8
Environmental Monitoring and Audit Requirements
8.1
Introduction
8.1.1.1
In addition to the assessment for the various environmental parameters
in this report, programme and methodologies for Environmental Monitoring and
Audit (EM&A) are recommended to evaluate the environmental performance and
implementation of the Project. This section summarises
the requirements for EM&A.
8.1.1.2
The EM&A programme provides a systematic procedure for monitoring,
auditing to minimise environmental impacts during the construction and operation
phases of the Project. Major objectives of the EM&A
are listed as follows:
·
Ensure compliance with relevant requirement, standard, Government
policies and recommendation listed in this EIA Study;
·
Enhance the implementation of proposed mitigation measures through
monitoring and auditing;
·
Raise warning to any possible breach of environmental compliance;
·
Establish appropriate procedures for handling of environmental
complaints; and
·
Determine the scope and extent of remedial actions when they are
required.
8.2
Air Quality
8.2.1
Construction Phase
8.2.1.1
No adverse construction dust impact is anticipated upon the representative
ASRs given that the proposed helipad will likely be constructed by prefabrication.
However, relevant dust control measures as recommended in the Air Pollution
Control (Construction Dust) Regulation shall be implemented.
Hence, regular site environmental audits shall be conducted to ensure
proper implementation of dust control measures.
8.2.2
Operation Phase
8.2.2.1
Results from the air quality impact assessment show that there
will be no adverse impact due to the operation of the proposed helipad.
Therefore, EM&A works is not necessary.
8.3
Noise Impact
8.3.1
Construction Phase
8.3.1.1
Results from the construction noise impact assessment indicate
no exceedance of the noise criterion at the representative NSR.
Noise monitoring and audit in construction phase is not required.
8.3.2
Operation Phase
8.3.2.1
This EIA Study has considered all practicable means of minimising
potential operational helicopter noise impact upon identified NSRs.
These measures include set back of helipad, adoption of quiet approaching/departure
procedures and erection of noise barriers and noise reducers.
The helicopter noise impact has been assessed. No
noise exceedance of the relevant daytime helicopter noise criteria inTable 4.1
was anticipated at the representative NSRs.
8.3.2.2
With the implementation of all practicable noise mitigation measures,
the predicted helicopter noise levels of the worst operation mode at the representative
NSRs range from Lmax 79 - 85dB(A) which comply with the noise criterion.
It is expected the helicopter operation at the Proposed
Helipad occurs randomly over the year and the average daily operation is less
than one. The noise event of helicopter during flyover
at 1500ft above mean sea level is about 2-3 seconds.
Under normal circumstances, the duration of helicopter idling is not
more than 5 minutes for casualty handover at the Proposed Helipad.
Hovering will be within 5 seconds before touchdown or after lift-off.
With the rare occurrence of emergency helicopter
operations and the short duration of each flight event at the Proposed Helipad,
all practicable noise mitigation measures have been exhausted to minimise the
noise impact. Thus, operational noise monitoring,
in particular real-time reporting, is not required.
8.3.2.3
The local community may lodge noise complaints with the relevant
authority. Upon receipt of any complaints from public
or any concerned parties, the HA/QMH shall undertake the following procedures:
1)
Record the complaint in a central complaint database by the HA/QMH
and the GFS;
2)
Investigate the complaint and determine its validity as well as
source of the problem by the HA/QMH and the GFS;
3)
Identify mitigation measure by the HA/QMH and the GFS; and
4)
Report the findings and follow-up action to the complainant or
the concerned parties by the HA/QMH.
8.4
Waste Management
8.4.1
Construction Phase
8.4.1.1
Given that no demolition, site formation or dredging works will
be involved in this Project, limited quantity of waste would be generated during
the construction stage. While no specific EM&A
requirements have been identified, it is recommended that site inspection and
supervision of waste management procedures should be conducted.
The Contractor shall be responsible for preparing a Waste Management
Plan (WMP) in accordance with ETWB TC(W) 19/2005 and submitted for approval.
Regular site audits shall be carried out to ensure the effectiveness
of the implemented mitigation measures.
8.4.2
Operation Phase
8.4.2.1
The operation of the helipad would not generate waste.
As such, there will be no EM&A requirements for the operational phase
of the Project.
8.5
Ecological Impact – Terrestrial
8.5.1
Construction Phase
8.5.1.1
The construction works will be carried out on the rooftop and
some material delivery at ground level by trucks on designated haul road. No
works will be allowed outside the site boundary. Findings
from site survey also indicate that there will be no significant adverse ecological
impact upon the environment. In connection of the
above, no monitoring requirements is needed for the Project.
8.5.2
Operation Phase
8.5.2.1
The proposed flight sector provides GFS with the flexibility to
adopt an alternative route in the case where avifauna is present in the original
planned flight path. GFS would also excise precautionary
measures to avoid bird strike event as much as possible.
Identified avifauna species within the study area are highly mobile and
should be able to utilise the surrounding beyond the study area in the event
of an incoming helicopter flight.
8.5.2.2
Based on the assessment, identified avifauna species within the
study area are highly mobile and their use of the environment within the study
area is transient. In view of the daily operation
of the helipad is expected not more than once in average and that of there are
no scheduled flights, no ecology-specific monitoring during operational phase
is considered necessary.
8.6
Visual Impact
8.6.1
Operation Phase
8.6.1.1
There will be no direct line of sight from the identified VSRs
to the lighting of Proposed Helipad. Hence, adverse
visual impact of lights during night-time operation of the Project is not anticipated,
and monitoring will not be necessary.
8.7
Summary of Environmental Monitoring and Audit Requirements
8.7.1.1
The required environmental monitoring and audit is summarised
in Table 8.1.
Table 8.1
Summary of Required EM&A
|
Environmental
Aspect
|
Construction
Phase
|
Operational
Phase
|
|
Monitoring
|
Audit
|
Monitoring
|
Audit
|
|
Air Quality
|
N
|
Y
|
N
|
N
|
|
Noise Impact
|
N
|
Y
|
N
|
N
|
|
Waste Management
|
N
|
Y
|
N
|
N
|
|
Ecological
Impact - Terrestrial
|
N
|
N
|
N
|
N
|
|
Visual Impact
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N
|
N
|
Notes:
Y - Required
N - Not required
N/A - Not applicable