11.1.1 This section provides a summary of the requirements of environmental monitoring and audit (EM&A) for construction and operational phases of the Project and associated works based on the assessment results of the various environmental issues. Details of the EM&A requirements are provided in a stand-alone EM&A Manual.
11.1.2 To ascertain that the recommendations in the EIA study are followed and that the mitigation measures implemented are effective, it is considered necessary to develop EM&A procedures and mechanisms such that the implementation of the mitigation measures can be tracked, and their effectiveness assessed. The following sections outlines the recommended EM&A requirements.
11.1.3 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.
11.1.4 The following sections outline the recommended EM&A requirements with the Implementation Schedule presented in Appendix 11.1.
Construction Phase
11.2.1 EM&A for potential dust impacts should be conducted during construction phase so as to check compliance with the legislative requirements. Details of the monitoring and audit programme are contained in a stand-alone EM&A Manual.
11.2.2 Regular site audits for potential dust impact are recommended to be conducted during the entire construction phase of the Project so as to ensure the dust mitigation measures and the dust suppression measures stipulated in Air Pollution Control (Construction Dust) Regulation are implemented in order. Continuous monitoring of RSP and FSP is recommended at various monitoring locations during construction phase of the Project. EM&A requirements related to air quality during the construction phase are summarised in the Implementation Schedule provided in Appendix 11.1.
Operation Phase
11.2.3 No unacceptable adverse impact arising from the Project is anticipated during the operation phase of the Project. Therefore, the EM&A works for the operation phase are considered unnecessary.
Construction Phase
11.3.1 The EIA study concluded that no adverse noise impact is anticipated during the construction of the Project. It is recommended to prepare a construction noise management plan during the design / tendering and implementation stage of the construction works, with an aim to verify the inventory of noise sources, update the construction noise impact assessment, if necessary, assess the effectiveness and practicality of all identified measures and update the proposed noise mitigation measures as necessary.
11.3.2 Regular noise monitoring should be carried out so as to ensure that relevant legal requirements and standards are complied with during the construction phase of the Project.
11.3.3 All the recommended mitigation measures for daytime normal working activities should be incorporated into the EM&A programme for implementation during construction. EM&A requirements related to noise during the construction phase are summarised in the Implementation Schedule provided in Appendix 11.1.
Operation Phase
11.3.4 Road traffic noise levels should be monitored at representative noise sensitive receivers (NSR), which are in the vicinity of the recommended direct mitigation measures, during the first year after road opening. The purpose of the monitoring is to ascertain that the recommended mitigation measures are effective in reducing the noise levels.
Construction Phase
11.4.1 Potential water quality impact from land-based construction works can be controlled by the recommended mitigation measures. Nonetheless, regular site inspections are recommended during the construction phase to ensure the recommended mitigation measures are properly implemented. EM&A requirements related to water quality during the construction phase are summarised in the Implementation Schedule provided in Appendix 11.1.
Operation Phase
11.4.2 The EIA study concluded that there would be no adverse water quality impact arising from the operation of the Project. EM&A related to water quality during the operation phase is considered not necessary.
Construction Phase
11.5.1 It will be the contractor’s responsibility to ensure that any wastes produced during the construction and demolition works are handled, stored and disposed of in accordance with recommended good waste management practices and relevant regulations and other legislative requirements. The recommended mitigation measures detailed in Section 6.10 should form the basis of the site Waste Management Plan (WMP) to be developed by the Contractor in the construction stage.
11.5.2 It is recommended that the waste arisings generated during the construction activities should be audited regularly by the Environmental Team (ET) once a week to determine if wastes are being managed in accordance with approved procedures. The audits should look at all aspects of on-site waste management practices including waste generation, storage, recycling, transport, and disposal. Apart from site inspections, documents including licenses, permits, disposal and recycling records should be reviewed and audited for compliance with the legislation of the recommended good site practice and other waste management mitigation measures. EM&A requirements related to waste management during the construction phase are summarised in the Implementation Schedule provided in Appendix 11.1.
Operation Phase
11.5.3 Adverse environmental impacts generated from handling, storage, and disposal of waste are not expected from the operation of the Project with the implementation of good waste management practices. Therefore, waste monitoring and audit programme for the operation phase of the Project would not be required.
11.6.1 10 potential contaminated sites are identified with encroachment of the Project. A total of 8 boreholes have been recommended at Site C10 under this Project and require further site investigation if excavation work is confirmed to be conducted. However, the concerned area are still in operation and undertaking the site investigation (SI) works at this stage is not feasible due to significant impact to the existing operations, SI works are therefore recommended to carry out after decommissioning of Site C10. If necessary, any soil / groundwater contamination would be identified and properly treated according to the approved Remediation Action Plan(s) (RAP). Remediation Report(s) (RRs) demonstrating the completion of remediation works at the area(s) (if any) confirmed with contamination will be prepared and submitted to EPD for approval prior to the commencement of construction works at the contaminated areas.
11.6.2 Remediation works, if necessary, would be carried out after site operation has ceased but prior to the construction works at the concerned sites. Mitigation measures for the remediation works, if necessary, as recommended in the EIA Report, Appendix B of the EM&A Manual and future RAP(s) should be implemented during the remediation works. EM&A should be carried out in the form of regular site inspection to ensure the recommended mitigation measures are properly implemented and findings of the audit should be reported in the EM&A reports.
11.6.3 With the implementation of the recommended follow-up works for the concerned areas, any soil / groundwater contamination would be identified and properly treated prior to construction works at the concerned areas. Specific EM&A requirement for operation phase is therefore not required.
Construction Phase
11.7.1 It is recommended on a precautionary basis, prior to the felling and/or transplanting of trees, sites should be checked for the presence of bat roosts by a suitably qualified ecologist. If roosts are found, any tree removal work should be postponed until the roost is vacated.
11.7.2 Any potential roosts in the close vicinity of the works area (i.e. 50m) should be inspected and monitored, prior to the commencement of works. Suitable screening should be applied to separate disturbance due to workers and/or noise from the potential bat roosts.
11.7.3 Site audits should be undertaken during the construction phase to check the conditions of the implemented ecological mitigation measures and maintain the measures as per their intended objectives.
Operation Phase
11.7.4 No EM&A related to ecology is needed during operation phase of the Project.
11.8.1 The mitigation measures listed in Table 9.11 shall be adopted during the construction phase. It is recommended that regular site inspections during the construction phase should be undertaken to inspect the construction activities and works areas in order to ensure the recommended mitigation measures are properly implemented.
11.8.2 The operation phase mitigation measures listed in Table 9.11 shall be adopted during the detailed design and be built as part of the construction works at the last stage of the construction period so that they are in place at the date of commissioning of the Project. However, it should be noted that the full effect of the soft landscape mitigation measures would not be appreciated for several years.
Construction Phase
11.9.1 There are no declared monuments, proposed monument, graded historic
sites/building/ structures, sites, buildings/ structures in the new list of
proposed grading items and Government historic sites is identified within the
300m assessment area therefore no mitigation measures would be required.
11.9.3 There are four non-graded
historic items identified within the 300m assessment area, but they are outside
the Project boundary and thus no mitigation measures would be required.
Operation Phase