13.
Environmental Monitoring and Audit (EM&A) Requirements
13.1
Introduction
13.1.1.1
This
section summarizes the requirements on environmental monitoring and audits for
the construction and operation of the Schedule 2 Designated Project (DP) items
of the Project based on the assessment results of various environmental issues.
Details of the Environmental Monitoring and Audit (EM&A) programme can be
referred to the separate EM&A Manual.
13.2
EM&A Manual
13.2.1.1
EM&A
is an important aspect in the 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.
13.2.1.2
A
project specific EM&A Manual to the Project has been prepared as part of
the EIA deliverables based on 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 Project Manager (PM) or Project
Manager’s Representative (PMR), Environmental Team (ET) and Independent
Environmental Checker (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 for 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.
13.2.1.3
The
Contractor shall be requested to review and adhere to 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.
13.3
EM&A Programme
13.3.1.1
The
Contractor and Project Proponent will be requested to implement an
environmental monitoring programme throughout the Project. In case exceedance
is found, the Contractor, Project Proponent and ET should take immediate
actions to implement remediation measures following the procedures specified in
the EM&A Manual.
13.3.1.2
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 (noise, etc.);
·
Impact monitoring (construction dust, noise, 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.
13.3.2
Air Quality
Construction
Phase
13.3.2.1
With
the implementation of the dust suppression measures and good site practices, no
adverse construction dust impact is anticipated during the construction phase.
However, construction dust monitoring should be conducted continuously at
comprehensive monitoring locations throughout the construction phase, while
regular site environmental inspections should be carried out at least once per
week during construction phase to ensure that the dust level will comply with
the relevant criterion and the recommended best practices as recommended in
this EIA Report and the EM&A Manual are properly implemented by the
Contractor.
Operation
Phase
13.3.3
Noise
Construction Phase
13.3.3.1
With
proper implementation of noise control measures, adverse construction noise
impact is unlikely. Nevertheless, noise monitoring is recommended as part of
the EM&A programme for the construction phase of the Project to check
compliance with the daytime construction noise criterion. The implementation of the recommended
mitigation measures for daytime construction activities should also be audited
as part of the EM&A programme, with reference to the latest implementation
schedule in the Construction Noise Management Plan (CNMP) to be submitted and
agreed with Director of Environmental Protection (DEP).
Operation
Phase
13.3.3.2
Based
on the assessment result, mitigation measures would not be required for road
traffic noise. Therefore, EM&A for road traffic noise during operational
phase is not required.
13.3.3.3
With
proper implementation noise control measures, adverse fixed noise impact from
the ventilation buildings, administrative building, satellite control building
and maintenance compound is unlikely. Nevertheless, as part of the design
process, monitoring of operational noise from the proposed fixed plants during
the testing and commissioning stage would be recommended to verify the
compliance of the EIAO-TM criteria. The specification and mitigation measures
shall make reference to the latest implementation schedule in the Fixed Noise
Source Management Plan (FNMP) to be submitted and agreed with DEP.
13.3.4
Water Quality
Construction
Phase
13.3.4.1
With
the implementation of good site practices, recommended mitigation measures and
enhancement measures to control construction site runoff, no adverse water
quality impact for land-based works is anticipated during the construction
phase. Nevertheless, regular water quality impact monitoring for land-based
works is required to ensure compliance with criteria as stipulated in EIAO-TM.
TBM tunnelling would be adopted for the section within Tuen Mun Typhoon Shelter
which would be approximately 10 - 60m underneath seabed and within bedrock
layer, hence marine water quality monitoring is considered not required.
13.3.4.2
Regular
environmental site inspections at least once per week shall be carried out
during construction phase to ensure that the recommended best management
practices, mitigation measures and enhancement measures as recommended in this
EIA Report and the EM&A Manual are properly implemented by the Contractor.
Operational
Phase
13.3.4.3
Potential
water quality impacts due to surface and tunnel run-off, sewage effluent from
proposed satellite control building and administrative buildings and wastewater
generated from washing and maintenance operations are likely. With proper
connection to the public drainage and sewerage systems and the implementation
of mitigation measures, no adverse impact is anticipated during the operational
phase. Hence, no environmental monitoring and audit is required.
13.3.5
Waste Management Implication
Construction Phase
13.3.5.1
During
the construction period, the Contractor shall ensure that all the waste
produced during the construction of the Project are handled, stored and
disposed of in accordance with good waste management practices, relevant
legislation and waste management guidelines.
13.3.5.2
A
Waste Management Plan (WMP), as part of the Environmental Management Plan
should be prepared in accordance with ETWB TC(W) No.19/2005 and submitted to
the Project Manager or Project Manager’s Representative for approval. The
recommended mitigation measures should form the basis of the WMP. The
monitoring and auditing requirement stated in ETWB TC(W) No.19/2005 should be
followed with regard to the management of C&D materials.
13.3.5.3
It
is recommended that regular site inspections and audits (i.e., on a weekly
basis) of the waste management practices would be carried out during the
construction phase to determine if wastes are being managed in accordance with
the recommended good site practices and WMP.
The audits will investigate all aspects of waste management including
waste generation, storage, handling, recycling, transportation and disposal.
This measure ensures the proper disposal of waste. The Contractor would be
responsible for the implementation of any mitigation measures to minimize waste
or mitigate problems arisen from waste materials. Monitoring of the
implementation of the trip ticket system for disposal of C&D materials in
accordance with DEVB TC(W) No. 6/2010 is also recommended.
Operational Phase
13.3.5.4
It
is expected that adverse environmental impacts would not be anticipated with
the implementation of good waste management practices. Waste monitoring and audit programme for the
operation phase of the Project is not required.
13.3.6
Land Contamination
13.3.6.1
The
land contamination issues associated with the Project have been reviewed and
assessed. Potential contaminated areas were identified, which would require
land contamination assessment. However, all the potential contaminated areas
are in operation and infeasible to conduct site investigation (SI) and sampling
works at this EIA stage. Also, there could be changes in the operation or land
use within the Project area, which may cause further contamination issues,
before commencement of the construction. Detailed land contamination assessment
could only be conducted when access is available.
13.3.6.2
Site
re-appraisal for the whole project area would be recommended by the Project
Proponent to assess the latest site situation and conduct subsequent land
contamination assessment and remediation works if required prior to the
commencement of the construction.
13.3.7
Hazard to Life
Construction Phase
13.3.7.1
The
Project falls into consultation zone of a Potentially Hazardous Installations
(PHI) (i.e. ExxonMobil LPG Storage Installation located at Tuen Mun Area 44.
Nevertheless, the tunnel alignment of the Project is located at more than 30m
under this PHI. Also, the tunnel alignment of the Project is located about 30m
under the LPG storage installation at Sam Shing Estate. Tunnelling using
Tunnelling Boring Machine (TBM) is adopted for constructing the tunnel section
close to these LPG storage installations, such that at-grade construction
activities and any blasting works in their vicinity have been avoided. In
addition, with
reference to monitoring of other similar project, no ground settlements would
be expected for these two LPG storage installations. Hence, potential risk during
construction phase is not envisaged.
13.3.7.2
With
the implementation of good site practices and design measures for the overnight
storage, transport and use of explosives, the requirements as stipulated in
EIAO-TM could be complied. Nevertheless, the blasting related activities
regarding overnight storage, transport and use of explosives shall be
supervised and audited by competent site staff to ensure strict compliance with
the blasting permit conditions. In addition, subject to the liaison of the
three concurrent projects Route 11 (R11), TMB and Lam Tei Underground Quarrying
(LTUQ), a Hazard Management Plan would be formulated with a view to aligning
the understanding of the risk of the three projects so that all the working
populations at Lam Tei Quarry area, which includes the workforce induced under
the construction and operational stage of three projects, could be considered
as on-site populations in the quantitative risk assessment for all the three
projects. The measures stipulated in the Hazard Management Plan may include,
but not limited to, the adjustment of the blasting schedules of the three
projects to minimize the potential cumulative impact, provision of common
trainings and drills to the workforce of all the three projects, etc. The
Hazard Management Plan, which would be agreed among the three projects, would
be submitted to EPD for agreement prior to the tender invitation of
construction phases of R11, TMB and LTUQ, whichever is earlier.
Operational Phase
13.3.7.3
The
Project falls into consultation zone of a Potentially Hazardous Installations
(PHI) (i.e., ExxonMobil LPG Storage Installation located at Tuen Mun Area 44.
Also, the Project is located at some distance from the LPG storage installation
at Sam Shing Estate. However, section of the Project in proximity of
these LPG storage installations is in form of tunnel, the population induced
from the tunnel is all located in a confined space underground and hence,
would not be affected by the hazardous events from these LPG storage
installations. Hence,
potential risk during operational phase is not envisaged and thus monitoring and audit are
not required.
13.3.8
Landfill Gas Hazard
Construction Phase
13.3.8.1
The
construction works to be undertaken at the Project site will involve
construction workers and others with risks resulting from contact with landfill
gas. For example, when laying
underground utilities or other situations, personnel may have to enter confined
spaces. Precautionary measures to be
adopted during construction at the Project Site are outlined in Paragraphs 8.3
to 8.49 of EPD’s Guidance Note on Qualitative Landfill Gas Hazard Assessment
(EPD/TR8/97) (Guidance Note). Monitoring
will be undertaken when construction works are carried out in confined space
within the Consultation Zone. The
monitoring requirements and procedures specified in Paragraphs 8.23 to 8.28 of
EPD’s Guidance Note.
Operation Phase
13.3.8.2
All
operation staffs and maintenance workers should be informed of the potential
landfill gas hazards. Implementation of appropriate safety precautions are
required all times when entering enclosed rooms or any service voids, manholes,
chambers or culvert at the concerned area. All access to confined spaces should
be restricted only to authorized personnel.
13.3.8.3
During operation, regular monitoring of landfill gas
should be conducted at buildings and enclosures within the Consultation Zone to verify the
effectiveness and to ensure the continued performance of the implemented
protection measures. Should abnormality
be observed, it should be reported to EPD and the PPVL operator.
13.3.8.4
Along with the detailed design of the landfill gas
protection measure, the monitoring programme and detailed actions should be
included in the detailed assessment during the designed design stage and
submitted to EPD for approval.
13.3.9
Ecology (Terrestrial)
Construction Phase
13.3.9.1
Unacceptable
construction phase impacts and operation phase impacts to terrestrial
ecological resources would not be expected. The
implementation of the ecological mitigation measures described in Section
10.10 will be inspected and subjected to monthly site audit for all works
under the Project, including Project Area near Tai lam Country Park, as part of
the ecological monitoring programme during the construction period.
Transplantation of Flora Species
of Conservation Importance
Two flora species of conservation importance, including one individual
of Diospyros vaccinioides and a small patch of Gnetum luofuense,
were recorded in mixed woodland near Pillar Point and near Wah Fat Playground,
respectively, within the Project Area (aboveground) during the ecological
baseline survey. Detailed vegetation survey should be conducted by suitably
qualified botanist/ecologist for the Project Area (aboveground) within mixed
woodland and shrubland/grassland at Pillar Point and near Wah Fat Playground
prior to the commencement of construction activities at the mentioned locations
to confirm the presence of flora species of conservation interest. The
curriculum vitae of the qualified botanist/ecologist should be submitted to the
AFCD for approval and comments prior to the survey. If on-site preservation is not
feasible, transplantation and/or mitigation measures would be recommended as
far as possible to minimize the unavoidable direct loss of these species. Transplantation proposal for the affected
individuals would be prepared if necessary. Potential
recipient sites for the affected flora species were identified within close
vicinity of its original location and indicated in Figure 10.7. A
monitoring program should be prepared in the transplantation proposal by a
suitably qualified botanist/ecologist prior to the transplantation works and
monitor the health conditions of the transplanted individuals upon the
completion of transplantation works at the recipient site.
Translocation of Freshwater Crab
Species of Conservation Importance
13.3.9.2
Freshwater
crab species of conservation importance, Somanniathelphusa zanklon, was
recorded in affected watercourse section S2, within the Project Area
(aboveground) during the ecological baseline survey. While Somanniathelphusa
zanklon, Cryptopotamon anacoluthon, and Nanhaipotamon
hongkongense were recorded at the lower watercourse section where S2 and
S2A is connected. An update ecological survey shall be conducted by a qualified
ecologist as part of the ET with focus to the presence of the freshwater crabs
prior to the commencement of stream diversion works near Wah Fat Playground. An
update ecological survey plan should be prepared by the qualified ecologist,
whose curriculum vitae should be submitted together with the survey plan to
AFCD for review and comments prior to the commencement of any survey to be
conducted. Should freshwater crab species of conservation importance be found
within the affected watercourse sections, a Freshwater Crab Translocation Plan
should be prepared. Freshwater crab translocation should be conducted to move
the individuals from the project area to suitable recipient site(s). The
Freshwater Crab Translocation Plan should be prepared by the qualified
ecologist as a part of the ET, certified by the IEC and submitted to AFCD
within four months upon completion of the update aquatic survey to agree the
detailed translocation procedures including the identified receptor site(s) and
post-translocation monitoring programme. Approval from the Authority (e.g.,
AFCD and EPD) should be sought prior to conducting the translocation work. The freshwater
crab translocation work should be conducted prior to the commencement of the
stream diversion works near Wah Fat Playground, following the approved
Freshwater Crab Translocation Plan. Upon the completion of the translocation
work, post-translocation survey should be conducted at the recipient site to
monitor the effectiveness of translocation.
Monitoring
of Compensatory Woodland
13.3.9.3
Monitoring of the compensatory woodland should
be performed on a regular basis after the first planting, to monitor the
survival and establishment of trees and wildlife use. Survey in each compensatory woodland location
will commence after the first planting.
Randomly selected individuals of each planted species will be tagged and
their survival rate will be computed.
Supplementary planting will be recommended if deemed necessary. Wildlife use of the planted vegetation will
also be monitored. Details of the
monitoring will be included in the Woodland Compensation Plan to be submitted
in the detailed design stage and agreed with relevant authorities.
Monitoring on
Mitigation Measures on Groundwater Infiltration
13.3.9.4
No
significant impacts related to ground water infiltration is anticipated for the
proposed tunnelling works including those within the Tai Lam Country Park with
the implementation of suitable mitigation measures as discussed in Section
5.7.2. As an additional precautionary measure, surface water level
monitoring at natural watercourses within Tai Lam Country Park, Lam Tei
Irrigation Reservoir, and in the vicinity of the tunnelling works would be
conducted during the construction and operation stages. Monthly monitoring
should be conducted at the selected watercourses to monitor parameters
(including water depth and water velocity) to record and evaluate if any
abnormal significant decrease of the water level is arising from the Project. I
In case abnormalities is detected, the monitoring arrangement and remedial
measures (if required) should be reported to EPD (who is the EIAO authority),
AFCD and other relevant authorities. Details of the monitoring, including the
monitoring locations, shall be agreed with AFCD during the detailed design
stage prior to commencement of any construction activities.
Operational Phase
13.3.9.5
Potential
groundwater drawdown is also anticipated to be insignificant with the majority of
the tunnel section to be constructed with granite and sufficient depth below
ground together with the good practices and mitigation measures adopted during
construction phase. No significant impact on ecological resources is expected
during operation phase of the Project, and thus, EM&A is not required.
13.3.10
Landscape and Visual
Construction Phase
13.3.10.1
Mitigation
measures such as tree preservation, tree transplanting, landscape
reinstatement, provision of site hoarding, optimization of construction area
and lighting control should be adopted during the construction phase. Regular
site environmental inspections should be undertaken 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
13.3.10.2
Mitigation
measures to be implemented, such as compensatory tree planting, post-planting
monitoring, landscape integration and screen planting, architectural aesthetic
design of built structures, and reinstatement of disturbed open space should be
integrated into the detailed design and built as part of the construction works
so that they would be in place during the operation of the Project.
13.3.11
Cultural Heritage
Construction Phase
13.3.11.1
For
Archaeology, no adverse archaeological impact due to the proposed works is
identified. As a precautionary measure, the project proponent and the
contractor are required to inform AMO immediately when any antiquities or
supposed antiquities under the Antiquities and Monuments Ordinance (Cap. 53)
are discovered during the course of works. Thus, EM&A is not required.
13.3.11.2
For
built heritage, potential vibration impact
and cumulative built
heritage impact rising from concurrent project Traffic Improvement Scheme in
Tuen Mun – Widening and Addition of Slip roads at Lung Fu Road/ Tuen Mun Road/
Wong Chu Road/ Hoi Wing Road may be a concern for the Shing Miu (Grade 2 historic building) (GB-02),
special attention should be paid to avoid adverse physical impact arising from
the construction works to the heritage site. Design proposal, method of works
and choice of machinery should be targeted to minimize adverse impacts to the
heritage site. Any vibration and building movement induced from the
construction works should be strictly monitored to ensure no disturbance and
physical damages made to the heritage site during the course of works.
Vibration, building settlement and tilting monitoring proposal for the GB-02,
including checkpoint locations, installation details, response actions for each
of the Alert/ Alarm/ Action (3As) levels and frequency of monitoring should be
submitted for AMO's consideration. As no
adverse impact on the Hung Lau (Grade 1 historic building) (GB-01) is
identified, no EM&A for GB-01 is required.
Subject to detailed design of vibration generation activities at works
areas near built heritage items BH-02 and BH-03, should potential vibration
impact be unavoidable, vibration monitoring is recommended. Furthermore, for
BH-03, appropriate protective and mitigation measures are to be recommended
during detail design stage of the Project when the structural condition and
assessment of BH-03 and the historical buildings/ structures/ features are
verified during detailed design stage of the Project. The protective and
mitigation measures should be agreed by AMO, and to be implemented to the
satisfaction of AMO to safeguard against any potential adverse impact.
13.3.11.3
Excavation
works in close vicinity to the heritage site should not jeopardize stability of
the historic structures. It should not undermine or cause damage to foundation
of the historic structures. Foundation information of the historic structures
shall be verified on site if needed, sufficient lateral support should be
provided and de-watering (if required) should be carried out with great
cautions to control ground movement and change of ground water regime at the
heritage site.
13.3.11.4
Installation
of monitoring checkpoints shall be carried out in great care and adequate
protection shall be provided so as to avoid unnecessary disturbance / damage to
the historic fabrics. Photo records of monitoring checkpoints shall be
submitted upon installation for AMO's records. Monitoring records should be
submitted to AMO on regular basis and please alert AMO should the monitoring
reach Alert/ Alarm/ Action levels.
13.3.11.5
Pre
and post condition survey should be carried out to record conditions of the
heritage site and survey reports should be submitted for AMO's record.
Operational Phase
13.3.11.6
No
adverse impacts identified. Thus,
EM&A is not required.