1.6 Objectives of the EIA Study
1.7 Structure of this EIA Report
Figure 1.1 Location
of Project (Lai Chi Wo)
Figure 1.2 Photo
of the Existing Lai Chi Wo Pier
1.1.1.1 This Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report covers the environmental impact assessment of the proposed Pier Improvement at Lai Chi Wo (the Project).
1.1.1.2
In Hong Kong, there are currently 117 public piers
built, maintained and managed by the Government. Whilst the Government has
carried out regular inspections and maintenance for
public piers to ensure their structural integrity, some public piers at remote
areas are in service for many years suffering from aging problem, or cannot
cope with the current needs/ usages, such as:
(a)
unsatisfactory
boarding condition of small or primitive piers leading to potential safety
concerns to passengers especially for kids and the elderly;
(b)
inadequate
water depth for larger vessels to berth especially during low tide;
(c)
limited
berthing space or narrow accesses which cannot cope with the fluctuating
utilization rate during festive times or weekends; and
(d)
aged
pier structures with a need for improvement works.
1.1.1.3 In 2017 Policy Address, the Government committed to improve a number of remote public piers to facilitate public access to outing destinations and natural heritage such as Hakka village at Lai Chi Wo and Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark. To take forward the policy initiative, the Government has launched the Pier Improvement Programme (PIP) for the implementation of improvement works for piers at remote areas.
1.1.1.4 A Committee on Piers spearheaded by the Development Bureau, comprising members of relevant bureaux and departments was set up to examine the requests received by different departments concerning improvement suggestions for public piers in the New Territories and outlying islands and set priority for pier improvement items under the PIP taking into account a host of factors including structural and public safety concerns. The Committee has recommended implementing a list of 10 proposed pier improvement items under the first implementation phase of the PIP. Lai Chi Wo Pier and Tung Ping Chau Public Pier were among the piers selected for implementation.
1.1.1.5 In June 2018, Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) commissioned Ove Arup and Partners Hong Kong Limited (Arup) to provide consultancy services for Agreement No. CE2/2018 (CE) “Study for Pier Improvement at Lai Chi Wo and Tung Ping Chau – Investigation” (the Study). The Study includes:
(a) Produce preliminary engineering studies for individual piers taking into account public aspiration and other constraints and prepare preliminary engineering layouts;
(b) Assess the environmental impact (for individual piers) to ensure that the Projects will meet all statutory requirements of the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (EIAO) including but not limited to obtaining approval of the EIA report;
(c) Specify environmental monitoring and audit requirement to ensure the effective implementation of the recommended environmental protection and pollution control measures.
1.1.1.6 The EIA Report for Tung Ping Chau Public Pier is separately submitted under the EIAO.
1.2.1.1 The Lai Chi Wo Pier is located along the coastal area of Northeast New Territories. It is located within the Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark (Double Haven Geo-Area), Yan Chau Tong Marine Park and partly within Plover Cove Country Park. Designated in 1979 due to the presence of seagrass Zostera japonica, Lai Chi Wo Beach SSSI is located at about 150m to the south of the existing pier. A historical building at the nearby Lai Chi Wo Village, namely Hip Tin Temple & Hok Shan Monastery, is a Grade 3 historic building and Lai Chi Wo Site of Archaeological Interest is also located nearby. The location of the Project Site is shown in Figure 1.1.
1.2.1.2 The pier was constructed in the 1960s and is primitive and aging. It is a solid concrete finger pier of about 64m long and 2.5m wide. The pier level is about +3metres above Principal Datum (mPD), and the water depth is about 0.5m at low tide. At low tides, there is inadequate water depth for the vessels to berth.
1.2.1.3 Lai Chi Wo Pier is the main access for the public to Lai Chi Wo village as the nearest land access is from Wu Kau Teng which is about two hours of walk by trail. There is currently Kaito-ferry service operating between Ma Liu Shui Ferry Pier and Lai Chi Wo Pier on Sundays and public holidays.
1.2.1.4 The existing pier has only one primitive berth with inadequate draft for berthing at low tide. A photo of the existing pier is shown in Figure 1.2.
1.2.1.5 Although the Government departments carry out regular inspection and maintenance, the existing Lai Chi Wo Pier has been in service for many years suffering from aging problem and cannot cope with the current growing needs.
1.2.1.6 There have been repeated requests from Sha Tau Kok District Rural Committee members, North District Council members and Village Representatives (VRs) to improve Lai Chi Wo Pier to facilitate public access to Lai Chi Wo. Therefore, Pier Improvement at Lai Chi Wo (the Project) is being proposed and taken forward.
1.3.1.2 To implement the Project, the following works will be carried out in stages:
(a) Carrying out site investigation works for detailed design;
(b) Provision of plants, equipment and materials on working barge(s) for implementation of the Project;
(d) Installation of piles for the new pier;
(e) Modification of the existing pier and construction of new pier structures (e.g. installation of precast elements of the pier structure etc.);
(f) Construction of associated facilities on the new pier; and
(g) Removal of temporary pier after completion of the improvement works on the existing pier.
1.4.1.1 In accordance with the requirements of Section 5(1) of the EIAO, a Project Profile (No. PP-561/2017) for the Project was submitted to the Director of Environmental Protection (DEP) for application for an EIA Study Brief on 27 December 2017. Pursuant to Section 5(7)(a) of the EIAO, the DEP issued a Study Brief (No.: ESB-305/2017 dated 9 February 2018) for the EIA study.
1.5.1.1 The Project comprises demolition, construction and operation works within Yan Chau Tong Marine Park and Plover Clove Country Park. The Project is a Designated Project by virtue of Item Q.1, Part 1 of Schedule 2 of the EIAO which specifies “All projects including new access roads, railways, sewers, sewage treatment facilities, earthworks, dredging works and other building works partly or wholly in an existing or gazetted proposed country park or special area, a conservation area, and existing or gazetted proposed marine park or marine reserve, a site of cultural heritage, and a site of special scientific interest, …”.
1.6 Objectives of the EIA Study
1.6.1.1 According to Section 1.5 of the EIA Study Brief (No.: ESB-305/2017), this EIA study is to provide information on the nature and extent of environmental impacts arising from the construction and operation of the Project and associated works that will take place concurrently. This information will contribute to decisions by the DEP on:
· the overall acceptability of any adverse environmental consequences that are likely to arise as a result of the Project;
· the conditions and requirements for the detailed design, construction and operation of the Project to mitigate against adverse environmental consequences wherever practicable; and
· the acceptability of residual impacts after the proposed mitigation measures are implemented.
1.6.1.2 The objectives of the EIA study are as follows:
· To describe the Project and associated works together with the requirements and environmental benefits for carrying out the proposed Project;
· To identify and describe the elements of the community and environment likely to be affected by the Project and/or likely to cause adverse impacts to the Project, including both the natural and man-made environment and the associated environmental constraints;
· To identify and quantify emission sources and determine the significance of impacts on sensitive receivers and potential affected uses;
· To identify and quantify any potential losses or damage and other potential impacts to fisheries, flora, fauna and natural habitats;
· To identify any potential landscape and visual impacts and to propose measures to mitigate these impacts;
· To identify any negative impacts on cultural heritage and to propose measures to mitigate these impacts;
· To propose the provision of infrastructure or mitigation measures so as to minimize pollution, environmental disturbance and nuisance during construction and operation of the Project;
· To investigate the feasibility, effectiveness and implications of the proposed mitigation measures;
· To identify, predict and evaluate the residual (i.e. after practicable mitigation) environmental impacts and the cumulative effects expected to arise during the construction and operation phases of the Project in relation to the sensitive receivers and potential affected uses;
· To identify, assesses and specify methods, measures and standards, to be included in the detailed design, construction and operation of the Project which are necessary to mitigate these residual environmental impacts and cumulative effects and reduce them to acceptable levels;
· To investigate the extent of the secondary environmental impacts that may arise from the proposed mitigation measures and to identify constraints associated with the mitigation measures recommended in the EIA study, as well as provision of any necessary modification;
· To design and specify the environmental monitoring and audit requirements; and
· To identify any additional studies necessary to implement the mitigation measures or monitoring and proposals recommended in the EIA report.
1.7 Structure of this EIA Report
1.7.1.1 The structure of this EIA Report is as follows:
|
Chapter |
Title |
Aims |
|
1 |
Introduction |
Introduces the project background and the
objectives of the report |
|
2 |
Project Description |
Summarises the various options and scope for
various environmental aspects Describes relevant main construction /
engineering aspects for the recommended layout |
|
3 |
Air Quality Impact |
Presents the legislation, methodology, assessment
and recommendations for air quality impacts |
|
4 |
Noise Impact |
Presents the legislation, methodology, assessment
and recommendations for noise impacts |
|
5 |
Water Quality Impact |
Presents the legislation, methodology, assessment
and recommendations for water quality impacts |
|
6 |
Waste Management Implications |
Presents the legislation, methodology, assessment
and recommendations for waste management |
|
7 |
Land Contamination |
Presents the legislation, methodology, assessment
and recommendations for land contamination |
|
8 |
Ecological Impact |
Presents the legislation, methodology, assessment
and recommendations for ecology impacts |
|
9 |
Landscape and Visual Impact |
Presents the legislation, methodology, assessment
and recommendations for landscape and visual impacts |
|
10 |
Fisheries Impact |
Presents the legislation, methodology, assessment
and recommendations for fisheries impacts |
|
11 |
Impact
of Cultural Heritage |
Presents the legislation, methodology, assessment
and recommendations for cultural heritage Impact |
|
12 |
Environmental Monitoring & Audit Requirements |
Presents the EM&A requirements |
|
13 |
Summary of Environmental Outcomes |
Presents a summary of the key environmental
outcomes arising from the EIA study |
|
14 |
Conclusion |
Summarises the findings and concludes the overall
acceptability of the project |