimming. EPD will continue monitoring the beach water quality and provide LCSD the monitoring results.
In the event of red tide that may occur naturally, similar to the practice adopted for other gazetted beaches by Leisure and Cultural Services Department, Lung Mei Beach may be closed in accordance with the relevant procedures.
Mangrove seedling planting will be implemented and supervised by a suitably qualified botanist/ horticulturist before the operation of the Proposed Beach Development. The detailed mangrove planting proposal providing information of planting methodology, recipient site, planting species and mix, implementation programme, post-planting monitoring and personnel involved will be submitted to and approved by AFCD. After planting, one year monitoring will be undertaken to check the performance and health conditions of the planted individuals on a monthly basis. Remedial actions should be discussed with AFCD in the event of unsuccessful mangrove seedling planting.
Ongoing monitoring and maintenance to approved
The environmental
impact assessment (covering air quality, noise, waste management, water
quality, ecology, fisheries and landscape and visual) has concluded that no
unacceptable environmental impacts are envisaged due to the construction and
operation of the Proposed Beach Development.
No adverse residual
air, noise, water quality, waste management and landscape and visual impacts
are anticipated from the construction and operation of the Project with the
implementation of the recommended mitigation measures and good site practices.
Although permanent
loss of habitats (including backshore vegetation, village/modified area,
intertidal and subtidal bottomed) and existing seabed are identified as
residual ecological and fisheries impacts,
the impacts are considered low/ negligible due to the low quality
habitats and high mobility of faunal species and the fish can rehabilitate in
the intertidal part of beach area.
Thus, no long term unacceptable impacts on the environment are
anticipated.
Lung Mei is
considered to be the best location for the proposed beach development in view
of the following:
·
Community
Demand: There is no
beach facility in the east region of the
In light of the
above, the Tai Po District Council (TPDC) strongly requested the development of
a bathing beach at Lung Mei and members of the TPDC urged for early
implementation of the Project. In a Legislative Council case conference on 20
April 2004, Members requested the Government to accord priority to this
Assignment. This project was one of the 25 projects identified for priority
implementation in the Chief Executive’s 2005 Policy Address and has the support
of Home Affairs Bureau. It is considered that this Proposed Beach Development
at Lung Mei will meet the increasing demand for swimming facilities. Moreover,
the beach can serve a recreational function even during non-bathing season, ie
playing in the sand, sunbathing and other beach activities.
·
Accessibility: Lung
Mei is located next to the existing road (
·
Compliance with Water Quality Standards: The
proposed improvement works of this Project involve the diversion of drains and
the provision of groynes. Based on
the results of the Water Quality Impact Assessment (refer to Section 6), these improvement works will
significantly improve the water quality (ie with most of the time (over 86%)
during bathing beach in operation phase, the weekly beach gradings of Lung Mei
Beach will be of Grade 2 or Grade 3 which LCSD considers to be acceptable) of
the Lung Mei beach area. The
proposed site is hence considered to be suitable to operate as a bathing beach
with regard to the compliance with the WQO for E. coli.
In addition, it is
noted that the Tolo Harbour Sewerage of Unsewered Areas Stage I Phase IIC
(Agreement No. CE 18/94) including Lung Mei area, as part of the Sewerage
Master Plan (SMP) Works, is expected to be gazetted under Road (Works, Use and
Compensation) Ordinances as applied by Water Pollution Control (Sewerage)
Regulation prior to the operation of the Proposed Beach Development.This will further improve the water quality in the
Lung Mei region since it is mandatory for new developments to
connect to the public sewer. CEDD and LCSD will closely monitor the
implementation programme of the village sewerage projects to achieve the target
sewerage connection rate to communal sewers before the beach is put into
operation.
Within six weeks after the completion of the construction of the
Proposed Beach Development, E. coli
monitoring will be carried out twice per week at two diverted drains and EPD
routine monitoring stations to examine the correlation of the pollution loading
and the beach water quality (details refer to Section 11.6 and the EM&A Manual). This information will be reviewed by
LCSD to ensure the beach water quality is suitable for recreational purpose
before the beach is put into operation.
EPD has well established a comprehensive water quality monitoring programme for all gazetted beaches to detect any deterioration of beach water quality, which will also be implemented in this Lung Mei bathing beach. In case the Lung Mei beach water quality tends to be deteriorated and becomes not desirable for swimming, LCSD will close the beach temporarily until the beach water quality becomes suitable for swimming. EPD will continue monitoring the beach water quality and provide LCSD the monitoring results.