18.1.1.1
This EIA report has provided an assessment of the
potential environmental impacts associated with the construction and operation
of the Project based on the preliminary engineering design information
available at this stage. The assessment,
conducted in accordance with the Study Brief No. ESB-340/2021 under the EIAO
and the EIAO-TM, covers the following environmental issues:
·
Air
Quality Impact
·
Noise
Impact
·
Water
Quality Impact
·
Sewage
and Sewerage Treatment Implications
·
Waste
Management Implications
·
Land
Contamination
·
Landfill
Gas Hazard
·
Ecological
Impact
·
Fisheries
Impact
·
Cultural
Heritage Impact
·
Hazard
to Life
·
Landscape
and Visual Impact
·
Electric
and Magnetic Fields
18.1.1.2
The
findings of the EIA Study have determined the likely nature and extent of
environmental impacts predicted to arise from the construction and operation of
the Project. During the EIA process,
specific environmental control and mitigation measures have been identified and
incorporated into the planning and design of the Project in
order to achieve compliance with environmental legislation and standards
during both the construction and operation phases. An environmental monitoring and audit
(EM&A) programme has also been developed to check
on project compliance of environmental legislation and standards. These are presented in a separate, stand-alone
EM&A Manual. The Implementation Schedules listing the recommended
mitigation measures are presented in Section 17.
18.1.1.3
A
summary of the environmental outcomes/benefits that have accrued from the
environmental considerations and analysis during the EIA study and the
implementation of environmental control measures of the Project are presented
in the sections below. This has included specific assessment for the
Schedule 2 Designated Projects (DP) subject to environmental permit application
under this Study. The summary of key
assessment assumptions and limitations of methodologies and summary of
environmental impacts are presented in Appendices 18.1 and
18.2, respectively.
18.2.1
Environmental
Benefits of the Project
18.2.1.1
The
Project aspires to turn the existing vast extent of brownfield sites including
logistics & freight operation, vehicle-related operation,
warehouse/workshop, and open storage, which have created considerable
environmental, traffic, visual, and other nuisance, to more optimal uses and
better land utilisation for future development of Hong Kong.
18.2.1.2
STLMC
DN’s public transport plan will be planned with the operation of green
transportation systems in mind. TIHs / green PTI will be equipped with
ancillary facilities to support the operation of future green transport
systems, reducing carbon emissions in the long run.
18.2.1.3
A number of existing livestock farms, including seven pig farms and two chicken
farms, will be removed. As operation of
livestock farms could be odourous, the clearance of
farms would remove these sources of odour emissions thus improving the overall
air quality in the area.
18.2.1.4
The
proposed Sam Po Shue Wetland Conservation Park (SPS WCP) is adjacent to the
STLMC DN. In this regard, a generous eco-interface is proposed along the
wetland park interface as well as along the bird flight path (an NBA is
proposed at the northern tip of the existing LMC BCP area serving as natural
landscape) to enhance biodiversity, as well as to create a sensible transition
between rural / natural assets and new developments. The eco-interface is envisioned to have
limited provision of recreation facilities to minimize human disturbance.
18.2.1.5
All
sewage generated from the Project will be discharged to the public sewerage
system and diverted to STLMC effluent polishing plant for tertiary
treatment. The treated sewage effluent
from the EPP will be further treated at the proposed reclaimed water facility
and pumped to the Reclaimed Water Service Reservoir. The reclaimed water
would be used for non-potable purposes within the Project area. The Project would
induce water quality beneficial effect by providing new sewerage to the
existing unsewered areas.
18.2.1.6
Echoing
Hong Kong’s Climate Action Plan 2050, the Project has considered implementation
of district cooling system, waste reduction initiatives and facilities and
green transport mechanisms.
18.2.2
Environmentally
Friendly Design
18.2.2.1
In order to create an eco-friendly and low-carbon community, sustainable planning
and urban design of STLMC DN shall be promoted, integration with the existing
green and natural assets. Smart and green mobility would also be integrated in
the development of the STLMC DN. An integrated infrastructure system, including
sustainable building design, tree planting and urban greening, waste management
facilities, shall also be taken into consideration.
18.2.2.2
To
cater for minimal disturbance to the east-west flight corridor near the Loop,
and to the proposed SPS WCP, stepped building heights will be adopted adjacent
to these areas.
18.2.2.3
Blue-green
infrastructure will make use of the water bodies and plants around drainage
system, for example rain gardens and flood retention ponds. As this facilitates
natural filtering and reduces surface runoff, the quality and quantity of
rainwater can be improved, thereby achieving sustainability and resilience.
When severe weather patterns bring additional rainfall, these blue-green
infrastructure can be used to retain part of the surface runoff, therefore
preventing the rivers from being overflowing.
18.2.3
Key
Environmental Problem Avoided
Avoidance of
Ramsar Site
18.2.3.1
The Project boundary has been revised to avoid
direct encroachment into the Mai Po Inner Deep Bay Ramsar Site. Considering the extensive area of wetland
habitats within this Ramsar site, its capacity to support a high diversity and
abundance of wildlife, and its international ecological importance, the direct
encroachment of the Ramsar site have been actively avoided to preserve the site
of conservation importance and the associated ecological resources.
Avoiding Loss of the MPV Egretry and core area of MPLV Egretry
Avoidance of
Loss of Flight Corridor
18.2.3.3
To avoid loss of connectivity for wildlife due to
the proposed development, flights paths and wildlife movement corridors have
been incorporated in the Project, while also making use of NBA to avoid
flight paths obstruction and fragmentation of wildlife movement corridor. This includes a 300 m wide flight corridor
near LMC BCP and the Loop, at the northern portion of the Project area, to maintain the existing
flight corridor for flight movement between the east and west.
Avoidance of
Loss of Woodland Habitat
18.2.3.4
Upon initial findings and early development of the
Project, the Project boundary has been refined to
avoid and minimise loss of sensitive habitats.
The woodland south of Pang Loon Tei (behind San Tin Barracks) and the adjacent natural watercourse were
both considered to be of moderate-high ecological value, while various mammal
species of conservation importance were recorded using the woodland
habitat. The Project boundary has
avoided encroachment into both woodland and natural watercourse habitats.
18.2.4
Environmental
Benefits of Environmental Protection Measures Recommended
18.2.4.1
This
section outlines the environmental benefits of key environmental protection
measures recommended. As detailed in this EIA Study, measures in relation to electric
and magnetic field are not required. A list of key mitigation measures for each
of the Schedule DP is outlined in Appendix 18.3.
Air Quality
Impact
18.2.4.2
During
construction phase, dust suppression measures stipulated in Air Pollution
Control (Construction Dust) Regulation and good site practices are recommended
to be carried out to minimize construction dust impact. In order to help reduce
carbon emission and pollution, timely application of temporary electricity and
water supply would be made and electric vehicles would
be adopted in accordance with DEVB TC(W) No. 13/2020 – Timely Application of
Temporary Electricity and Water Supply for Public Works Contracts and Wider Use
of Electric Vehicles in Public Works Contracts in the Project. Measures would
be taken to minimise the exhaust emission from non-road mobile machinery
(NRMMs). With the implementation of these measures, no adverse construction
phase air quality impact would be anticipated.
18.2.4.3
Odour
removal system should be installed at the refuse collection points (RCPs),
refuse transfer station (RTS), and sewage pumping stations (SPS) and
maintaining negative pressure to prevent foul air from escaping the building. During
operation phase, to avoid the potential odour impact, specific building
considerations should be incorporated such as design of central
air-conditionings for the buildings at Site G.5.8, G.5.9, G.5.10, G.5.11,
G.5.12 and OU(I&T)3.1.8, and the fresh air intake of these buildings being
positioned 20mAG or above.
18.2.4.4
Within the effluent polishing
plant (EPP), treatment units/facilities with potential odour emission will be
covered and the exhausted air will be conveyed to deodourisers
for treatment before exhausting to the environment. Furthermore, sludge tanks
which its air-tightness has been proved by DSD should
be deployed for transporting sludge.
Noise Impact
18.2.4.5
During
construction phase, adopting quality PME, movable noise barriers, enclosures
for construction plants, quieter construction method for piling work and proper
grouping of PME for some construction activities at critical work areas is
recommended. The Contractor should, subject to the actual site conditions,
proactively adopt quieter rock breaking equipment, hydraulic crusher
or non-mechanical breaking method (e.g. use of chemical expansion agent,
quieter type blade saw and bursting system) to carry out the demolition /
excavation works, where practicable.
With the implementation of recommended mitigation measures, the
predicted construction noise levels at the representative noise sensitive
receivers would comply with the construction noise criteria stipulated in the
EIAO-TM.
18.2.4.6
All
noise sensitive receivers would comply with relevant traffic noise criteria
with the implementation of direct mitigation measures, including the
application of LNRS and acoustic window/balconies at housing sites and vertical/cantilevered
noise barrier. With the adoption of the proposed maximum allowable SWLs for the
proposed fixed plant, the fixed noise levels at representative NSRs would
comply with the relevant noise criteria, no adverse noise impact from the
proposed fixed noise sources of the Project would be anticipated. No adverse airborne and ground-borne
railway noise impact would be anticipated.
Water
Quality Impact / Sewerage and Sewage Treatment Implications
18.2.4.7
During
Construction phase, potential pollution to nearby water bodies should be
controlled by preventing or minimising the likelihood of pollutants being in
contact with rainfall or run-off site runoff, and abate pollutants in the
stormwater surface run-off prior to the discharge of surface run-off to the
nearby water bodies by implementation of the Best Management Practices (BMPs)
and practices outlined in ETWB TC (Works) No. 5/2005 “Protection of natural
streams / rivers from adverse impacts arising from construction works”.
18.2.4.8
The
construction works for removal and diversion of watercourses should be
undertaken within a dry zone. Cofferdams or similar impermeable sheet pile
walls should be used as necessary to isolate the works areas from the
neighbouring waters. Site practices outlined in the ProPECC
PN 2/23 “Construction Site Drainage” and ETWB TC (Works) No. 5/2005 should be
adopted for the proposed demolition or diversion of watercourses where
applicable.
18.2.4.9
All
the ponds and wet areas to be removed should be isolated and not connected to
any existing watercourse. Construction
works at the existing ponds / wet areas should be conducted only after
dewatering of these ponds / wet areas is fully completed. The drained water generated from the
dewatering of these ponds / wet areas to be removed should be temporarily
stored in appropriate storage tanks or containers for reuse on-site as far as
possible. Any surplus drained water
should be tankered away for disposal at the STW in a
controlled manner.
18.2.4.11 Prior to any excavation works within
the potentially contaminated areas, the baseline groundwater quality in these
areas should be reviewed based on the past relevant site investigation data and
any additional groundwater quality measurements to be performed with reference
to “Guidance Note for Contaminated Land Assessment and Remediation” and the
review results should be submitted to EPD for examination.
18.2.4.12 An Emergency Response Plan is
recommended to minimise the potential impact from construction site discharges
under failure of treatment facilities during emergency situations or inclement
weather.
18.2.4.13 Regarding the design of the EPP,
peaking factors should be applied for all major treatment units and electrical
and mechanical equipment to avoid equipment failure. By-pass mechanism would be
provided for both coarse screens and fine screens in the inlet to
avoid/minimize failure in coarse/fine screens. Interim by-pass would be
provided after the primary sedimentation tank to avoid raw sewage by-pass as
much as possible. Standby unit for all major equipment would be provided in
case of unexpected breakdown of pumping and treatment facilities such that the
standby pumps and treatment facilities could take over and function to replace
the broken pumps. Back-up power for dual power supply would be provided in case
of power failure to sustain the function of pumping and treatment facilities.
Emergency Response Plan will be formulated prior to commissioning of STLMC EPP
to set out the emergency response procedures and actions to be followed in case
of equipment or sewage treatment failure.
18.2.4.14 Precautionary measures include
regular inspection, checking and maintenance, provision of twin rising main,
provisions of leakage collection systems, etc. are recommended to minimise the
risk of failure of the proposed sewerage system. Precautionary measures are
proposed in the design of the SPS including standby pump and screen, backup
power supply, emergency storage tank, telemetry system to the nearest manned
station / plant, etc. It would minimise the chance of emergency sewage
discharge at the SPS.
18.2.4.15 All sewage generated from the
Project will be discharged to the public sewerage system and diverted to STLMC
EPP for proper treatment. The TSE from
the EPP will be treated at the proposed reclaimed water facility meeting the water
quality standards endorsed by the “Working Group on the Implementation of
Reclaimed Water Supply in Sheung Shui and Fanling”
at its meeting on 13 July 2012 for non-potable uses and pumped to the Reclaimed Water Service Reservoir. The reclaimed water
would be suitable for reuse within the Project such as toilet flushing and
controlled irrigation. Pipework would be colour coded to distinguish reclaimed
water pipework from potable pipework. The Project would induce water quality
beneficial effect by providing new sewerage to the existing unsewered areas.
18.2.4.16 In view of the potential adverse
effect of emergency sewage bypass and sewage leakage on the quality of the
nearby watercourses, various precautionary measures are proposed to be
incorporated in the design of the SPS and rising mains to avoid emergency bypass
and leakage of sewage to the maximum practicable extent. A Contingency Plan is
also recommended to deal with the remote occurrence of emergency discharge.
With the incorporation of the precautionary measures and Contingency Plan as
recommended in this EIA, the possibility of emergency sewage bypass and sewage
leakage would be remote and the potential water quality impacts in the unlikely
event that an overflow / leakage does occur would be minimised.
18.2.4.17 Another source of potential impact
during the operational phase will be the run-off or non-point source pollution
from road surfaces and developed areas.
Stormwater control measures including adequate stormwater drainage
system with suitable pollutant removal devices, blue-green infrastructure and
best stormwater management practices are recommended for the Project to
minimise the non-point source pollution. With proper implementation of the
recommended mitigation measures, it is anticipated that the water quality
impacts associated with the non-point source discharge from road surfaces and
developed areas would be minimised.
Waste
Management Implication
18.2.4.18 In general, the waste management
hierarchy of avoidance and minimisation, reuse, recovery
and recycling should be followed. The inert portion of the construction and
demolition (C&D) materials should be reused on-site as fill or recycled as
aggregate for other projects as far as practicable. Prior to disposal of
non-inert C&D materials, wood, steel and other
metals should also be separated for reuse and / or recycling where practicable
so as to minimise the quantity of waste to be disposed of at landfill. In order to monitor the delivery of C&D materials at the
designated public fill reception facility and landfill and to control
fly-tipping, a trip-ticket system should be included. CCTV should also be
installed at the vehicular entrance and exit of the site to monitor handling of
C&D materials disposal. To prohibit illegal dumping and landfilling of
C&D materials, as well as proper delivery to concurrent project sites for
re-use, the dump trucks engaged on site should be equipped with GPS or
equivalent automatic system for real time tracking and monitoring of their
travel routings, parking locations and disposal activities. Provided that the waste is handled, transport
and disposal of using approved methods, adverse environmental impact would not
be expected.
18.2.4.19 The types of waste anticipated
during construction phase included C&D materials, chemical waste, general
refuse, excavated sediments and floating refuse; while municipal solid waste (MSW),
chemical waste and screenings, grits and sewage sludge are expected during
operation phase.
18.2.4.20 Should asbestos containing materials
(ACM) are identified, precautionary measures related to the handling and
disposal of asbestos should be adopted in accordance with the EPD’s Code of
Practice on Handling, Transportation and Disposal of Asbestos Waste and ProPECC PN 2/97 Handling of Asbestos Containing Materials
in Buildings.
18.2.4.21 General refuse should be stored in
enclosed bins or compaction units separate from C&D materials and chemical
wastes. A reputable waste collector
should be employed by the contractor to remove general from the site,
separately from C&D materials and chemical wastes, on a regular basis to
minimise odour, pest and litter impacts. The collected general refuse would be
disposed of at designated landfill.
Clearly labelled recycling bins should be provided on site in order to encourage segregation and recycling of aluminium
and plastic wastes, and wastepaper in order to reduce general refuse
production.
18.2.4.22 If chemical waste is produced, the
Contractor / future operator will be required to register with the EPD as a
chemical waste producer and to follow the guidelines stated in the Code of
Practice on the Packaging, Labelling and Storage of Chemical Waste. Chemical
waste should be stored in appropriate containers and collected by a licensed
chemical waste contractor. Chemical
waste (e.g. spent lubricant oil) should be recycled at an appropriate facility
as far as possible, while chemical waste that cannot be recycled should be
disposed of at either the CWTC, or another licensed facility, in accordance
with the Waste Disposal (Chemical Waste) (General) Regulation.
18.2.4.23 MSW generated from residential, commercial and industrial buildings should be collected with
lidded bins, delivered to the refuse collection room and stored in enclosed
containers installed in each to prevent windblown, vermin, water pollution and
visual impact. At least daily collection should be arranged by the waste
collector to transport the waste to the RCPs or RTS.
18.2.4.24
The major solid waste types produced from the EPP would be the screenings and grits
collected from the inlet works and the dewatered sludge collected from the sewage treatment process. Screenings
and grits generated from the EPP is suggested to be disposed
of at the landfill whereas
the dewatered sludge generated
from the EPP is suggested to be treated at the sludge treatment facility (STF),
subject to detailed design. The screenings,
grits and dewatered sludge will be delivered by road transport in water tight containers
or skips to avoid odour emission during
transportation. Unloading process will be
operated in the designated room inside STF which
should be enclosed and served by negative
pressure by extracting odorous gas to deodourising unit.
18.2.4.25
With the abovementioned mitigation measures, no
adverse waste management implications associated with handling, storage and
disposal of wastes would be expected.
Land
Contamination
18.2.4.26 Based on the findings from desktop review (e.g. review of
historical aerial photos and relevant information from EPD and FSD), drone
reconnaissance and site surveys, 500 potentially contaminated sites have been
identified.
18.2.4.27
The majority of 195 potentially contaminated
sites were inaccessible for detailed reconnaissance at the time of reporting.
As the identified potentially contaminated sites are still in operation and the
development will only commence in phases from 2024, potential exists for
changes in land use or the nature of operations prior to development within
both the potentially contaminated site and other surveyed sites.
18.2.4.28
Detail site reconnaissance was carried out for 9
of 195 potentially contaminated sites (Sites S201, S202, S301, S302, W101,
W102, W103, W104 and W105). Access has not yet granted by the Lands Department
due to objections from villagers relating to the STLA application.
18.2.4.29 By implementing the recommended further works under the Project,
the potentially contaminated site(s) within the Project boundary would be
located and any contaminated soil and groundwater would be identified and
treated. Future works include: site re-appraisal, SI works as
well as submission of supplementary Contamination Assessment Plan(s) (CAP(s))
and, Contamination Assessment Report(s) (CAR(s)) for the EPD’s approval after
the sites are handed over to project proponent for development. If contaminated soil and/or groundwater were
identified, remediation should be carried out according to EPD's approved Remediation
Action Plan (RAP(s)) and Remediation Report(s) (RR(s)) should be submitted to
EPD for agreement after completion of the remediation works. No development works shall be commenced prior
to EPD's agreement of the RR(s).
18.2.4.30
Based on the findings of the assessment, 195
potentially contaminated sites are identified from land uses including
container storage, equipment/machinery storage; recycling facilities, vehicle
repair/maintenance workshops, diesel refuelling
facilities, waste dumping grounds, metal workshops, etc.
18.2.4.31
At all sites, contamination (if any) is
anticipated to be localised as the types of
operations are not large-scale polluting installations / facilities, such as
oil depots and power plants, where the nature of those operations has greater
potential to result in widespread contamination.
18.2.4.32
COCs with potential to be present at
potentially contaminated sites include metals, VOCs, SVOCs, PCRs and PCBs. These COCs are treatable using established
physical, chemical and biological techniques and have
been successfully remediated using proven remediation techniques in Hong Kong.
By implementing the recommended works, contaminated soil and groundwater within
the Project boundary would be identified and treated.
18.2.4.33
Recommended further works would not only
mitigate health risk to future occupants, the works
would also demonstrate sustainable reuse of treated soils as useful materials
(such as backfill); thereby minimising the amount of
waste disposed to landfill.
18.2.4.34
High levels of naturally occurring arsenic in
soil is confirmed by ground investigation works. Health Impact Assessment has
calculated a risk based arsenic threshold of 571 mg/kg which acts as a remedial
threshold concentration. Further arsenic assessment and a detailed treatment
approach has been proposed based on the RODP.
18.2.4.35 Further arsenic assessment should be
carried out during site formation and during construction of foundation. The
Project Proponent will treat the high arsenic containing soil in the shallow
region before land allocation or land lease to ensure no adverse health impact
to future occupants. The treatment depth will depend on the future land use.
Subsequent Developer/Works Departments will treat HAC soil in deeper regions during
excavations including basement, piling and utilities.
Landfill Gas
Hazard
18.2.4.36 During construction phase, the risk was classified as very low (insignificant)
that no precautionary measures are required.
18.2.4.37 As protection measure, for the
development of an electricity substation within the CZ, generic passive precautionary
measures may include utility protection measures for services passing through
the consultation zone, creation of a subsurface preferential gas venting
pathway or construction of a subsurface gas barrier and venting of manholes and
above ground terminations. In ground venting or gas barrier protection measures
may be located on the boundary of the development closest to the landfill.
Dependent upon the orientation of the development and detailed design,
utilities penetrating a ground floor slab on grade may require sealing.
18.2.4.38 During the operation phase of the
development, if further groundworks or construction works are planned, the same
landfill gas precautionary measures as those recommended for the construction
stage should be followed.
18.2.4.39 Provided
that the operation phase protection measures are appropriately designed and
properly implemented, safety will be safeguarded and
landfill gas impacts will be mitigated.
Ecological
Impact (Terrestrial and Aquatic)
18.2.4.40 The principle of avoidance, minimisation,
and compensation for all ecological resources have been considered in the
development of the Project.
Recommendation for enhancement have been provided as appropriate. Incorporation of Non-Building Areas (NBA) and
associated limitation of building heights would avoid obstruction and minimise
the potential disturbance of the recorded flight corridors.
18.2.4.41 In view of the presence of sensitive
ecological resources, key avoidance measures that have been considered and
adopted under the Project include the avoidance of encroachment into Mai Po
Inner Deep Bay Ramsar Site; the preservation of MPLV Egretry, its core roosting
area and the associated vegetation; the incorporation of flight path with NBA
to allow movement corridor; and avoiding and minimising loss of woodland
habitats at various locations within the Project boundary.
18.2.4.42 Further mitigation measures are
proposed for the potential direct impacts on the MPLV Egretry, San Tin Open
Storage Area Night Roost and Ha Wan Tsuen Night Roost. An “Open Space” is proposed under the Project,
where the loss of the roosting substratum at the MPLV Egretry would be avoided
and minimised. A buffer area of 100 m
was proposed for the egretries, where construction activities within the buffer
area should only be conducted outside the breeding season (from late-September
to February in the following year) in order to
minimise the potential disturbance impact on the Egretry, unless AFCD’s prior approval on construction
method has been obtained and appropriate mitigation measures have been proposed
and adopted. Enhancement measures (e.g.
water features and planting of mature trees) are also proposed at the “Open
Space” located adjacent to the MPLV Egretry to promote ardeid usage. While the loss of San Tin Open Storage Area
Night Roost and Ha Wan Tsuen Night Roost would be unavoidable, roosting area
would be re-provided in a diverted watercourse and adjacent to the proposed AFCD
Fisheries Research Centre respectively, under the Project. The re-provided night roost would comprise
water features and mature individuals of native tree species that are currently
used as a roosting substratum. A buffer
area of 100 m was also proposed at the night roosts, where noisy construction
activities (with the use of PME) should cease at least an hour before sunset and shall commence at
least an hour after sunrise on the following day.
18.2.4.43 Considering the size of the
potential direct and indirect impacts on wetland habitats (including ponds,
marsh / reed, watercourses, etc.) within the sites of conservation importance
(wetlands concerned), a wetland compensation strategy has been developed to achieve the
compensation requirement in accordance with the EIAO-TM, by enhancement of
ecological functions and capacity of the existing habitats to sufficiently
compensate the wetland loss arising from the development of San Tin Technopole
and achieve no-net-loss in ecological function and capacity of the wetlands
concerned. This includes the establishment of “ecologically enhanced fishponds” and
“enhanced freshwater wetland habitats”, preliminarily identified within the proposed
Sam Po Shue Wetland Conservation Park (SPS WCP) and is anticipated to improve
the connectivity of wetland habitats in the region, while conservation
strategies to be implemented within the proposed SPS WCP are anticipated to
provide ecological enhancement.
18.2.4.44 For plant species of conservation
importance, detailed vegetation survey should be conducted prior to the
commencement of construction works to identify potentially affected plant
individuals, with appropriate mitigation measures such as transplantation or
seeding planting to be proposed under a Protection and Transplantation /
Seedling Planting Proposal. For fauna species of
conservation importance with low mobility, detailed pre-construction surveys should
also be conducted for these species, with appropriate mitigation measures including
translocation (for low mobility species such as amphibians, freshwater fish and crabs), or nest control measure (for breeding /
nesting avifauna species of conservation importance), to be proposed under a
separate Translocation Proposal and Nest Control Proposal. In view of the small area of woodland loss, a woodland compensation
plan would be formulated and submitted prior to the commencement of
construction at the woodland habitat.
18.2.4.46 With the implementation of the
proposed mitigation measures, residual ecological impacts from habitat loss are
not anticipated. Furthermore, with the
proposed wetland compensation and the incorporation of enhancement
opportunities (e.g. revitalisation of the STEMDC, landscape planting within the
proposed development), overall habitat quality in the
majority of the Project boundary is anticipated to be improved.
Fisheries Impact
18.2.4.47 Impact on aquaculture activities resulting from the loss of active fishponds and inactive fishponds
within the Project boundary is considered to be of
potentially moderate and minor impacts respectively. A fisheries enhancement area
of about 40 ha located within the SPS WCP is recommended to compensate for the
direct permanent loss of active and inactive fishponds. Various measures were
proposed to enhance fisheries resources,
including the implementation of AFCD Fisheries Research Centre under the initial
phase of the Project, proper planning of aquaculture activities in the proposed SPS
WCP, and
incorporation of modernised aquaculture (e.g. intensive indoor/outdoor high-density aquaculture
activities with introduction of innovative green technology such as
recirculating aquaculture system, compartmentalization, remote real-time
environmental monitoring, species selection, ecological polyculture, nutrition
management, disease prevention and health management that create water bodies
and environmental conditions suitable for aquaculture activities with
high-density stocking conditions).
Cultural
Heritage
18.2.4.48 Preservation by record must be
carried out before demolition of Tin Tak Heroes Temple (MPL01), Mai Po Lung
Vegetable Marketing Co-operative Society Ltd. (MPL02) and Sun Tin Vegetable
Marketing Co-operative Society Ltd. (SHT01). A comprehensive record through 3D
scanning, video recording and cartographic and photographic recording should be
conducted by the Project Proponent of subsequent developer(s) prior to any
construction works. A copy of these
records should be provided to AMO for record purpose and future use, such as
research, exhibition and educational programmes.
18.2.4.49 Monitoring of ground-borne
vibration, tilting and ground settlement, is proposed to be employed for
Entrance Gate, Enclosing Walls and Shrine, Yan Shau Wai (HBN186) during the
site formation and construction phases. The monitoring should be incorporated with
a set of Alert, Alarm and Action (3As) system strictly following AMO’s
monitoring requirements for grade 3 historic building. The actual 3As criteria for HBN186 should be
agreed with the AMO prior to the commencement of construction works. A monitoring proposal, including checkpoint
locations, installation details, response actions to be taken when reaching
each of the Alert/ Alarm/ Action (3As) levels and frequency of monitoring
should be submitted to AMO and relevant stakeholder(s) for consideration before
commencement of the works. Record of
monitoring should be submitted regularly to AMO during the construction. AMO should be alerted in case any
irregularities are observed.
18.2.4.50 For Gurkha Cemetery (BH03), Mans’ Boundary Stone (BH06), Grave of Man Lun Fung ("麒麟吐玉書”) (BH07), Grave of Man Chung Luen (BH08), Grave of Man Chu Shui (BH10),
Grave of Mrs Man Leung (BH11) and Grave of Chong Yin Kei (BH12), ground-borne
vibration, tilting and ground settlement monitoring and structural
strengthening measures are required during construction phase. A baseline
condition survey and baseline vibration impact assessment should be conducted
for these non-building structures by a qualified building surveyor or qualified
structural engineer during pre-construction stage of the proposed developments.
18.2.4.51 Monitoring of ground-borne
vibration, tilting and ground settlement, is also proposed to be employed for Yeung
Hau Temple (San Tin) (MPT01) and Structure between No. 5 and No. 7, Shek Wu Wai (SWW01)
during the site formation and construction phase under Buildings Ordinance. The monitoring should be incorporated with a
set of Alert, Alarm and Action (3As) system strictly following the requirements
set out in Practice Note for Authorized Persons, Registered Structural Engineers and Registered Geotechnical Engineers -
Ground-borne Vibrations and Ground Settlements Arising from Pile Driving and
Similar Operations (PNAP APP-137) on vibration-sensitive and dilapidated
buildings. The actual 3As criteria shall
be further confirmed via an assessment on the effects of ground-borne
vibrations, settlements and tilting on MPT01 and SWW01. Prior agreement and consent should be sought
from the owner(s), stakeholder(s) and relevant
Government department(s) for the installation of monitoring points on the
building before commencement of the works.
Record of monitoring should be submitted regularly to the Buildings
Department during the construction under Buildings Ordinance. Buildings
Department should be alerted in case any irregularities are observed.
18.2.4.52 A safe access route to Yeung Hau
Temple (San Tin) (MPT01), Gurkha Cemetery (BH03), Grave of Man Lun Fung ("麒麟吐玉書”) (BH07), Grave of Man Chung Luen (BH08), Grave of Man Chu Shui (BH10)
and Grave of Mrs Man Leung (BH11) should be maintained during construction
phase.
18.2.4.53 The Contractors should enforce
protocol to forbid any light machinery, such as handheld jackhammer, or heavy
machinery to come into direct contact with Yeung Hau Temple (San Tin) (MPT01), which is located right next to the Project Boundary. Physical protective barriers/ covers or
intervention/cushioning materials, including but not limited to covering or
sheltering, shall be provided during the proposed construction works to
separate the works areas from the structure.
No piling works shall be allowed within the protective zone. No worker or any construction related
equipment(s) and material(s) should trespass the protective zone.
18.2.4.54 Implementation of mitigation
measures in the Air Pollution Control (Construction Dust) Regulation, dust
suppression measures and good site practice should be observed by the project
proponent during the construction phase in order to
avoid dust accumulation on the Yeung Hau Temple (San Tin) (MPT01) and Grave of Chong Yin Kei (BH12).
18.2.4.55 Further archaeological survey at
later stages after land resumption but before site formation works is
recommended for Hop Shing Wai Archaeologically Sensitive Area (ASA), Mai Po ASA,
Siu Hum Tsuen (West) ASA, Siu Hum Tsuen (East) ASA and Pang Loon Tei ASA. The survey shall be conducted by an
archaeologist who must obtain a Licence to Excavate and Search for
Antiquities from the Antiquities Authority prior the commencement of the
fieldworks.
18.2.4.56 Archaeological Watching Brief is
recommended to be carried out in Shek Wu Wai ASA and Mai Po Lung (South) ASA should
works involve soil disturbance occurred (such as site formation) during the
construction phase.
18.2.4.57
The area of Mai Po Lung (North)
ASA is reserved as an egretry (Section 10 on Ecology of EIA report
refers). No impact on archaeology is
anticipated, no mitigation measure is required, subjected to the detailed
design of this area. Should construction
works involving soil disturbance are anticipated during the detailed design
stage, project proponent should review the impact assessment and propose
adequate mitigation measures to AMO for approval.
18.2.4.58 As
a precautionary measure, if antiquities or supposed antiquities under the
Antiquities and Monuments Ordinance (Cap. 53) are discovered, the project
proponent is required to inform AMO immediately for discussion of appropriate
mitigation measures to be agreed by AMO before implementation by the project
proponent to the satisfaction of AMO.
18.2.4.59 With the full implementation of the proposed mitigation measures,
the impacts on cultural heritage are perceived to be acceptable subject to the
result of further archaeological survey.
Hazard to
Life
18.2.4.60 Good safety practices should be
followed for the design and operation of the EPP. They include provision of
adequate gas detectors at the process plant building, provision of safety
markings and crash barriers to aboveground piping, digesters and gas holders
near the entrance, provision of lightning protection installations, etc.
18.2.4.61 A quantitative risk assessment
should be conducted should there be a significant population increase in the
vicinity of the two green fuel stations (GFSs), or there be a significant
increase in the throughput of the GFSs and/or the number of LPG road tanker
deliveries. Should usage of the GFS other than LPG filling services is proposed
in the future, the QRA should be reviewed.
Landscape
and Visual Impact
18.2.4.62 Given the rural nature of the Project area, the Project
will inevitably result in some landscape and visual impacts during construction
and operational phases. It is not possible to fully mitigate all landscape
impacts in relation to loss of Ponds, agriculture lands, woodlands, or tree
planting for affected LRs and LCAs in the construction period and early
operation stage, mainly as long periods of time are required to sufficiently
compensate for the associated impacts. In addition, approximately 87% of exiting
trees within the Project area will be potentially felled or transplanted.
Compensatory planting will be provided at a 1:1 ratio when appropriate and
applicable to compensate for the tree loss due to site development works. In
combination with urban design features and landscape enhancement proposed by
the Revised RODP, the residual impacts to LRs and LCAs can be reduced to slight
to moderate levels eventually.
18.2.4.63 During construction phase,
mitigation measures recommended include preservation of existing vegetation,
transplantation of existing trees, reinstatement of temporarily disturbed
landscape areas, minimise disturbance on watercourses, management of construction
activities and facilities, control of night-time lighting, construction of
decorative hoarding around construction works, advance planting of screen
planting, and creating interface between ponds, wetland, and the Project.
18.2.4.64 During the development of the
Revised RODP, major design measure is proposed which include provision of
Wildlife corridor where appropriate and applicable. During operation phases,
mitigation measures recommended include sensitive and aesthetically pleasing
design of aboveground structures, landscape integration of built development,
provision of roadside planting/ amenity planting/ peripheral screening or planting, provision
of new tree planting, incorporation of green roof, sensitive design of noise
barriers , control of night-time lighting glare, revitalisation and
naturalisation of river to create a blue green network, maximise greening on
engineering structures and surfaces, landscape treatment on slope, sensitive
design of landscape areas/ provision of Open Space, off-site woodland
compensation, creation of landscape buffer, stepped building height profile,
provision of breezeway/ airpaths, provision of view corridor, and sensitive layout design of above-ground
structures for drainage related infrastructure and watercourse impact
mitigation within Wetland Conservation Area.
18.2.4.65
With the implementation of
proposed mitigation measures, it is predicted there would be substantial impact
significance on some of the LR and LCA. This includes mainly permanent and
irreversible losses such as ponds near San Tin and Sam Po Shue (LR3.1), ponds
near Siu Hum Tsuen and Shek Wu Wai San Tsuen area (LR3.2), all wet agricultural
land (LR8.0) and large partial loss of dry agricultural land (LR9.0). For LCA, most permanent works are located within the rural
inland plain landscape (LCA 4) and rural coastal plain landscape (LCA3). During
the construction phase, due to the proposed works in these LCAs, their
predicted landscape impact would be substantial. Their residual impact will be
further reduced to slight and insubstantial respectively from Day 1 to Year 10
of operation phase due to the proposed mitigation measures, maturing of tree
planting and vertical greening. Upon completion of works,
this area will become a new planned development including Open Space,
residential development, mixed-use development and “G/IC” uses. With
appropriate mitigation measures as mentioned above and implementation of good
site practises, it will be remained as “substantial” residual impact during
construction stage and at Day 1 of operation at “moderate” and reduce to
“slight” impact at year 10 of operation. For the loss in high
sensitivity landscape resources such as LR3.1, woodland (LR10.0) and mixed
woodland (LR11.0), they are well incorporated in the design process to minimise their impact as far as practicable within the
landscape framework. Regarding mitigated visual impact, substantial
residual visual impacts are anticipated on the recreational VSR REC1 (Hikers
along Ngau Tam Shan Hiking Trail), REC3 (Hiker of Ki Lun Shan) and Residential
VSR R3 (Residents of San Tin Seven Villages). The residual impact on most of
these VSRs would be remain as substantial at construction phase, Day 1 and Year 10 of operation due to their nature and location.
Mitigation measures are not able to adequately
compensate for such a substantial magnitude of change for these VSRs.
Nonetheless, when the proposed landscape mitigations including roadside and
amenity planting, vertical green and compensatory trees become mature. The above would help soften the building
masses at year 10 of operation and visually blend in with the well-developed
cityscape of Shenzhen at the backdrop in Day 1 and Year 10 of operation
phases. Moderate residual impact are anticipated for
R1, GIC4, REC2 and REC4. Their residual impact will be further reduced to
slight and insubstantial at Day 1 and Year 10 of operation after implementation
of mitigation measures respectively. Moderate residual impact are also anticipated for T1, T2, R2, R9, R10, R11, O3, O6,
REC5, REC6, GIC2 and GIC3 due to their relative closer distance from the source
of impact and long viewing duration, despite the lower building profile as
proposed in the design consideration and the mentioned mitigation measures,
their residual impact at Day 1 and Year 10 will remain at moderate. There would
be slight to insubstantial residual impact on other VSRs during construction
and operation phase.
18.2.4.66 The proposed development of
the Project would inevitably change the landscape character and visual
environment of the area. The urban design and landscape framework is an intrinsic part of the
Project that must be viewed in connection with proposed mitigation
measures. While it is mentioned that not
all impacts can be fully reduced or eliminated through the implementation of
mitigation measures, the design principles provide enhancement by specifically
outlining and dedicating areas for open space, blue-green network, Green Belt,
breezeway, view corridor, massing control, aesthetic above ground structure
design, and provision of compensatory planting proposal, etc. As such, it is
considered that the residual landscape and visual impact are perceived to be acceptable
with the full implementation of the mitigation measures. The overall Project is
appropriate to the planned context of the area and in the long term with
beneficial landscape and visual impacts.
Impact from
Electric and Magnetic Fields
18.2.4.67 According to the Project development
layout, the 400kV overhead cable and pylons are situated at and/or are close to
the eastern portion of the development area.
The potential ELF and EMF impacts to the proposed developments at this
portion of the development area have been assessed in accordance with the
requirements in the Study Brief. On-site
measurement of ELF and EMF at the selected locations which represent the proposed
land uses of the development areas were conducted.
18.2.4.68 The measured ELF and EMF generated
from the existing 400 kV overhead cable were well below the stipulated
guideline limits issued by the ICNIRP in 1998.
Hence, the existing 400 kV overhead cable located within the Project
area would not pose adverse impact to proposed developments of the Project.
18.2.5
Population
and Environmentally Sensitive Areas Protected
18.2.5.1
The
Project has avoided encroachment into existing recognized villages including
Shek Wu Wai, Chau Tau Tsuen and Yan Shau Wai. In terms
of cultural heritage, all Declared Monuments and Graded Historic Buildings
would be preserved.
18.3.1.1
To
compensate for loss of woodland impacted by the Project, a suitable area near
the compensatory woodland for the Development of Lok Ma Chau Loop
(AEIAR-176/2013) was identified. This compensatory woodland is situated within
the Green Belt zone and was originally of grassland habitat of low ecological
value. The establishment of a compensatory woodland therein could increase the
total area of the compensatory woodland and strengthen ecological connectivity
with adjacent wooded area. A compensatory woodland with an extensive area and
integrity could foster natural succession and enhance habitat quality, which
could potentially raise the overall ecological value of the area.
18.3.1.2
The
loss of wetland habitat would be compensated at the proposed SPS WCP. Compensatory wetland in the form of
“ecologically enhanced fishponds” shall be established. Some areas of existing brownfield areas,
inactive and abandoned fishponds could be converted to ecologically enhanced fishpond
habitats. Other wetland habitats
(including mitigation wetland, marsh / reed, watercourse, seasonally wet
grassland, and wet agricultural land) would be compensated under “enhanced
freshwater wetland habitats” at the proposed SPS WCP.
18.4.1.1
The findings of this
EIA have provided information on the nature and extent of environmental impacts
arising from the construction and operation of the Project. The EIA has, where appropriate, identified
mitigation measures to ensure compliance with environmental legislation and
standards.
18.4.1.2
Overall, the EIA Report has predicted that the Project would be
environmentally acceptable with the implementation of the proposed mitigation
measures for construction and operation phases.
An environmental monitoring and audit programme has been recommended to
ensure the effectiveness of recommended mitigation measures.