12 Environmental
Monitoring and Auditing Requirements
12.4 Environmental
Mitigation Implementation Schedule
12.6 Environmental
Management Plan
Appendix 12.1 Environmental
Mitigation Implementation Schedule
12.1.1.1 This section summarises the requirements on environmental monitoring and audits for the construction and operation of the Schedule 2 Designated Project (DP) item, i.e. the construction of pier within an existing marine park, based on the assessment results of various environmental issues. Details of the Environmental Monitoring and Auditing (EM&A) programme can be referred to the separate EM&A Manual.
12.2.1.1 A project organisation consisting of the Engineer’s Representative (ER), Independent Environmental Checker (IEC), Environmental Team (ET), Project Proponent and Contractor should be established to take on the responsibilities for environmental protection for the Project. The IEC will be appointed by the Project Proponent to conduct independent auditing on the overall EM&A programme including environmental and operation monitoring, implementation of mitigation measures, EM&A submissions, and any other submission required under the Environmental Permit (EP). The organisation, responsibilities of respective parties and lines of communication with respect to environmental protection works are given in the EM&A Manual.
12.3.1.1 EM&A is an important aspect in the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process which specifies the timeframe and responsibilities for the implementation of environmental mitigation measures. The requirements on environmental monitoring (including baseline and impact monitoring) are given in the EM&A Manual.
12.3.1.2 A project specific EM&A Manual to the Project has been prepared as a part of the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (EIAO) submission with reference to the latest design information available and Environmental Protection Department (EPD)’s generic EM&A Manual. The project specific EM&A Manual highlights the following issues:
· Organisation, hierarchy and responsibilities of the Contractor, the Engineer or ER, ET and IEC with respect to the EM&A requirements during construction phase of the Project;
· Information on project organisation and programming of construction activities for the Project;
· Requirements with respect to the construction schedule and necessary EM&A programme to track the varying environmental impacts;
· Full details of methodologies to be adopted, including all field, laboratory and analytical procedures, and details on quality assurance;
· Procedure for undertaking on-site environmental audits;
· Definition of Action and Limit Levels;
· Establishment of Event and Action Plans;
· Requirements of reviewing pollution sources and working procedures required in the event of non-compliance of environmental criteria and complaints;
· Requirements for reviewing the implementation of mitigation measures, and effectiveness of environmental protection and pollution control measures adopted; and
· Presentation of requirements for EM&A data and appropriate reporting procedures.
12.3.1.3 The Contractor shall be requested to review the mitigation measures and Environmental Mitigation Implementation Schedule (EMIS) with respect to the design developments and construction methodology. Any proposed changes to the mitigation measures shall be certified by the ET Leader and verified by the IEC as conforming to the relevant information and recommendations contained in the EIA Report.
12.4 Environmental Mitigation Implementation Schedule
12.4.1.1 An EMIS has been prepared alongside the Environmental Monitoring and Audit Manual (EM&A) of this EIA to summarise all the required mitigation measures need to be implemented during the design, the construction and operational phases of the Project. The implementation responsibilities have also been identified in the EMIS, as shown in Appendix 12.1. The EM&A Manual has also presented the requirements for environmental monitoring and audit (e.g. monitoring and audit frequency).
12.4.1.2 The Contractor should review the mitigation measures and EMIS with respect to the design developments and construction methodology. In case the Contractor needs to update the mitigation measures and EMIS, changes to the mitigation measures shall be certified by the ET Leader and verified by the IEC as conforming to the relevant information and recommendations contained in the EIA Report.
12.5.1.1 The Contractor will be requested to implement and operate a monitoring programme throughout the entire construction period of the Project. In case exceedance is found, the Contractor and ET should take immediate actions to implement remediation measures following the procedures specified in the EM&A Manual.
12.5.1.2
Detailed
requirements of the EM&A programme have been described in the EM&A
Manual. Measurements and activities that shall be conducted in accordance with
the requirements in the EM&A Manual are summarised as follows:
· Baseline monitoring (water quality)
· Impact monitoring (construction dust and water quality etc.);
· Remedial actions in accordance with the Event and Action Plans within the timeframe in case the specified criteria in the EM&A Manual were exceeded;
· Logging and keeping records of monitoring results; and
· Preparation and submission of Baseline, Monthly and Final EM&A Reports.
12.6 Environmental Management Plan
12.6.1.1
A systematic Environmental Management Plan (EMP) shall be set up by the
Contractor to ensure effective implementation of the mitigation measures,
monitoring and remedial requirements presented in the EIA, EM&A and EMIS.
The Project Proponent and IEC will audit the implementation status against the
EMP and advise the necessary remedial actions required. These remedial actions
shall be enforced by the Engineer’s Representative through contractual means.
12.6.1.2
The EMP will require the Contractor (together with its sub-contractors) to
define in detail how to implement the recommended mitigation measures in order
to achieve the environmental performance defined in the Hong Kong environmental
legislation and the EIA documentation. The EMP would also need to include a
Waste Management Plan to demonstrate the Contractor’s proposal to minimise the waste generation and maximise
the re-use of spoil as far as practicable.
12.6.1.3
The review of on-site environmental performance shall be undertaken by the
Project Proponent and IEC through a systematic checklist and audit once the
project commences. The environmental performance review programme
comprises a regular assessment on the effectiveness of the EMP.
12.7.1 Air Quality
Construction Phase
12.7.1.1 The underwater foundation works would not generate significant amount of construction dust. Prefabrication method would be adopted for the construction of the superstructure works as much as practicable. Emissions from Powered Mechanical Equipment (PME) are considered relatively small and adverse cumulative impact is considered unlikely. Adverse air quality impact from marine emissions is not anticipated as the trip frequency of marine transportation for the commuting of site personnel and the delivery of goods per day would be limited. Adverse air quality impact during the construction phase of the Project is therefore not anticipated, air quality mitigation measure and monitoring are not required. Although there is no adverse impact on the identified ASRs, regular audits and site inspections should be carried out to ensure the control measures and good practices as recommended in this EIA Report and the EM&A Manual, such as water spraying on the stockpiles of dusty materials and covering dusty load on the construction barges, are carried out to minimise the potential disturbance to the environment.
Operational Phase
12.7.1.2 As adverse air quality impact during the operational phase of the Project is not anticipated, air quality mitigation measure and monitoring are not required.
12.7.2 Noise
Construction Phase
12.7.2.1 Construction noise impact is anticipated to be limited since no construction work will be carried out during the restricted hours and the prefabrication method for the superstructure construction will be adopted as far as practicable. Although there is no adverse impact on the identified NSR within 300m Assessment Area (i.e. Plover Cove Country Park), good control measures as recommended in this EIA Report and the EM&A Manual, such as use of quality powered mechanical equipment (QPME) and use of temporary noise barriers, should be implemented to minimise the potential disturbance to the environment. As adverse noise impact is not anticipated during the construction phase, noise mitigation measures and monitoring are not required.
Operational Phase
12.7.2.2 As adverse noise impact is not anticipated during the operational phase, noise mitigation measures and monitoring are not required.
12.7.3 Water Quality
Construction Phase
12.7.3.1
With the full implementation of
mitigation measures, no substantial water quality impact is anticipated from the demolition works, the construction works
of piles, the above-water construction works, surface runoff from construction
site and sewage generated from construction workforce in construction phase.
12.7.3.2
For
any works in the Marine Park, the following good site practices and mitigation
measures shall be followed the guidelines stipulated under the Marine Parks
Ordinance (Cap. 476) and the Marine Parks and Marine Reserves Regulation
(Cap. 476A).
·
Observe
and obey the guidelines stipulated under the Marine Parks Ordinance (Cap. 476)
and the Marine Parks and Marine Reserves Regulation (Cap. 476A);
·
The
power-driven vessel shall not exceed a speed of 10 knots at any time inside the
marine park;
·
Restrict
anchor or moor except under and in accordance with a permit or at mooring sites
provided by the Authority;
·
Obstruct
the pollution of the water body or discharge of waste; and
·
Restrict
the collection of any marine life and resources in or from the marine park.
12.7.3.3
The
construction methodology will incorporate all the best practices for the marine
works to avoid and minimise water quality impacts. These good practices are
summarised below.
·
Silt
curtains should be deployed around active marine works areas prior to
starting marine-based foundation works to avoid water quality impact. The
Contractor shall prepare a Silt Curtain Deployment Plan to the approval of EPD
prior to the commencement of works to ensure the implementation of the silt
curtains would be effective and compatible with the aquatic environment (e.g.
considering the tidal effect, wind and current speed, etc.). They should only
be removed when all marine-based works are completed;
·
Pile
casing should be used for the construction of foundations;
·
Excavation
should only be conducted inside pile casing. Only one grab should be used for
excavation at the same time;
·
All
vessels deployed should have adequate clearance from the seabed at all tide
levels to ensure no undue turbidity is generated from propeller wash;
·
There
should only be 1-2 piles to be constructed at the same time;
·
Drilling
fluid in the pile casing should be continuously pumped out to the circulation
tanks on the barge to avoid muddy water overflown from the casing to the sea
directly. The circulation tanks shall be provided with adequate capacity to
avoid if any overflow of drilling fluid;
·
The
drilling fluid shall be circulated within the system through the circulation
tank, where the recycled fluid with small amount of sediment shall be settled
and collected in the tank; and
·
Final
disposal of the drilling fluid should be discharged offsite and outside the Country
Park, Marine Park, SSSI and other WSRs with a valid discharge license under the
WPCO with the provision of silt removal facilities, or to the depot of the
Contractor.
12.7.3.4
To avoid and minimise any potential water quality
impacts arising from the above-water construction works, the following
mitigation measures are proposed.
·
Prefabrication
methods should be adopted during construction as far as practicable;
·
If
in-situ concrete casting is required,
formworks should be designed to be water-tight and concrete should be poured
into the formwork slowly and evenly to avoid accidental spillage to water
bodies; and
·
Silt curtain will also be deployed throughout the
concrete casting process to the surrounding waters during construction to
control any residual release.
12.7.3.5
Other typical mitigation
measures for water quality are required as follows:
·
Good site
practices in accordance to Practice Note for Professional Persons on
Construction Site Drainage, Environmental Protection Department, 1994 (ProPECC
PN 1/94);
·
Provide temporary
sanitary facilities, e.g. portable chemical toilets and sewage holding tanks with adequate capacity
to collect the sewage; and
·
Post
notices at conspicuous locations to remind the workers not to discharge any
sewage or wastewater into the surrounding environment during the construction
phase of the Project.
12.7.3.6
To reduce the potential water quality impact due to
accidental spillage of chemicals, the following mitigation measures should be
implemented to avoid potential adverse water quality impacts.
·
Properly
store and contain the chemicals used during construction, such as fuel, oil,
solvents and lubricants in a designated area with secondary containment to
prevent spillage and contamination of the nearby water environment.
·
Preferably
carry out any maintenance activities and works with chemicals use outside the
Project site given the advantage that machineries located on barges can be
easily re-located.
·
The
Contractor shall register as a chemical waste producer and employ licensed
collector for collection of chemical waste from the construction site. Any
chemical waste generated shall be managed in accordance with the Waste Disposal
(Chemical Waste) (General) Regulation.
· The Contractor shall also prepare an Emergency Spillage Plan to detail the responses in case of spillage.
12.7.3.7 Besides, water quality impact monitoring should be carried out three times per week during the construction phase with marine-based works to ensure that water quality would comply with the relevant criteria. Site inspection by ET and IEC will also be conducted to ensure that the mitigation measures recommended in this EIA Report and EM&A Manual are properly implemented by the Contractor.
Operational Phase
12.7.3.8
As the Project would not
generate or induce any water quality impact during the normal operation of the
pier, monitoring and audit are considered not necessary
12.7.4 Waste Management Implications
Construction Phase
12.7.4.1 During construction phase, the Contractor shall manage all the generated wastes in accordance with relevant legislation and guidelines. The recommended mitigation measures which include good site practice, waste reduction measures as well as maintaining record of trip-tickets should be implemented.
12.7.4.2 Regular audits and site inspections should be carried out to ensure proper waste management measures recommended in this EIA Report and EM&A Manual are implemented by the Contractor.
Operational Phase
12.7.4.3 Sufficient number of trash bins and recycling bins have already been provided for the collection of general refuse generated by visitors and pier users along the existing footpath to Lai Chi Wo. No bin will be provided as no general refuse is anticipated by the Project during the operational phase. Nevertheless, recycling containers are recommended to be provided at suitable locations to encourage recycling of waste such as aluminium cans and plastics.
12.7.4.4 It is anticipated that there would not be any insurmountable impacts during the operational phase, and thus monitoring and audit are not required.
12.7.5 Land Contamination
12.7.5.1 Based on the desktop review findings of the aerial photos, the information collected during site surveys as well as the information provided by EPD and FSD, no potential land contamination issue is identified within the boundary of the Project. As no adverse land contamination is anticipated, monitoring and audit are not required.
12.7.6
Ecology
Construction Phase
12.7.6.1 Given the close proximity to some of the ecologically sensitive habitats (i.e. mangrove, seagrass bed, coral community), water quality monitoring is recommended to be undertaken at the nearby water monitoring locations before and during construction. Baseline data should be obtained prior to the start of the construction. Regular monitoring should be carried out throughout the whole construction phase to ensure that the water quality complies with the established environmental standards as stated in the water quality chapter.
12.7.6.2
Although
the indirect impacts to seagrass and corals are considered minor due to the
works scale and distance from the works area, ecological monitoring of seagrass
is recommended. Due to the importance and rarity of seagrass bed in Lai Chi Wo
Marine Park, ecological monitoring of seagrass bed is recommended. The extent
of the seagrass beds shown in Figure 8.3, the coverage percentage and health conditions
of seagrass will be recorded (e.g. through quadrat sampling) by ecologist with
relevant experience during construction phase. As mangrove is more tolerant
than seagrass, ecological monitoring is not required due to the scale of and
nature of the proposed works. While the
coral community at sampling location D-3 only with low coral coverage (5%) and
comprised of common species, and the Hong Kong Reef Check Location is away from
the works area (>500m), ecological monitoring of coral communities is also
not required. Only water quality monitoring for both mangrove and coral
communities are adequate.
12.7.6.3 Except the mitigation measures for water quality, no specific ecological mitigation measures for marine ecology are required. As precautionary measures, a pre-construction dive survey should be conducted to verify the conditions of the small coral colonies on the existing LCW pier before any construction works, and site inspection should be conducted to make sure no trees within the Plover Cove Country Park will be affected.
Operational Phase
12.7.6.4 Both direct and indirect ecological impacts in operational phase were considered insignificant. Thus, additional ecological mitigation measures, monitoring and audit are not required.
12.7.7 Landscape and Visual
Construction Phase
12.7.7.1
Mitigation measures such as provision
of site hoarding, minimisation of construction area, minimisation of
construction period and water quality control measures should be adopted during
the construction phase. Regular site inspections should be undertaken regularly
by ET and IEC during the construction period to ensure that the mitigation
measures recommended in this EIA Report and EM&A Manual are properly
implemented by the Contractor.
Operational Phase
12.7.7.2 Mitigation measures to be implemented, such as adopting sensitive design and disposition of the pier structures, during operation should be integrated into the detailed design and built as part of the construction works so that they would be in place on commissioning of the Project. As the impact during operation phases are insubstantial to moderately beneficial, monitoring and audit requirements are not required.
12.7.8 Fisheries
Construction Phase
12.7.8.1 Site inspections according to the water quality chapter during construction phase should be carried out to ensure good practices that maintain water quality of the surrounding such that it may not affect the fisheries resources (i.e. a monitoring and audit programme aims to ensure that the released SS concentrations from the marine-based construction works). Monitoring and audit should be carried out together with water quality impact monitoring in the construction phase.
Operational Phase
12.7.8.2 It is anticipated that there would be no adverse impacts on fisheries during operational phase, and thus monitoring and audit are not required.
12.7.9 Cultural Heritage
Construction Phase
12.7.9.1 Based on the results of marine geophysical survey and visual diver survey, no marine archaeological resources are identified within the assessment area. Marine archaeological impact from the construction works is not anticipated. Hence mitigation measures as well as impact monitoring and audit are not required.
Operational Phase
12.7.9.2
No adverse impacts are
anticipated on marine archaeology during the operational phase, and thus
monitoring and audit are not required.