Report

1 Introduction

1.1.1.1 This Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report covers the environmental impact assessment of the proposed Pier Improvement at Tung Ping Chau (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 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 (i.e. the 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 Lai Chi Wo Pier is separately submitted under the EIAO.

1.2 Site Location and History

1.2.1.1 Tung Ping Chau Public Pier is located along the north-eastern coast of Tung Ping Chau facing towards Ping Chau Hoi. It falls within the Tung Ping Chau Marine Park. It is also adjacent to the Ping Chau Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and the Plover Cove (Extension) Country Park which also falls within the Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark (Geopark). The location plan and photo of existing Tung Ping Chau Public Pier are shown in Figure 1.1 and Figure 1.2 respectively.

1.2.1.2 The pier was constructed more than 50 years ago and is about 98m long and 5.5m wide. It comprises:

(a) about 49m long rubble causeway;

(b) about 35m long steel-concrete composite catwalk supported by the pier head and 2 nos. of around 2m diameter piles; and

1.2.1.3 The catwalk in the middle section and pier head were re-constructed in 2008. The pier level is about +4.4 mPD at the causeway rising to about +4.9 mPD at the pier head. A photo of the existing pier is shown in Figure 1.2.

1.2.1.4 Tung Ping Chau Public Pier is the only access for public to Tung Ping Chau. Currently, there are public ferry services operating between Ma Liu Shui Ferry Pier and Tung Ping Chau Public Pier on weekends and public holidays. Vessels of private operators also bring tourists to the island during weekdays. As the width of the landing steps is less than the standard width of 2m, there are safety concerns for passengers embarking on/disembarking off vessels.

1.2.1.5 There have been repeated requests from Sai Kung North Rural Committee members, Tai Po District Council members and Village Representative (VRs) to improve the safety of the passengers using the pier.

1.2.1.6 The existing pier consist of narrow staircases and is inadequate to meet the current operational needs. Therefore, Pier Improvement at Tung Ping Chau (the Project) is being proposed and taken forward.

1.3 The Project

1.3.1.1 The proposed preliminary layout of the design is shown at Figure 1.3. The length of the improved pier will increase from 98m to approximately 124m with the landing steps shifted seawards. The pier head will be lengthened from around 14m to about 40m, and will be widened from 5.5m to 6m. It also includes associated facilitates such as renewable energy provisions, covered waiting area with seats, floating platform to enhance the accessibility of people in need by the addition ramps between the catwalk and the floating platform to facilitate boarding.

1.3.1.2 To implement the Project, the following works will be carried out at different 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;

(c) Provision of temporary berthing and mooring facilities (temporary pier) using working barge and/or steel structures supported by piles to maintain access to Tung Ping Chau until a new berth of the pier is available for use;

(d) Removal of temporary pier, modification of the existing pier and installation of piles for the new pier;

(e) Construction of new pier structures (e.g. installation of precast elements on the pier structure etc.); and

(f) Construction of associated facilities on the new pier.

1.4 EIA Study Brief

1.4.1.1 In accordance with the requirements of Section 5(1) of the EIAO, a Project Profile (No. PP-562/2017) 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-306/2017 dated 9 February 2018) for the EIA study.

1.5 Designated Projects

1.5.1.1 The Project comprises demolition, construction and operation works within Tung Ping Chau Marine 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-306/2017), 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 impacts
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