COntent
1.2 Purpose of
this Executive Summary
2.1 Objectives and
Scope of Project
2.3 Appreciation
of Existing Environment
2.5 Project
Benefits and Environmental Initiatives
2.6 Development
Programme for the Project
3. Summary
of Key Findings in Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Study
3.1 Approach to
Environmental Impact Assessment
3.5 Sewerage and
Sewage Treatment Implications
3.7 Impact from
Electric and Magnetic Fields
3.8 Landscape and
Visual Impact
3.9 Waste
Management Implications
3.10 Land
Contamination Impact
3.11 Impact on
Cultural Heritage
3.12 Environmental
Monitoring and Audit Requirements.
4. Summary
of Environmental Outcomes
List of Figures
|
Location Plan |
|
|
Location of (Schedule
2) Designated Project (DP) |
|
|
Stages of
Development (Sheet 1 of 2) |
|
|
Stages of
Development (Sheet 2 of 2) |
List of TABLES
Table 2.1 ....... Summary of Designated Project
Table 3.4 ....... Summary of
Mitigated Road Traffic Noise Levels
Table 3.5 ....... Summary of
the Habitat Loss
Table 3.6 ....... Summary of
EM&A Requirements
1.1.3
The PDA falls within an area zoned “Residential
(Group E)” (“R(E)”) and “Green Belt” (“GB”) on the approved Lam Tei and Yick Yuen Outline Zoning
Plan (OZP) No. S/TM-LTYY/10 and “Residential (Group E) 1” (“R(E)1”), “GB” and
“Village Type Development” (“V”) and an area shown as ‘Road’ on the approved Tuen Mun OZP No. S/TM/35.
1.1.5
The Study is a Designated Project (DP) under
Schedule 3 Item 1 of the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (EIAO), i.e.
an engineering feasibility study of urban development projects with a study
area covering more than 20 ha or involving a total population of more than
100,000. The proposed sewage pumping station (SPS) at the SHR Site is a DP under
Item F.3(b), Part I, Schedule 2 of the EIAO.
1.1.6
A Project Profile (No. PP-551/2017) was submitted to
the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) on 21 June 2017 for application
for an EIA Study Brief in accordance with Section 5(1)(a) of the
EIAO. An EIA Study Brief (EIA Study Brief No: ESB-299/2017) was issued by EPD
on 4 August 2017 in accordance with Section 5(7)(a) of the EIAO.
1.1.7
The PDA is situated in Tuen
Mun between Lam Tei Light Rail Transit (LRT) Station and
Siu Hong LRT/ West Rail Line (WRL) Interchange Station. On the southern side of
the PDA is Po Tong Ha and Tsz Tin Tsuen, while the western side is the Tsing
Shan Firing Range (TSFR). The private housing site, Villa Pinada,
which is a low density private residential development, is located to the north
of the PDA and is situated between HPR Site and SHR Site Extension.
1.1.8
SHR Site, SHR Site Extension and HPR Site are currently used mainly for brownfield operations such as open storages, workshops, ice-making and dyeing factories,
warehouses and temporary structures, etc. There are also low-rise village
houses settlements, agricultural lands, graves,
urns and permitted burial grounds, slopes, etc., scattering throughout the
PDA. In addition, there are CLP pylons
and 400kV overhead powerlines (OHL) spanning across SHR Site, SHR Site
Extension and HPR Site on the southern side. SHR Site, SHR Site
Extension and HPR Site are connected by Hong Po Road which is a single two-way
road of about 6m wide.
1.1.9
Under the Study, the views and opinions from stakeholders
and green groups had been collected. All comments collected had been compiled
and analysed, which had been taken into account for
the preparation of the layout for the
proposed developments.
1.2
Purpose
of this Executive Summary
1.2.1
The Executive Summary (ES) illustrates the key
information and findings of the EIA study for the proposed developments at San
Hing Road and Hong Po Road, Tuen Mun.
2.1
Objectives
and Scope of Project
2.1.1
The
Project aims to provide approximately 21,600 new public housing units to
accommodate a total population of approximately 61,000 with associated
supporting infrastructure. The Project
comprises the PDA and the associated infrastructure works (collectively
referred to as the “Project Site”). The location
and extent of the PDA
and the associated infrastructure works required to support the Project are
illustrated in Figure 2.1.
2.1.2
The
proposed site formation and infrastructure works to support the public housing
developments comprise the followings:
a)
Site
formation works;
b)
Slope works and other geotechnical works;
c)
Land decontamination
works;
d)
Roadworks
(e.g. Proposed Road L7 and the realigned Hong Po Road);
e)
Waterworks
(including service reservoirs);
f)
Sewerage
works (including a SPS);
g)
Drainage
works;
h)
Landscaping
works;
i)
Public
Transport Interchanges (PTIs); and
j)
Other
infrastructure works including utilities and road junction improvement works
etc.
2.2.1
Housing is one of the most important
livelihood issues in Hong Kong to be addressed by the Government. Hence,
increasing housing supply has been one of the major focuses in the Policy
Addresses for last few years. The
2011-2014 Policy Addresses had identified that increasing production of Public Rental
Housing (PRH) / Subsidised Sale Flats (SSF) as well as land supply for private
housing development would be a key to tackle issues arising from the raising
housing demand. Various measures had
been recommended with an aim to expanding the land resources, which include
exploring the possibility of converting agricultural land in some parts of the
New Territories, currently used for industrial purposes or temporary storage
into land for housing development. In the 2018 Policy Address, the Government
shared the community’s aspiration about the development of brownfield sites to
increase housing supply. Under the Long Term Housing
Strategy 2019, the split ratio of public / private housing of 70:30 is adopted
continuously, and supply target for public housing is 301,000 for ten year from
2020/21 to 2029/30.
2.2.2
To align with the Government Policy
on Housing, this Project was putting forward to provide approximately
21,600 public housing units, accommodating a total population of approximately
61,000. The proposed developments would also include
supporting social welfare and other facilities to serve the proposed
developments. These facilities include
primary schools, secondary school, kindergartens, community centre, child care centre, residential care home for the
elderly, children and youth services centre, and retail, etc.
2.2.3
Of the approximately 29.7 ha of land
proposed for development of public housings, schools, the proposed Road L7 and the realigned Hong Po Road etc., approximately 10.3 ha of land is currently used for
various types of brownfield operations.
The transition of this land being mainly used
for brownfield operations into housing developments proposed under this Project
could optimise the land use as well as addressing the public housing needs.
2.2.4
The PDA is currently rural area with a mixture
of land uses, with brownfield operations as the predominant uses. These brownfield operations are intermingled
with rural settlements and residential developments, agricultural land and
vacant land, etc. The expansion in
brownfield site has resulted in deterioration of the rural environmental due to
the increasing noise nuisances to the surrounding residents. In addition, the possibility of improper discharge
of industrial waste water and contaminants without proper treatment into the
nearby watercourses could deteriorate the water quality in the vicinity.
2.2.5
With
the implementation of the proposed public housing
developments, proper sewerage facilities will be provided to convey the
sewage collected within the PDA to the downstream public sewerage system, thereby
alleviating the impact caused by the existing brownfield operations.
2.2.6
By transforming the brownfield sites
for housing developments and other associated ancillary facilities, e.g.
provision of PTIs, Government, Institution or Community (GI/C) facilities and
social welfare facilities and public sewerage system
etc., not only the living condition at the study area would be improved, the
public’s expectation on provision of more traffic and
transport infrastructure and G/IC facilities at the area could also
be met and therefore, improving the overall living environment for the existing
residents in the vicinity and future residents.
2.2.7
The proposed Road L7 and the realigned Hong Po Road will
provide an alternative route for the PDA and adjacent areas, e.g. San Hing
Tsuen and Tsz Tin Tsuen, to the nearby road networks, which could release the
burden of the existing road linkages within the area.
2.3
Appreciation
of Existing Environment
2.3.1
The PDA mainly comprises of the SHR Site, SHR Site
Extension and HPR Site, the proposed Road L7 and the realigned Hong Po Road. To
facilitate the developments, a number of
infrastructure works including site formation, construction of public housing and
schools, provision of social welfare facilities, construction of roads,
drainage and sewerage, waterworks and landscaping works,
etc., will be implemented.
SHR Site
2.3.2
The
SHR Site is located to the south of San Hing Tsuen and bounded north by San
Hing Road, east by Ng Lau Road and south by Hong Po Road. The site currently
comprises of low-rise village houses settlements, warehouses and temporary
structures. The eastern part of the SHR site falls within the Railway
Protection Zone of Mass Transit Railway Corporation Limited (MTRCL).
2.3.3
The
existing low-rise village houses are located very close to the brownfield sites
and hence are affected by the brownfield operations to a certain extent. Other
than brownfield operations and low-density residential developments, there are
several drainage channels located within the SHR Site. About half of the SHR Site falls within the San
Hing Tsuen Site of Archaeological Interest (SAI). CLP’s 400kV OHL and the
pylons and the Kei Lun Wai SAI are located to the south of SHR Site. The Tuen Mun Nullah is located on
the eastern
side of SHR Site.
2.3.4
The watercourses
in SHR Site are now channelized with little vegetation along the banks. They
act as continuations of the natural/semi-natural streams that drain water from
the hillside woodland/shrubland areas and collect storm water from the nearby villages.
SHR Site Extension
2.3.6
The SHR
Site Extension is located between Villa Pinada and northwest
boundary of SHR Site. It is currently occupied by a marble factory and squatter
structures. Immediately north of SHR
Site Extension is the Permitted Burial Ground No. 6 (BURGD6). The eastern edge
of SHR Site Extension falls within the San Hing Tsuen SAI. No declared monuments, proposed monuments,
graded historic sites/buildings or any Government historic sites is identified
within SHR Site Extension.
2.3.7
Patches
of agricultural land are scattered throughout the village and open storage
/workshop areas. The central bulk of SHR Site Extension comprises agricultural
land/orchard.
2.3.8
There
is an existing open channel running from the northwest to the south within the SHR
Site Extension. A drainage channel is
located to the south of the SHR Site Extension. These existing drainage
channels would require proper diversion during the proposed site formation
works. 400kV OHL and the pylons and the Kei Lun Wai SAI are located to the
south of the SHR Site Extension, where the San Hing Tsuen SAI is located on the
eastern side of the SHR Site Extension.
HPR Site
2.3.9
The
HPR Site is located to the west of Villa Pinada and
to the east of TSFR. To the north and west of the HPR Site are the BURGD7 and BURGD8
respectively. The HPR Site is currently occupied by open storage and orchard. A
DSD adit shaft building is located to the northwest
of the site.
2.3.10
There
are currently two semi-natural streams running across the HPR Site, in which
one is running from the north to the south and another one is running from the
west to the south. The Siu Hang Tsuen SAI is located to the south of the HPR
Site. No declared
monuments, proposed monuments, graded historic sites/buildings or any
Government historic sites is
identified within HPR Site.
Other Infrastructure Works
2.3.11
The
existing infrastructure and roads would need to be upgraded in order to support
the proposed public housing developments. The proposed supporting
infrastructure includes the construction of the proposed Road L7 and the realigned
Hong Po Road which link Lam Tei Interchange and Ming Kum Road. The proposed Road L7 will provide an alternative
route to the proposed development sites to diversify the traffic to different
location so as to minimise the traffic impact to the
surrounding road network. A small patch of woodland would unavoidably
be affected by the construction of proposed Road L7.
2.3.12
Besides
roadworks, a new SPS is proposed at the SHR site to collect sewage from the SHR
Site, SHR Site Extension and HPR Site to the downstream sewerage system. Rising
mains are proposed along Hong Po Road and Tsing Lun Road to convey sewage from
the SHR SPS to the downstream sewage pumping station in Area 54, Tuen Mun (TM54 SPS).
2.3.13
The
construction of the associated rising mains falls within the Kei Lun Wai SAI,
while southern end of the proposed Road L7 falls within the Siu Hang Tsuen SAI.
2.3.14
The
proposed fresh water service reservoir (FWSR) and salt water service reservoir (SWSR)
at the HPR site would be located at the village/orchard area and adjacent to
the TSFR Boundary. The proposed FWSR and SWSR will provide fresh water supply and
salt water supply for the proposed public housing developments, respectively
together with the existing fresh water supply infrastructure. The proposed
watermains will be constructed along the existing Ming Kum
Road, the proposed Road L7 and the realigned Hong Po Road, which mainly fall within
the open area/village area.
2.3.15
No
declared monuments, proposed monuments, graded historic sites/buildings or any
Government historic sites is identified within the associated infrastructure
works area.
2.4.1
The
Study is a DP under Schedule 3 Item 1 of EIAO, i.e. an Engineering feasibility study
of urban development projects with a study area covering more than 20 ha or
involving a total population of more than 100,000. Location of DP under
Schedule 2 of the EIAO and details are shown in Figure 2.2 and
Table 2.1 respectively.
Table 2.1 Summary of
Designated Project
|
Item Ref. No. |
Ref. Category No. |
Descriptions of DP under EIAO |
Works Descriptions |
|
DP1 |
F.3 (b) of Part 1 Schedule
2 |
A SPS with an
installed capacity of more than 2,000 m3 per day and a boundary of
which is less than 150m from an existing or planned residential area |
Construction
of a SPS with a design capacity of 14,629m3/day at SHR Site and is less than 150m from an existing /
planned residential area |
2.5
Project
Benefits and Environmental Initiatives
2.5.1
The
Project aspires to turn the existing vast extent of brownfield sites including
container yard, vehicle repair workshop, ice-making factory, motor services
yards, workshop for woodworking and sawmill and warehouse as well as sporadic low density
residential development, agricultural land and vacant land into potential land for public
housing developments. These brownfield sites have created considerable
environmental, traffic, visual impacts to the neighbouring communities. One of
the overarching objectives of the Project is to transform these brownfield
sites to more optimal uses and better land utilisation for future development
of Hong Kong. The benefits of the Project are described below:
·
Alleviating scarcity of housing supply
– The Project will provide approx. 21,600 public housing units, comprising
PRH and SSF, responding to the needs of community and improving the quality of
life.
·
Serving a Wider Community – Commercial and retail facilities would be provided within the proposed
development sites to serve the planned population as well as the nearby
community. Two
PTIs would be provided, one at the SHR Site and the other at the HPR Site. These two PTIs are located near the
existing villages and hence, would not only serve the proposed developments but
also the nearby villagers and residents.
·
Providing
“Government, Institution or Community” (G/IC) facilities – The
Project has proposed various welfare facilities and educational facilities
including Child Care Centre (CCC), Special Child Care Centre (SCCC), On-site
Pre-school Rehabilitation Service (OPRS) Office Base , Residential Care Home
for the Elderly (RCHE), Day Care Unit (DCU), Integrated Children and Youth Services Centre
(ICYSC) and Neighbourhood Elderly Centre (NEC), kindergartens, primary school
and secondary school, etc (details subject to further review at detailed design
stage). These facilities could help to relieve the increasing welfare and
educational needs at the Tuen Mun North area as well
as the needs arising from the proposed developments.
Environmental Initiatives and Benefits
2.5.2
The environmental
consideration has been the key factors in the planning of the Project.
Throughout the planning process, environmental impacts as well as benefits are
both identified and critically considered. The Project offers potential
environmental initiatives both to conserve existing environmental resources
and, where opportunities exist, to enhance and upgrade the environment on
various fronts. The environmental initiatives and benefits that the Project
offers are summarised below:
·
Improving the existing interface issues of industrial/residential
uses;
·
Providing proper sewerage system within the PDA;
·
Encouraging green commuting within and beyond the PDA;
·
Providing opportunity to clean-up the existing potentially
contaminated land;
·
Providing sustainable development and greening
opportunities;
·
Enhancing the ecological value of the retained semi-natural
streams for identified species of conservation interest; and
·
Providing opportunity to enhance the ecological
performance of nearby area.
Improving the Existing Interface Issues of Industrial/Residential
Uses
2.5.3
As
present, the proliferation of brownfield operations within the
PDA has created considerable
environmental, traffic and visual problems. To maximize the land use for housing supply and
improve the overall environment of the area, the existing brownfield operations
such as workshops,
warehouses and temporary structures within the PDA will be converted into
housing developments. This will help alleviate the existing industrial/ residential interface issues resulting
from existing brownfield operations.
Providing Proper Sewerage System within the PDA
2.5.4
Currently,
there is no public sewers
within the PDA, and the watercourses are still subject to discharges from scattered houses
not served by public sewers. With the proposed SHR SPS and associated
sewage pipes to be constructed
under the Project, all the areas within the PDA will be provided with public sewers
that convey the sewage to the downstream public sewage collection and treatment system. Hence, the watercourses
in the vicinity are
anticipated to have potential benefits from the improvement in water quality.
Encouraging Green Commuting within and
beyond the PDA
2.5.5
Pedestrian
walkways and cycle tracks will be constructed along the proposed Road L7 and
the re-aligned Hong Po Road to promote green commuting. The proposed cycle
tracks will be connected to the nearby residential areas (e.g. Tuen Mun New
Town) and public transport facilities (e.g.
Lam Tei
LRT Station and Siu Hong LRT/WRL Interchange Station) where practicable. Upgrading/modification
works to existing footbridge at Ng Lau Road and associated covered walkway are
proposed to improve the walking environment and promote green commuting. All these measures are proposed to facilitate walking
and cycling across the PDA and in the wider community. This would also in turn
help to reduce road-based traffic and hence their associated vehicular noise
and pollutants emission.
Providing Opportunity to Clean-up the
Existing Potentially Contaminated Land
2.5.6
The
PDA currently comprises brownfield operations including container yard, vehicle
repair workshop, ice-making factory, motor services yards and warehouse, etc,
which are identified as the land uses that have the potential to cause or
have caused land contamination.
2.5.7
Proposed
mitigation measures to clean-up the potentially contaminated land, will be
carried out prior to the implementation of the proposed public housing developments.
This act is to minimise the health risk to the future occupants arising from
the exposure
of the contaminated soil
and/or groundwater. It would also provide the opportunity to reuse the treated contaminated materials into useful
materials for backfilling, which results in minimising the amount of waste
disposing into the depleting landfill in Hong Kong and achieving a more
sustainable development.
2.5.8
Upon
remediation of the contaminated land, if any, the Project will have converted
previously contaminated soil and groundwater into safe and usable land fit for
development, thus bringing benefits to the community at large and helping to
address Hong Kong’s long-term housing demand and other land use needs.
Providing Sustainable Development and
Greening Opportunities
2.5.9
The
woodland area along the proposed Road L7 will be preserved under the Project as far as practicable to maintain the local
character, green landscape and linkage between urban and rural areas. Besides
that, green planting/greening space would be provided in the open spaces within
SHR Site, SHR Site Extension and HPR Site. Screen planting would also be
provided along the proposed Road L7 and the realigned Hong Po Road. Green roof
and corresponding landscape work such as planting of climbers, shrubs and
bamboo, etc. would be carried out for the proposed SPS,
service reservoirs and proposed PTIs areas.
Enhancing the Ecological Value of the
Retained Semi-natural Stream for identified Species of Conservation Interests
2.5.10
Two
crab species of conservation interest, i.e. Cryptopotamon
anacoluthon and Somanniathelphusa zanklon were
identified at a section of semi-natural stream adjacent to HPR Site during the
ecological baseline survey conducted under this Project. Apart from setting a 6m
buffer zone alongside the southern bank of the retained stream section to
minimize the disturbance to the two crab species due to the construction and
operation of the proposed development, ecological enhancement for the retained stream section by removing
existing artificial bank structures and planting of native/ self-sustaining
vegetation to reinstate its natural riparian habitat is also recommended. This aims to improve the
carrying capability of the semi-natural stream for the two crab species of
conservation interest.
Providing Opportunity to Enhance the
Ecological Performance of Nearby Area
2.5.11
Ecological
enhancement by provision of not less than 1.2ha of enhancement planting has
been recommended under the Project. This measure takes the opportunity to enhance
the ecological performance of the off-site village/orchard habitat adjacent to
the northeastern side of the HPR Site, which is
currently by planting native species and turn it into a woodland habitat. It
could reduce the human disturbance to the nearby ecologically
sensitive semi-natural stream section, provide additional ecological buffer and
increase the ecological linkage with the nearby shrubland/grassland.
2.6
Development
Programme for the Project
2.6.1
In
order to ensure a balanced and programmed development with orderly
rehousing/relocation of qualified clearees, the implementation
of the developments is proposed to be divided into 4 main stages as illustrated
in Figures 2.3a and 2.3b. The
target for first phase of population intake of the developments is in Year 2030.
Key Developments in Stage 1
2.6.2
Stage
1 involves delivery of the proposed public housing development at SHR Site
Extension with a target population intake scheduled for 2030. The construction of the realigned Hong Po Road, junction improvement works, the
SPS at SHR site and other associated works are targeted to commence in 2025 for
completion in 2030. Details of the proposed works to be implemented in the
first stage include the following:
·
Site
formation and construction of public housing at SHR Site Extension;
·
Construction
of SPS at SHR Site and the associated rising mains;
·
Upgrading
of existing sewers and modification of the existing TM54 SPS;
·
Construction
of the realigned Hong Po Road;
·
Carrying
out of junction improvement works;
·
Construction of the footbridge
to connect SHR Site and Siu Hong LRT/WRL
Interchange Station; and
·
Carrying
out of associated drainage works, sewerage works,
and waterworks etc.
Key Developments in Stage 2
2.6.3
In
Stage 2, the development would focus on the construction of the proposed Road
L7 and the associated infrastructure works. It is targeted to commence the
construction works in 2026 for completion by 2029. The proposed works to be implemented
in the second stage include the following:
·
Construction
of the proposed Road L7;
·
Carrying
out of junction improvement works; and
·
Laying
of watermains along the proposed Road L7.
Key Developments in Stage 3
2.6.4
In
Stage 3, site
formation works for the public
housing development at SHR Site is targeted to commence in 2025 for population
intake planned in 2031. Besides that, the site formation and construction of
schools at SHR Site are targeted to commence in 2026 for completion by 2031 to
match with the population intake at SHR Site. The major site formation and associated
infrastructure works in this development stage will include:
·
Site
formation and construction of public housing and PTI at SHR Site;
·
Site
formation and construction of schools at SHR Site; and
·
Carrying
out of associated drainage works, sewerage works,
and waterworks etc.
Key Developments in Stage 4
2.6.5
In
Stage 4, the public housing development at HPR Site is targeted to commence in
2026 for population intake planned in 2033. Besides that, the site formation
and construction of schools at SHR Site Extension are targeted to commence in
2026 for completion by 2033 to match with the population intake at HPR Site. The
major site formation and associated infrastructure works in this development
stage will include:
·
Site
formation and construction of public housing and PTI at HPR Site;
·
Site
formation and construction of schools at SHR Site Extension;
·
Construction
of natural terrain mitigation measures at HPR Site;
·
Construction
of fresh/ salt water service reservoirs at HPR Site;
·
Carrying
out of associated drainage works, sewerage works,
and waterworks etc.
3.1
Approach
to Environmental Impact Assessment
3.1.1
The
EIA process provides a means of identifying, assessing and reporting the
environmental impacts and benefits of the Project. It is an iterative process
that has been undertaken to identify the potential environmental effects of
various design options, and develop alternatives as
well as mitigation measures to be incorporated into the design, construction
and operation of the Project. The views obtained from the public inspection period
of the Project Profile and the consultation with the green groups have been
considered and incorporated into the EIA report, where appropriate. Mitigation
measures have been proposed, where required, to avoid potential environmental
impacts, or to minimise impacts to acceptable levels. In addition, environmental benefits have been
incorporated into the Project, where possible.
Key Assessment Scope and Key Criteria
3.2.1
The
air quality impact assessment was conducted in accordance with the requirements
in Annexes 4 and 12 of the Technical Memorandum on EIA Process (EIAO-TM) and
the requirements in Section 3.4.3 and Appendix B of the EIA Study Brief. The assessment area for the
air quality impact is defined by a distance of 500m
from the boundary of the Project Site during construction phase and 500m from
the boundary of the PDA and road junction improvement works
during operation
phase.
3.2.2
Quantitative assessments using the relevant air models approved by EPD
have been conducted for both construction and operation phases. Cumulative air
quality impact has also been determined in the impact assessments.
Construction Phase
3.2.3
Potential
construction dust impact would be generated from site clearance, land decontamination, site
formation works and roadworks.
Quantitative fugitive dust assessments have been conducted. The major
concurrent projects include Site 4A (South), Site 4A (East) and Site 5 of the Tuen Mun Area 54 Development and Tuen
Mun Area 29 West Development. With
the implementation of mitigation measures specified in the Air Pollution
Control (Construction Dust) Regulation together with the recommended dust
suppression measures including watering once per hour on active works areas,
exposed areas and haul roads and other site management measures such as, good
site practices, and environmental monitoring and audit (EM&A) programme,
the predicted Total Suspended Solid (TSP), Respiratory Suspended Solid (RSP) and Fine
Suspended Solid (FSP) at representative
air sensitive receivers (ASRs) would comply with the criteria stipulated in the
Air Quality Objectives (AQOs) and EIAO-TM. The predicted concentrations
for key representative pollutants after implementation of mitigation measures are summarised in Table 3.1.
Table 3.1 Summary of
predicted cumulative construction dust impact (after implementation of
mitigation measures)
|
|
Pollutant
Concentration (μg/m3) |
Compliance |
||||||
|
TSP |
RSP |
FSP |
||||||
|
1-hr |
24-hr (10th highest) |
Annual |
24-hr (10th highest) |
Annual |
||||
|
Existing
ASRs |
202 - 434 |
83 - 98 |
36 - 46 |
62 - 68 |
25 - 27 |
Yes |
||
|
AQOs/ EIAO-TM Criteria |
500 |
100 |
50 |
75 |
35 |
-- |
||
Operation Phase
3.2.4
Key
existing, planned and committed air pollution sources during operation phase
are the vehicular emission from open sections of existing roads, proposed roads
and proposed junction improvement works within the assessment area. Cumulative air quality impact at the
representative ASRs would also be expected due to the background pollutant
concentrations, portal emissions from the noise enclosure at Tsing Lun Road and
industrial emissions from the identified chimneys within the assessment area.
Key representative air pollutants include Sulphur Dioxide (SO2), Nitrogen
Dioxide (NO2), RSP and FSP.
3.2.5
Quantitative
assessment has been conducted and the assessment results concluded that the
predicted cumulative air quality impacts in Year 2029 and Year 2033 on all ASRs
would comply with the AQOs. Results in Year 2029 and Year 2033 are summarised
in Table 3.2
and Table 3.3 respectively. Therefore,
no adverse air quality impact during operation phase is anticipated.
Table 3.2 Summary of
predicted concentrations of representative air pollutants during Operation
phase in Year 2029
|
|
Pollutant Concentration (µg/m3) |
Compliance |
|||||||
|
NO2 |
RSP |
FSP |
SO2 |
||||||
|
1-hr (19th highest) |
Annual |
24-hr (10th highest) |
Annual |
24-hr (10th highest) |
Annual |
10-min (4th highest) |
24-hr (4th highest) |
||
|
Existing ASRs |
104
- 139 |
23.7 – 37.4 |
82
- 89 |
35.6
- 37.6 |
62
- 67 |
25.3
– 26.7 |
n/a |
n/a |
Yes |
|
Planned ASRs |
104
- 128 |
24.3
– 36.9 |
83
- 86 |
36.0
– 36.8 |
62
- 64 |
25.6
– 26.3 |
122
- 145 |
28
- 31 |
Yes |
|
AQOs/ EIAO-TM Criteria |
200 |
40 |
100 |
50 |
75 |
35 |
500 |
125 |
-- |
Table 3.3 Summary of
predicted concentrations of representative air pollutants during Operation
phase in Year 2033
|
|
Pollutant
Concentration (µg/m3) |
Compliance |
|||||||
|
NO2 |
RSP |
FSP |
SO2 |
||||||
|
1-hr (19th highest) |
Annual |
24-hr (10th highest) |
Annual |
24-hr (10th highest) |
Annual |
10-min (4th highest) |
24-hr (4th highest) |
||
|
Existing
ASRs |
104 - 128 |
23.6 – 32.6 |
82 - 89 |
35.6 - 37.6 |
62 - 67 |
25.3 – 26.7 |
n/a |
n/a |
Yes |
|
Planned
ASRs |
105 - 125 |
24.6 – 33.2 |
83 - 85 |
36.0 – 36.5 |
62 - 64 |
25.6 – 26.1 |
122 - 145 |
28 - 31 |
Yes |
|
AQOs/ EIAO-TM Criteria |
200 |
40 |
100 |
50 |
75 |
35 |
500 |
125 |
-- |
3.2.6
Potential odour impact arising from the operation of
the proposed SHR SPS and future refuse collection points (RCPs) has been assessed in this EIA. With the installation of
deodourising units with 99.5% odour removal efficiency and incorporation of appropriate
design measures at the proposed SHR SPS, and proper ventilation and deodorizing
design system installed at the future RCPs together
with implementation of good housekeeping, it is anticipated that there would be
no adverse odour impact from the proposed SHR SPS and future RCPs at the nearby ASRs.
Key Assessment Scope and Key Criteria
3.3.1
The
noise impact assessment was conducted in accordance with the requirements set
out under Annexes 5 and 13 of the EIAO-TM, and Section 3.4.4 and Appendix C of
the EIA Study Brief. The assessment area
for noise impact is generally defined by a distance of 300m
from the Project Site (i.e. the PDA boundary and the associated infrastructure
works).
Construction Phase
Construction
Noise
3.3.2
Construction
noise associated with the use of powered mechanical equipment (PME) for various
stages of construction has been assessed. With the implementation of practical
mitigation measures including good site management practices, use of Quality
Powered Mechanical Equipment (QPME), use of movable noise barrier, noise
enclosure and noise insulating fabric and provision of minimum separations from
the affected educational institutions or avoidance of any noisy construction
activities during the school examination period, the predicted construction
noise impact would be 58-75 dB(A) for residential noise sensitive receivers
(NSRs), 50-70 dB(A) for education institutions and 50-65 dB(A) for education
institutions during school examination period. Hence, no unacceptable impact
arising from the construction of the Project would be anticipated.
3.3.3
For
conducting construction works close to education institution, it is recommended
that the Contractor shall liaise with the school representative(s) to obtain
the examination schedule so as to avoid noisy
construction activities during school examination period.
Operation Phase
Road
Traffic Noise
3.3.4
Operation
road traffic noise impact on the representative existing and planned noise
sensitive uses within and near the PDA and the junction improvement works have
been predicted. To mitigate the road traffic noise impact on the existing and
planned NSRs within and near the PDA and one of the junctions, a combination of
noise mitigation measures has been recommended, including i)
application of low noise road surfacing material along some sections of Project
roads and other roads ii) construction of roadside noise barriers along some
sections of project roads, iii) provision of acoustic windows for the proposed public
housing buildings, iv) construction of boundary wall for the proposed welfare facilities
and v) implementation of on-site noise mitigation measures at Site 5 of Tuen Mun Area 54 by
Hong Kong Housing Authority. Restriction on locating the more noise sensitive
welfare uses at façade facing the realigned Hong Po Road and access road in HPR
Site has also been recommended. With all the proposed mitigation measures in
place, the façade noise levels at all the planned NSRs would comply with the
respective noise criteria. A summary of the predicted road traffic noise levels
with mitigation measures in place is given in Table 3.4.
Table 3.4 Summary of
Mitigated Road Traffic Noise Levels
|
Use |
Predicted
Mitigated Overall Noise Levels, L10(1hr) dB(A) |
Criteria,
L10(1hr) dB(A) |
|
Residential |
41 - 70 |
70 |
|
Educational Institutions |
57 - 65 |
65 |
|
|
||
3.3.5
With
the implementation of the proposed mitigation measures, the traffic noise level
from Project roads would comply with the respective noise criteria and the
Project road contribution to overall noise level of existing residential and
educational NSRs outside PDA would be negligible.
Fixed
Noise Source
3.3.6
A number of facilities have been recommended to support the
operation of the proposed developments. Some of these facilities, which include
the proposed SHR SPS and the two PTIs are fixed noise sources that would
have potential noise impacts on NSRs.
Other than these proposed fixed noise sources, there are existing fixed
noise sources including rural workshops and storage sites.
3.3.7
Fixed
noise source impact assessment has been conducted for all existing and planned NSRs.
Noise impact from proposed fixed plant could be effectively mitigated by
implementing noise mitigation measure at source. With the adoption of the proposed maximum
permissible Sound Power Levels (SWLs) for the ventilation fans of proposed
PTIs, the impact noise levels at the representative NSRs would comply with the
relevant noise criteria. Therefore,
adverse impact on the NSRs due to fixed noise sources is not anticipated.
3.3.8
Rail
noise impact assessment has been conducted for the planned NSRs at the SHR Site
which are potentially affected by the WRL and LRT operation. With the implementation of mitigation measure
in the form of provision of acoustic windows for the proposed public housing,
the impact noise levels at all representative NSRs would comply with the
relevant rail noise criteria. Therefore, adverse rail noise impact on the
planned NSRs is not anticipated.
Key Assessment Scope and Key Criteria
3.4.1
The water
quality impact assessment was conducted in accordance with the requirements set
out under Annexes 6 and 14 of the EIAO-TM, and Section 3.4.5 and Appendix D of
the EIA Study Brief. The assessment area of the water quality impact includes
the area within 500 m from the boundary of the Project Site.
Construction Phase
3.4.2
Water
quality impacts from the construction works are associated with the general
construction activities, construction site run-off, accidental spillage, and
sewage effluent from construction workforce. The site practices as outlined in
the ProPECCPN 1/94 “Construction Site Drainage” and
the ETWB TC (W) No. 5/2005 “Protection of natural streams/rivers from adverse
impacts arising from construction works” are recommended to minimise the
potential water quality impacts from the construction activities. Proper site
management and good site practices are also recommended to ensure that
construction wastes and other construction-related materials would not enter
the nearby streams. Temporary sanitary facilities would be provided on
construction sites to properly collect the on-site sewage generated from the
construction workers. Water quality monitoring will be implemented
and regular site inspection will be conducted during construction stage to
ensure that the recommended mitigation measures are properly implemented.
3.4.3
With
the implementation of the recommended mitigation measures, the construction
works for the Project would not result in unacceptable impacts on water
quality.
Operation Phase
3.4.4
During
the operation phase, all the sewage and wastewater generated from the PDA will
be properly
collected and discharged to
the public sewerage system and conveyed to the Pillar Point Sewage Treatment
Works (PPSTW) for chemically enhanced primary treatment (CEPT) prior to
discharge into Urmston Road. Discharge from the PPSTW after CEPT and UV
disinfection would not cause adverse water quality impact in North Western and
Western Buffer waters.
3.4.5
In
view of the potential emergency discharge from the proposed SHR SPS,
contingency measures such as a storage tank, twin rising mains, standby pumps
and dual electricity supply or backup power supply facilities would be provided
at the proposed SHR SPS to minimize the risk of
failure of the SPS leading to emergency discharge of untreated sewage. An
emergency response plan will be formulated to minimize the impact of emergency
discharges and facilitate subsequent management of the emergency. With
proper implementation of the recommended mitigation measures, no unacceptable water quality impact would
be expected during the operation phase of the Project. No adverse residual
water quality impact is anticipated during operation phase of the Project.
3.5
Sewerage and
Sewage Treatment Implications
Key Assessment Scope and Key Criteria
3.5.1
Sewerage
and sewage treatment implications of the Project were evaluated and assessed in
accordance with Section 3.4.6 and Appendix E of the EIA Study Brief and the
criteria as stated in Annex 14 of the EIAO-TM.
Operation Phase
3.5.2
The
proposed development in the PDA will generate large amount of sewage flow. New
public sewerage system and the proposed SHR
SPS will be constructed to collect sewage generated from the
PDA and convey the collected
sewage to the downstream sewerage system. According to the assessment, the PPSTW would have adequate treatment capacity to
cater for the sewage flow generated from the PDA.
3.5.3
Based
on the findings of this sewerage and sewage treatment impact assessment, the
Project is sustainable from sewage collection, treatment and disposal
perspective.
Key Assessment Scope and Key Criteria
3.6.1
The
ecological impact assessment was conducted in accordance with the requirements
set out under Annexes 8 and 16 of the EIAO-TM, Section 3.4.9 and Appendix H of
the EIA Study Brief, EIAO Guidance Notes (6/2010, 7/2010 and 10/2010) and other
relevant legislations and guidelines. The assessment area of the ecological
impact includes the area within 500 m from the boundary of the Project
Site.
Potential Impacts and Mitigation Measures
3.6.2
Ecological
baseline was established by both literature review and 8 months programme of field surveys covering both dry and wet seasons. A total of 11 types of habitat were identified
within the ecological assessment area, of which 8 types of habitats, including
woodland, agricultural land, natural stream, semi-natural stream, drainage
channel, village/orchard, village area and urban area were located within the
Project Site where the development area and associated infrastructure works are
proposed.
3.6.3
Avoidance
measures were considered and incorporated during early stages of the
Project. Direct encroachment onto the two identified sites of conservation
interest within the assessment area, namely a mature secondary woodland (W2)
near Tong Hang Road and the Conservation Area (CA) zone near Chung Shan has
been avoided by the Project. An upstream section of the semi-natural stream (R1f)
at HPR Site is proposed to be retained by adjusting the proposed development
boundary for preservation of the localities of two crab species of conservation
interest (Cryptopotamon anacoluthon
and Somanniathelphusa zanklon) (See
Section 8.7.7 of EIA Report).
3.6.4
Most
habitats to be lost, such as agricultural land, drainage channel, village area,
village/orchard and urban area are of low ecological value. Although the whole
of the woodland (W3) is rated as of medium ecological value, the affected
portion is a low-quality habitat patch, and regularly disturbed by grave-sweeping
activities. Hence, the potential impact due to loss of woodland is minor. The
potential impacts due to loss of habitats are all anticipated to be minor (See
Section 8.7.39 of EIA Report).
A summary of the estimated habitat loss is given in Table 3.5.
Table 3.5 Summary of the
Habitat Loss
|
Habitat |
Ecological Value |
Permanent Loss (ha) |
|
Woodland
(W3) * |
Medium |
1.2 |
|
Agricultural Land |
Low |
1.1 |
|
Natural Stream (of Water Network N2) ^ |
Low |
0.0 (193m2; 104m in total length) |
|
Semi-natural Stream (of Water Network N1) |
Medium-low
to Low |
0.1 (356m in total length) |
|
Drainage Channel |
Low |
0.4 (1,160m in total length) |
|
Village / Orchard |
Low |
8.0 |
|
Village Area |
Negligible |
17.4 |
|
Urban
Area |
Negligible |
0.4 |
|
Note: * Seven woodlands were identified in the
ecological baseline, viz, W1-W7. Only a small part of W3 will be in
unavoidable conflict with the development. All others W1-2, W4-7 will not be
affected. ^ Natural streams of higher ecological
value were all located in water network N1 which will not be affected by the proposed development. |
||
3.6.5
Consideration
of avoiding the impacts on floral species of conservation interest, viz. Aquilaria sinensis
and Pyrenaria spectabilis
has been taken into account during the selection of
the alignment and construction method of the proposed Road L7 at Po Tong Ha.
With careful designation of the alignment and the adoption of suitable construction method for the retaining structures
along the proposed Road L7, all the Pyrenaria spectabilis and majority of Aquilaria sinensis can be preserved
in-situ. Only three individuals of Aquilaria
sinensis were found falling within the footprint
of the proposed Road L7. To minimize the impact on the three individuals of Aquilaria sinensis,
two of them will be preserved by transplanting while the remaining one will be
felled down due to its poor health condition. With implementation of
proposed mitigation measure, the impact on Aquilaria
sinensis is insubstantial.
3.6.6
Majority
of the recorded localities of the two crab species of conservation interest (viz.
Cryptopotamon anacoluthon and Somanniathelphusa zanklon) are
identified at the upper
section of the semi-natural
stream R1f, marginally located along the boundary of HPR Site. To avoid direct
impact on these
two crab species, the ecologically
sensitive upper section of the semi-natural stream R1f located in HPR Site is
proposed to be retained by excluding it from the project site area. After this active avoidance measure, only
one locality of Cryptopotamon anacoluthon
will be unavoidably affected. Translocation of these crabs at suitable
undisturbed stream habitat before construction is recommended. With the
implementation of the recommended translocation measure and recommended good site
practices (e.g. Use
of quiet mechanical plant and regular dust suppression measures, etc.), no significant overall ecological impact
on the crab species is anticipated. To further improve the carrying capability
of the semi-natural stream for the two crab species of conservation interest, ecological
enhancement for the retained section of the semi-natural stream by provision of 6m
buffer zone along its southern bank, removing existing artificial bank structures and planting of
native/self-sustaining vegetation to reinstate its natural riparian habitat is proposed.
3.6.7
Though
the impact of woodland loss at W3 is anticipated to be minor due to limited size and
low-quality of the affected woodland patch, provision of woodland enhancement
planting is recommended to enhance ecological performance of the area.
According to the current proposal, enhancement planting of not less than 1.2ha
will be provided.
3.6.8
With
the implementation of the recommended mitigation measures, no adverse residual
ecological impacts arising from the implementation of the proposed Project are
anticipated.
3.7
Impact
from Electric and Magnetic Fields
Key Assessment Scope and Key Criteria
3.7.1
The assessment
for the electric and magnetic fields was conducted in accordance with the
requirements set out under Section 3.4.12 of the EIA Study Brief and the guidelines
issued by the International Commission on Non-ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNRIP).
Impact Assessment
3.7.2
Some
sections of the existing 400kV overhead cables run across the Hong Po Road and
San Hing Tsuen areas. On-site measurement of overhead cables has been conducted
at representative locations of the proposed PTIs, public housing development
areas, school sites and the proposed SPS to investigate the potential health
hazard to humans due to exposure to electric field (ELF) and magnetic field
(EMF) generated by the overhead lines.
3.7.3
The
assessment results confirmed that the strength of the ELF and EMF generated
from the 400kV overhead cables are well below the stipulated guideline limits
issued by the ICNIRP in 1998. Thus. the ELF
and EMF generated by overhead cables will not pose a hazard to human health.
3.8
Landscape
and Visual Impact
Key Assessment Scope and Key Criteria
3.8.1
The
landscape and visual impact assessment was conducted
based on the criteria and guidelines in Annexes 10 and 18 of the EIAO-TM, the
EIAO Guidance Note No. 8/2010 and Section 3.4.10 and Appendix I of the EIA
Study Brief. According to the EIA Study Brief, the study area for the landscape
impact assessment included areas within 500m from the boundary of the Project Site,
while the assessment area for the visual impact assessment shall be defined by
the visual envelope of the Project.
Landscape Impacts
3.8.2
Within
the assessment area, 8 Landscape Resources (LRs) and three (3) Landscape
Character Areas (LCAs) are identified. Given the rural nature of the Project area, the proposed developments
of the Project will inevitably result in some landscape and visual impacts on the LRs and LCAs during construction and operation phases. It is not
possible to fully mitigate all landscape impacts in relation to loss of natural/semi-natural
stream, hillside woodland, agricultural
land or orchard during the
construction period and early operation stage, mainly as long periods of time
are required to sufficiently compensate for the associated impacts. A broad-brush tree survey has been carried
out, it is found that four (4) numbers of tree of particular interest (including
2 nos. of Ficus microcarpa, 1
no. of Melaleuca cajuputi
subsp. cumingiana and 1 no. of Litchi chinensis)
are located
within the footprint of the
Project Site. No Old and Valuable Tree was found within the project site
boundary or assessment area.
3.8.3
The main impact for most of the affected LRs and
LCAs would be the loss of greenery and existing trees. Approximately 1,300 nos.
of existing trees will be affected due to the Project. To compensate the loss
of greenery, not less than 1,300 nos. of new trees in different sizes is proposed
to be planted as far as practicable. Existing trees will be preserved as far as
practicable. If retaining trees are not practicable, transplant the affected
trees to other suitable locations within the Project Site or the
adjacent areas will be considered. Tree removal will only be considered when tree
preservation or transplanting is found unsuitable or impracticable. Tree
Preservation and Removal Proposal will be prepared during detailed design
stage, to finalise tree treatment and allocate compensatory planting areas
including open space, sitting out areas and streetscape. With the implementation of the proposed mitigation
measures, such as compensatory planting, tree protection and preservation, tree
transplantation, roadside greening, screen planting and enhancement of semi-natural
stream etc, the residual impacts to LRs and LCAs can be reduced to an
acceptable level.
Visual
Impacts
Construction Phase
3.8.4
Visual
impacts are primarily due to the high-rise buildings development but also due to the
construction of proposed road system, proposed SPS, water services reservoirs
and natural terrain mitigation measures. In addition, visual impact will also
involve the impacts from excavation works, site formation works, as well as the
loss of greenery due to the removal of trees and vegetation. All Visual
Sensitive Receivers (VSRs) are affected by the Project in different levels.
Visual blockage would be gradually built-up by phase as a continuous process. Impact arising from the construction works are
limited at lower level due to the existing views are partially screened by
adjacent architectures, vegetation and level difference of landforms. With the
implementation of proposed mitigation measures such as site hoarding and
control of night-time glare, the visual impact during construction phase will be mitigated.
Operation Phase
3.8.5
From a
visual perspective, given the nature and scale of the proposed development with
high-rise buildings development, the Project will likely alter the visual
context of the area. The carpark users in Tuen Tsz
Wai and the residents in Po Tong Ha are anticipated to experience substantial
visual impacts. On the other hand, a number of VSRs are anticipated to
experience moderate visual impacts, including: the passengers on the train heading
towards Siu Hong MTR Station of the West Rail Line, road users at Hong Po Road
roundabout, the hikers walking along the trails between Castle Peak
and Por Lo Shan, the visitors of Miu Fat monastery
and the visitors for tomb-sweeping around Chung Shan hillsides. The remaining VSRs
would experience slight visual impacts.
3.8.6
Based
on the impact assessment findings, a number of mitigation measures have been
proposed. These include adopting alternative designs to prevent and/or minimise
adverse impacts; remedial measures such as colour and textural treatment of
building features; and compensatory measures such as the implementation of
landscape design elements (e.g. tree planting and creation of new open space, etc.) to compensate for unavoidable
adverse impacts and attempt to generate potentially beneficial long-term
impacts.
3.8.7
For the
DP1, which is the proposed SPS at SHR Site, in view of the small scale of
development, no significant landscape impacts on LRs and LCAs, as well as
visual impacts on VSRs are anticipated.
3.8.8
Overall,
there will be some adverse effects brought up by the Project. Mitigation measures have been proposed and the project design has
endeavoured every effort to minimise potential impacts to practical minimum. Assuming
that full and appropriate mitigation measures are to be implemented during
construction and operation phases, the residual landscape and visual impacts
are perceived to be acceptable, as stated in EIAO-TMs and EIAO Guidance Note
No. 8/2010.
3.9
Waste
Management Implications
Key Assessment Scope and Key Criteria
3.9.1
The
types of waste that would be generated during the construction and operation
phases of the Project have been identified. The potential environmental impacts
that may result from these waste materials have been assessed in accordance
with the criteria and guidelines outlined in Annex 7 and Annex 15 of the
EIAO-TM, and Section 3.4.7 and Appendix F of the EIA Study Brief.
Construction Phase
3.9.2
The
main waste types to be generated during the construction phase of the Project
would include construction and demolition (C&D) materials, chemical waste,
general refuse and asbestos containing material (ACM). It is estimated that there will be a total of around 99,000 m3 of non-inert
C&D materials, about 633,000 m3 of inert C&D materials, a
few hundred litres per month of chemical waste, less than 650 kg per day of
general refuse and some ACM to be generated during the construction phase of
the Project. Reduction measures have been recommended to minimise the amount of
materials generated by the Project by reusing C&D materials as far as
practicable before off-site disposal.
3.9.3
The
inert C&D materials generated from the Project will be reused within the
Project or other concurrent projects as far as practical. For instance, during
site clearance, site formation and infrastructure works, it is estimated that around 58% of the inert C&D
materials will be suitable for reuse on-site as backfilling materials under
this Project and the rest of inert C&D materials (about 233,000 m3)
will be transported to other concurrent projects and/or public fill area (Tuen Mun Area 38 Fill Bank) for reuse. Temporary
stockpiling areas are also identified to store the C&D materials for
reuse under this Project.
Provided that the waste is handled, transported and disposed of using approved
methods, adverse environmental impacts would not be expected.
Operation Phase
3.9.4
The
main types of waste to be generated during the operation phase of the Project
would consist of municipal solid waste (MSW), screenings and chemical waste. It
is expected that the Project would generate around 150 tonnes of MSW per day in
total, about 3.5 m3 of screenings per week, and a minimal amount of chemical
waste, mainly from maintenance activities on the road networks and the SPS
within the PDA. The MSW generated
would be conveyed to refuse collection points before being transported to the existing
West New Territories (WENT) Landfill outside the PDA. Initiatives such as
promoting recycling and providing recycling bins would be employed in order to
minimise the amount of MSW to be disposed of at landfill. Provided that the
waste generated in the operation phase is handled, transported and disposed of
properly, no adverse environmental impacts are anticipated.
3.10
Land
Contamination Impact
Key
Assessment Scope and Key Criteria
3.10.1
The
land contamination assessment is conducted in accordance with the criteria and
guidelines as stated in the requirements given in Section 3.4.8 and Appendix G
of the EIA Study Brief, as well as Annex 19 of the EIAO-TM.
3.10.2
The
land contamination assessment examined the potential contaminative land uses
within the Project Site and their potential impacts to future land use. The majority of
the potentially contaminated sites could not be accessed for inspection of the
site conditions during site walkover and permission could not be obtained from
the land site owners/operators to carry out site investigation (SI) works at
the time of preparation of the EIA report. As such, the assessment
on the potential land contamination was conducted based on the findings from site
appraisal comprises site walkover and review of historical aerial photographs
and maps, historical spillage and leakage records and previous site
investigations undertaken at the Project Site.
3.10.3
Based
on the available information, 57 potentially contaminated sites have been
identified within the Project Site.
Based on the site survey and desktop review, the majority of the potentially
contaminated sites have been identified as open storage, container yards,
workshops and service yards. The source of potential land contaminating
activities at the identified sites mainly relates to the spillage and accidents
associated with the storage and use of chemicals. As such, it is considered that the potential land contamination at these sites would be
localised.
3.10.4
The
chemicals of concern (COCs) identified with the potential to be present at the
potentially contaminated sites include: metals, Volatile Organic Compounds, Semi Volatile Organic Compounds, Petroleum
Carbon Ranges and Polychlorinated Biphenyls. These COCs are readily treatable with proven
remediation techniques in local remediation experience. By implementing the
recommended remediation works, any contaminated site(s) identified within the Project
Site could be cleaned up prior to construction/development.
3.10.5
The
recommended remediation works would not only minimise the health risk to the
future occupants arising from the exposure of the contaminated soil and/or
groundwater, it would also provide the opportunity to reuse the treated contaminated materials into useful
materials for backfilling, which results in minimising the amount of waste
disposing into the depleting landfill in Hong Kong and achieving a more
sustainable development.
3.10.6
Since
the identified potentially contaminated sites are still in operation, SI is
unlikely to be carried out at this stage. There may also be change in land use prior to development within both the potentially contaminated
sites and other surveyed sites. In view of this, it is recommended to conduct
further works including site re-appraisal. Findings from the re-appraisal will
be presented in the supplementary Contamination Assessment Plan(s) (CAP(s)).
Upon approval of the supplementary CAP and completion of the SI works, a Contamination
Assessment Report(s) will be prepared to present the findings of the SI works. If contaminated
soil and/or groundwater were identified, remediation should be carried out
according to EPD’s approved Remediation Action Plan(s) and Remediation
Report(s) (RR(s)) should be submitted to EPD for agreement after completion of
the remediation works. No development works of the contaminated portions shall
be commenced prior to EPD’s agreement of the RR(s).
3.11
Impact
on Cultural Heritage
Key Assessment Scope and Key Criteria
3.11.1
A
cultural heritage impact assessment has been conducted, including a built
heritage impact assessment and an archaeological impact assessment, to evaluate
the impacts on known or potential cultural heritage resources. The cultural
heritage impact assessment followed the requirements of Annexes 10 and 19 of
the EIAO-TM as well as those set out in Section 3.4.11 and Appendix J of the
EIA Study Brief. The assessment area includes areas within a
distance of 50m from the boundary of the Project Site.
Terrestrial Archaeology
3.11.2
The
proposed developments are located within or in very close proximity to San Hing
Tsuen, Siu Hang Tsuen, and Kei Lun Wai Sites of Archaeological Interest (SAI). Based
on the evaluation of the literatures, geology and topography at the PDA, San
Hing Tsuen SAI may be affected. Field evaluation of
identified area of archaeological potential (i.e. northern part of SHR Site)
cannot be conducted at this stage as the area is currently in use by light industrial
activities and occupied by structures. It is required to carry out an archaeological field survey
at the northern part of SHR Site (Area 2 – See Section 13.6 of EIA Report) upon
land resumption and prior to any construction works.
This will identify if significant deposits or features are present and follow
up action can be recommended. The scope and programme of the proposed
archaeological work shall be agreed with AMO. Subject to the findings of the
archaeological work, appropriate mitigation measures would be proposed by the
project proponent in prior agreement with AMO.
3.11.3
For
the areas with low or no archaeological potential, works should be ceased and
AMO should be informed immediately in case of discovery of antiquities or supposed
antiquities in the course of the construction works. Agreement from AMO would
be sought on the follow-up actions if required.
Built Heritage
3.11.4
Literature
review is conducted to collate relevant information on Declared Monuments and
Graded Historical Buildings. Previous investigations within the current study
area and surrounding area carried out under other projects (See Section 13.4 of
EIA report) indicate little potential for built heritage or heritage as
identified in Guidelines for Cultural Heritage Impact Assessment. As such, no
further built heritage survey was deemed necessary. There are no proposed or
declared monuments, graded or proposed to be graded historic buildings,
Government historic sites or new items proposed for grading by the Antiquities
Advisory Board within the boundary of the Project Site. In summary, it can be
stated that no built heritage will be affected during construction and
operation phases of the Project.
3.12
Environmental
Monitoring and Audit Requirements
3.12.1
An Environmental
Monitoring and Audit (EM&A) programme will be implemented during the construction and operation phases to regularly
monitor the environmental impacts on the neighbouring sensitive receivers. Any
action required during the construction and/or operation phases are also
recommended for implementation. EM&A requirements
for air quality, construction noise, road traffic noise, water quality, waste
management, land contamination, terrestrial ecology, landscape and visual
impacts and cultural heritage have been recommended. Regular site inspection
and audits will be conducted during construction phase to ensure that the
recommended mitigation measures are properly implemented. The EM&A
requirements are specified and detailed in the EM&A Manual.
A summary of the EM&A requirements by each of the environmental parameters
is presented in Table 3.6 below.
Table 3.6 Summary of
EM&A Requirements
|
|
EM&A Ref. |
Construction Phase |
Operation Phase |
|
Air Quality Impact |
S.5 |
ü |
ü |
|
Noise Impact |
S.6 |
ü |
ü |
|
Water Quality |
S.7 |
ü |
O |
|
Sewerage and Sewage Treatment |
S.8 |
O |
O |
|
Ecological Impact |
S.9 |
ü |
O |
|
Impacts from Electric and Magnetic Fields |
S.10 |
O |
O |
|
Landscape and Visual Impacts |
S.11 |
ü |
ü |
|
Waste Implication |
S.12 |
ü |
O |
|
Land Contamination |
S.13 |
ü |
O |
|
Cultural Heritage Impact |
S.14 |
ü |
O |
4.1
General
4.1.1
The Project
will provide public housing developments and other uses including supporting
infrastructure and community facilities, and to improve the existing
environment. The Project aspires to transform the existing brownfield sites
consisting of workshops, warehouses and vehicle
repair workshops, etc. which have created considerable environmental, traffic
and visual problems into a new housing area with landscaping and greening works.
4.1.2
This
EIA Study has provided an assessment of the potential environmental impacts
associated with the construction and operation of the Project, based on the
engineering design information available at this stage. This has also included
specific assessments for a Schedule 3 DP and a Schedule 2 DP under the EIAO.
4.1.3
The
technical assessments conducted (see EIA Report Chapter 4 to Chapter 13) have
demonstrated that the following environmental impacts due to the Project have
complied with all the statutory requirements in EIA Study Brief (EIA SB No.: ESB-299/2017)
and EIAO-TM.
·
Air
Quality Impact;
·
Noise
Impact;
·
Water
Quality Impact;
·
Sewerage
and Sewage Treatment Implications;
·
Ecological
Impact;
·
Impact
from Electric and Magnetic Fields;
·
Landscape
and Visual Impacts;
·
Waste
Management Implications;
·
Land
Contamination Impact; and
·
Cultural
Heritage Impact.
4.1.4
The
findings of this EIA Study have predicted the likely nature and extent of
environmental impacts arisen from the construction and operation of the
Project. During the EIA process, environmental mitigation measures have been
identified for incorporation into the planning and design of the Project, to
achieve full compliance with environmental legislation
and standards during the construction and operation phases.
4.1.5
Avoidance
of environmental impacts is one of the key considerations throughout the entire
project development and design.
Avoidance of Encroachment onto Recognised
Sites of Conservation Interest
4.1.6
All
the recognised sites of conservation interest, including the Conservation Area
near Chung Shan and a mature woodland near Tong Hang Road have been avoided and
will not be encroached by any developments under this Project.
Avoidance of Direct Impact on Crab Species
and Plants of Conservation Interest
4.1.7
Most
of the species of conservation interest as well as their habitats with
ecological value have been excluded from the Project Site during this
engineering feasibility stage. To avoid the direct loss of the semi-natural stream and minimising impact
on identified crab species of conservation interest (Cryptopotamon anacoluthon and Somanniathelphusa zanklon), an
upstream section of the semi-natural stream R1f located within the HPR Site is
excluded from the PDA. This can also help to avoid direct impacts on the crab
species of conservation interest.
4.1.8
With
careful designation of the alignment of the proposed Road L7 and construction
method for the retaining structures along the proposed Road L7, the loss of
woodland area can be minimised and most of the floral species of conservation
interest, including a large specimen of Aquilaria
sinensis and all the Pyrenaria spectabilis in the woodland can be
preserved in-situ.
Avoidance
of Direct Impact on Natural and Semi-natural Stream of Higher Ecological Value
4.1.9
The
proposed development has totally avoided direct encroachment onto natural and semi-natural
streams of higher ecological value. In
addition, refinement of PDA boundary and drainage alignment have been adopted
in order to preserve the upper section of semi-natural stream R1f with higher
ecological value during the planning of the development.
4.1.10
Overall,
the EIA Study has predicted that the Project, with the implementation of
avoidance/mitigation measures, would be environmentally acceptable with no
adverse residual impacts on the population and environmental sensitive
resources. The environmental benefits (including improving the existing
interface issues of industrial/residential uses, improving the water quality by
providing new sewerage system for the existing unsewered areas within the PDA, enhancing
the ecological value of the retained semi-natural stream to preserve crab
species of conservation interest, etc) are also likely to be resulted from the
Project.
END OF TEXT