Contents                                                                                                                                                                                         

1          INTRODUCTION 

1.1        Background 

1.2        Purposes of the Manual

2          Project Description 

2.1        Project Description 

2.2        Implementation Programme 

2.3        Concurrent Projects During Construction Phase 

3          Project Organisation 

3.1        Project Organisation 

4          ENVIRONMENTAL SUBMISSION 

4.1        Introduction 

4.2        Environmental Management Plan 

4.3        Waste Management Plan 

4.4        Construction Method Statement

5          AIR QUALITY 

5.1        Air Quality Parameters 

5.2        Monitoring Equipment

5.3        Laboratory Measurement / Analysis 

5.4        Monitoring Locations 

5.5        Baseline Monitoring for Fugitive Dust

5.6        Impact Monitoring for Fugitive Dust

5.7        Action / Limit Levels 

5.8        Event and Action Plan 

5.9        Mitigation Measures 

6          NOISE 

6.1        Noise Quality Parameters 

6.2        Monitoring Equipment

6.3        Monitoring Locations 

6.4        Baseline Monitoring for Construction Noise 

6.5        Impact Monitoring for Construction Noise 

6.6        Event and Action Plan for Construction Noise 

6.7        Mitigation Measures 

7          Sediment Quality 

7.1        Summary 

8          Waste management 

8.1        General

8.2        Waste EM&A Requirements 

9          Water quality 

9.1        Water Quality Parameters 

9.2        Monitoring Equipment

9.3        Laboratory Measurement / Analysis 

9.4        Monitoring Locations 

9.5        Baseline Monitoring for Water Quality 

9.6        Efficiency of Silt Curtain and Cage Curtain 

9.7        Impact Monitoring for Water Quality 

9.8        Post-construction Monitoring 

9.9        Impact Operational Phase Monitoring 

9.10      Event and Action Plan 

9.11      Mitigation Measures 

10         ECOLOGY 

10.1      Introduction 

10.2      Ecological Mitigation Measures and Implementations 

10.3      Monitoring and Audit for Ecology 

10.4      Monitoring Locations 

10.5      Baseline Monitoring for Ecology 

10.6      Impact Monitoring for Ecology 

10.7      Post-construction Monitoring for Ecology 

10.8      Event and Action Plan 

11         Fisheries 

11.1      Summary 

12         CulturAL Heritage 

12.1      Summary 

13         Hazard to life 

13.1      Summary 

14         Landscape & Visual Impact 

14.1      Introduction 

14.2      Monitoring Details 

14.3      Baseline Monitoring 

14.4      Action Plan for Landscape and Visual Works 

15         Site Environmental Audit 

15.1      Site Inspection 

15.2      Compliance with Legal and Contractual Requirements 

15.3      Environmental Complaints 

16         REPORTING  

16.1      General

16.2      Baseline Monitoring Report

16.3      Monthly EM&A Reports 

16.4      Quarterly EM&A Summary Reports 

16.5      Final EM&A Review Reports 

16.6      Data Keeping 

16.7      Interim Notifications of Environmental Quality Limit Exceedances 

 

Appendices

Appendix A         Tentative Construction Programme

Appendix B         Environmental Mitigation Implementation Schedule

Appendix C         Project Organisation for Environmental Works

Appendix D         Sample Data Sheet for Monitoring

Appendix E1       Typical Arrangement of HKBCF Sequence A

Appendix E2       Typical Arrangement of HKBCF Sequence B

Appendix E3       Typical Arrangement of HKLR

Appendix E4       Location Plans of the Proposed Pits to Receive Mf Sediment

Appendix F         Sample Template for Interim Notification

 

Figures

Figure 1              Proposed HKLR and HKBCF

Figure 2              Air and Noise Monitoring Stations

Figure 3              Water Quality Monitoring Stations

Figure 4              Pre-construction Dive Survey for Corals

 

1                  INTRODUCTION

1.1                   Background

1.1.1              As the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) Hong Kong Link Road (HKLR) and Hong Kong Boundary Crossing Facilities (HKBCF) are closely inter-related, they are presented together under the EIA Report of each, hence, the HKLR EIA Report will present descriptions and assessments not only on HKLR but also relevant aspects on HKBCF; similarly, the HKBCF EIA Report will present descriptions and assessment not only on HKBCF but also relevant aspects on HKLR.

Hong Kong Link Road

1.1.2              An application (No ESB-110/2003) for an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Study Brief under Section 5(1) of the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (EIAO) was submitted by Highways Department (the Project Proponent) on 3 Oct 2003 with a Project Profile (No. No. PP-201/2003) for the Hong Kong - Zhuhai - Macao Bridge Hong Kong Section and North Lantau Highway Connection (the Project).  The Project has subsequently been renamed as Hong Kong - Zhuhai - Macao Bridge Hong Kong Link Road (HKLR) from the interface between HK / Guangdong waters at the boundary of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) to the Hong Kong - Zhuhai - Macao Bridge Hong Kong Boundary Crossing Facility (HKBCF).  EPD issued an EIA Study Brief (No: ESB-110/2003) on Nov 2003 to the Project Proponent to carry out an EIA study.

1.1.3              Ove Arup & Partners Hong Kong Limited (Arup) has been commissioned by the Highways Department to carry out the investigation and preliminary design study for the Project as well as an EIA according to the EIAO for identification and evaluation of the environmental impacts and the mitigation measures required.

1.1.4              The Project would involve viaducts construction, some reclamation works, dredging operation etc.  These are designated projects under Schedule 2 of the EIA Ordinance (Cap. 499) and hence Environment Permits (EPs) are required for their construction and operation. The alignment of HKLR is given in Figure 1.

Hong Kong Boundary Crossing Facilities

1.1.5              An application (No ESB-183/2008) for an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Study Brief under Section 5(1) of the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (EIAO) was submitted by Highways Department (the Project Proponent) on 12 March 2008 with a Project Profile (No. PP-346/2008) for the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Hong Kong Boundary Crossing Facilities (the Project).  EPD issued an EIA Study Brief (No: ESB-183/2008) on April 2008 to the Project Proponent to carry out an EIA study.

1.1.6              Ove Arup & Partners Hong Kong Limited (Arup) has been commissioned by the Highways Department to carry out the investigation and preliminary design study for the Project as well as an EIA according to the EIAO for identification and evaluation of the environmental impacts and the mitigation measures required.

1.1.7              The Project would involve reclamation works, dredging operation, extension of Automated People Mover, and road bridges. These are designated projects under Schedule 2 of the EIA Ordinance (Cap. 499) and hence Environment Permits (EPs) are required for their construction and operation. The location of HKBCF is given in Figure 1.

1.2                   Purposes of the Manual

1.2.1              The purposes of this Environmental Monitoring and Audit (EM&A) Manual are is to:

·         Guide the set up of an EM&A programme to ensure compliance with the EIA recommendations;

·         Specify the requirements for monitoring equipment;

·         Propose environmental monitoring points, monitoring frequency etc.;

·         Propose Action/Limit Level; and

·         Propose Event/Action Plan.

1.2.2              This Manual outlines the monitoring and audit programme for the construction and operation of the proposed HKLR and HKBCF and provide systematic procedures for monitoring, auditing and minimising environmental impacts.

1.2.3              Hong Kong environmental regulations and the Hong Kong Planning Standards and Guidelines (HKPSG) have served as environmental standards and guidelines in the preparation of this Manual.  In addition, this EM&A Manual has been prepared in accordance with the requirements stipulated in Annex 21 of the Technical Memorandum on the EIA Process (TM-EIAO).

1.2.4              This Manual contains the following information:

·         Responsibilities of the Contractor, the Engineer or Engineer’s Representative (ER), Environmental Team (ET), and the Independent Environmental Checker (IEC) under the context of EM&A;

·         Role of the Environmental Protection Office (ENPO);

·         Project organisation for the EM&A works;

·         The basis for, and description of the broad approach underlying the EM&A programme;

·         Details of the methodologies to be adopted, including all 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; and

·         Requirements for presentation of environmental monitoring and audit data and appropriate reporting procedures.

1.2.5              For the purpose of this manual, the ER shall refer to the Engineer as defined in the Construction Contract, in cases where the Engineer's powers have been delegated to the ER, in accordance with the Construction Contract.  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 environmental monitoring and audit requirements.

2                  Project Description

2.1                   Project Description

Hong Kong Link Road

2.1.1              The proposed HKLR will comprise the following:

(i)           A dual-3 carriageway with hard shoulder of about 12km in length between the HZMB Main Bridge at the HKSAR boundary and the HKBCF, which includes the following:

·     about 7.3km of sea viaduct from the HKSAR boundary to the landing point on Airport Island near South Perimeter Road;

·     about 2.1km of land viaduct from the landing point on Airport Island to the western tunnel portal at Scenic Hill;

·     about 1.1km of tunnel from the western portal at Scenic Hill to the eastern portal on reclamation at eastern waters of the Airport Island;

·     about 1.5km of at-grade road from the eastern tunnel portal to the HKBCF.

(ii)         Some reclamation is required along the eastern coast of Airport Island to provide the land (about 23ha of area) required for the tunnel portal to daylight and the at-grade road.

Hong Kong Boundary Crossing Facilities

2.1.2              The proposed HKBCF will comprise the following:

(i)           Dredging and reclamation at the northeast waters off the Airport Island to provide land platform (about 130ha of area) for the development of the HKBCF,

(ii)         Cargo processing facilities including kiosks for clearance of goods vehicles, customs inspection platform, X-ray buildings and related supporting facilities;

(iii)        Passenger related facilities including processing kiosks and examination facilities for private cars and coaches, passengers clearance building and halls and related supporting facilities;

(iv)        Accommodation for and facilities of the Government departments providing services in connection with the HKBCF;

(v)          Provision of transport and miscellaneous facilities inside the HKBCF including public transport interchange, transport drop-off and pick-up areas, vehicle holding areas, passenger queuing areas, road networks, footbridges, fencing, sewage and drainage systems, water supply system, utilities, electronic system, traffic control and information system and related supporting facilities;

(vi)        Provision of road access for connection of the HKBCF to the HZMB HKLR, the TMCLKL and the Airport;

(vii)       Reprovisioning of the affected Airport’s facilities such as the existing FSD’s East Sea Rescue Berth; and

(viii)     Provision of other facilities for connection with the Airport such as an Automated People Mover system to connect the Airport Terminal with the HKBCF.

 

2.2          Implementation Programme

2.2.1              The HZMB is targeted to be commissioned by 2015.  To meet this target:

(a)    Construction of the HKLR will start in 2011, for completion in 2015, with a construction period of 4 years; (At this stage, there is still some flexibility on the exact timing within 2011 for starting the construction of HKLR.  However, it is patently desirable to start construction earlier, say in Early 2011, so as to alleviate the acuteness of criticality of construction works.)

(b)    Construction of the HKBCF will start in the 3rd quarter of 2010, for first phase completion by End 2015, and second (final) phase completion by End 2016.  [The construction of HKBCF will involve reclamation, including lengthy surcharge-periods, followed by land-works including buildings and infrastructures etc.  It is anticipated that the overall construction period for HKBCF will be at least 6 years.  Even if construction (reclamation work) can start as early as 2010 3rd quarter, overall completion of HKBCF cannot be achieved by 2015.  The reclamation and the landworks for HKBCF will therefore need to be completed in phases, such that at least a part ie. the first-phase of HKBCF (the extent of which and the facilities within which are adequate to handle the initial stage of the commissioned HZMB) will be completed by End 2015.]

2.2.2              Appendix A illustrates the tentative construction programme for the Project.  All the key construction activities are shown with the tentative dates for commencement and completion. 

2.2.3              Detailed EIA assessments have been conducted and presented in the EIA report.  All necessary mitigation measures have also been identified and recommended.  The Environmental Mitigation Implementation Schedule (EMIS) is given in Appendix B.  It specifies the extent, locations, time frame and responsibilities for the implementation of the environmental mitigation measures identified.

2.3                 Concurrent Projects During Construction Phase

2.3.1            The southern landfall reclamation of the TMCLKL forms an integrated part of the HKBCF reclamation and interfaces with the latter at a temporary seawall along its eastern edge.  Reclamation works sequencing and programme have been planned to match those of the HKBCF in order to achieve its Phase 1 commissioning date target in 2015.  HKLR is also scheduled to open in 2015 in matching the Phase 1 commissioning date of HKBCF.

2.3.2            The Main Bridge of the HZMB within the Guangdong water would also be concurrent with the construction of HKLR and HKBCF. The tentative commissioning date is also 2015.

2.3.3            Another concurrent project during the construction of HKLR and HKBCF is the 72 ha reclamation for LLP. This has been considered as a concurrent project in the EIA.

 

 

3                  Project Organisation

3.1                   Project Organisation

3.1.1              The proposed project organisation and lines of communication with respect to environmental protection works are shown in Appendix C.

3.1.2              The leader of the ET shall be an independent party from the Contractor and has relevant professional qualifications, or have sufficient relevant EM&A experience subject to approval of the Engineer’s Representative (ER) and EPD.

3.1.3              The responsibility of respective parties are:

3.1.3.1        The Contractor

·         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 and auditing;

·         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; and

·         adhere to the agreed procedures for carrying out complaint investigation.

3.1.3.2        Environmental Team

·         set up all the required environmental monitoring stations;

·         monitor various environmental parameters as required in the 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 site inspection to investigate and audit the Contractors' site practice, equipment and work methodologies with respect to pollution control and environmental mitigation, and take proactive actions to pre-empt problems;

·         audit and prepare audit reports on the 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; and

·         undertake regular on-site audits/inspections and report to the Contractor and the ER of any potential non-compliance; and

·         follow up and close out non-compliance actions.

3.1.3.3        Engineer or Engineer’s Representative

·         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; and

·         comply with the agreed Event Contingency Plan in the event of any exceedance.

3.1.3.4        Independent Environmental Checker

·         review the EM&A works performed by the ET (at not less than monthly intervals);

·         audit the monitoring activities and results (at not less than monthly intervals);

·         report the audit results to the ER and EPD in parallel;

·         review the EM&A reports (monthly and quarterly summary reports) submitted by the ET;

·         review the proposal on mitigation measures submitted by the Contractor in accordance with the Event and Action Plans;

·         check the mitigation measures that have been recommended in the EIA and this Manual, and ensure they are properly implemented in a timely manner, when necessary; and

·         report the findings of site inspections and other environmental performance reviews to ER and EPD.

3.1.3.5        Environmental Protection Office (ENPO)

Notwithstanding the above, given that the TMCLKL, HKBCF and HKLR will be constructed concurrently, an Environmental Protection Office (ENPO) or equivalent to oversee the cumulative construction projects in North Lantau area will be established by the Project Proponent.  The responsibility of the ENPO would be similar to that of the IEC but should also include:

·         coordinate the monitoring and auditing works for all the on-going projects in the area in order to identify possible sources/causes of exceedances and recommend suitable remedial actions where appropriate;

·         review cumulative impacts including possible sources/causes of exceedance and recommending suitable remedial actions;

·         liaise with the mainland project teams for HZMB Main Section to identify and assess any cross-boundary cumulative impacts in order to establish suitable remedial actions where necessary; and

·         coordinate the assessment and response to complaints/enquires from locals, green groups, district councils or the public at large.

The exact responsibilities and organisation of the ENPO will be defined during at a later stage.

3.1.4              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.

3.1.5              The ET Leader shall have at least 7 years of experience in conducting EM&A for infrastructure projects.  His qualification shall be vetted by the ER and the IEC.

 

 

4                  ENVIRONMENTAL SUBMISSION

4.1                   Introduction

4.1.1              The Contractor shall prepare the Environmental Management Plan (EMP) (including a Waste Management Plan), Construction Method Statement and obtain approval from ER, IEC, EPD and other relevant authorities to encompass the recommended environmental protection / mitigation measures with respect to their latest construction methodology and programme.

4.2                   Environmental Management Plan

4.2.1              A systematic EMP shall be set up by the Contractor to ensure effective implementation of the mitigation measures, monitoring and remedial requirements presented in the EIA, EM&A and EMIS.  The ER and the IEC will audit the implementation status against the EMP and advise the necessary remedial actions required.  These remedial actions shall be enforced by the ER through contractual means.

4.2.2              The EMP will require the Contractor (together with its sub-contractors) to define in details how to implement the recommended mitigation measures in order to achieve the environmental performance defined in the Hong Kong environmental legislation and the EIA documentation.

4.2.3              The review of on-site environmental performance shall be undertaken by ER and IEC through a systematic checklist and audit once the construction commences.  The environmental performance review programme comprises a regular assessment on the effectiveness of the EMP.  Reference should be made to ETWBTC 19 / 2005 “Environmental Management on Construction Sites” or its latest versions, and any other relevant Technical Circulars.

4.3                   Waste Management Plan

4.3.1              As part of the EMP, the Contractor shall include a WMP for the construction of the project and submit to the ER, IEC and EPD for approval. Where waste generation is unavoidable, the opportunities for recycling or reusing should be maximised. If wastes cannot be recycled, recommendations for appropriate disposal routes should be provided in the WMP.  A method statement for stockpiling and transportation of the excavated materials and other construction wastes should also be included in the WMP and approved before the commencement of construction.  All mitigation measures arising from the approved WMP shall be fully implemented.

4.3.2              For the purpose of enhancing the management of Construction and Demolition (C&D) materials including rock, and minimising its generation at source, construction would be undertaken in accordance with the Environment, Transport and Works Bureau Technical Circular (Works) No. 33/2002 - Management of Construction and Demolition Material Including Rock, or its latest versions. The management measures stipulated in the Technical Circular should be incorporated into the WMP.

4.4                   Construction Method Statement

4.4.1              In case the Contractor would like to adopt alternative construction methods or implementation schedules, it is required to submit details of methodology and equipment to the ER for approval before the work commences.  Any changes in construction method shall be reflected in a revised EMP or the Contractor will be required to demonstrate the manner in which the existing EMP should accommodate the proposed changes.  The Contractor may need to apply for a Further Environmental Permit (FEP) from EPD before commencement of any construction activities.

5                  AIR QUALITY

5.1                   Air Quality Parameters

5.1.1              Monitoring and audit of the TSP levels shall be carried out by the ET to ensure that any deteriorating air quality could be readily detected and timely action taken to rectify the situation.

5.1.2              One-hour and 24-hour TSP levels should be measured to indicate the impacts of construction dust on air quality.  The 24-hour TSP levels shall be measured by following the standard high volume sampling method as set out in the Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Chapter 1 (Part 50), Appendix B.  Upon approval of the IEC, 1-hour TSP levels can be measured by direct reading methods which are capable of producing comparable results as that by the high volume sampling method, to indicate short event impacts.

5.1.3              All relevant data including temperature, pressure, weather conditions, elapsed-time meter reading for the start and stop of the sampler, identification and weight of the filter paper, and any other local atmospheric factors affecting or affected by site conditions, etc., shall be recorded down in detail.  A sample data sheet is shown in Appendix D.

5.2                   Monitoring Equipment

5.2.1              High volume samplers (HVSs) complying with the following specifications shall be used for carrying out the 1-hour and 24-hour TSP monitoring:

a)     0.6 - 1.7 m3 per minute adjustable flow range;

b)     equipped with a timing / control device with +/- 5 minutes accuracy for 24 hours operation;

c)     installed with elapsed-time meter with +/- 2 minutes accuracy for 24 hours operation;

d)     capable of providing a minimum exposed area of 406 cm2;

e)     flow control accuracy: +/- 2.5% deviation over 24-hour sampling period;

f)      equipped with a shelter to protect the filter and sampler;

g)     incorporated with an electronic mass flow rate controller or other equivalent devices;

h)     equipped with a flow recorder for continuous monitoring;

i)      provided with a peaked roof inlet;

j)      incorporated with a manometer;

k)     able to hold and seal the filter paper to the sampler housing at horizontal position;

l)      easily changeable filter; and

m)         capable of operating continuously for a 24-hour period.

5.2.2              The ET is responsible for the provision, installation, operation, maintenance, dismantle of the monitoring equipment.  They shall ensure that sufficient number of HVSs with an appropriate calibration kit is available for carrying out the baseline monitoring, regular impact monitoring and ad hoc monitoring.  The HVSs shall be equipped with an electronic mass flow controller and be calibrated against a traceable standard at regular intervals.  All the equipment, calibration kit, filter papers, etc., shall be clearly labelled.

5.2.3              Initial calibration of dust monitoring equipment shall be conducted upon installation and thereafter at bi-monthly intervals.  The transfer standard shall be traceable to the internationally recognised primary standard and be calibrated annually.  The concern parties such as IEC shall properly document the calibration data for future reference.  All the data should be converted into standard temperature and pressure condition.

5.2.4              The flow-rate of the sampler before and after the sampling exercise with the filter in position shall be verified to be constant and be recorded in the data sheet as mentioned in Appendix D.

5.2.5              If the ET proposes to use a direct reading dust meter to measure 1-hour TSP levels, he shall submit sufficient information to the IEC to prove that the instrument is capable of achieving a comparable result to the HVS.  The instrument should also be calibrated regularly, and the 1-hour sampling shall be determined periodically by the HVS to check the validity and accuracy of the results measured by direct reading method.

5.2.6              Wind data monitoring equipment shall also be provided and set up set up for logging wind speed and wind direction near the dust monitoring locations.  The equipment installation location shall be proposed by the ET and agreed with the IEC.  For installation and operation of wind data monitoring equipment, the following points shall be observed:

a)     The wind sensors should be installed 10 m above ground so that they are clear of obstructions or turbulence caused by buildings.

b)     The wind data should be captured by a data logger.  The data shall be downloaded for analysis at least once a month.

c)     The wind data monitoring equipment should be re-calibrated at least once every six months.

d)     Wind direction should be divided into 16 sectors of 22.5 degrees each.

5.2.7              In exceptional situations, the ET may propose alternative methods to obtain representative wind data upon approval from the ER and agreement from the IEC.

5.3                   Laboratory Measurement / Analysis

5.3.1              A clean laboratory with constant temperature and humidity control, and equipped with necessary measuring and conditioning instruments to handle the dust samples collected, shall be available for sample analysis, and equipment calibration and maintenance.  The laboratory should be HOKLAS accredited.

5.3.2              If a site laboratory is set up or a non-HOKLAS accredited laboratory is hired for carrying out the laboratory analysis, the laboratory equipment shall be approved by the ER and the measurement procedures shall be witnessed by the IEC.  Any measurement performed by the laboratory shall be demonstrated to the satisfaction of the ER and IEC.  IEC shall regularly audit to the measurement performed by the laboratory to ensure the accuracy of measurement results.  The ET Leader shall provide the ER with one copy of the Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Chapter 1 (Part 50), Appendix B for his reference.

5.3.3              Filter paper of size 8" x 10" shall be labelled before sampling.  It shall be a clean filter paper with no pinholes, and shall be conditioned in a humidity-controlled chamber for over 24-hours and be pre-weighed before use for the sampling.

5.3.4              After sampling, the filter paper loaded with dust shall be kept in a clean and tightly sealed plastic bag.  The filter paper shall then be returned to the laboratory for reconditioning in the humidity-controlled chamber followed by accurate weighing by an electronic balance with readout down to 0.1 mg.  The balance shall be regularly calibrated against a traceable standard.

5.3.5              All the collected samples shall be kept in a good condition for 6 months before disposal.

5.4                   Monitoring Locations

5.4.1              Figure 2 shows the locations of the proposed dust monitoring station.  The status and locations of dust sensitive receivers may change after issuing this manual.  If such cases exist, the ET Leader shall propose updated monitoring locations and seek approval from ER and agreement from the IEC.

Table 5.1   Construction Dust Monitoring Locations

ID

Location

AMS 1

Sha Lo Wan

AMS 2

Seaview Crescent

AMS 3

Ho Yu College

AMS 4

San Tau

AMS 5

Tung Chung

AMS 6

HKIA

 

5.4.2              When alternative monitoring locations are proposed, the proposed site should, as far as practicable:

a)     be at the site boundary or such locations close to the major dust emission source;

b)     be close to the sensitive receptors; and

c)           take into account the prevailing meteorological conditions.

5.4.3              The ET shall agree with the ER in consultation with the IEC on the position of the HVS for the installation of the monitoring equipment.  When positioning the samplers, the following points shall be noted:

a)     a horizontal platform with appropriate support to secure the samplers against gusty wind should be provided;

b)     no two samplers should be placed less than 2 meters apart;

c)     the distance between the sampler and an obstacle, such as buildings, must be at least twice the height that the obstacle protrudes above the sampler;

d)     a minimum of 2 meters of separation from walls, parapets and penthouses is required for rooftop samplers;

e)     a minimum of 2 meters separation from any supporting structure, measured horizontally is required;

f)      no furnace or incinerator flue is nearby;

g)     airflow around the sampler is unrestricted;

h)     the sampler is more than 20 meters from the dripline;

i)      any wire fence and gate, to protect the sampler, should not cause any obstruction during monitoring;

j)      permission must be obtained to set up the samplers and to obtain access to the monitoring stations; and

k)           a secured supply of electricity is needed to operate the samplers.

5.4.4            The ENPO may, depending on site conditions and monitoring results, decide whether additional monitoring locations shall be included or any monitoring locations could be removed/relocated during any stage of the construction phase.

5.5                   Baseline Monitoring for Fugitive Dust

5.5.1              Baseline monitoring shall be carried out at all of the designated monitoring locations (see Table 5.1) for at least 14 consecutive days prior to the commissioning of major construction works to obtain daily 24-hour TSP samples.  The selected baseline monitoring stations should reflect baseline conditions at the impact stations.  One-hour sampling should also be done at least 3 times per day while the highest dust impact is expected. 

5.5.2              During the baseline monitoring, there should not be any major construction or dust generation activities in the vicinity of the monitoring stations.  Before commencing baseline monitoring, the ET shall inform the IEC of the baseline monitoring programme such that, if required, the ER can conduct on-site audit to ensure accuracy of the baseline monitoring results.

5.5.3              In case the baseline monitoring cannot be carried out at the designated monitoring locations, the ET Leader shall carry out the monitoring at alternative locations that can effectively represent the baseline conditions at the impact monitoring locations.  The alternative baseline monitoring locations shall be approved by the ER and agreed with the IEC.

5.5.4              In exceptional cases, when insufficient baseline monitoring data or questionable results are obtained, the ET shall liaise with the IEC and EPD to agree on an appropriate set of data to be used as a baseline reference and submit to ER for approval.

5.5.5              Ambient conditions may vary seasonally and shall be reviewed once every three months.  When the ambient conditions have changed and a repeat of the baseline monitoring is required to be carried out for obtaining the updated baseline levels, the monitoring should be at times when the Contractor's activities are not generating dust, at least in the proximity of the monitoring stations.  Should change in ambient conditions be determined, the baseline levels and, in turn, the air quality criteria, should be revised.  The revised baseline levels and air quality criteria should be agreed with the IEC and EPD.

5.6                   Impact Monitoring for Fugitive Dust

5.6.1              The ET shall carry out impact monitoring during the entire construction period.  For regular impact monitoring, the sampling frequency of at least once in every 6 days, shall be strictly observed at all the monitoring stations for 24-hour TSP monitoring.  For 1-hour TSP monitoring, the sampling frequency of at least 3 times in every 6 days should be undertaken when the highest dust impact occurs.  Before commencing impact monitoring, the ET shall inform the IEC of the impact monitoring programme such that the IEC can conduct on-site audit to ensure accuracy of the monitoring results.

5.6.2              The specific time to start and stop the 24-hour TSP monitoring shall be clearly defined for each location and be strictly followed by the ET.

5.6.3              In case of non-compliance with the air quality criteria, more frequent monitoring, as specified in the Action Plan in the following section, shall be conducted within the specified timeframe after the result is obtained.  This additional monitoring shall be continued until the excessive dust emission or the deterioration in air quality is rectified, and agreed with the ER and the IEC.

 

5.7          Action / Limit Levels

5.7.1              The baseline monitoring results form the basis for determining the air quality criteria for the impact monitoring.  The ET shall compare the impact monitoring results with air quality criteria set up for 24-hour TSP and 1-hour TSP.  Table 5.2 shows the air quality criteria, namely Action and Limit levels to be used.

Table 5.2  Action / Limit Levels for Air Quality

Parameters

Action

Limit

24-hour TSP Level in mg m-3

For baseline level £ 200 mg m-3, Action level = (baseline level * 1.3 + Limit level)/2;

For baseline level > 200 mg m-3 Action level = Limit level

260mg/m3

1-hour TSP Level in mg m-3

For baseline level £ 384 mg m-3, Action level = (baseline level * 1.3 + Limit level)/2;

For baseline level > 384 mg m-3, Action level = Limit level

500mg/m3

 

5.8                   Event and Action Plan

5.8.1              Should non-compliance of the air quality criteria occur, actions in accordance with the Action Plan in Table 5.3 shall be carried out.

Table 5.3  Event / Action Plan for Air Quality

EVENT

ACTION

ET

IEC

ER

CONTRACTOR

ACTION LEVEL

1.    Exceedance for one sample

1.  Identify source, investigate the causes of exceedance and propose remedial measures;

2.  Inform IEC and ER;

3.  Repeat measurement to confirm finding;

4.  Increase monitoring frequency to daily.

1.    Check monitoring data submitted by ET;

2.   Check Contractor’s working method.

1.   Notify Contractor.

1.  Rectify any unacceptable practice;

2.  Amend working methods if appropriate.

 2.   Exceedance for two or more consecutive samples

1.  Identify source;

2.  Inform IEC and ER;

3.  Advise the ER on the effectiveness of the proposed remedial measures;

4.  Repeat measurements to confirm findings;

5.  Increase monitoring frequency to daily;

6.  Discuss with IEC and Contractor on remedial actions required;

7.  If exceedance continues, arrange meeting with IEC and ER;

8.  If exceedance stops, cease additional monitoring.

 

1.   Check monitoring data submitted by ET;

2.   Check Contractor’s working method;

3.   Discuss with ET and Contractor on possible remedial measures;

4.   Advise the ET on the effectiveness of the proposed remedial measures;

5.   Supervise Implementation of remedial measures.

1.   Confirm receipt of notification of failure in writing;

2.   Notify Contractor;

3. Ensure remedial measures properly implemented.

 

1.  Submit proposals for remedial to ER within 3 working days of notification;

2.  Implement the agreed proposals;

3.  Amend proposal if appropriate.

 LIMIT LEVEL

 1. Exceedance for one sample

1.   Identify source, investigate the causes of exceedance and propose remedial measures;

2.   Inform ER, Contractor and EPD;

3.   Repeat measurement to confirm finding;

4.   Increase monitoring frequency to daily;

5.   Assess effectiveness of Contractor’s remedial actions and keep IEC, EPD and ER informed of the results.

1.   Check monitoring data submitted by ET;

2.   Check Contractor’s working method;

3.   Discuss with ET and Contractor on possible remedial measures;

4.   Advise the ER on the effectiveness of the proposed remedial measures;

5.   Supervise implementation of remedial measures.

1.   Confirm receipt of notification of failure in writing;

2.   Notify Contractor;

3.   Ensure remedial measures properly implemented.

1. Take immediate action to avoid further exceedance;

2. Submit proposals for remedial actions to IEC within 3 working days of notification;

1.     Implement the agreed proposals;

4.   Amend proposal if appropriate.

2.  Exceedance for two or more consecutive samples

1.   Notify IEC, ER, Contractor and EPD;

2.   Identify source;

3.   Repeat measurement to confirm findings;

4.   Increase monitoring frequency to daily;

5.   Carry out analysis of Contractor’s working procedures to determine possible mitigation to be implemented;

6.   Arrange meeting with IEC and ER to discuss the remedial actions to be taken;

7.   Assess effectiveness of Contractor’s remedial actions and keep IEC, EPD and ER informed of the results;

8.   If exceedance stops, cease additional monitoring.

1.   Discuss amongst ER, ET, and Contractor on the potential remedial actions;

2.   Review Contractor’s remedial actions whenever necessary to assure their effectiveness and advise the ER accordingly;

3.   Supervise the implementation of remedial measures.

1.  Confirm receipt of notification of failure in writing;

2.  Notify Contractor;

3.  In consultation with the IEC, agree with the Contractor on the remedial measures to be implemented;

4.  Ensure remedial measures properly implemented;

5.  If exceedance continues, consider what portion of the work is responsible and instruct the Contractor to stop that portion of work until the exceedance is abated.

1.   Take immediate action to avoid further exceedance;

2.   Submit proposals for remedial actions to IEC within 3 working days of notification;

3.   Implement the agreed proposals;

4.   Resubmit proposals if problem still not under control;

5.   Stop the relevant portion of works as determined by the ER until the exceedance is abated.

 

5.9                   Mitigation Measures

5.9.1              The EIA Report has recommended dust control measures including 8 times of watering per day.  During the operation of the barging facilities, good site practices such as road surface paving, dust enclosures, wheels wash facilities would be implemented to reduce the generation of dust.

5.9.2              All the proposed mitigation measures are summarised in the Environmental Mitigation Implementation Schedule (EMIS) in Appendix B.

6                  NOISE

6.1                   Noise Quality Parameters

6.1.1              Construction noise level shall be measured in terms of the A-weighted equivalent continuous sound pressure level (Leq).  Leq 30 min shall be used as the monitoring parameter for the time period between 0700 and 1900 hours on normal weekdays.  For all other time periods, Leq 5 min shall be employed for comparison with the Noise Control Ordinance (NCO) criteria.

6.1.2              As supplementary information for data auditing, statistical results such as L10 and L90 shall also be obtained for reference. 

6.2                   Monitoring Equipment

6.2.1              As referred to in the Technical Memorandum (TM) issued under the NCO, sound level meters in compliance with the International Electrotechnical Commission Publications 651: 1979 (Type 1) and 804: 1985 (Type 1) specifications shall be used for carrying out the noise monitoring.  Immediately prior to and following each noise measurement, the accuracy of the sound level meter shall be checked using an acoustic calibrator generating a known sound pressure level at a known frequency.  Measurements may be accepted as valid only if the calibration level from before and after the noise measurement agrees to within 1.0 dB. 

6.2.2              Noise measurements should be made in accordance with standard acoustical principles and practices in relation to weather conditions.

6.2.3              The ET is responsible for the provision, installation, operation, maintenance, dismantle of the monitoring equipment.  He shall ensure that sufficient noise measuring equipment and associated instrumentation are available for carrying out the baseline monitoring, regular impact monitoring and ad hoc monitoring.  All the equipment and associated instrumentation shall be clearly labelled.

6.3                   Monitoring Locations

6.3.1              The locations of construction noise monitoring stations are summarised in Table 6.1 and shown in Figure 2.

Table 6.1 Proposed airborne construction noise monitoring locations

ID

Description

NMS1

Sha Lo Wan

NMS2

Seaview Crescent

NMS3

Ho Yu College

NMS4

San Tau

NMS5

Tung Chung

 

6.3.2              The ET shall select the monitoring location from the above table based on the locations of the construction activities and seek approval from ER and agreement from the IEC and EPD to the proposal.  The monitoring locations should be chosen based on the following criteria:

·             at locations close to the major site activities which are likely to have noise impacts;

·             close to the most affected existing noise sensitive receivers; and

·             for monitoring locations located in the vicinity of the sensitive receivers, care should be taken to cause minimal disturbance to the occupants during monitoring.

6.3.3              The monitoring station shall normally be at a point 1 m from the exterior of the sensitive receiver building facade and be at a position 1.2 m above the ground.  If there is problem with access to the normal monitoring position, an alternative position may be chosen, and a correction to the measurements shall be made.  For reference, a correction of +3 dB(A) shall be made to the free field measurements.  The ET shall agree with the IEC on the monitoring position and the corrections adopted.  Once the positions for the monitoring stations are chosen, the baseline monitoring and the impact monitoring shall be carried out at the same positions.

6.3.4              The ENPO may, depending on site conditions and monitoring results, decide whether additional monitoring locations shall be included or any monitoring locations could be removed/relocated during any stage of the construction phase.

6.4                   Baseline Monitoring for Construction Noise

6.4.1              The ET shall carry out baseline noise monitoring prior to the commencement of the construction works.  There shall not be any construction activities in the vicinity of the stations during the baseline monitoring.  Continuous baseline noise monitoring for the A-weighted levels Leq, L10 and L90 shall be carried out daily for a period of at least two weeks in a sample period of 5 minutes or 30 minutes between 0700 and 1900, and 5 minutes between 1900 and 0700.  A schedule on the baseline monitoring shall be submitted to the ER and IEC for approval before the monitoring starts.

6.4.2              In exceptional cases, when insufficient baseline monitoring data or questionable results are obtained, the ET shall liaise with the IEC and EPD to agree on an appropriate set of data to be used as a baseline reference and submit to the ER for approval.

6.5                   Impact Monitoring for Construction Noise

6.5.1              During normal construction working hour (0700-1900 Monday to Saturday), monitoring of Leq, 30min noise levels (as six consecutive Leq, 5min readings) shall be carried out at the agreed monitoring locations once every week in accordance with the methodology in the TM. 

6.5.2              If a school exists near the construction activity, noise monitoring shall be carried out at the monitoring stations for the schools during the school examination periods.  The ET Leader shall liaise with the school’s personnel and the Examination Authority to ascertain the exact dates and times of all examination periods during the course of the contract.

6.5.3              In case of non-compliance with the construction noise criteria, more frequent monitoring, as specified in the Action Plan, shall be carried out.  This additional monitoring shall be continued until the recorded noise levels are rectified or proved to be irrelevant to the construction activities.

6.5.4              A schedule on the compliance monitoring shall be submitted to the ER and IEC for approval before the monitoring starts.

6.6                   Event and Action Plan for Construction Noise

6.6.1              The Action and Limit levels for construction noise are defined in Table 6.2.  Should non-compliance of the criteria occur, action in accordance with the Action Plan shall be carried out.

              


Table 6.2   Action and Limit Levels for Construction Noise

Time Period

 Action Level

Limit Level

0700 - 1900 hours on normal weekdays

When one documented complaint is received

 75 dB(A) *

Note :       If works are to be carried out during restricted hours, the conditions stipulated in the construction noise permit issued by the Noise Control Authority have to be followed.

                *  Reduce to 70 dB(A) for schools and 65 dB(A) during school examination periods.

 

 Table 6.3  Event / Action Plan for Construction Noise

 EVENT

 ACTION

 

ET

IEC

ER

CONTRACTOR

Action Level

1.    Identify source, investigate the causes of exceedance and propose remedial measures;

2.    Notify IEC and Contractor;

3.    Report the results of investigation to the IEC, ER and Contractor;

4.    Discuss with the Contractor and formulate remedial measures;

5.    Increase monitoring frequency to check mitigation effectiveness.

1.    Review the analysed results submitted by the ET;

2.   Review the proposed remedial measures by the Contractor and advise the ER accordingly;

3. Supervise the implementation of remedial measures.

1.    Confirm receipt of notification of failure in writing;

2.    Notify Contractor;

3.    Require Contractor to propose remedial measures for the analysed noise problem;

4.    Ensure remedial measures are properly implemented

1.    Submit noise mitigation proposals to IEC;

2.    Implement noise mitigation proposals.

Limit Level

1.    Identify source;

2.    Inform IEC, ER, EPD and Contractor;

3.             Repeat measurements to confirm findings;

4.    Increase monitoring frequency;

5.    Carry out analysis of Contractor’s working procedures to determine possible mitigation to be implemented;

6.    Inform IEC, ER and EPD the causes and actions taken for the exceedances;

7.    Assess effectiveness of Contractor’s remedial actions and keep IEC, EPD and ER informed of the results;

8.    If exceedance stops, cease additional monitoring.

1.    Discuss amongst ER, ET, and Contractor on the potential remedial actions;

2.    Review Contractors remedial actions whenever necessary to assure their effectiveness and advise the ER accordingly;

3.    Supervise the implementation of remedial measures.

1.    Confirm receipt of notification of failure in writing;

2.    Notify Contractor;

3.    Require Contractor to propose remedial measures for the analysed noise problem;

4.    Ensure remedial measures properly implemented;

5.    If exceedance continues, consider what portion of the work is responsible and instruct the Contractor to stop that portion of work until the exceedance is abated.

1.  Take immediate action to avoid further exceedance;

2.  Submit proposals for remedial actions to IEC  within 3 working days of notification;

3.    Implement the agreed proposals;

4.    Resubmit proposals if problem still not under control;

5.  Stop the relevant portion of works as determined by the ER until the exceedance is abated.

 

6.7                   Mitigation Measures

6.7.1              The EIA Report has recommended construction noise control measures including the use of quiet plant and temporary noise barriers.  All the proposed mitigation measures are summarised in the EMIS in Appendix B.

6.7.2              The ventilation building for the tunnel underneath Scenic Hill shall be installed with sufficient sound attenuators to control its sound power level emitting to the environment. Other mitigation measures are not required during the operation phase.

 

7                  Sediment Quality

7.1                 Summary

7.1.1              The sediment quality data has been reviewed and the findings of the site investigation for sediment quality in relation to the current study area for HKBCF and HKLR is summarised in the EIA Report, there is no requirement on environmental monitoring and audit for sediment quality.

7.1.2              The requirements as recommended in ETWB TC 34/2002 Management of Dredged/Excavated Sediment shall be included in the Particular Specification as appropriate for sediment disposal.

8                  Waste management

8.1                 General

8.1.1              The quantity and timing for the generation of waste during the construction phase have been estimated. Measures including the opportunity for on-site sorting, reusing excavated materials for reclamation etc, are devised in the construction methodology to minimise the surplus materials to be disposed off-site. Proper disposal of chemical waste should be via a licensed waste collector. 

8.1.2              All the proposed mitigation measures are stipulated in the EIA Report and summarised in the EMIS in Appendix B. 

8.1.3              The types and quantities of waste that would be generated during the operational phase have been assessed.  It is anticipated there would not be any insurmountable impacts during the operation phase. A trip-ticket system should be operated to monitor all movements of chemical wastes which will be collected by a licensed collector to a licensed facility for final treatment and disposal.   

8.1.4              Recommendations have been made to ensure proper treatment and proper disposal of these wastes in the EIA Report and summarised in the EMIS in Appendix B.

8.1.5              EM&A requirements are required for waste management during the construction phase only and the effective management of waste arising during the construction phase will be monitored through the site audit programme.  The aims of the waste audit are:

·         to ensure the waste arising from the works are handled, stored, collected, transferred and disposed of in an environmentally acceptable manner; and

·         to encourage the reuse and recycling of material.       

8.2                 Waste EM&A Requirements

8.2.1              The Contractor shall be required to pay attention to the environmental standard and guidelines and carry out appropriate waste management and obtain the relevant licence/permits for waste disposal.  The ET shall ensure that the Contractor has obtained from the appropriate authorities the necessary waste disposal permits or licences including:

·         Chemical Waste Permits/licenses under the Waste Disposal Ordinance (Cap 354);

·         Public Dumping Licence under the Land (Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance (Cap 28);

·         Marine Dumping Permit under the Dumping at Sea Ordinance (Cap 466); and

·         Effluent Discharge Licence under the Water Pollution Control Ordinance.

8.2.2              The Contractor shall refer to the relevant booklets issued by the DEP when applying for the licence/permit and the ET shall refer to these booklets for auditing purposes.

8.2.3              During the site inspections and the document review procedures, the ET shall pay special attention to the issues relating to waste management and check whether the Contractor has followed the relevant contract specifications and the procedures specified under the laws of Hong Kong.  In addition to the site inspections, the ET shall review the documentation procedures prepared by the Waste Coordinator once a week to ensure proper records are being maintained and procedures undertaken in accordance with the Waste Management Plan.

8.2.4              The Contractor’s waste management practices should be audited with reference to the checklist detailed in Table 8.1 below:

Table 8.1         Waste Management Checklist

Activities

Timing

Monitoring Frequency

If non-compliance, Action Required

All necessary waste disposal permits or licences have been obtained.

Before the commencement of demolition works

Once

Apply for the necessary permits/ licences prior to disposal of the waste.  The ET shall ensure that corrective action has been taken.

Only licensed waste haulier are used for waste collection.

Throughout the works

Weekly

The ET shall inform the ER and IEC of the non-compliance.  The ER shall instruct the Contractor to use a licensed waste haulier.  The Contractor shall temporarily suspend waste collection of that particular waste until a licensed waste haulier is used.  Corrective action shall be undertaken within 48 hours.

Records of quantities of wastes generated, recycled and disposed are properly kept.  For demolition material/waste, the number of loads for each day shall be recorded (quantity of waste can then be estimated based on average truck load.  Should landfill charging be implemented, the receipts of the charge could be used for estimating the quantity).

Throughout the works

Weekly

The Contractor shall estimate the missing data based on previous records and the activities carried out.  The ET shall audit the results and forward to the ER and IEC for approval.

Wastes are removed from site in a timely manner.  General refuse is collected on a daily basis.

Throughout the works

Weekly

The ET shall inform the ER and IEC of the non-compliance.  The ER shall instruct the Contractor to remove waste accordingly.

Waste storage areas are properly cleaned and do not cause windblown litter and dust nuisance.

Throughout the works

Weekly

The ET shall inform the ER and IEC of the non-compliance.  The ER shall instruct the Contractor to clean the storage area and/or cover the waste.

Different types of waste are segregated in different containers or skip to enhance recycling of material and proper disposal of waste.

Throughout the works

Weekly

The ET shall inform the ER and IEC of the non-compliance.  The ER shall instruct the Contractor to provide separate skips/ containers.  The Contractor shall ensure the workers place the waste in the appropriate containers.

Chemical wastes are stored, handled and disposed of in accordance with the Code of Practice on the Packaging, Handling and Storage of Chemical Wastes, published by the EPD.

Throughout the works

Weekly

The ET shall inform the ER and IEC of the non-compliance.  The ER shall instruct the Contractor to rectify the problems immediately.  Warning shall be given to the Contractor if corrective actions are not taken within 24 hrs and the Waste Control Group of the EPD shall be identified.

Demolition material/waste in dump trucks are properly covered before leaving the site.

Throughout the works

Weekly

The ET shall inform the ER and IEC of the non-compliance.  The ER shall instruct the Contractor to comply.  The Contractor shall prevent trucks shall leaving the site until the waste are properly covered.

Wastes are disposal of at licensed sites.

Throughout the works

Weekly

The ET shall inform the ER and IEC of the non-compliance.  The ER shall warn the Contractor and instruct the Contractor to ensure the wastes are disposed of at the licensed sites.  Should it involve chemical waste, the Waste Control Group of EPD shall be notified.

Note:  ET – Environmental Team, IEC – Independent Environmental Checker, ER – Engineer’s Representative

 

9                  Water quality

9.1                   Water Quality Parameters

9.1.1            The reclamation layout of HKBCF and HKLR are presented in Appendices E1 to 3. For HKBCF+TM-CLKL southern landfall, the layout of the two alternate construction sequences are presented in Appendix E1 (Sequence A) and Appendix E2 (Sequence B). The overall combined maximum daily production rates, the maximum number of plant (dredging and filling) trips and the number of active plants (dredging and filling) on sites for marine works below +2.5mPD are also appended in Appendix E1 for Sequence A and in Appendix E2 for Sequence B. The EIA Report has assessed the water quality impacts caused by the construction and operation stages.  Mitigation measures have been recommended in the EIA to ensure compliance with the relevant legislative requirements.  These mitigation measures are summarised below.

·             A sheet piled wall shall be constructed to the north of the TM-CLKL southern landfall / HKBCF island, and also in the main HKBCF reclamation in order to allow the use of silt curtains during Phase 2 works before the re-deposition the Mf materials.

·             Closed grabs should be used for sediment dredging to reduce sediment loss when lifting the grabs to the barges.

·             The decks of dredging barges should be clean and tidy to avoid any sediment to be washed into the sea.

·             Loading of the dredged sediments to the barges should be carried out carefully to minimise splashing of sediments.

·             Overloading of barge is not allowed and sufficient freeboard should be maintained to ensure no spill over of the dredged sediments during lifting and transport.

·             The moving speed of construction vessels in the dredging area should be reduced to prevent disturbance to the seabed generating sediment plumes.

·             The cage-type silt-curtain is proposed to be installed to enclose local pollution caused by the grab dredging. The grab dredging work should be carried out within the cage-type silt-curtain. Apart from the cage-type silt-curtain, it is recommended to deploy the hanging-type silt-curtain around the site. Special arrangement to the silt-curtains shall be made when the silt-curtains are located at the areas where the current speed is higher than 0.5m/s. Measures to be provided include installation of temporary sheet pile wall near the northern edge of reclamation to protect the silt-curtain along the northern edge. In addition, special design of cage-type silt-curtain with steel enclosure is to be used for HKBCF reclamation when reclamation method of Sequence B is adopted. The proposed silt-curtains would be installed within the site area of HKBCF and HKLR as shown in Appendix E. The typical arrangement of the cage-type and the hanging type silt-curtain is shown in Appendices E1 to E3.

·             During the initial months of dredging and filling work for HKBCF and HKLR, the silt-removal efficiency of the silt-curtains shall be verified by examining the results of water quality monitoring points. The water quality monitoring points to be selected for the above shall be those close to the locations of the initial period of dredging work. Details in this pilot study shall be determined by the ENPO and agreed by EPD before the commencement of monitoring,, taking account of the Contractor’s proposed actual locations of his initial period of dredging work.

·             Appendices E1 to E3 illustrate different stages of the arrangement of silt-curtains and shows the typical seawall sections.  The hanging-type silt-curtain should allow access of vessels to enter into or exit from the reclamation area. The vessel access opening would be formed by two piece of silt-curtain with overlapping length of 150m minimum and a separation distance of about 50m. The indicative position and details of the above openings for HKBCF and HKLR are also shown in Appendices E1 to E3.

·             The cage-type and hanging-type silt-curtains should be maintained in good condition to ensure the sediment plume generated from dredging and filling be confined effectively within the site boundary.

9.1.2              Prior to the commencement of the construction work, a detailed site drainage management plan should be submitted to EPD. The plan should cover measures to minimize all potential water quality impact arising from the surface runoffs of all the related constructions.

9.1.3              The guidelines outlined in the Practice Note for Professional Persons (ProPECC), Construction Site Drainage (PN 1/94) should be adopted to control construction site runoff.  Mitigation measures to minimise water quality impacts from construction site runoff and wastewater and sewage generated from construction activities are:

·             Provision of site drainage systems over the entire construction site with sediment control facilities.  Regular inspection and maintenance of the site drainage systems are required to ensure proper and efficient operation at all times.

·             Sedimentation tanks or package treatment systems are required to treat the large amount of sediment-laden wastewater generated from foundation construction work, wheel washing, site runoff.  Any construction activities that generate wastewater with high concentrations of SS should also be collected to these facilities for proper treatment prior to disposal.  Treated wastewater can be reused for vehicle washing, dust suppression and general cleaning.  Bentonite slurry used in bore-pile construction should be reconditioned and reused to minimise the disposal volume of the used slurry.

·             The construction programme should be properly planned to avoid soil excavation in rainy seasons.  Exposed stockpiles of excavated soils or construction materials should be covered with tarpaulin or impervious sheets to avoid release of pollutants into the drainage channels.

·             Sewage generated from site toilets and canteen should be collected using a temporary storage system.  Chemical toilets should be provided at different locations for use by the workers on site.  Licensed waste collectors should be employed for collection and disposal of the sewage.  The drainage system for collection of wastewater generated from canteen, if any, should be equipped with grease trap capable of providing at least 20 minutes retention during peak flow.

·             Wheel washing facilities should be installed at all site entrances/exits.

·             An emergency plan should be developed by the contractors to deal with accidental spillage of chemicals. 

9.1.4              Upon completion of the HKLR / HKBCF development, stormwater drainage systems would be completed to collect stormwater generated from the whole area including new roads.  Sewage generated from the HKBCF development would be treated on site to fulfil effluent limit for discharge.  Additional mitigation measures would not be required.  

9.1.5            As identified in the EIA Report, key water quality issues during construction phase will be dredging and filling works for the reclamation, backfilling of Mf sediment within the reclamation sites (the locations of the proposed pits to receive Mf Sediment are shown in Appendix E4) and TSHD dredging overflow process for the construction of artificial islands within the mainland water boundary but so close to Hong Kong.  Marine water quality monitoring shall be carried out during the construction phase to ensure that any unacceptable increase in suspended solids / turbidity and decrease in dissolved oxygen due to dredging and filling activities could be readily detected and timely action be taken to rectify the situation.

9.1.6              Apart from dissolved oxygen (DO), turbidity (NTU), suspended solids (SS) and other general in situ parameters shall be monitored at all designated marine water quality monitoring stations during the whole construction period, nutrients and heavy metal parameters shall also be measured at the selected relevant locations during the baseline, backfilling of Mf sediment and post construction period..  DO and turbidity should be measured in-situ whereas SS, nutrients and heavy metals should be determined by an accredited laboratory.

9.1.7              Other relevant data shall also be recorded, including monitoring location / position, time, water depth, pH value, salinity, temperature, tidal stages, weather conditions and any special phenomena or work underway at the construction site.

9.1.8              According to the EIA report, there is low concentration for PAH, PCB, TBT, and chlorinated pesticides.  Monitoring of these chemicals would not be required during the construction stage.

9.1.9              The proposed water quality monitoring schedule shall be submitted to EPD at least 2 weeks before the first day of the monitoring month.  EPD shall also be notified immediately for any changes in schedule by fax. 

9.2                   Monitoring Equipment

Dissolved Oxygen and Temperature Measuring Equipment

9.2.1              The instrument should be a portable and weatherproof dissolved oxygen (DO) measuring instrument complete with cable and sensor, and use a DC power source.  The equipment should be capable of measuring:

·             a DO level in the range of 0 - 20 mg/ L and 0 - 200% saturation; and

·             a temperature of 0 - 45 degree Celsius.

9.2.2              It should have a membrane electrode with automatic temperature compensation complete with a cable.

9.2.3              Should salinity compensation not be built-in to the DO equipment, in-situ salinity should be measured to calibrate the DO equipment prior to each DO measurement.

Turbidity Measurement Instrument

9.2.4              The instrument should be a portable and weatherproof turbidity measuring instrument using a DC power source.  It should have a photoelectric sensor capable of measuring turbidity between 0 - 1000 NTU (for example, Hach model 2100P or an approved similar instrument).

Sampler

9.2.5              A water sampler is required.  It should comprise a transparent PVC cylinder, with a capacity of not less than 2 litres, which can be effectively sealed with latex cups at both ends.  The sampler should have a positive latching system to keep it open and prevent premature closure until released by a messenger when the sampler is at the selected water depth (for example, Kahlsico Water Sampler or an approved similar instrument).

Water Depth Detector

9.2.6              A portable, battery-operated echo sounder should be used for the determination of water depth at each designated monitoring station.  This unit can either be hand held or affixed to the bottom of the work boat, if the same vessel is to be used throughout the monitoring programme.

Salinity

9.2.7              A portable salinometer capable of measuring salinity in the range of 0 - 40 parts per thousand (ppt) should be provided for measuring salinity of the water at each monitoring location.

pH Measuring Equipment

9.2.8              A portable pH meter capable of measuring a range between 0.0 and 14.0 shall be provided to measure pH under the specified conditions (e.g., Orion Model 250A or an approved similar instrument).

Sample Containers and Storage

9.2.9              Water samples for SS, nutrient and heavy metals determinations should be stored in high density polythene bottles with no preservative added, packed in ice (cooled to 4°C without being frozen) and keep in dark during both on-site temporary storage and shipment to the testing laboratory. The samples shall be delivered to the laboratory within 24 hours of collection and be analysed as soon as possible after collection.

Monitoring Position Equipment

9.2.10          A hand-held or boat-fixed type digital Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS) with way point bearing indication and Radio Technical Commission for maritime (RTCM) Type 16 error message ‘screen pop-up’ facilities (for real-time auto-display of error messages and DGPS corrections from the Hong Kong Hydrographic Office), or other equipment instrument of similar accuracy, should be provided and used during marine water monitoring to ensure the monitoring vessel is at the correct location before taking measurements.

Calibration of In-Situ Instruments

9.2.11          The pH meter, DO meter and turbidimeter shall be checked and calibrated before use.  DO meter and turbidimeter shall be certified by a laboratory accredited under HOKLAS or any other international accreditation scheme, and subsequently re-calibrated at 3 monthly intervals throughout all stages of the water quality monitoring.  Responses of sensors and electrodes should be checked with certified standard solutions before each use.  Wet bulb calibration for a DO meter shall be carried out before measurement at each monitoring location.

Back-up Equipment and Vessels

9.2.12          Sufficient stocks of spare parts shall be maintained for replacements when necessary.  Backup monitoring equipment shall also be made available so that monitoring can proceed uninterrupted even when some equipment is under maintenance, calibration, etc.  For the on site calibration of field equipment, the BS127:1993, "Guide to Field and on-site test methods for the analysis of waters" shall be observed.

9.2.13          The Water Quality Monitoring will involve a large number of monitoring stations  and measurements should be conducted within the prescribed tidal conditions (within ± 1.75 hour of the predicted mid-ebb or mid-flood tides) in order to ensure the measurement/samples are representative. A multi-probe monitoring equipment set integrated with water sampler(s) is highly recommended to improve the monitoring efficiency.  It is, also, likely that more than one field survey vessels will be required simultaneously to ensure the monitoring are conducted within the acceptable monitoring windows. The ET shall also consider the use of unattended automatic sampling/monitoring devices at fixed stations where monitoring are required throughout the construction period. The use of such unattended automatic devices, however, shall be subject to the approval of the ER, IEC and EPD.

9.3                   Laboratory Measurement / Analysis

9.3.1              Duplicate samples from each independent sampling event are required for all the suspended solids, nutrient and heavy metals measurement, which shall be carried in a HOKLAS or other international accredited laboratory.  Sufficient water samples shall be collected at the monitoring stations for carrying out the laboratory measurement and analysis. The laboratory determination work shall start within 24 hours after collection of the water samples. The analysis for SS, nutrient and heavy metals are summarized in Table 9.1.

Table 9.1                 Laboratory analysis for SS, nutrient and heavy metals

Parameters

Instrumentation

Analytical Method

Reporting Limit

Suspended Solid (SS)

Weighting

APHA 2540-D

0.1mg/L

Nutrient

 

 

 

Ammonia as N

FIA

APHA 4500-NH3 H

0.025mg/L

Unionised ammonia (NH3) [1]

By calculation

By calculation

By calculation

Nitrite as N

FIA

APHA 4500-NO3 I

0.025mg/L

Nitrate as N

FIA

APHA 4500-NO3 I

0.025mg/L

TKN as N

Titration

APHA 4500-Norg + NH3 H

1mg/L

Total Phosphorus

Colorimetric

APHA 4500-P B&E

0.1 mg/L

Reactive Phosphorus

FIA

APHA 4500-P G

0.1mg/L

Heavy Metals

 

 

 

Cadmium (Cd)

ICP-MS

USEPA 6020A

0.2 µg/L

Chromium (Cr)

ICP-MS

USEPA 6020A

1 µg/L

Copper (Cu)

ICP-MS

USEPA 6020A

1 µg/L

Mercury (Hg)

ICP-MS

USEPA 6020A

0.1 µg/L

Nickel (Ni)

ICP-MS

USEPA 6020A

1 µg/L

Lead (Pb)

ICP-MS

USEPA 6020A

1 µg/L

Silver (Ag)

ICP-MS

USEPA 6020A

1 µg/L

Zinc (Zn)

ICP-MS

USEPA 6020A

4 µg/L

Arsenic (As)

ICP-MS

USEPA 6020A

10 µg/L

Note [1]: By calculation based on the laboratory result of ammonia nitrogen (NH4-N) and in-situ measured pH, salinity and temperature.

 

9.3.2              If a site laboratory is set up or a non-HOKLAS and non-international accredited laboratory is hired for carrying out the laboratory analysis, the laboratory equipment, analytical procedures, and quality control shall be approved by EPD.  All the analysis shall be witnessed by the ER.  The ET Leader shall provide the ER with one copy of the relevant chapters of the “APHA Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater” 19th edition and any other relevant document for his reference.

9.4                   Monitoring Locations

9.4.1              The water quality monitoring stations, control stations and locations for during the construction and operation phase of HKBCF, TMCLKL and HKLR are shown in Figure 3. The demarcation of the monitoring stations for different projects will be further determined by the ENPO before the commencement of the construction.  The selection of these stations are based on the following criteria:

(i)           Impact stations (IS) within 250m – 500m envelope of the construction works (i.e. 20 impact locations).

(ii)         Sensitive receiver stations (SR) near to key sensitive receivers (i.e.10 impact stations).

(iii)        Control / far field stations (CS) at representative locations with less influence by the projects (i.e 6 Control / far field stations).  Control stations should be located, as far as practicable, both upstream and downstream of the works area.  The locations CS(Mf) also serve as the control stations for Mf deposition sites.

(iv)        Stations for sensitivity test result (ST), which are located close to the HKSAR boundary (i.e 3 sensitivity test stations).

(v)          Impact stations (IS(Mf)) around the on-site Mf deposition sites during the on-site disposal of Mf material.

9.4.2              The co-ordinates of the proposed monitoring stations during the construction and operation phase are listed in Table 9.2.  As shown in Figure 3, the proposed locations for the sensitive receiver monitoring stations represent the typical sensitive receivers around the project works. .

Table 9.2  Water Quality Monitoring Stations (construction and post construction phases)

Station

Description

East

North

Parameters to be measured

IS1

Impact Station (Close to HKLR construction site)

803474

815060

DO, Turbidity,  SS

IS2

Impact Station (Close to HKLR construction site)

804851

815715

DO, Turbidity,  SS

IS3

Impact Station (Close to HKLR construction site)

806502

815743

DO, Turbidity,  SS

IS4

Impact Station (Close to HKLR construction site)

807008

816986

DO, Turbidity,  SS

IS5

Impact Station (Close to HKLR construction site)

811579

817106

DO, Turbidity,  SS

IS(Mf)6 [1]

Impact Station (Close to HKLR construction site)

812101

817873

DO, Turbidity,  SS, nutrient, heavy metals

IS7

Impact Station (Close to HKBCF construction site)

812244

818777

DO, Turbidity,  SS

IS8

Impact Station (Close to HKBCF construction site)

814251

818412

DO, Turbidity,  SS

IS(Mf)9 [1]

Impact Station (Close to HKBCF construction site)

813273

818850

DO, Turbidity,  SS nutrient, heavy metals

IS10

Impact Station (Close to HKBCF construction site)

812577

820670

DO, Turbidity,  SS

IS(Mf)11 [1]

Impact Station  (Close to HKBCF construction site)

813562

820716

DO, Turbidity,  SS, nutrient, heavy metals

IS12

Impact Station  (Close to TMCLKL construction site)

813218

823681

DO, Turbidity,  SS

IS13

Impact Station  (Close to TMCLKL construction site)

813667

824325

DO, Turbidity,  SS

IS14

Impact Station  (Close to TMCLK construction site)

812592

824172

DO, Turbidity,  SS

IS15

Impact Station  (Close to TMCLK construction site)

813356

825008

DO, Turbidity,  SS,

IS(Mf)16 [1]

Impact Station (Close to HKBCF construction site)

814328

819497

DO, Turbidity,  SS, nutrient, heavy metals

IS17

Impact Station (Close to HKBCF construction site)

814539

820391

DO, Turbidity,  SS

IS(Mf)18 [1]

Impact Station (Close to the HKBCF Marine Fill – for reference only)

813564

820069

DO, Turbidity,  SS, nutrient, heavy metals

IS(Mf)19 [1]

Impact Station (Close to the HKBCF Marine Fill – for reference only)

813564

819620

DO, Turbidity,  SS, nutrient, heavy metals

IS(Mf)20 [1]

Impact Station (Close to the HKLR Marine Fill – for reference only)

811650

818097

DO, Turbidity,  SS, nutrient, heavy metals

SR1

Sensitive receivers (Tai O)

803126

812379

DO, Turbidity,  SS

SR2

Sensitive receivers (Sha Lo Wan)

807856

816953

DO, Turbidity,  SS

SR3

Sensitive receivers (San Tau SSSI)

810525

816456

DO, Turbidity,  SS

SR4

Sensitive receivers (Tai Ho Inlet)

814760

817867

DO, Turbidity,  SS

SR5

Sensitive receivers (Artificial Reef in NE Airport)

811489

820455

DO, Turbidity,  SS

SR6

Sensitive receivers (Sha Chau and Lung Kwu Chau Marine Park)

805837

821818

DO, Turbidity,  SS

SR7

Sensitive receivers (Tai Mo Do)

814293

821431

DO, Turbidity,  SS

SR8

Sensitive receivers (Gazettal beaches in Tuen Mun)

816306

825715

DO, Turbidity,  SS

SR9

Sensitive receivers (Butterfly Beach)

813601

825858

DO, Turbidity,  SS

SR10

Sensitive receivers (Ma Wan FCZ)

823741

823495

DO, Turbidity,  SS

CS1

Control Station

801784

812711

DO, Turbidity,  SS

CS2

Control Station

805849

818780

DO, Turbidity,  SS

CS(Mf)3 [1]

Control Station

809989

821117

DO, Turbidity,  SS, nutrient, heavy metals

CS4

Control Station

810025

824004

DO, Turbidity,  SS

CS(Mf)5 [1]

Control Station

817990

821129

DO, Turbidity,  SS, nutrient, heavy metals

CS6

Control Station

817028

823992

DO, Turbidity,  SS

ST1

Locations for sensitivity test result (Close to Sha Chau and Lung Kwu Chau Marine Park)

802677

816006

DO, Turbidity, SS

ST2

Locations for sensitivity test result (Close to Chinese White Dolphin area near HKSAR boundary)

804055

818840

DO, Turbidity, SS

ST3

Locations for sensitivity test result (Close to Chinese White Dolphin area near HKSAR boundary)

800667

810126

DO, Turbidity, SS

Note [1]:    The contractor should submit a detailed programme for the agreement with EPD.    During the construction stage, the nutrients and metal parameters only have to be measured at the locations with "Mf" during period of Mf sediment backfilling. After the pit for Mf sediment is backfilled and capped for one month, monitoring at IS(Mf)18, IS(Mf)19 and IS(Mf)20 locations can be stopped. 

 

Table 9.2b   Proposed Water Quality Monitoring Stations (operation phase)

Station

Description

East

North

Parameters to be measured

SR2

Sensitive receivers (Sha Lo Wan)

807856

816953

DO, Turbidity,  SS,  pH, salinity, temperature

SR3

Sensitive receivers (San Tau SSSI)

810525

816456

DO, Turbidity,  SS,  pH, salinity, temperature

CS2

Control Station

805849

818780

DO, Turbidity,  SS,  pH, salinity, temperature

CS(Mf)5

Control Station

817990

821129

DO, Turbidity,  SS,  pH, salinity, temperature

 

9.4.3              Control stations (CS1, CS2, CS(Mf)3, CS4, CS(Mf)5 and CS6) are necessary to compare the water quality from potentially impacted sites with the ambient water quality.  Control stations shall be located within the same body of water as the impact monitoring stations but should be outside the area of influence of the works and, as far as practicable, not affected by any other works.  The control stations shown in Figure 3 are indicative subject to further review before construction phase. During the review, the location of the impact stations for boundary of mixing zones will also be re-visited. If there are any changes on the monitoring location, that shall be submitted 4 weeks before commencement of baseline monitoring for EPD approval.

9.4.4              In-situ monitoring (DO, temperature, turbidity, pH, salinity) and water sample for SS, nutrients and heavy metals shall be taken at 3 water depths, namely, 1 m below water surface, mid-depth and 1 m above sea bed, except where the water depth is less than 6 m, in which case the mid-depth station may be omitted.  Should the water depth be less than 3 m, only the mid-depth station will be monitored.  The status and locations of water sensitive receivers and the marine activities may change after issuing this Manual.  If such cases exist, the ET Leader shall propose with justification for changes to monitoring locations or other requirements of the EM&A programme, and seek approval from the IEC and EPD.

9.4.5              The ENPO may, depending on site conditions and monitoring results, decides whether additional monitoring locations shall be included or any monitoring locations could be removed / relocated during any stage of the construction phase after getting approval from EPD.

9.5                   Baseline Monitoring for Water Quality

9.5.1              Baseline conditions for marine water quality shall be established and agreed with EPD prior to the commencement of works.  The purpose of the baseline monitoring is to establish ambient conditions prior to the commencement of the works and to demonstrate the suitability of the proposed impact and control monitoring stations. The baseline conditions shall normally be established by measuring the DO, temperature, turbidity, pH, salinity and SS at all designated locations, plus nutrients and heavy metals parameters at “Mf” locations specified in Section 9.4 above. The measurements shall be taken at all designated monitoring stations including control stations, 3 days per week, at mid-flood (within ± 1.75 hour of the predicted time) and mid-ebb (within ± 1.75 hour of the predicted time) tides, for at least 4 weeks prior to the commencement of marine works.  Replicate in-situ measurements and samples collected from each independent sampling event shall be collected to ensure a robust statistically interpretable database. 

9.5.2              Baseline monitoring programme may overlap with other reclamation activities.  The monitoring exercise should be scheduled as far as possible to avoid concurrent dredging / backfilling activities around the monitoring stations such that representative ambient data could be sampled.

9.5.3              Other relevant data shall also be recorded, such as monitoring location / position, time, water depth, tidal stages, weather conditions and any special phenomena underway near the monitoring station.  There shall not be any marine construction activities in the vicinity of the stations during the baseline monitoring.

9.5.4              As this project will last for a few years, the ET Leader should seek approval from the IEC and EPD on an appropriate set of data to be used with the baseline data collected by this study to establish two set of AL levels respectively for the wet and dry season.

9.5.5              Baseline monitoring schedule shall be faxed to EPD 2 weeks prior to the commencement of baseline monitoring.  The interval between two sets of monitoring shall not be less than 36 hours.

9.6                   Efficiency of Silt Curtain and Cage Curtain

9.6.1              The ET shall be responsible for conducting tests to confirm that their silt curtain systems to be adopted would satisfy the requirements in the EIA Report.

9.6.2              A method statement shall be submitted by the ET Leader to seek approval from the IEC and EPD.

9.6.3              During the initial period of dredging and filling works for HKBCF and HKLR, the silt-removal efficiency of the silt-curtains shall be verified by examining the results of water quality monitoring points. The water quality monitoring points to be selected for the above shall be those close to the locations of the initial period of dredging work.  The details for the pilot study shall be determined by the ENPO and agreed by EPD, taking account of the Contractor’s proposed actual locations of his initial period of dredging work.

9.6.4               Pilot tests should be carried out during the early stage of construction to confirm whether the silt removal efficiency of the cage type silt curtain and the floating type silt curtains can achieve 80% and 45% silt removal efficiency for dredging and filling activities respectively when deployed separately, and a combined reduction of 95% and 61% when the two type of silt curtains are used jointly. Pilot tests for cage type silt curtain (with steel enclosure) should be carried out in a similar time frame should Sequence B be implemented to see if the cage type silt curtain (with steel enclosure) can achieve 80% reduction when applied singly under current above 0.5 m/s.

9.6.5               The pilot test shall include basic measurements such as turbidity and suspended solids as well as current speed and direction. Where testing of cage type silt curtain (with steel enclosure) to is to be conducted at relatively fast current, supplementary Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) measurement of the plumes shall be considered to provide  a better characterization of instant suspended solids plumes. A method statement shall be submitted by the ET Leader to seek approval from the IEC and EPD.

9.6.6               Cage type silt curtains will be applied round all grab dredgers during the HKBCF, HKLR and TM-CLKL southern reclamation works. Cage type silt curtain (with steel enclosure) shall be used for grab dredgers working in the site of HKBCF and TM-CLKL southern reclamation.

9.6.7               Regardless of the measured efficiency of the silt curtain system, the event and action plan shall only be based on the monitoring results at the designed monitoring stations.

 

 

9.7          Impact Monitoring for Water Quality

Reclamation

9.7.1             Reclamation would require dredging and filling activities during the construction.  During this period, silt curtains would be installed enclosing the whole project site to control sediment loss. Appendices E1 to E3 show the arrangement of the silt curtains. During the construction period, monitoring shall be undertaken 3 days per week, at mid-flood (within ± 1.75 hour of the predicted time) and mid-ebb (within ± 1.75 hour of the predicted time) tides, with sampling / measurement at the designated monitoring stations.  Replicate in-situ measurements and samples collected from each independent sampling event shall be collected to ensure a robust statistically interpretable database.  The interval between two sets of monitoring shall not be less than 36 hours except where there are exceedances of Action and / or Limit levels, in which case the monitoring frequency will be increased.  Two consecutive measures of DO concentration, DO saturation, pH, salinity, temperature, turbidity and water samples for SS, nutrients and heavy metals will be taken in situ at 1 m below the surface, mid-depth and 1 m above the seabed at each location.  If the water depth is less than 6 m, the mid-depth measurement may be omitted subject to the approval of the ER.  If the depth is less than 3 m, only the mid-depth measurements need to be taken subject to the approval of the ER.  The monitoring probes shall be retrieved out of water after the first measurement and then redeployed for the second measurement.  Where the difference in value between the first and second readings of DO or turbidity parameters is more than 25% of the value of the first reading, the reading shall be discarded and further readings shall be taken.   For the construction phase, the nutrients and metal parameters only have to be measured at the locations with "Mf" during period of Mf sediment backfilling. After the pit for Mf sediment is backfilled and capped for one month, monitoring at IS(Mf)18, IS9(Mf)19 and IS(Mf)20 locations can be stopped.

9.7.2             If the impact monitoring results indicate that dredging / filling works have caused adverse impacts on water quality at the monitoring stations, appropriate actions (including the lowering of production rates for dredging and filling) should be taken and additional mitigation measures should be implemented as necessary.  Water quality monitoring frequency has to be increased to once per day when dredging / filling is undertaken.  24-hour monitoring of turbidity should be implemented as and when necessary.  The monitoring results should be made available within a reasonable short period to be agreed with the EPD, ER and IEC.

Relocation of Mf Sediment with Reclamation Area

9.7.3             According to the current design, the Mf (ie. Category M Sediment which fails the biological test as per ETWB TC 34/2002) sediment within the dredging area would be relocated to area within the reclamation area.  During this process, the ET is required to conduct near-field water quality measurements to ensure that the criteria for various water pollutants would be compiled.  The monitoring shall be undertaken 3 days per week, at mid-flood (within ± 1.75 hour of the predicted time) and mid-ebb (within ± 1.75 hour of the predicted time)  tides, with sampling / measurement at the designated monitoring stations to be agreed with EPD. 

9.7.4             Before the commencement of the monitoring, the ET shall submit a proposal to EPD for agreement on the measurement methodology, locations, durations, parameters, detection limits, action and limit levels etc.  The proposal shall be vetted by the IEC before submission to EPD for agreement.  Key pollutant groups to be measured included SS, nutrients and heavy metals, as summarised in Table 9.2 above.  For the construction phase, the nutrients and metal parameters only have to be measured at the locations with "Mf" during period of Mf sediment backfilling. After the pit for Mf sediment is backfilled and capped for one month, monitoring at IS(Mf)18, IS9(Mf)19 and IS(Mf)20 locations can be stopped.

Water Quality Monitoring along the Water Boundary of Hong Kong and Mainland

9.7.5              Stations for sensitivity test result shall be provided along the HKSAR Boundary to identify and assess any cross-boundary cumulative water quality impacts in order to establish suitable remedial actions where necessary.

9.8                   Post-construction Monitoring

9.8.1              Upon completion of all marine-based construction activities, a post-project monitoring exercise on water quality shall be carried out for 4 weeks in the same manner as the Baseline monitoring. Replicate in-situ measurements and samples collected from each independent sampling event shall be collected to ensure a robust statistically interpretable database.  The measurement parameters for Post-construction monitoring shall include DO, temperature, turbidity, pH, salinity, and SS.  In addition, nutrient and metals should be monitored at the "Mf" locations up until one month after the pits have been capped.  The measurement shall be taken at all designated monitoring stations including control stations, 3 days per week, at mid-flood (within ± 1.75 hour of the predicted time) and mid-ebb (within ± 1.75 hour of the predicted time) tides, for at least 4 weeks.   Since the southern and northern landfalls of TM-CLKL are distant from each other and based on the tentatively programme available during the EIA stage the two landfall has a different construction time frame, the Post-construction monitoring for each landfalls may conducted separately. The ET should review the actual implantation programme and recommend if a separate post-construction monitoring for each landfall is required.

9.9                   Impact Operational Phase Monitoring

9.9.1              The marine water quality monitoring shall be performed monthly during the first year of Project operation at all designated monitoring stations including control stations. Each monthly monitoring event shall consist of one monitoring and sampling event during both mid-ebb (within ± 1.75 hour of the predicted time) and mid-flood (within ± 1.75 hour of the predicted time) tides of the same monitoring day. The operation phase monitoring shall be ceased after the first year of operation of the Project subject to the first year review. No marine construction activities should be conducted in the vicinity of the stations during the Operational Phase monitoring period.  

9.9.2              Sampling shall be taken at three water depths, namely, 1m below water surface, mid-depth and 1m above sea bed, except where the water depth is less than 6m, in which case the mid-depth station may be omitted. If the water depth be less than 3m, only the mid-depth station will be monitored. In-situ measurements at DO, turbidity, SS, pH, salinity and temperature shall be taken at all the monitoring stations SR2, SR3, CS2 and CS(Mf)5. (refer to Table 9.2b).  A full set of in duplicated situ measurement and water samples shall be collected during each of the mid-ebb (within ± 1.75 hour of the predicted time) and mid-flood (within ± 1.75 hour of the predicted time) tides.

9.10               Event and Action Plan

9.10.1          The Action and Limit levels for water quality are defined in Table 9.3.  Should non-compliance of the criteria occur, action in accordance with the Action Plan in Table 9.4 shall be carried out.

9.10.2          The ET shall propose Action and Limit Levels for water quality for the relocation of Mf sediment for agreement with EPD.

Table 9.3        Action and Limit Levels for Water Quality

Parameters

Action

Limit

DO in mg L-1

(Surface, Middle & Bottom)

Surface and Middle

5 percentile of baseline data for surface and middle layer

Bottom

5 percentile of baseline data for bottom layer

Surface and Middle

4 mg L-1 except 5 mg/l for FCZ or

1%-ile of baseline data for surface and middle layer 

Bottom

2 mg L-1 or

1%-ile of baseline data for bottom layer

SS in mg L-1 (depth-averaged) at all monitoring stations and control stations

95 percentile of baseline data or 120% of upstream control station's SS at the same tide of the same day

99 percentile of baseline or 130% of upstream control station's SS at the same tide of the same day and 10mg/L for WSD Seawater intakes

Turbidity in NTU

(depth-averaged)

95 percentile of baseline data or 120% of upstream control station's Turbidity at the same tide of the same day

99 percentile of baseline or 130% of upstream control station's Turbidity at the same tide of the same day

Nutrient in mg L-1 (depth-averaged) at all monitoring stations (except for locations for sensitive test result)  Mf monitoring and control stations

95 percentile of baseline data or 120% of upstream control station's nutrient level at the same tide of the same day

99 percentile of baseline or 130% of upstream control station's nutrient level at the same tide of the same day and 10mg/L for WSD Seawater intakes

Heavy metals in μg L-1 (depth averaged)

(Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni , Pb,  Ag, Zn, and As) at all monitoring stations(except for locations for sensitive result) Mf monitoring and control stations

95 percentile of baseline data or 120% of upstream control station's nutrient level at the same tide of the same day

Note [6]:

Cd: 2.5μg/L;

Cr: 15μg/L;

Cu: 5μg/L;

Hg: 0.3μg/L;

Ni: 30μg/L;

Pb: 25μg/L;

Ag: 1.9μg/L;

Zn: 40μg/L;

As: 25μg/L;

 Notes:        1.   "depth-averaged" is calculated by taking the arithmetic means of reading of all three depths.

2.   For DO, non-compliance of the water quality limits occurs when monitoring result is lower than the limits.

3.   For turbidity, SS, non-compliance of the water quality limits occurs when monitoring result is higher than the limits. 

4.   For Mf locations, the action and limit levels will be determined separately and sought EPD agreement before the commencement of construction.

5.   All the figures given in the table are used for reference only and the EPD may amend the figures whenever it is considered as necessary.

6.  Limit values of most heavy metals (except Ag) are based on European Union Environmental Quality Standard (EQS) Values to Protect Marine Life. For Ag, the limit value is based on the Criteria Maximum Concentration (CMC) of the USEPA Water Quality Criteria (Saltwater).

 

Table 9.4                 Event and Action Plan for Water Quality

Event

ET Leader

IEC

ER

Contractor

Action level being exceeded by one sampling day

Repeat in situ measurement on next day of exceedance to confirm findings;

Identify source(s) of impact;

Inform IEC, contractor and ER;

Check monitoring data, all plant, equipment and Contractor's working methods.

Check monitoring data submitted by ET and Contractor’s working methods.

Confirm receipt of notification of non-compliance in writing;

Notify Contractor.

Inform the ER and confirm notification of the non-compliance in writing;

Rectify unacceptable practice;

Amend working methods if appropriate.

Action level being exceeded by two or more  consecutive sampling days

Repeat measurement on next day of exceedance to confirm findings;

Identify source(s) of impact;

Inform IEC, contractor, ER and EPD;

Check monitoring data, all plant, equipment and Contractor's working methods;

Discuss mitigation measures with IEC, ER and Contractor;

Ensure mitigation measures are implemented;

Increase the monitoring frequency to daily until no exceedance of Action level;

 

Check monitoring data submitted by ET and Contractor’s working method;

Discuss with ET and Contractor on possible remedial actions;

Review the proposed mitigation measures submitted by Contractor and advise the ER accordingly;

Supervise the implementation of mitigation measures.

Discuss with IEC on the proposed mitigation measures;

Ensure mitigation measures are properly implemented;

Assess the effectiveness of the implemented mitigation measures.

Inform the Engineer and confirm notification of the non-compliance in writing;

Rectify unacceptable practice;

Check all plant and equipment and consider changes of working methods;

Submit proposal of additional mitigation measures to ER within 3 working days of notification and discuss with ET, IEC and ER;

Implement the agreed mitigation measures.

Limit level being exceeded by one sampling day

Repeat measurement on next day of exceedance to confirm findings;

Identify source(s) of impact;

Inform IEC, contractor, ER and EPD;

Check monitoring data, all plant, equipment and Contractor's working methods;

Discuss mitigation measures with IEC, ER and Contractor;

 

Check monitoring data submitted by ET and Contractor’s working method;

Discuss with ET and Contractor on possible remedial actions;

Review the proposed mitigation measures submitted by Contractor and advise the ER accordingly.

Confirm receipt of notification of failure in writing;

Discuss with IEC, ET and Contractor on the proposed mitigation measures;

Request Contractor to review the working methods.

Inform the ER and confirm notification of the non-compliance in writing;

Rectify unacceptable practice;

Check all plant and equipment and consider changes of working methods;

Submit proposal of mitigation measures to ER within 3 working days of notification and discuss with ET, IEC and ER.

 

 

Limit level being exceeded by two or more consecutive sampling days

Repeat measurement on next day of exceedance to confirm findings;

Identify source(s) of impact;

Inform IEC, contractor, ER and EPD;

Check monitoring data, all plant, equipment and Contractor's working methods;

Discuss mitigation measures with  IEC, ER and Contractor;

Ensure mitigation measures are implemented;

Increase the monitoring frequency to daily until no exceedance of Limit level for two consecutive days;

 

Check monitoring data submitted by ET and Contractor’s working method;

Discuss with ET and Contractor on possible remedial actions;

Review the Contractor’s mitigation measures whenever necessary to assure their effectiveness and advise the ER accordingly;

Supervise the implementation of mitigation measures.

Discuss with IEC, ET and Contractor on the proposed mitigation measures;

Request Contractor to critically review the working methods;

Make agreement on the mitigation measures to be implemented;

Ensure mitigation measures are properly implemented;

Consider and instruct, if necessary, the Contractor to slow down or to stop all or part of the construction activities until no exceedance of Limit level.

Take immediate action to avoid further exceedance;

Submit proposal of mitigation measures to ER within 3 working days of notification and discuss with ET, IEC and ER;

Implement the agreed mitigation measures;

Resubmit proposals of mitigation measures if problem still not under control;

As directed by the Engineer, to slow down or to stop all or part of the construction activities until no exceedance of Limit level.

 

9.11               Mitigation Measures

9.11.1          The EIA Report has recommended construction and operational phase mitigation measures.  All the prepared mitigation measures are summarised in the EMIS in Appendix B.

10           ECOLOGY

10.1               Introduction

10.1.1          The EIA Report has assessed the ecologcial impacts caused by the construction and operation phases.  Mitigation measures have been recommended in the EIA to ensure compliance with the relevant legislative requirements.  The mitigation measures and ecological monitoring surveys are stated in this manual in the sections below. A detailed ecological monitoring plan with specification and detailed methodology will be prepared prior to the baseline monitoring, and submitted to AFCD and EPD for approval.

10.2               Ecological Mitigation Measures and Implementations

Marine Water Quality

10.2.1          Low disturbance construction method: Any significant changes in water quality or turbidity should be avoided.  This could be mitigated through construction methods. Closed-grab dredges and silt curtains around the work areas (wherever feasible) should be used in all dredging activities.

10.2.2          Reduce dredging scale – The amount to be dredged has been minimized as far as practicable.

10.2.3          Limit the concurrent works front - The number of concurrent dredging/filling work fronts will be limited (maximum 35 pier sites in the open sea of HKLR, and 10 pier sites in Airport Channel).  For the benefit of water quality protection, the minimum distance between any two pilecap construction sites will be kept as 180 m.

10.2.4          Good Site Practices: – The integrity and effectiveness of all silt curtains should be regularly inspected.  Effluent monitoring should be incorporated to make sure that the discharged effluent from construction sites meets the relevant effluent discharge guidelines.

10.2.5          Strict enforcement on No-dumping – To avoid degrading the Chinese White Dolphin habitat, restrictions prohibiting dumping of rubbish, food, oil, or chemicals will be strictly enforced.

10.2.6          Site runoff control - For works on land, standard site runoff control measures will be established and strictly enforced to ensure that discharge of contaminated or silt-laden runoff into North Lantau waters is minimised.

10.2.7          Spill response plan – In the event of vessels operating in the works areas transporting oil or other hazardous chemicals, an oil-spill response plan, with specific provisions for protecting marine ecology and dolphins, will be formulated.

10.2.8          Replacement Artificial Reefs - The artificial reefs near the northeast corner of Airport Island within the Marine Exclusion Area is the nearest marine ecological sensitive receiver to the HKBCF reclamation.  They are potentially subject to water quality impact from the reclamation. Even though water mitigation measures will be adopted during the dredging for seawall construction, the artificial reefs may still be potentially influenced by the works.  These artificial reefs (ARs) near the HKBCF reclamation had been deployed there for eight years or more. It is considered that the relocation process would not keep the ARs intact once they are mechanically disturbed. As such, it would be more practicable to deploy replacement ARs to mitigate the potential disturbance on ARs by the HKBCF reclamation works.  The replacement ARs should have the same volume as the existing ARs (i.e. 3,600 m³). 

Terrestrial Disturbance

10.2.9          The impact from this minor and short-term source can be reduced by good site practice, including strictly following the permitted works hours, using quieter machines where practicable, and avoiding excessive lightings during night time.


Sedimentation from Land-based works areas

10.2.10      Although the extent of earthwork will not affect habitats of Romer’s Tree Frog, good site practices (e.g., watering to reduce dust generation, prevention of siltation of freshwater habitats) are still recommended to be implemented. Site runoff should be desilted, to reduce the potential for suspended sediments, organics and other contaminants to enter streams and standing freshwater (which are potential breeding habitats of Romer’s Tree Frog). Caution must be taken to avoid runoff entering the area in which Romer’s Tree Frog has been recorded.

Marine Noise and Disturbance

1) Bored piling

10.2.11      Avoidance of percussive piling – In view of its strong potential to cause serious noise impact upon the dolphins and porpoises, percussive piling will not be adopted.

10.2.12      Dolphin Exclusion Zone – Marine bored piling involves the installation of a temporary steel casing, excavation within the casing, concrete filling into the casing and removal of casing.  Dolphin exclusion zone of 250m radius should be implemented in marine pier sites of HKLR located in the waters to the west of Airport during the installation of bored pile casing (i.e. the open sea part of the marine section of HKLR).  Works will be suspended when any Chinese White Dolphin (CWD) is found within the exclusion zone.  After the bored piling casing is installed, all the subsequent works will be conducted inside the casing (a small and completely confined area), and a dolphin exclusion zone is not required.

10.2.13      Temporal suspension of installation of bored pile casing at marine pier sites – Marine bored piling involves the installation of a temporary steel casing, excavation within the casing, concrete filling into the casing and removal of casing.  The installation of the bored pile casing would be relatively disturbing as steel casing will be drilled into the rock below seabed. For the marine bored piles at HKLR Marine Section Open Sea Part, i.e. to the west of Airport Island, installation of steel casing into rock socket will be suspended during May and June (i.e. the peak months of the dolphin calving season).

2) Sheet piling

10.2.14      Vibratory piler for installation of sheet piling – Sheet piling into the soft seabed sediment (i.e. not requiring to drill onto rock surface) is required along the northern edge of HKBCF reclamation for protecting the reclamation site from water current.  To minimize the acoustic disturbance to Chinese White Dolphin (CWD), sheet piles wall will be driven by using vibratory piler, which is a type of silence piling equipment and the noise generated is anticipated to be minimal.

10.2.15      Dolphin Exclusion Zone – dolphin exclusion zone of 250m radius should be implemented in the northern edge of HKBCF reclamation during the installation of the sheetpile wall.  Works will be suspended when any Chinese White Dolphin (CWD) is found within the exclusion zone.

3) Reclamation and Works Vessels

10.2.16      Dolphin Exclusion Zone – dolphin exclusion zone of 250m radius should be implemented in the HKBCF and HKLR reclamation sites during the installation of the perimeter silt curtains and any re-deployment of the perimeter silt curtains. Works will be suspended when any Chinese White Dolphin (CWD) is found within the exclusion zone.

10.2.17      Dolphin Watching Plan - A dolphin watching plan for works areas will also be included in the EM&A programme.  For reclamation sites, once the perimeter silt curtains are installed or re-deployed, the dredging and filling works would be conducted inside the silt curtains and a dolphin exclusion zone is not needed. Instead a dolphin watching plan will be performed.  The plan would include regular inspection of the silt curtains, scanning of the waters surrounded by the curtains, and an action plan should be devised to cope with any unpredicted incidents such as in case dolphins are found within the waters surrounded by the silt curtains.  Similarly, at marine pier sites the dredging and concreting works could be conducted inside the bored pile casing after its installation.  A dolphin watching plan will replace the dolphin exclusion zone after the casing is installed.

10.2.18      Acoustic decoupling of compressors and other equipment – Air compressors and other noisy equipment that must be mounted on construction vessels will be acoustically-decoupled to the greatest extent feasible, for instance by using rubber air-filled tires.

Marine Traffic

10.2.19      Vessel speed limit control – It is known that fast-moving vessels are a threat to dolphins and porpoises, a speed limit of 10 knots will be strictly enforced within the work areas.  This speed limit for vessels within the boundaries of the Sha Chau/Lung Kwu Chau Marine Park appears to be effective in protecting the dolphins from vessel collisions.

10.2.20      Skipper training – Captains of construction vessels working in the West Lantau waters and near the Brothers Islands should undergo training to learn about local dolphins and porpoises. They should be trained to be aware of the protocol for “dolphin friendly” vessel operation (reference made to Code of Conduct for Dolphin Watching Activities available from AFCD).

10.2.21      Predefined and regular routes for working vessels – Captains of all working vessels should be required to use regular travel routes, in order to minimize the chance of vessel collision.  And the routes would not go through the dolphin hotspot in Brothers Islands.

Road Surface Runoff

10.2.22      Silt-grease traps should be deployed to prevent a direct input of road surface runoff to the marine waters.

Chemical spillage

10.2.23      A Maritime Oil Spill Response Plan (MOSRP) has been developed by Marine Department to deal with oil spill and their potential hazard to the Hong Kong waters. The main objective of the MOSRP is to ensure a timely and effective response to oil spillages and/or their potential treats in the Hong Kong waters.

10.2.24      Similar to the Shenzhen Western Corridor project, a contingency plan will be formulated to deal with the accidental event of the serious spillage of oil or other harmful chemicals. A contingency plan in this regard will be primarily for safety issues and water quality, but could also help to safeguard the dolphin population. Following the example of Shenzhen Western Corridor, it will be specified in the contingency plan that AFCD must be alerted by the Hong Kong Police Force or Fire Service Department in case an accident of spillage of chemical or oil is reported.

Precautionary/Enhancement Measures

10.2.25      Pre-construction dive survey for corals – As a precautionary measure, a dive survey will be conducted (see Figure 4) at the marine pier sites nearest to intertidal zone (i.e. the pier sites to the west and to the east of the headland to be spanned over in Sha Lo Wan, and the pier site just offshore to the actual landing point on Airport Island) and along the shore of the HKLR reclamation site, prior to marine construction works in these three locations, to identify any coral colonies suitable for translocation, taking into account the conservation value, the health status and the translocation feasibility. A detailed translocation plan will be prepared if corals (including hard corals, soft corals and octocorals) of conservation importance, in good conditions, and feasible for translocation are identified during the survey.

10.2.26      Provision of Additional Artificial Reefs - In addition to the replacement Artificial Reefs mentioned above, additional Artificial Reefs will also be deployed at the same time as compensation to the marine habitat loss. Areas that currently are protected or are restricted would be suitable for deploying the new ARs (both replacement ARs and additional ARs), such as the Sha Chau and Lung Kwu Chau Marine Park or the proposed potential marine park in Fan Lau after its designation, would be possible options for deploying the new ARs. While the replacement ARs would be of the same volume of the existing ARs (i.e. 3,600 m3), the additional ARs should have at least two times the volume as the existing ARs (i.e. 7,200 m3 ).

10.2.27      Fish Fry Release in Artificial Reefs - Fish fry release will be conducted at the new ARs (both replacement ARs and additional ARs) as well as the existing ARs in Sha Chau and Lung Kwu Chau Marine Park, to enhance the fish resources in the Western Hong Kong waters. The frequency and quantities of the fish fry to be released will be proposed and agreed by AFCD.

10.3               Monitoring and Audit for Ecology

10.3.1          An ecological monitoring and audit programme would be needed for the Project HKLR and HKBCF developments. The monitoring programme will include monitoring of physical parameters such as air, noise and water quality, and ecological aspects such as CWD and mudflats.  The ecological monitoring and audit programme will monitor potential impacts through construction and operation activities, and will verify the assessments which were made in the EIA report. The monitoring includes the following tasks:

10.3.2          Dolphin monitoring – A dolphin monitoring programme at North Lantau and West Lantau waters, in particular the dolphin sighting hotspots (e.g. Brothers Islands) and areas where juveniles have been sighted (e.g. West Lantau waters), should be set up to verify the predictions of impacts and to ensure that there are no unforeseen impacts on the dolphin population during construction phase.  The monitoring period should cover the pre-construction phase (baseline conditions), the entire period of construction phase (tentatively 2010 – 2016), and at least one year after the completion of construction works.

10.3.3          Construction-phase underwater noise monitoring – The noise level of the bored piling is known to be much lower than that of the percussive piling.  The underwater noise level of bored piling will be monitored during the implementation in Airport Channel for HKLR.  This monitoring is to verify the assessment outcome and to collect field data of this construction activity.

10.3.4          Dolphin behaviour monitoring – The acoustic behaviour and movement near the bored piling sites of CWD should be monitored during bridge construction.

10.3.5          Land-based dolphin behaviour and movement monitoring – Land-based theodolite tracking to study dolphin behaviour near bored piling work site, and examine their north-south movement across the bridge alignment before, during and after bridge construction.

10.3.6          Mudflat monitoring – A monitoring programme on the intertidal soft shore habitats on north Lantau coastlines, in San Tau and Tung Chung Bay where horseshoe crab juveniles and seagrass beds have been sighted, should be set up to verify the predictions of impacts.  The monitoring period should cover the pre-construction phase (baseline conditions), the entire period of construction phase, and after the completion of construction works.  The monitoring should cover the water quality, sedimentation rate, horseshoe crab population, seagrass beds, and soft shore intertidal communities. The survey methodology should make reference to previous intertidal soft shore surveys/monitoring (e.g. the seagrass bed monitoring in Shenzhen Western Corridor, and the territory-wide horseshoe crab study by Shin et al. 2007. Conservation of Horseshoe Crabs in Hong Kong – Final Report (ECF Project 12/2003)).

10.3.7          Each of the above ecological monitoring surveys shall be undertaken by suitably qualified specialist(s), (i.e. dolphin specialist, bio-acoustician and intertidal ecologist), who shall have sufficient (at least 5-10 years) relevant post-graduate experience and publication in the respective aspects. Approval on the specialist(s) responsible for each ecological monitoring survey shall be sought from AFCD and EPD.   

10.4               Monitoring Locations

10.4.1          Dolphin monitoring – the dolphin monitoring should adopt line-transect vessel survey method, and cover the following line-transect survey areas as in AFCD annual marine mammal monitoring programme:

l            Northeast Lantau survey area;

l            Northwest Lantau survey area; and

l            West Lantau survey area.

10.4.2          Construction-phase underwater noise monitoring –The actual underwater noise level of bored piling will be monitored during the pile construction in the waters to the west of the Airport for HKLR.

10.4.3          Land-based dolphin movement and behaviour monitoring – The behaviour near the bored piling sites and north-south movement across the bridge alignment of CWD should be monitored in the waters to the west of Airport.

10.4.4          Mudflat monitoring – the monitoring will be conducted on the intertidal soft shore habitats in San Tau and Tung Chung Bay where horseshoe crab juveniles and seagrass beds have been sighted.

10.4.5          Pre-construction dive survey for corals – the survey will be conducted for about 2 to 3 weeks at the following locations (see Figure 10.4) :

(a)     the pier sites to the west and to the east of the headland to be spanned over in Sha Lo Wan;

(b)     the pier site just offshore to the actual landing point on Airport Island); and

(c)     along the shore of the HKLR reclamation site.

10.5               Baseline Monitoring for Ecology

10.5.1          Baseline for dolphin monitoring shall be established by two surveys per month in each survey area stated in Section 10.4.1 for a period of three months prior to the commencement of works and agreed with AFCD.  The purpose of the baseline monitoring is to establish pre-construction conditions prior to the commencement of the works and to demonstrate the suitability of the proposed monitoring method.

10.5.2          Baseline for underwater noise shall be established prior to the commencement of works in the waters to the west of Airport, and agreed with AFCD.

10.5.3          Baseline for dolphin north-south movement across the bridge alignment shall be established prior to the commencement of works and agreed with AFCD.

10.5.4          Baseline for mudflat ecology shall be established prior to the commencement of works and agreed with AFCD.

10.5.5          As this project will last for a few years, the ET Leader should seek approval from the IEC, AFCD and EPD on an appropriate methodology and parameters to be recorded. A detailed ecological monitoring plan with specification and detailed methodology will be prepared prior to the baseline monitoring, and submitted to AFCD and EPD for approval.

10.6               Impact Monitoring for Ecology

10.6.1         Dolphin monitoring will be conducted twice a month in each survey area stated in Section 10.4.1 throughout the entire construction period.   

10.6.2         Construction-phase underwater noise monitoring will be conducted for 10 days from the start of the bored piling activities for the first three pier sites during the bored piling process in the first three sites in the waters to the west of Airport. 

10.6.3         Dolphin behaviour in response to bored piling and movement near the bored piling sites will be monitored at the three pier sites for 30 days from the start of bored piling activities in the waters to the west of Airport.

10.6.4         If the impact monitoring results indicate that the density or the distribution pattern of CWD has changed, the ET should inform AFCD and investigate the possible causes of the change.  Appropriate actions should be recommended and additional mitigation measures should be implemented as necessary.  The monitoring results should be made available within a reasonable short period to be agreed with the EPD, ER and IEC.

10.6.5         Mudflat monitoring will be conducted quarterly during the construction period.  If the impact monitoring results indicate that the density or the distribution pattern of intertidal fauna and seagrasses has changed, the ET should inform AFCD and investigate the possible causes of the change.  Appropriate actions should be recommended and additional mitigation measures should be implemented as necessary.  The monitoring results should be made available within a reasonable short period to be agreed with the EPD, ER and IEC.

10.7               Post-construction Monitoring for Ecology

10.7.1          The dolphin monitoring and mudflat ecological monitoring will be conducted in the post-construction phase at least for 2 year after completion of construction.

10.8               Event and Action Plan

10.8.1          The Action and Limit levels and event-action plan for ecology are not determined in this manual but will be proposed by Ecologist or respective specialists of the Environmental Team based upon the baseline monitoring data, and agreed by AFCD and EPD.

 

11           Fisheries

11.1             Summary

11.1.1        The EIA report identified and assessed the potential impacts related to fisheries and marine culture.

11.1.2        The water quality monitoring and audit requirements are included in Section 9 Water Quality.

11.1.3        As mentioned in the EIA report, no further monitoring and audit for fisheries are required.

12           CulturAL Heritage

12.1             Summary

12.1.1          Mitigation measures are not required for built heritage and terrestrial archaeology.  As a precautionary measures however, periodic monitoring of construction works should be conducted to ensure the avoidance of any impacts on Sha Lo Wan (West) Archaeological Site.  Access to Sha Lo Wan (West) Archaeological site for works areas and storage of construction equipment is not allowed.


13           Hazard to life

13.1             Summary

13.1.1        The EIA report identified that the risks lie well within the acceptable criteria of Annex 4 of the Technical Memorandum and no additional mitigation members are considered necessary or justified.  No monitoring and audit is therefore required.

14           Landscape & Visual Impact

14.1               Introduction

14.1.1          The EIA has recommended landscape and visual mitigation measures (refer to Section 14 of EIA Report) to be undertaken during both the construction and operation phases of the project.  This section outlines the monitoring and audit of these measures.

14.2               Monitoring Details

14.2.1          The design, implementation and maintenance of landscape mitigation measures should be checked to ensure that any potential conflicts between the proposed landscape measures and any other works of the project would be resolved as early as practical without affecting the implementation of the mitigation measures.

                                Table 14.1  Monitoring Programme

Stage

Monitoring Task

Monitoring Report

Form of Approval

Frequency

Detailed Design

Checking of design works against the recommendations of the landscape and visual impact assessments within the EIA should be undertaken during detailed design phase, to ensure that they fulfil the intention of the mitigation measures.  Any changes to the design, including design changes on site should also be checked.

Not Required

 

Not Required

 

At the end of the Detailed Design Phase

Construction

Checking of the contractor’s operations during the construction period.

Report on Contractor's compliance, by ET*

Counter-signature of report by IEC

Bi-weekly

Establishment Works

Checking of the planting works during the 12-month Establishment Period after completion of the construction works.

Report on Contractor's compliance, by ET

 

Counter-signature of report by IEC

Every 2 months

Long Term Management (10 year)

Monitoring of the long-term management of the planting works in the period up to 10 years after completion of the construction works.

Report on compliance by ET or Maintenance Agency as appropriate

Counter-signature of report by Management Agency

Annually

Notes:

·     Environmental Team (ET) – employed by the Contractor;

·     Environmental Permit (EP).

 

Detailed Design Phase

14.2.2          The mitigation measures, which are proposed in the EIA to mitigate the landscape and visual impacts, should be embodied into the detailed engineering design, landscape design drawings and contract documents.  The Detailed Design should be checked to ensure that the measures are fully incorporated. Potential conflicts with civil engineering, geotechnical, structural, lighting, signage, drainage and underground utilities should resolved as early as practical. 

14.2.3          The following mitigation measures are proposed to avoid and reduce the identified impacts.

·         Minimize the footprint of project and that the quantity of landscape character units and landscape resources affected;

·         Minimize temporary works areas for construction works;

·         Undertaking good site practices by applying hydroseeding on temporary stockpiles and reclamation areas;

·         Conservation of topsoil for reuse;

·         Waste limitation by recycling of felled trees into woodchip mulch for use in landscaped areas.

14.2.4        The following design measures will be developed during detailed design stage to remedy and compensate unavoidable impacts:

·         Roadside planting and planting along the edge of the reclamation is proposed;

·         Transplanting of mature trees in good health and amenity value where appropriate and reinstatement of areas disturbed during construction by compensatory hydro-seeding and planting;

·         Protection measures for the trees to be retained during construction activities;

·         Optimizing the sizes and spacing of the bridge columns;

·         Fine-tuning the location of the bridge columns to avoid visually-sensitive locations;

·         Aesthetic design of the bridge form and its structural elements for HKLR, e.g. parapet, soffit, columns, lightings and so on;

·         Considering the decorative urban design elements for HKLR, e.g. decorative road lightings;

·         Maximizing new tree, shrub and other vegetation planting to compensate tree felled and vegetation removed;

·         Providing planting area around peripheral of HKLR and HKBCF for tree planting screening effect;

·         Providing salt-tolerant native trees along the planter strip at affected seawall and newly reclaimed coastline.

·         For HKBCF, providing aesthetic architectural design on the related buildings (e.g. similar materials for PCB building facade to Airport buildings, roof planting and subtle materials for other facilities buildings and so on), and the related infrastructure (e.g. parapet planting and transparent cover for elevated footbridges) to provide harmonic atmosphere of the HKBCF.

·         Fine-tuning the sizes of the structural members to minimize the bulkiness of buildings and adjustment of building arrangement to minimise disturbance to surrounding vegetation in the HKBCF.

·         For HKLR, providing aesthetic design on the viaduct, tunnel portals, at-grade roads and reclamation (e.g. subtle colour tone and slim form for viaduct to minimize the bulkiness of the structure and to blend the viaduct better with the background environment, featured form of tunnel portals, roadside planting along at-grade roads and landscape berm on & planting along edge of reclamation area) to beautify the HKLR alignment (refer to Figure 14.4.3).

14.2.5        The following mitigation measures should be monitored during construction and operation phases:

 

Description of Mitigation Measures

During Construction Phase

 

Mitigate both Landscape and Visual Impacts

G1. Grass-hydroseed bare soil surface and stock pile areas. 

G2. Add planting strip and automatic irrigation system if appropriate at some portions of bridge or footbridge to screen bridge and traffic.

G3. For HKLR, providing aesthetic design on the viaduct, tunnel portals, at-grade roads and reclamation (e.g. subtle colour tone and slim form for viaduct, featured form of tunnel portals, roadside planting along at-grade roads and landscape berm on & planting along edge of reclamation area) to beautify the HKLR alignment.

G4. For HKBCF, providing aesthetic architectural design on the related buildings (e.g. similar materials for PCB building facade to Airport buildings, roof planting and subtle materials for other facilities buildings and so on), and the related infrastructure (e.g. parapet planting and transparent cover for elevated footbridges) to provide harmonic atmosphere of the HKBCF (see Figure 14.3.1 for example).

G5. Vegetation reinstatement and upgrading to disturbed areas.

G6. Maximize new tree, shrub and other vegetation planting to compensate tree felled and vegetation removed.

G7. Provide planting area around peripheral of and within HKBCF and HKLR for tree screening buffer effect.

G8. Plant salt tolerant native tree and shrubs etc along the planter strip at affected seawall.

G9. Reserve of loose natural granite rocks for re-use.  Provide new coastline to adopt “natural-look” by means of using armour rocks in the form of natural rock materials and planting strip area accommodating screen buffer to enhance “natural-look” of the new coastline (see Figure 14.4.2 for example).

Mitigate Visual Impacts

V1.Minimize time for construction activities during construction period.

V2.Provide screen hoarding at the portion of the project site / works areas / storage areas near VSRs  who have close low-level views to the Project during HKLR & HKBCF construction.

During Operation Phase

 

Mitigate both Landscape and Visual Impacts

G10. Provide proper planting maintenance on the new planting areas to enhance the aesthetic degree.

V3. Lighting design to minimize glare at night.  Decorative road lighting to be considered during detailed design stage.

Note:

·  Figure 14.3.1 – Landscape Master Plan showing the general arrangement of HKBCF with mitigation.  This Plan is preliminary only and subject to further development in detailed design stage.

·  Figure 14.4.2 – Details of mitigation measure – G9 for the new coastline.

 

14.2.6        An implementation programme will be prepared as required by TM-EIAO. Reference will be made to the ETWB TC(W) No. 2/2004 on Maintenance of Vegetation and Hard Landscape Features which defines the management and maintenance responsibilities for natural vegetation and landscape works, including both softworks and hardworks, and the authorities for tree preservation and felling.  The format of the preliminary arrangement of implementation programme is listed below:

Table 14-17       Proposed format for Preliminary Funding, Implementation, Management and Maintenance Proposal

Mitigation items

Funding & Implementation unit

(See Remark)

Maintenance unit

(See Remark)

During Construction

V1 and V2

 

Project Proponent

(i.e. HyD)

The Contractor

G3 and G4

Project Proponent /

Initiating Department (e.g. the relevant User Department of the building)

Project Proponent /

Initiating Department (e.g. the relevant User Department of the building)

G1, G2, G3,  G6, G7, G8 and G9

Project Proponent

(i.e. HyD)

HyD / LCSD

During Operation

V3

Project Proponent

(i.e. HyD)

HyD

G10

Project Proponent

(i.e. HyD)

HyD / LCSD

Note:     The proposed mitigation measures and arrangements are tentative. The responsible parties are also tentative and subject to further agreements amongst the Government Departments.

 

Construction Phase & Establishment Period

14.2.7          The implementation of landscape construction works and subsequent maintenance operations during the 12-month Establishment Period must be supervised by qualified Landscape Resident Site Staff (Registered Landscape Architect or Professional Member of the Hong Kong Institute of Landscape Architects).

14.2.8          Measures to mitigate landscape and visual impacts during construction should be checked to ensure compliance with the intended aims of the measures.

14.2.9          The progress of the engineering works shall be regularly reviewed on site to identify the earliest practical opportunities for the landscape works to be undertaken.                                                                        

Long Term Management  (10 Years)

14.2.10      The planting works shall be monitored during the first 10 years of the operation phase of the project. Any areas of vegetation which is failed to establish, should be corrected by the relevant maintenance parties at the earliest opportunity.  The maintenance requirement of the planting works stated under the 10-Year Management Programme is included in the monitoring requirement.

14.3               Baseline Monitoring

14.3.1          A photographic record of the site at the time of the contractor’s possession of the site shall be prepared by the Contractor and approved by the ER.  The approved photographic record shall be submitted to the Project Proponent, ET, IEC and EPD for record.

14.4               Action Plan for Landscape and Visual Works

                                    Table 14.2  Action Plan

 

EVENT

  ACTION

 ET

 IEC

 ER

 CONTRACTOR

Conflicts occur

· Check Contractor’s proposed remedial design conforms to the requirements of EP and prepare checking report(s)

·    Check and endorse ET’s report(s)

·    Check and certify Contractor’s proposed remedial design

·   Supervise the Contractor to carry out the proposed remediation work

·   Propose remedial design and carry out the proposed work

 

15           Site Environmental Audit

15.1               Site Inspection

15.1.1          Site inspection provides a direct means to initiate and enforce specified environmental protection and pollution control measures.  These shall be undertaken routinely to inspect construction activities in order to ensure that appropriate environmental protection and pollution control mitigation measures are properly implemented.  Site inspection is one of the most effective tools to enforce the environmental protection requirements at the works area.

15.1.2          The ET Leader shall be responsible for formulating the environmental site inspection, the deficiency and action reporting system, and for carrying out the site inspection works.  Within 21 days of the construction contract commencement, he shall submit a proposal for site inspection and deficiency and action reporting procedures to the Contractor for agreement, and to the ER for approval.  The ET’s proposal for rectification would be made known to the IEC.

15.1.3          Regular site inspections shall be carried out at least once per week.  The areas of inspection shall not be limited to the environmental situation, pollution control and mitigation measures within the site.  It should also review the environmental situations outside the works area which is likely to be affected, directly or indirectly, by the site activities.  The ET Leader shall make reference to the following information in conducting the inspection:

 (i)    EIA recommendations on environmental protection and pollution control mitigation measures;

(ii)     works progress and programme;

(iii)    individual works methodology proposals (which shall include proposal on associated pollution control measures);

(iv)    contract specifications on environmental protection;

(v)     relevant environmental protection and pollution control laws; and

(vi)    previous site inspection results.

15.1.4          The Contractor shall keep the ET Leader updated with all relevant information on the construction contract necessary for him to carry out the site inspections.  Inspection results and associated recommendations for improvements to the environmental protection and pollution control works shall be submitted to the IEC and the Contractor within 1 working day.  The Contractor shall follow the procedures and time-frame as stipulated in the environmental site inspection, and the deficiency and action reporting system formulated by the ET Leader, to report on any remedial measures subsequent to the site inspections.

15.1.5          Ad-hoc site inspections shall also be carried out if significant environmental problems are identified.  Inspections may also be required subsequent to receipt of an environmental complaint, or as part of the investigation work, as specified in the Action Plan for environmental monitoring and audit.

15.2               Compliance with Legal and Contractual Requirements

15.2.1          There are contractual environmental protection and pollution control requirements as well as environmental protection and pollution control laws in Hong Kong with which construction activities must comply.

15.2.2          In order that the works comply with the contractual requirements, all works method statements submitted by the Contractor to the ER for approval shall be sent to the ET Leader for vetting to ensure sufficient environmental protection and pollution control measures have been included.  The implementation schedule of mitigation measures is summarised in Appendix B.

15.2.3          The ET Leader shall also review the progress and programme of the works to check that relevant environmental laws have not been violated, and that any foreseeable potential for violating laws can be prevented.

15.2.4          The Contractor shall regularly copy relevant documents to the ET Leader so that checking can be carried out.  The document shall at least include the updated Works Progress Reports, updated Works Programme, any application letters for different licence / permits under the environmental protection laws, and copies of all valid licences / permits.  The site diary shall also be available for the ET Leader's inspection upon his request.

15.2.5          After reviewing the document, the ET Leader shall advise the IEC and Contractor of any non-compliance with contractual and legislative requirements on environmental protection and pollution control for them to take follow-up actions.  If the ET Leader's review concludes that the current status on licence / permit application and any environmental protection and pollution control preparation works may result in potential violation of environmental protection and pollution control requirements, he shall also advise the Contractor and the ER accordingly.

15.2.6          Upon receipt of the advice, the Contractor shall undertake immediate actions to correct the situation.  The ER shall follow up to ensure that appropriate action has been taken in order to satisfy contractual and legal requirements.

15.3               Environmental Complaints

15.3.1          Complaints shall be referred to the ET Leader for action.  The ET Leader shall undertake the following procedures upon receipt of any complaint:

(i)     log complaint and date of receipt onto the complaint database and inform the IEC immediately;

(ii)     investigate the complaint to determine its validity, and assess whether the source of the problem is due to works activities;

(iii)    identify mitigation measures in consultation with the IEC if a complaint is valid and due to works;

(iv)    advise the Contractor if mitigation measures are required;

(v)     review the Contractor's response to identified mitigation measures, and the updated situation;

(vi)    if the complaint is transferred from the EPD, submit interim report to the EPD on status of the complaint investigation and follow-up action within the time frame assigned by the EPD;

(vii)   undertake additional monitoring and audit to verify the situation if necessary, and review that circumstances leading to the complaint do not recur;

(viii)   report investigation results and subsequent actions to complainant (if the source of complaint is EPD, the results should be reported within the timeframe assigned by the EPD); and

(ix)    record the complaint, investigation, the subsequent actions and the results in the monthly EM&A reports.

 

16           REPORTING

16.1               General

16.1.1          Reports can be provided in an electronic medium upon agreeing the format with the ER and EPD.  This would enable a transition from a paper / historic and reactive approach to an electronic / real time proactive approach.  All the monitoring data (baseline and impact) shall also be submitted on diskettes or other approved media.  The formats for air quality, noise and water quality monitoring data to be submitted shall be separately agreed.

16.1.2          The ET is responsible for establishing and maintaining a dedicated website throughout the entire construction period for publishing the all the relevant environmental monitoring data (including but not limited to the baseline and impact monitoring).  The ET shall propose the format and functionality of the website for agreement with the ER and IEC prior to publishing of data.  Once the monitoring data are available (eg noise, dust, water quality etc) and vetted by the IEC, the ET is responsible to upload the relevant data to the dedicated website. 

16.1.3          Types of reports that the ET Leader shall prepare and submit include baseline monitoring report, monthly EM&A report, quarterly EM&A summary report and final EM&A review report.  In accordance with Annex 21 of the EIAO-TM, a copy of the monthly, quarterly summary and final review EM&A reports shall be made available to the Director of Environmental Protection.

16.2               Baseline Monitoring Report

16.2.1          The ET Leader shall prepare and submit a Baseline Environmental Monitoring Report within 10 working days of completion of the baseline monitoring.  Copies of the Baseline Environmental Monitoring Report shall be submitted to the Contractor, the IEC, the ER and EPD.  The ET Leader shall liaise with the relevant parties on the exact number of copies they require.  The report format and baseline monitoring data format shall be agreed with the EPD prior to submission.

16.2.2          The baseline monitoring report shall include at least the following:

 (i)    up to half a page executive summary;

(ii)     brief project background information;

(iii)    drawings showing locations of the baseline monitoring stations;

(iv)    monitoring results (in both hard and diskette copies) together with the following information:

·     monitoring methodology;

·     name of laboratory and types of equipment used and calibration details;

·     parameters monitored;

·     monitoring locations;

·     monitoring date, time, frequency and duration; and

·     quality assurance (QA) / quality control (QC) results and detection limits;

(v)     details of influencing factors, including:

·     major activities, if any, being carried out on the site during the period;

·     weather conditions during the period; and

·     other factors which might affect results;

(vi)    determination of the Action and Limit Levels for each monitoring parameter and statistical analysis of the baseline data, the analysis shall conclude if there is any significant difference between control and impact stations for the parameters monitored;

(vii)   revisions for inclusion in the EM&A Manual; and

(viii)   comments, recommendations and conclusions.

16.3               Monthly EM&A Reports

16.3.1          The results and findings of all EM&A work required in the Manual shall be recorded in the monthly EM&A reports prepared by the ET Leader.  The EM&A report shall be prepared and submitted within 10 working days of the end of each reporting month, with the first report due the month after construction commences.  Each monthly EM&A report shall be submitted to the following parties: the Contractor, the IEC, the ER and EPD.  Before submission of the first EM&A report, the ET Leader shall liaise with the parties on the required number of copies and format of the monthly reports in both hard copy and electronic medium.

16.3.2          The ET leader shall review the number and location of monitoring stations and parameters every six months, or on as needed basis, in order to cater for any changes in the surrounding environment and the nature of works in progress.

First Monthly EM&A Report

16.3.3          The first monthly EM&A report shall include at least the following:

(i)     Executive summary (1-2 pages):

·     breaches of Action and Limit levels;

·     complaint log;

·     notifications of any summons and successful prosecutions;

·     reporting changes; and

·     future key issues.

(ii)     Basic project information:

·     project organisation including key personnel contact names and telephone numbers;

·     programme;

·     management structure, and

·     works undertaken during the month.

(iii)    Environmental status:

·     works undertaken during the month with illustrations (such as location of works, daily excavation rate, etc); and

·     drawings showing the project area, any environmental sensitive receivers and the locations of the monitoring and control stations (with co-ordinates of the monitoring locations).

(iv)    A brief summary of EM&A requirements including:

·     all monitoring parameters;

·     environmental quality performance limits (Action and Limit levels);

·     Event-Action Plans;

·     environmental mitigation measures, as recommended in the project EIA study final report; and

·     environmental requirements in contract documents.

(v)     Implementation status:

·     advice on the implementation status of environmental protection and pollution control / mitigation measures, as recommended in the project EIA.

(vi)    Monitoring results (in both hard and diskette copies) together with the following information:

·     monitoring methodology;

·     name of laboratory and types of equipment used and calibration details;

·     parameters monitored;

·     monitoring locations;

·     monitoring date, time, frequency, and duration;

·     weather conditions during the period;

·     any other factors which might affect the monitoring results; and

·     QA/QC results and detection limits.

(vii)   Report on non-compliance, complaints, and notifications of summons and successful prosecutions:

·     record of all non-compliance (exceedances) of the environmental quality performance limits (Action and Limit levels);

·     record of all complaints received (written or verbal) for each media, including locations and nature of complaints investigation, liaison and consultation undertaken, actions and follow-up procedures taken, results and summary;

·     record of all notification of summons and successful prosecutions for breaches of current environmental protection / pollution control legislation, including locations and nature of the breaches, investigation, follow-up actions taken, results and summary;

·     review of the reasons for and the implications of non-compliance, complaints, summons and prosecutions including review of pollution sources and working procedures; and

·     description of the actions taken in the event of non-compliance and deficiency reporting and any follow-up procedures related to earlier non-compliance.

(viii)   Others

·     an account of the future key issues as reviewed from the works programme and work method statements;

·     advice on the solid and liquid waste management status; and

·     comments (for examples, effectiveness and efficiency of the mitigation measures), recommendations (for example, any improvement in the EM&A programme) and conclusions.

Subsequent EM&A Reports

16.3.4          Subsequent monthly EM&A reports shall include the following:     

(i)     Executive summary (1 - 2 pages):

·     breaches of Action and Limit levels;

·     complaints log;

·     notifications of any summons and successful prosecutions;

·     reporting changes; and

·     future key issues.

(ii)     Basic project information:

·   project organisation including key personnel contact names and telephone numbers;

·   programme;

·   management structure; and

·   work undertaken during the month.

(iii)    Environmental status:

·   works undertaken during the month with illustrations (such as location of works, daily excavation rate, etc.); and

·   drawing showing the project area, any environmental sensitive receivers and the locations of the monitoring and control stations.

(iv)    Implementation status:

·   advice on the implementation status of environmental protection and pollution control / mitigation measures, as recommended in the project EIA.

(v)     Monitoring results (in both hard and diskette copies) together with the following information:

·   monitoring methodology;

·   name of laboratory and types of equipment used and calibration details;

·   parameters monitored;

·   monitoring locations;

·   monitoring date, time, frequency, and duration;

·   weather conditions during the period;

·   any other factors which might affect the monitoring results; and

·   QA / QC results and detection limits.

(vi)    Report on non-compliance, complaints, and notifications of summons and successful prosecutions:

·   record of all non-compliance (exceedances) of the environmental quality performance limits (Action and Limit levels);

·   record of all complaints received (written or verbal) for each media, including locations and nature of complaints investigation, liaison and consultation undertaken, actions and follow-up procedures taken, results and summary;

·   record of all notification of summons and successful prosecutions for breaches of current environmental protection / pollution control legislation, including locations and nature of the breaches, investigation, follow-up actions taken, results and summary;

·   review of the reasons for and the implications of non-compliance, complaints, summons and prosecutions including review of pollution sources and working procedures; and

·   description of the actions taken in the event of non-compliance and deficiency reporting and any follow-up procedures related to earlier non-compliance.

(vii)   Others

·   an account of the future key issues as reviewed from the works programme and work method statements;

·   advice on the solid and liquid waste management status; and

·   comments (for examples, effectiveness and efficiency of the mitigation measures), recommendations (for example, any improvement in the EM&A programme) and conclusions.

(viii)   Appendices

·   Action and Limit levels;

·   graphical plots of trends of monitored parameters at key stations over the past four reporting periods for representative monitoring stations annotated against the following:

a)   major activities being carried out on site during the period;

b)   weather conditions during the period; and

c)   any other factors that might affect the monitoring results.

·   monitoring schedule for the present and next reporting period;

·   cumulative statistics on complaints, notifications of summons and successful prosecutions; and

·   outstanding issues and deficiencies.

16.4               Quarterly EM&A Summary Reports

16.4.1          A quarterly EM&A summary report of around 5 pages shall be produced and shall contain at least the following information:

(i)     Executive summary (1 - 2 pages);

(ii)     basic project information including a synopsis of the project organisation, programme, contacts of key management, and a synopsis of works undertaken during the quarter;

(iii)    A brief summary of EM&A requirements including:

·     monitoring parameters;

·     environmental quality performance limits (Action and Limit levels); and

·     environmental mitigation measures, as recommended in the project EIA Final Report;

(iv)    Advice on the implementation status of environmental protection and pollution control / mitigation measures, as recommended in the project EIA Final Report, summarised in the updated implementation schedule;

(v)     Drawings showing the project area, any environmental sensitive receivers and the locations of the monitoring and control stations;

(vi)    Graphical plots of any trends in monitored parameters over the past four months (the last month of the previous quarter and the present quarter) for representative monitoring stations annotated against:

·     the major activities being carried out on site during the period;

·     weather conditions during the period; and

·     any other factors which might affect the monitoring results;

(vii)   Advice on the solid and liquid waste management status;

(viii)   A summary of non-compliance (exceedances) of the environmental quality performance limits (Action and Limit levels);

(ix)    A brief review of the reasons for and the implications of any non-compliance, including a  review of pollution sources and working procedures;

(x)    A summary description of actions taken in the event of non-compliance and any follow-up procedures related to any earlier non-compliance;

(xi)    A summarised record of all complaints received (written or verbal) for each media, liaison and consultation undertaken, actions and follow-up procedures taken;

(xii)   Comments (for examples, a review of the effectiveness and efficiency of the mitigation measures and the performance of the environmental management system, that is, of the overall EM&A programme); recommendations (for example, any improvement in the EM&A programme) and conclusions for the quarter; and

(xiii)  Project Proponent’s contacts and any hotline telephone number for the public to make enquiries.

16.5               Final EM&A Review Reports

16.5.1          The final EM&A report should contain at least the following information:

(i)     Executive summary (1 - 2 pages);

(ii)     Drawings showing the project area, any environmental sensitive receivers and the locations of the monitoring and control stations;

(iii)    Basic project information including a synopsis of the project organisation, contacts of key management, and a synopsis of work undertaken during the course of the project or past twelve months;

(iv)    A brief summary of EM&A requirements including:

·     environmental mitigation measures, as recommended in the project EIA Report;

·     environmental impact hypotheses tested;

·     environmental quality performance limits (Action and Limit levels);

·     all monitoring parameters;

·     Event-Action Plans;

(v)     A summary of the implementation status of environmental protection and pollution control / mitigation measures, as recommended in the project EIA Report, summarised in the updated implementation schedule;

(vi)    Graphical plots and the statistical analysis of the trends of monitored parameters over the course of the project, including the post-project monitoring for all monitoring stations annotated against:

·     the major activities being carried out on site during the period;

·     weather conditions during the period; and

·     any other factors which might affect the monitoring results;

(vii)   A summary of non-compliance (exceedances) of the environmental quality performance limits (Action and Limit levels);

(viii)   A review of the reasons for and the implications of non-compliance including review of pollution sources and working procedures as appropriate;

(ix)    A description of the actions taken in the event of non-compliance;

(x)    A summary record of all complaints received (written or verbal) for each media, liaison and consultation undertaken, actions and follow-up procedures taken;

(xi)    A summary record of notifications of summons and successful prosecutions for breaches of the current environmental protection / pollution control legislation, locations and nature of the breaches, investigation follow-up actions taken and results;

(xii)   A review of the validity of EIA predictions and identification of shortcomings in EIA recommendations;

(xiii)  Comments (for examples, a review of the effectiveness and efficiency of the mitigation measures and of the performance of the environmental management system, that is, of the overall EM&A programme); and

(xiv)  Recommendations and conclusions (for example, a review of success of the overall EM&A programme to cost-effectively identify deterioration and to initiate prompt effective mitigatory action when necessary).

16.6               Data Keeping

16.6.1          No site-based documents (such as monitoring field records, laboratory analysis records, site inspection forms, etc.) are required to be included in the monthly EM&A reports.  However, any such document shall be well kept by the ET Leader and be ready for inspection upon request.  All relevant information shall be clearly and systematically recorded in the document.  Monitoring data shall also be recorded in magnetic media form, and the software copy must be available upon request.  Data format shall be agreed with EPD.  All documents and data shall be kept for at least one year following completion of the construction contract.

16.7               Interim Notifications of Environmental Quality Limit Exceedances

16.7.1          With reference to the Event and Action Plan, when the environmental quality performance limits are exceeded, the ET Leader shall immediately notify the IEC and EPD, as appropriate.  The notification shall be followed up with advice to IEC and EPD on the results of the investigation, proposed actions and success of the actions taken, with any necessary follow-up proposals.  A sample template for the interim notifications is presented in Appendix F.