Report

14 Conclusion

14.1.1.1 This Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Report has been prepared for Proposed Lai Chi Wo Pier in accordance with the requirements set out in the EIA Study Brief (ESB-305/2017) and the Technical Memorandum on Environmental Impact Assessment Process (TM-EIAO).

14.1.1.2 This Project mainly comprises the following works:

· Carrying out site investigation works for detailed design;

· Provision of plants, equipment and materials on working barge(s) for implementation of the Project;

· Provision of temporary berthing and mooring facilities (temporary pier) using working barge and/or steel structures supported by piles to maintain access to Lai Chi Wo throughout the construction stage;

· Installation of piles for the new pier;

· Modification of the existing pier and construction of new pier structures (e.g. installation of precast elements of the pier structure etc.);

· Construction of associated facilities on the new pier; and

· Removal of temporary pier after completion of the improvement works on the existing pier.

14.1.1.3 Assessments of the potential environmental impacts associated with the construction and operation of the Project in various technical aspects have been conducted. The environmental aspects covered in this EIA study include:

· Air quality impact;

· Noise impact;

· Water quality impact;

· Waste management implications;

· Land contamination;

· Ecological impact;

· Landscape and visual impact;

· Fisheries impact; and

· Impact of cultural heritage.

14.1.1.4 This section summarises the assessment results of each technical aspect and concludes the acceptability of the overall environmental performance of the Project.

14.1.1.5 The key assessment assumptions, limitation of assessment methodologies and all related prior agreements with Environmental Protection Department (EPD) on assessment of different environmental aspects are given in Appendix 14.1.

14.1.1.6 A summary of environmental impacts identified in this EIA is provided in Appendix 14.2 and the conclusions of technical chapters are described in the following sections.

14.2 Air Quality Impact

14.2.1.1 The air quality assessment studies the potential air quality impacts on Air Sensitive Receivers (ASRs) due to construction and operation of the Project.

14.2.1.2 The key air pollution sources in association with the Project have been identified and the potential construction dust impact has been evaluated. During construction, since the site investigation and foundation works are mostly below water, there are neither exposed workfronts or heavy construction works which may arise dust emissions. Hence, fugitive dust emissions from its construction are anticipated to be limited. Prefabrication method would be adopted for the construction of the superstructures as much as practicable to further minimise the construction dust impact on-site. Although there is no adverse impact to the identified ASRs, dust control measures and good practices in accordance with Air Pollution Control (Construction Dust) Regulation would be followed to avoid the potential dust impact.

14.2.1.3 As the scale of construction works is relatively small, extensive use of the Powered Mechanical Equipment (PME) is not required. Emissions from PME are therefore considered relatively small. Adverse cumulative impact is considered unlikely. Given that the trip frequency of marine transportation for the commuting of site personnel and the delivery of goods per day would be limited and the vessels will be throttled down when they arrive at the Project site, adverse air quality impact from the marine emissions is not anticipated.

14.2.1.4 During operational phase, the Project itself does not intend to increase Kaito services. No additional air pollution sources would be introduced due to the implementation of the Project. Conversely, the main objectives of the Project are to enhance pier facilities and provide adequate structural integrity for safe pier usage. As the Project would increase the separation distance between the ASRs and the vessels, the ASRs would result in a slight improvement of air quality. Therefore, adverse air quality impact during the operation phase of the Project is not anticipated.

14.3 Noise Impact

14.3.1.1 The noise assessment studies the potential noise impacts on Noise Sensitive Receivers (NSRs) due to the construction and operation of the Project.

14.3.1.2 During construction phase, the only NSR identified is the Plover Cove Country Park which does not bear a statutory noise limit. Construction noise impact is anticipated to be limited in view of the small scale and low complexity of the Project. Furthermore, no construction works will be carried out during the restricted hours, and the prefabrication method for the superstructure construction will be adopted as far as practicable. In addition, a number of noise enhancement measures including good site practices, the use of quality powered mechanical equipment (QPME), and the use of temporary noise barriers, etc. have been proposed to further reduce the construction noise impact. Therefore, no adverse construction noise impact is anticipated.

14.3.1.3 During the operational phase, the improved pier will not have any planned fixed noise sources. In addition, there would be no planned increase in the licensed Kaito services after the pier improvement works. Therefore, no operational noise impact is anticipated.

14.4 Water Quality Impact

14.4.1.1 Potential water quality impacts were predicted and evaluated from the construction activities and operational phase of the Project. A number of good practices and mitigation measures were recommended accordingly.

14.4.1.2 Potential hydrodynamic and water quality impact from the construction activities have been assessed. Given the small scale of the pier and the adoption of concrete pile foundation with sufficient spacing, hydrodynamic impact from the new pier and the temporary pier is not anticipated.

14.4.1.3 Potential water quality impact would arise from the construction activities, in particular the marine-based site investigation and foundation works. Nevertheless, with the implementation of recommended mitigation measures such as the use of silt curtain to confine the SS, adverse water quality impact is not anticipated. There will neither be directly discharge on-site, within the Yan Chau Tong Marine Park nor other WSRs. In addition, with good site control practices, emergency spillage plan and provision of portable toilets, adverse impacts from surface runoff from construction site operation, accidental spillage of chemicals and sewage from workforce are not anticipated.

14.4.1.4 The main objectives of the Project are to improve the existing pier facilities such as providing standard landing steps, adequate berthing space and enhancing accessibility to those in need. During operation, there is no planned increase in the existing Kaito services nor alteration of their routing. Therefore, no adverse water quality impact is anticipated from the Project during the operation phase. Given the small scale of the pier and the adoption of pile foundation with sufficient spacing, hydrodynamic impact from the new pier is not anticipated.

14.5 Waste Management Implication

14.5.1.1 Potential waste management implications from the generation of waste during the construction phase have been evaluated. Mitigation measures, including on-site sorting, reusing C&D materials etc., are devised in the construction methodology to minimise the surplus materials to be disposed of to a landfill. With the proper implementation of the recommended mitigation measures, adverse environmental impacts from waste management during construction phase are not anticipated.

14.5.1.2 The types of waste that would be generated during the operational phase would be general refuse from the pier users. The Project itself does not intend to increase Kaito services. Hence, it will not induce any additional general refuse from additional visitors and pier users during the operational phase. 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 required to be provided in the Lai Chi Wo Pier as no general refuse is anticipated by the Project during the operational phase. Adverse waste management implications are not anticipated.

14.6 Land Contamination

14.6.1.1 This land contamination assessment has examined the potential contaminative land uses within the boundary of the Project. 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. Further site investigation or mitigation measures are therefore not required.

14.7 Ecological Impact

14.7.1.1 Lai Chi Wo Pier is within Yan Chau Tong Marine Park. This marine park contains a number of important habitat types, including two intertidal habitats in Lai Chi Wo, i.e. seagrass bed and mangroves. Site selection process has considered different locations and concluded that the location of the existing pier would cause least impacts to the Marine Park, site for Hong Kong Reef Check, SSSI and the important intertidal habitats.

14.7.1.2 Ecological surveys covering a 12-month duration were conducted. While the seabed surrounding the existing pier was muddy and void of corals, only low coverage of very tiny common hard coral was recorded at the existing pier head. No faunal species of conservation importance was identified in intertidal surveys.

14.7.1.3 The proposed LCW Pier will be constructed on top of the existing LCW Pier and the pier desk structure will be supported by piles. Pile will be constructed through the marine water. The plan view of the proposed LCW Pier will be about 0.156ha but the actual seabed loss will be much smaller (about 0.0058 ha) as only the piled foundation will directly encroach the seabed. The potential impacts due to the loss of small areas for the future piles and the concrete landing (total area around 0.0058 ha) as well as the low coverage of common hard corals (i.e. <1%) on the existing pier head are considered Minor. It is anticipated that the future piles could provide new and additional hard substrates for coral colonization.

14.7.1.4 There will be two connecting walkways to connect the temporary pier/ the proposed LCW pier and the existing footpath to Lai Chi Wo. Parts of these two walkways would fall within the Plover Cove Country Park boundary and a small area overlapped with woodland habitat, but no trees will be affected and no actual woodland loss will occur. Hence, the potential direct impact to terrestrial ecology is ranked as insignificant.

14.7.1.5 As no dredging and reclamation are required during the construction of the Project, and release of suspended solids due to construction works of pile and during site investigation works would be contained due to adoption of bored casing. In order to further minimize the increased suspended solid from the site investigation works and piling works, silt curtain will be deployed to confine the works area to prevent the accidental release of muddy water to the surrounding marine waters during site investigation works and piling construction. Besides, prefabrication approach will first be considered when designing concrete superstructures.

14.7.1.6 As the Project mainly consisted of marine-based works, potential impacts to terrestrial recognized sites of conservation importance including Lai Chi Wo Special Area, Conservation Area, Fung Shui Woodland and the Ecologically Important Stream are not expected.

14.7.1.7 Two short walkways connecting the proposed Lai Chi Wo Pier and the temporary pier to the existing footpath inside Plover Cove Country Park will partly fall within the country park boundary, but the scale of works will be very small and will not cause any tree loss, significant impact to the country park is not anticipated.

14.7.1.8 The proposed Lai Chi Wo Pier is within Yan Chau Tong Marine Park and close to Lai Chi Wo Beach SSSI. Seagrass bed and mangrove are the two important habitats within the marine park and SSSI. However, no seagrass bed and mangrove will directly be affected or indirectly impacted by water quality given the scale of the works and construction method.

14.7.1.9 The coral communities in Hong Kong Reef Check site “Lai Chi Wo” is located over 500m from the Lai Chi Wo Pier. Impacts to the coral communities are not likely both directly and indirectly.

14.7.1.10 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.

14.7.1.11 During operational phase, as there will be only a limited number of piles and a small above-seabed downstand wall in the marine habitats, change in hydrodynamic regime or water quality is not anticipated. It is not anticipated the frequency of vessels or visitor numbers would increase due to the Project. Pollution from marine traffics to marine waters is also not expected. No maintenance dredging would be required for the pier, and therefore no water quality impacts could be induced. No significant impact is also expected for the water sensitive receivers in the vicinity. Disturbance to terrestrial habitats or fauna due to the lighting at the pier head is not likely. Hence, no significant operational phase impacts to marine ecology, recognized sites or species of conservation importance are anticipated from the Project. Residual impacts are also acceptable.

14.8 Landscape and Visual Impact

14.8.1.1 The landscape resources (LRs) and landscape character areas (LCAs) within 500m boundary of the Project, as well as the visually sensitive receivers (VSRs) within the visual envelope (VE) of the Project, were identified and assessed. The Project may inevitably cause slightly adverse landscape and visual impacts during construction phase but will create beneficial impacts for some of the LRs, LCAs and VSRs during operational phase.

14.8.1.2 During construction phase, the Project may cause adverse impacts on some of the LRs and LCAs occupied by the construction works. With the implementation of mitigation measures in construction phase, the landscape impacts on the concerning LRs and LCAs are anticipated to be slightly adverse or insubstantial. For other LRs and LCAs, landscape impacts are assessed to be insubstantial without mitigation measures so that mitigation measures would not be necessary for these LRs and LCAs.

14.8.1.3 During construction phase, the visual impacts on VSRs are anticipated to be in the range of slightly adverse to moderately adverse without the provision of mitigation measures during construction phase. Nevertheless, with the full implementation of mitigation measures, the residual visual impacts on VSRs are mitigated to slightly adverse to insubstantial and considered acceptable with mitigation measures.

14.8.1.4 During operational phase, the residual landscape impacts on the affected LRs and LCAs will be alleviated to slightly adverse with mitigation measures. The landscape impact of Lai Chi Wo Pier (LR8) will be enhanced to moderately beneficial by adopting the enhancement measures of the Project.

14.8.1.5 During operational phase, the impacts of all VSR will be enhanced from slightly beneficial to moderately beneficial due to the improved appearance of the Pier after adopting the enhancement measures of the Project.

14.8.1.6 Only five trees were identified within the tree survey extent 2m from the Project boundary. Nevertheless, all associated construction activities will be limited to the site boundary and thus, no direct impact on trees due to the Project are anticipated.

14.9 Fisheries Impact

14.9.1.1 The assessment area for the FIA included the Project Site and any other areas likely to be impacted by the Project. Special attentions have been given to loss or disturbance of fishing grounds, fisheries habitats, spawning and nursery grounds, and water quality deterioration at FSRs.

14.9.1.2 Information from literature is incorporated, which provided sufficient information on fisheries resources in the assessment area. The fisheries productions in the vicinity of the pier are regarded as moderate in Lai Chi Wo. As only piles foundation will be constructed, and pre-cast structures will be built on-top, together with the approaches for avoidance and minimisation of impacts, potential fisheries impacts on fisheries resources due to construction and operation of the pier are considered minor.

14.9.1.3 Permanent fishing ground loss occurs during operational phase due to footprint of the proposed LCW Pier. About 0.156 ha fishing ground loss is considered to be of insignificant proportion compared with the 1,651 km² (approximately 165,100 ha) of Hong Kong's total marine waters which is mostly available for fishing.

14.9.1.4 Since unacceptable impacts on fisheries resources and fishing operations are not anticipated, fisheries-specific mitigation measures are not required.

14.10 Impact of Cultural Heritage

14.10.1.1 A Marine Archaeological Investigation (MAI) has been conducted to identify any seabed features with archaeological potential. For the assessment of any potential cultural heritage impact due to seabed disturbance is anticipated during the construction of bored piles for the proposed pier. However, no marine archaeological resources are identified within the assessment area through the geophysical survey and visual diver survey. It is therefore concluded that no marine archaeological impact from the construction works of the Project is anticipated.

14.10.1.2 During the operational phase, with the improved pier head located farther away from the shoreline and at a deeper seabed level, a deeper draft can be provided for vessel berthing. Besides, the Project does not plan to increase the number of Kaito or alter the existing Kaito routing. Adverse impact to cultural heritage is not anticipated from the Project during the operational phase.

14.10.1.3 In addition, terrestrial archaeological resources and built heritage are not identified in the vicinity of the Project and adverse terrestrial cultural heritage impact is therefore not anticipated during the construction and operation of the Project.