13 Environmental Monitoring And Audit Requirements. 13-1
13.1 Introduction.. 13-1
13.2 Air Quality Impact. 13-1
13.3 Water Quality
Impact. 13-1
13.4 Ecological Impact. 13-3
13.5 Fisheries Impact. 13-4
13.6 Landscape and
Visual Impact. 13-4
13.7 Hazard to Life
Impact. 13-4
13.8 Landfill Gas
Hazard.. 13-4
13.9 Waste Management
Implications. 13-4
13.10 Land Contamination.. 13-5
13.11 Noise Impact. 13-5
13
Environmental
Monitoring and Audit Requirements
13.1.1 This
section summarizes the environmental monitoring and audit (EM&A)
requirements for the Project during the construction and operational phases
with reference to the assessment results of various environmental issues
presented in this EIA Report. Details of the EM&A requirements and the
implementation schedule of mitigation measures are provided in a stand-alone
EM&A Manual.
Construction Phase
13.2.1
Dust monitoring is recommended during the
construction phase to verify the air quality compliances at representative air
sensitive receivers. Regular environmental site audit should also be undertaken
to ensure the implementation of the proper implementation of proposed
mitigation measures during the construction period.
Operational Phase
13.2.2 It
is recommended to conduct Hydrogen Sulphide (H2S) monitoring at the inlet
and outlet of the deodorizers upon commissioning to determine whether it can
meet the odour removal performance requirement. Odour patrol is also proposed
during the period of maintenance or cleaning of the deodorization system for
the Project.
13.2.3 Measurement
of the Respirable Suspended Particulates (RSP), Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2)
and Sulphur Dioxide (SO2) emissions from the combined heat and power
unit is recommended during the commissioning stage to demonstrate that the
process/facility is operated properly and the design emission limits assumed in
this EIA can be achieved.
13.3.1
Only land-based construction works will be
carried out under the Project. The potential water quality impact from the
land-based construction works can be controlled by the recommended mitigation
measures. Regular
environmental site audit should be undertaken during the Project
construction to ensure that the recommended mitigation measures are properly
implemented. Discharge license(s) should be obtained under the Water Pollution
Control Ordinance (WPCO) if there are any construction site discharges. Monitoring of the construction site
effluent shall be carried out in accordance with requirements stipulated in the
WPCO discharge license(s).
Normal Operation
Effluent Monitoring
13.3.2
The effluent of the existing Tai Po Sewage
Treatment Works (TPSTW) and Sha Tin Sewage Treatment Works (STSTW) are being
routinely monitored by DSD. It is
recommended that the existing effluent monitoring programme of DSD should be
continued for the upgraded TPSTW and the future Sha Tin Cavern Sewage Treatment
Works (CSTW). Monitoring of the treated effluent from the Project should also
be carried out in accordance with the requirements stipulated in the WPCO discharge
license.
River
and Marine Water Quality Monitoring in Victoria Harbour
13.3.3 Under
normal operation of Tolo Harbour Effluent Export Scheme (THEES), the effluent
from the Project would be transported to the Kai Tak River (KTR) and then to
the Kai Tak Approach Channel and Kwun Tong Typhoon Shelter for discharge in the
Victoria Harbour. A one-year impact water quality monitoring programme covering
dry and wet seasons is proposed for KTR at a frequency of once per month after
commissioning of the New West Plant of this Project. The monitoring results
should be compared with the routine river water quality monitoring data
collected by EPD to verify whether there is any adverse water quality impact at
KTR as compared to that before the implementation of this Project.
13.3.4 Marine
water quality monitoring is also recommended in Victoria Harbour. A one-year
baseline monitoring programme covering dry and wet seasons is proposed at a
frequency of twice per month to establish the baseline water quality conditions
at selected monitoring points. The baseline monitoring programme should be
carried out prior to the commissioning of the New West Plant. A one-year impact
monitoring in Victoria Harbour covering dry and wet seasons should be conducted
twice per month after commissioning of the New West Plant. The impact
monitoring results shall be compared with the baseline monitoring results to
verify whether there is any adverse marine water quality impact in Victoria
Harbour as compared to that before the implementation of this Project.
13.3.5
Where necessary, the available effluent data
routinely collected by DSD should be used to assist in identification of the
potential water quality impact in KTR and Victoria Harbour. After completion of
the one-year impact monitoring programme for KTR and Victoria Harbour, a review
shall be conducted by DSD to determine whether such monitoring shall be
continued. The review results shall be submitted to EPD. Any amendment on the
river and marine water quality monitoring programme shall be agreed by EPD.
THEES
Maintenance and Emergency Discharge
13.3.6
Marine water quality monitoring is recommended
in Tolo Harbour for any THEES maintenance event or emergency discharge event. A
one-year baseline monitoring programme covering both dry and wet seasons is
proposed at a frequency of twice per month to establish the baseline water
quality conditions at selected monitoring points. The baseline monitoring
programme should be carried out prior to the construction phase of this
Project.
13.3.7
In case of THEES maintenance during the
construction phase of this Project and after commissioning of the New West
Plant, marine water quality in Tolo Harbour should be monitored daily during
and after the maintenance period. The monitoring should be carried out until
the baseline water quality is restored for at least 2 consecutive days or at
least 4 weeks after termination of the effluent bypass (whichever is
longer). The effluent flow and
quality of the THEES maintenance discharge (from the existing / upgraded TPSTW
and the existing STSTW / CSTW) should also be monitored daily during the THEES
maintenance period.
13.3.8
In case of emergency discharge during the
construction phase of this Project and after commissioning of the New West
Plant, marine water quality in Tolo Harbour should be monitored daily
throughout the emergency discharge period until the baseline water quality is
restored for at least 2 consecutive days or at least 1 week after termination
of the discharge (whichever is longer). The effluent flow and quality of the
emergency discharge should also be monitored daily during the emergency
discharge period.
13.3.9
The monitoring programme for the THEES
maintenance and emergency discharge events should be carried out during
construction phase of the Project as well as in the first 3 years after
commissioning of the New West Plant. After the first 3 years of the New West
Plant operation, a review shall be conducted by the Project Proponent to
determine whether such monitoring shall be continued. The review results shall
be submitted to EPD, Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD),
Water Supplies Department (WSD) and other relevant parties. Any amendment on
the monitoring programme shall be agreed by EPD, AFCD and WSD.
Terrestrial
Ecology
13.4.1
The EIA concluded that the overall impacts on
terrestrial ecology would be acceptable with the implementation of mitigation
measures. The proposed ecological mitigation measures to avoid, minimize and
compensate the identified impacts arising from the proposed Project should be
audited regularly during the construction phase.
Monitoring of Compensation
for Occasional Ardeid Night Roost
13.4.2 Prior
to the site clearance works, tree assessment to the tree group (i.e. the
identified occasional night roost for ardeids) within the TPSTW shall be
conducted by a qualified botanist/ plant ecologist. Transplantation Proposal
shall be prepared to confirm the location, quantity and condition of the trees
within the tree group, and propose methodology and
receptor site(s) to transplant any of these trees that are to be affected by
the construction works. The conditions of the transplanted trees shall be
closely monitored at monthly basis throughout the construction period of the
Project.
13.4.3
Compensatory planting of suitable trees within
TPSTW shall be implemented if transplanting the identified tree group is
impracticable based on the tree assessment. A detailed Compensation Plan shall
be prepared by a qualified botanist/ plant ecologist with relevant experience.
The Plan shall include proposals on site preparation works, planting design and
layout, planting period, planting methodology, site supervision of planting,
post-planting monitoring and maintenance programme.
13.4.4 The
Transplantation Proposal and Compensation Plan shall be submitted to AFCD for
agreement prior to removal of the concerned tree group. The post-transplanting
or post-planting monitoring shall be carried out by the qualified
botanist/plant ecologist(s) of the ET and the results shall be submitted to
AFCD on a monthly basis throughout the monitoring
programme.
13.4.5
Given the sporadic use of the site by night
roosting ardeids, no night roosting bird monitoring is proposed.
Monitoring
of Disturbance Impacts during Construction Phase
13.4.6
Monthly ecological monitoring, focusing on
avifauna species of conservation importance (e.g.
Collared Crows and ardeids) utilizing habitats within 500m from the Project
site, should be conducted during construction phase to monitor the
effectiveness of proposed mitigation measures and detect any unpredicted
indirect ecological impacts arising from the proposed Project. Remedial actions
can then be recommended, where appropriate, based on the impact monitoring
results.
13.4.7
Whilst the roosting sites of Collared Crow and roosting
sites of Black Kites were identified within SWRL, which are separated from the
Project site by the existing topography, monitoring of the pre-roost and night
roost of Collared Crows is recommended given its importance.
Monitoring
of Disturbance Impacts during Operational Phase
13.4.8
Monthly ecological monitoring, focusing on
avifauna species of conservation importance (e.g. Collared Crows and ardeids)
utilizing habitats within the Project site, should be conducted during
operational phase to monitor any changes in foraging habitats by the proposed
Project. Remedial actions can then be recommended, where appropriate, based on
the impact monitoring results. The monthly ecological monitoring focusing on
avifauna species of conservation importance shall be conducted in the first 3
years after commissioning of the Project.
Marine Ecology
13.4.9 Water
quality
monitoring and audit programme is recommended as discussed in
Section 13.3. The monitoring and audit programme on water quality can also serve
to protect the marine ecology.
Marine ecological monitoring is not proposed.
13.5.1
No unacceptable fisheries impact is expected
from the Project. No monitoring specific for fisheries is required. Monitoring of water quality and audit
requirements as discussed in Section 13.3 is considered sufficient to protect
the fisheries.
Baseline Review for Landscape Impact
13.6.1 Baseline
review to check, record and report the status of the Landscape Resources (LR)
and Landscape Character Areas (LCA) within the construction works sites and
works areas shall be conducted prior to commencement of any construction works
making reference to the LR and LCA maps included in the EIA Report. Any
significant change to the status of LR and LCA since the EIA shall be
identified. The recommended mitigation measures shall be reviewed if such
change warrants a change in the design of the mitigation measures.
Audit Requirements
13.6.2 Regular
site inspections and audit shall be carried out to ensure the proper
implementation of the recommended mitigation measures during construction phase
and 12-month establishment period during operational phase.
13.6.3 The
conditions and growth performance of the implemented compensatory planting
should be regularly checked and monitored by a qualified plant specialist of
the ET to ensure the effectiveness of the mitigation measures.
13.7.1 The
EIA concluded that no unacceptable risks are foreseen as a result of the
construction and operation of the Project. Safeguard measures are recommended
during construction and operational phase of the Project. Implementation of the
recommended safeguard measures should be regularly audited during the
construction phase.
13.8.1 The
overall potential hazard for the proposed Project associated with the Shuen Wan
Restored Landfill would be Low to Medium for both construction and operation of
the Project. Safety measures and landfill gas monitoring are recommended during
the construction phase.
13.8.2 During
the operational phase, gas detection systems with audio alarm and forced
ventilation should be provided in the areas at or below the ground floor of new
permanent building structures of the Project if provision of natural
ventilation is not feasible in such areas.
Monitoring and safety requirements are also recommended for entry and
works in confined spaces.
13.9.1 Regular
audit of the waste materials generated from construction activities and waste
management practice is recommended during the construction phase of the Project
to determine if waste is being managed in accordance with prescribed waste
management procedures in the EIA Report and the Waste Management Plan (WMP), as
part of the Environmental Management Plan (EMP). The audits should examine all
aspects of waste management including waste generation, storage, recycling,
treatment, transportation, and disposal.
13.9.2 No
monitoring and audit is considered required during the
operational phase of the Project.
13.10.1 The
potential contaminative areas identified in the Project site were in operation
at the EIA stage. Site Investigation (SI) at these areas was not possible at
the EIA stage. After decommissioning of the relevant existing facilities and
before the commencement of the construction work at these areas, site
re-appraisal and preparation of a supplementary Contamination Assessment Plan
(CAP) should be undertaken for EPD endorsement. Land contamination SI should be conducted
in accordance with the endorsed supplementary CAP. A Contamination Assessment
Report (CAR) shall be prepared to summarize the results of the SI and confirm
the extent of land contamination. If land contamination is identified,
Remediation Action Plan(s) (RAP(s)) shall be prepared to provide details of the
remediation methods. Remediation action, if necessary, should be carried out
according to EPD endorsed RAP(s) and Remediation Report(s) (RR(s)) should be
submitted after completion of the remediation action. The RR(s) should be endorsed by EPD
prior to the commencement of construction works at the respective identified
contaminated areas (if any).
13.10.2 Mitigation
measures as recommended in this EIA and in the future EPD endorsed RAP should
be implemented during the soil remediation works if required. The EM&A
requirements for the land contamination aspect should be in the form of regular
site inspection to ensure that the recommended mitigation measures are properly
implemented.
13.11.1 Since no
existing, committed or planned NSR is identified within the assessment area,
noise monitoring is considered unnecessary. Regular site audits should be
carried out to ensure that the recommended mitigation measures and good site
are properly implemented.