Report

14 Conclusion

14.1.1.1 This Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Report has been prepared for proposed Tung Ping Chau Public Pier in accordance with the requirements set out in the EIA Study Brief (ESB-306/2017) 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 Tung Ping Chau until a new berth of the pier is available for use;

· Removal of temporary pier, modification of the existing pier and installation of piles for the new pier;

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

· Construction of associated facilities on the new 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 insignificant. 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 objective of the Project is to enhance the safety and accessibility of the pubic using the pier. 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, Tai Tong and Plover Cove (Extension) Country Park are identified as NSRs at approximately 210m and 70m away from the nearest works area respectively. Construction noise level has been predicted for the domestic representative NSR. The predicted construction noise level would comply with the perspective noise criterion in the TM-EIAO under the unmitigated scenario. For Plover Cove (Extension) Country Park, in view of small scale of the Project and limited transient hikers using the hiking trail, adverse noise impacts are not anticipated. In addition, good site practices are proposed to further minimise the construction noise impact on the Country Park environment as much as practicable. Adverse construction noise impact is not anticipated. Furthermore, since 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 enhancement measures including good site practices, the use of quality powered mechanical equipment (QPME), and the use of temporary noise barriers, etc. are 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 piled foundation with sufficient spacing, hydrodynamic impact from the structures of 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, the seabed features in the vicinity of the Project are mostly sand/silt, boulders and rocks, which have much higher settling velocity and could be quickly settled. With the implementation of recommended mitigation measures such as the use of double casing system, Y-shape funnel and closed grab to be implemented during marine-based site investigation and construction works, adverse water quality impact is not anticipated. There will neither be directly discharge on-site, within the Tung Ping Chau 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 piled foundation with sufficient spacing, hydrodynamic impact from the new structures of the improved 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 hiking trail of Tung Ping Chau. No bin will be required to be provided in the Tung Ping Chau Public 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 landuses within the boundary of the Project, and their potential impacts to future use.

14.6.1.2 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 site. Therefore, no adverse land contamination is anticipated. Further site investigation or mitigation measures are therefore not required.

14.7 Ecological Impact

14.7.1.1 Tung Ping Chau Marine Park is one of the marine parks having the best coverage and diversity of stony corals in Hong Kong. 65 species out of 84 species of stony coral were recorded in Tung Ping Chau Marine Park. Site selection process has considered different locations and concluded that extension at the existing pier would cause least impacts by avoiding Core Areas of the Marine Park, sites for Hong Kong Reef Check, and the intertidal habitats.

14.7.1.2 Ecological surveys covering a 14-month duration were conducted. Coral surveys in tiers by different techniques, including detailed coral mapping survey in which 531 coral colonies from 43 species were recorded, were performed. Except 6 colonies classified as rare species, all other coral colonies were common or uncommon species.

14.7.1.3 No species of conservation importance identified in intertidal surveys, while several individuals of amphioxus were recorded at more than 250m from the Project Site. Though all the works are marine-based, terrestrial surveys were also conducted to satisfy the EIA study brief requirements.

14.7.1.4 Based on the present coral survey results and findings from coral survey for PP‑222/2004, areas nearer the existing pier were of lower coral coverage. Boundaries and layouts of the proposed works area, the proposed pier extension and temporary pier were formulated to avoid areas with higher coral coverage. The design of the proposed pier extension has also been adjusted to minimize direct impacts (i.e. direct encroachment) and indirect impact (reduction of sunlight) to hard corals. Most of the structures being constructed will be above water surface, allowing sunlight to reach the seabed, and corals to be directly encroached are limited to those on the vertical seawalls of the outer most part of the existing pier head.

14.7.1.5 The plan view area of the proposed TPC Public Pier extension is about 0.056 ha, but the actual marine habitats loss will be only about 0.002 ha of seabed and 0.004 ha of marine waters as only the piled foundation will directly encroach the seabed.

14.7.1.6 According to the coral survey results from the present study, a total of 90 coral colonies were recorded within the plan view area of the proposed pier extension together with the temporary pier. It is recommended that the detailed coral translocation plan should consider all coral colonies within these two areas. It is recommended that all coral colonies within the plan view area should be translocated. Coral translocation is an effective mitigation measure as proven by the previous TPC pier construction in 2006-2007. A detailed coral translocation plan should be prepared during the detailed design stage of the Project, which should include brief descriptions on pre-translocation coral survey / baseline survey, translocation methodology, identification of suitable coral recipient site and post-translocation monitoring methodology. Coral translocation should be conducted between Nov and Apr, before commencement of work. The whole stretch of eastern coast of Tung Ping Chau is generally suitable as recipient site for coral translocation. For example, the Hong Kong Reef Check locations in Tung Ping Chau (i.e. A Ma Wan, A Ye Wan and Wong Ye Kwok) could all be considered as potential recipient sites for coral translocation. The final recommendation of recipient site will be determined in the detailed coral translocation plan, but it should be located at a reasonable distance away from the proposed works area.

14.7.1.7 There will be no dredging for the Project and only one closed grab excavator would be used, 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, outer casing to confine the works shall be provided around the bored locations to prevent the accidental release of muddy water to the surrounding marine waters during site investigation works and piling construction. The insertion and removal of casing would only lead to minor disturbance to the seabed and thus insignificant release of suspended solids. The use of outer casing to confine the sediment is effective in local examples such as Kat O Chau Public Pier and the improvement works to Tung Ping Chau Public Pier in 2006-2007. Besides, prefabrication approach will first be considered when designing concrete superstructures.

14.7.1.8 While presence of amphioxus in the Project Site is not likely due to the substrates with boulder and gravel embedded in sediments within the Project Site, significant impacts to amphioxus in other locations are not expected due to the scale of the works. Similarly, impacts to other marine organisms of conservation importance such as Green Turtle or seahorse are not expected either.

14.7.1.9 As the proposed works area only involve marine habitats, terrestrial habitats including the recognized sites of conservation importance such as Country Park, Geo Park and the SSSI will not be encroached.

14.7.1.10 Various monitoring and audit will be conducted for the construction works and the corals. Water quality monitoring will be conducted at the nearby waters prior to the commencement of the construction as well as during the construction phase. to ensure that the water quality complies with the established environmental standards. Besides the monitoring of the translocated corals on the success of translocation exercise, corals monitoring will also be conducted to corals within the proposed work area and the nearest reef check site during construction stage and post-construction stage. General site inspection within Plover Cove (Extension) Country Park will also be conducted to ensure no ecological disturbance on the country park.

14.7.1.11 During operational phase, the permanent loss of marine habitat (about 0.004ha water column and 0.002ha of subtidal seabed) is considered Minor. 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 public 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 or insubstantial with mitigation measures. The landscape impact of Tung Ping Chau Public Pier (LR4) 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 As no trees were identified within the tree survey extent 2m from the Project boundary, 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 low in Tung Ping Chau. 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 the footprint of the proposed TPC Public Pier. About 0.056 ha fishing ground loss (including the possible loss due to presence of guide piles) 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 adverse 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) was conducted to identify any seabed features with archaeological potential. During the construction phase, it is concluded that the marine archaeological potential of the survey area is considered as low by the geophysical survey. No marine archaeological resources were identified by the geophysical survey. It is therefore concluded that no marine archaeological impact from the construction works is anticipated. Further visual diver survey for marine archaeology or any other type of investigation or mitigation are therefore not required. As a precautionary measure, Antiquities and Monuments Office (AMO) should be informed in case of discovery of antiquities or supposed antiquities in the course of marine works.

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. No adverse impact to cultural heritage is 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.