10. Environmental Monitoring and Audit Requirements

10.1 Introduction

10.1.1 Based on the assessment in previous chapters on various environmental parameters, programme and methodologies for Environmental Monitoring and Audit (EM&A) are recommended for evaluating the environmental performance and compliance or implementing the Project. This chapter summarises the requirements for EM&A. Details of the EM&A programme are presented as part of this EIA report in a stand-alone EM&A Manual which is formulated in accordance with Annex 21 of the EIAO-TM and EPD’s EM&A Guidelines for Development Projects in Hong Kong.

10.1.2 The EM&A programme provides systematic procedures for monitoring, auditing and minimising of the environmental impacts associated with the construction and operation of the Project. Major objectives of the EM&A includes:-

· To ensure compliance with the EIA study recommendations and regulatory requirements, standards and government policies;

· To enhance the effectiveness of recommended on-site mitigation measures through monitoring and auditing;

· To allow early warning for impact prevention or minimisation;

· To identify any further need for additional mitigation measures or remedial action to redress unacceptable or unanticipated environmental impacts;

· To determine the scope and extent of remedial action if any exceedance of environmental compliance.

10.1.3 All EM&A data, assessment and recommendations would be reported in a series of regular EM&A reports during the next phases of this Project.

10.2 EM&A Requirements

10.2.1 All recommended mitigation measures in the EIA study will be incorporated in an EM&A programme during implementation. This will enable the Contractor to have early warning and provide necessary action to reduce impacts at specific areas if the critical assessment criteria are approached. Table 10-1 summaries the EM&A requirements of each environmental parameters.

Table 10-1 Summary of EM&A Requirements

Parameters	Construction Phase		Operational Phase
Parameters	Monitoring	Audit	Monitoring	Audit
Air Quality	-	ü	ü	-
Noise	ü	ü	-	-
Water Quality	-	ü	-	-
Waste and Land Contamination	-	ü	-	-
Landscape and Visual	-	ü	-	-

10.2.2 Details of the recommended mitigation measures, monitoring procedures and locations are presented in a stand-alone Environmental Monitoring and Audit (EM&A) Manual.

10.3 Air Quality

Construction Phase

10.3.1 No adverse dust impact would be anticipated at the ASRs with the implementation of sufficient dust suppression measures as stipulated under the Air Pollution Control (Construction Dust) Regulation and good site practices. Regular site environmental audits during the construction phase of the Project as specified in the EM&A Manual should be conducted to ensure the recommended dust suppression measures are implemented.

Operational phase

10.3.2 The results of the operational air quality impact assessment related to vehicular emissions indicate that no adverse impact would be expected from the operation of the Project. Therefore, the EM&A works related to traffic air quality for the operational phase is not considered as necessary.

10.3.3 In order to ensure the odour removal efficiency (at least 85%) of the proposed odour removal unit, commissioning test requirement should be incorporated in the specification during commissioning period.

10.3.4 Upon commissioning, odour removal efficiency of the proposed odour removal unit should be tested quarterly for the first year of operation, in order to ensure adequate maintenance and operation of the unit. If all results fulfil the above minimum requirement, the monitoring programme would be ceased. If failure, the programme shall be increased to monthly monitoring and extended until in consecutive 3 times fulfilling the requirement. Most importantly, it is critical and necessary to carry out investigation to examine rationale(s) (eg. airduct blockage) for failure, suggest and implement effective rectifying action(s) (eg. increasing frequency of media replacement). Since the design is subject to later modification, it is recommended the Project Proponent to develop a monitoring and investigation plan, as well as work procedure, prior to operation of the unit.

10.4 Noise

Construction Phase

10.4.1 The assessment has concluded that, with the implementation of mitigation measures in form of utilising quieter plant, limiting the number of construction plants operating concurrently, temporary noise barrier, noise jackets and mufflers, no adverse residual construction impact would be anticipated.

10.4.2 However, environmental monitoring and audit measures are recommended during the construction phase of the Project to ensure adverse impacts do not occur. An appropriate path for noise complaints handling procedures is a key element of the EM&A programme. Detailed implementation schedules of all mitigation measures are also provided in the EM&A Manual.

Operation Phase

10.4.3 Noise monitoring during the operation phase is considered not necessary as the proposed Depot would not be expected to result in significant noise impact to adjacent identified NSRs with the implementation of the recommended mitigation measures.

10.5 Water Quality

10.5.1 The implementation of good construction works practices as well as the various specific mitigation measures recommended above will be important to prevent the pollution of marine water during the construction phase. It is, therefore, recommended that construction activities should be subject to a routine audit programme throughout the construction period. Further details on the scope of this audit are provided in the EM&A Manual. No operational phase EM&A for water quality is considered required.

10.6 Waste Management and Land Contamination

10.6.1 It is recommended that regular auditing by an Environmental Team should be carried out during the construction phase of the Project to ensure waste are being managed with the appropriate procedures or practices in accordance to relevant legislation and waste management guidelines as well as those recommended in this EIA Report. The audits will examine all aspects of waste management including waste generation, storage, recycling, transport and disposal.

10.6.2 A Waste Management Plan (WMP), as part of Environmental Management Plan (EMP), should be prepared in accordance with ETWB TC(W) No.19/2005 and submitted to the Project/ Site Engineer for approval. The recommended mitigation measures should form the basis of the WMP. The monitoring and auditing requirement stated in ETWB TC(W) No.19/2005 should be followed with regard to the management of C&D Materials.

10.6.3 As the land contamination at the Site was identified to be insignificant during construction and operation phases with the implementation of good site practice and design, no EM&A for contaminated land is recommended.

10.7 Landscape and Visual

Construction Phase

10.7.1 Given the limited footprint of the proposed Depot, no significant impacts on the identified LRs and LCAs will be anticipated except for impacts on LR 5-3 Vacant Land Vegetation and LCA 4 Open Space/Vacant Land due to felling of 15 common trees of the Site. Construction site hoardings should be erected to surround the site to minimise the landscape and visual impacts on viewers from road level. No monitoring is recommended during the construction phase.

Operation Phase

10.7.2 The Project will result in the felling of 15 trees within the Site. The landscape design as mentioned in Sections 8 are adopted as mitigation measures to compensate for the trees lost, which is proposed to plant 27 nos. compensatory trees of heavy standard size (100mm DBH) on-grade and on 3/F, exceeding minimum compensatory requirements as per the Circular in accordance with ETWB TC(W) No. 3/2006 i.e. in a compensatory ratio not less than 1:1 in terms of both quality and quantity. Planting of these trees would be completed before the completion of construction work of the Project. Approval on tree felling would be obtained from the relevant government departments including Lands Department. The compensatory plantings would be implemented and any necessary monitoring of the compensatory planting after establishment would be conducted (if required) according to the tree felling approval conditions as required by the approval authorities.