Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (Cap. 499)
Section 5 (7)

Environmental Impact Assessment Study Brief No. ESB-008/1998

Project Title:Improvement to Castle Peak Road between Ka Loon Tsuen and Siu Lam

Name of Applicant: Major Works Project Management Office, Highways Department

1. BACKGROUND

1.1 An application (No. ESB-008/1998) for an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) study brief under section 5(1) of the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (EIAO) was submitted by the captioned Applicant on 30th July 1998 with a project profile (No. PP-010/1998).

1.2 The Applicant proposes to widen the section of Castle Peak Road between Ka Loon Tsuen and Siu Lam to dual 2-lane standard as part of the works to upgrade the whole section of Castle Peak Road between Tsuen Wan West and Gold Coast in Tuen Mun to dual 2-lane standard. The location of the proposed project is shown in the attached drawing Ref. PMHP971/1PL/001. The project covered in the project profile is a designated project under the EIAO by virtue of Section A.1 of Schedule 2 under the Ordinance.

1.3 Pursuant to section 5(7)(a) of the EIAO, the Director of Environmental Protection (the Director) issues this Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) study brief to the Applicant to carry out an EIA study.

1.4 The purpose of this EIA study is to provide information on the nature and extent of environmental impacts arising from the construction and operation of the proposed designated projects and related activities taking place concurrently. This information will contribute to decisions by the Director on:

  1. the overall acceptability of any adverse environmental consequences that are likely to arise as a result of the proposed project;
  2. the conditions and requirements for the detailed design, construction and operation of the proposed project to mitigate against adverse environmental consequences wherever practicable; and
  3. the acceptability of residual impacts after the proposed mitigation measures are implemented.

2. OBJECTIVES OF THE EIA STUDY

2.1 The objectives of the EIA study are as follows:

  1. to describe the proposed project and associated works together with the requirements for carrying out the proposed project;
  2. to identify and describe the elements of the community and environment likely to be affected by the proposed project and/or likely to cause adverse impacts to the proposed project, including both the natural and man-made environment;
  3. to identify and quantify emission sources and determine the significance of impacts on sensitive receivers and potential affected uses;
  4. to identify and quantify any potential losses or damage to flora, fauna and natural habitats;
  5. to identify and quantify any potential landscape and visual impacts and to propose measures to mitigate these impacts;
  6. to propose the provision of infrastructure or mitigation measures so as to minimize pollution, environmental disturbance and nuisance during construction and operation of the project;
  7. to identify, predict and evaluate the residual (i.e. after practicable mitigation) environmental impacts and the cumulative effects expected to arise during the construction and operation phases of the project in relation to the sensitive receivers and potential affected uses;
  8. to identify, assesses and specify methods, measures and standards, to be included in the detailed design, construction and operation of the project which are necessary to mitigate these environmental impacts and reducing them to acceptable levels;
  9. to investigate the extent of side-effects of proposed mitigation measures that may lead to other forms of impacts;
  10. to identify constraints associated with the mitigation measures recommended in the EIA study;
  11. to design and specify the environmental monitoring and audit requirements, if required, to ensure the implementation and the effectiveness of the environmental protection and pollution control measures adopted.

3. DETAILED REQUIREMENTS OF THE EIA STUDY

3.1 The purpose of this study brief is to scope the key issues of the EIA study. The Applicant has to demonstrate in the EIA report that the criteria in the relevant sections of the Technical Memorandum on the Environmental Impact Assessment Process of the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (thereafter refer to as the TM), are fully complied with.

The Scope

3.2 The scope of this EIA study covers the proposed project mentioned in section 1.2 above, including:

  1. widening of Castle Peak Road to dual 2-lane standard;
  2. provisioning of a 3.5m wide footpath on both sides and 24m long lay-bys at suitable locations;
  3. provisioning of associated slope and drainage works, street lighting modifications, environmental mitigation measures and landscaping works;
  4. re-provisioning of existing legal run-ins and appropriate modifications to junctions affected by this road improvement scheme;
  5. provisioning of two new traffic lanes along and on the south side of Tuen Mun Road between Brothers Point and Siu Lam for use by the westbound traffic; and
  6. modifying the existing underpass at the crossing with Tuen Mun Road at Brothers Point, if necessary.

Study Area

3.3 In general, the boundary of the assessment area for the purpose of this EIA shall be of 500m from either side of and along the full stretch of the proposed road alignment (as shown in drawing Ref. PMHP971/1PL/001), except that, for noise and water quality impact assessments, the study area shall be defined by a distance of 300m from the proposed road alignment. For noise impact assessment, the study area can be reduced accordingly if the first layer of the noise sensitive receivers (NSRs), closer than 300m from the road, provide acoustic shielding to those receivers at further distance behind subject to the agreement with the Director. With regard to the visual impact assessment, all sensitive receivers shall be assessed within the visual envelope outlining the area of land of which there is a view of any part of the proposed road, its structure, or the traffic which will use it. For fisheries impact assessment, the requirements as stated in Section 3.10.2 shall be followed.

Technical Requirements

3.4 The Applicant shall conduct the EIA study to address all environmental aspects of the activities as described in the scope as set out above. The EIA study shall include the following technical requirements on specific impacts:

3.5 Air Quality Impact

3.5.1 The Applicant shall follow the criteria and guidelines for evaluating and assessing air quality impact as stated in Annexes 4 and 12 of the Technical Memorandum, respectively.

3.5.2 The air quality assessment shall include the following:

  1. General
    1. presentation of existing and background air quality in the study area for the purpose of evaluating the cumulative air quality impacts of the proposed project;
    2. description of the topographical and man-made features which may affect the dispersion characteristics of air pollutants within the study area;
    3. identification of representative air sensitive receivers and/or potential affected uses;
    4. identification of emission characteristics and provision of an emission inventory of the existing, committed and planned air pollution sources;
    5. description of the assessment method (whether it be analytical, numerical or physical) and the associated assumptions, validity of the method and limits of application;
    6. analysis of operational activities (after commissioning), its related air quality impact and characterization;

    7. assessment and evaluation of the net and cumulative air quality impacts;

    8. presentation of the assessment results in the form of summary table and pollution contours, whenever practicable, for comparison with relevant air quality standards and the examination of the land use implications of these impacts; and

    9. proposals of effective mitigation measures to reduce the cumulative air pollution impacts to established standards.
  2. Operation Air Quality Impact
    1. Assess the net and cumulative air pollution impact of the proposed project to receptors by dispersion modelling. The Applicant shall provide detailed methodology statement and key assumptions of the selected model such as emission factors and other input parameters etc. to the Director for comment and consent before commencement of the Study.
    2. Output file(s) of the model run(s) in electronic format should be included in the EIA report. These files shall echo all the input data.
    3. Air pollution Isopleths shall be produced as an output of the study.
    4. The Applicant shall also assess the air quality implications of any proposed noise mitigation measures. If noise mitigation measures that will affect dispersion of air pollutants, such as noise canopy, are proposed to mitigate noise impact due to traffic flow, then the Applicant shall also assess the implications of such mitigation measures on air quality impact. If noise canopy in the form of total enclosure is proposed, then both 'tunnel' portal emissions and air quality inside the 'tunnel' shall also be addressed.
  3. Construction Air Quality Impact
    The Applicant shall follow the requirements of the Air Pollution Control (Construction Dust) Regulation in dust control and shall initiate a monitoring and audit programme during construction to ensure construction dust impacts are controlled within the relevant standard as stipulated in Annex 4 of the TM.

3.6 Noise Impact

3.6.1 The Applicant shall follow the criteria and guidelines for evaluating and assessing noise impact as stated in Annexes 5 and 13 of the TM, respectively.

3.6.2 The noise impact assessment shall include the following:

  1. Provision of Background Information
    The Applicant shall provide all background information including existing noise levels relevant to the project.
  2. Identification of Noise Sensitive Receivers
    1. The Applicant shall refer to Annex 13 of the TM when identifying the noise sensitive receivers (NSRs). The NSRs shall include all existing NSRs and all planned/committed noise sensitive developments and uses earmarked on the relevant Outline Zoning Plans, Outline Development Plans and Layout Plans.
    2. The Applicant shall select assessment points to represent all identified NSRs for carrying out quantitative noise assessment described below. The assessment points shall be agreed with the Director prior to the quantitative noise assessment. A map showing the location and description such as name of building, use, and floors of each and every selected assessment point shall be given.
  3. Provision of an Emission Inventory of the Noise Sources
    The Applicant shall provide an inventory of noise sources (e.g. construction equipment for construction noise assessment; marine work equipment etc., as appropriate, for operational noise assessment). For road or rail projects, the inventory shall include the road traffic data or train traffic data, as appropriate. Confirmation of the validity of the inventory shall be obtained from the relevant government departments/authorities.
  4. Construction Noise Assessment
    1. The Applicant shall carry out assessment of noise impact from construction (excluding percussive piling) of the project during day time, i.e. 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., on weekdays other than general holidays in accordance with the methodology stipulated in paragraphs 5.3. and 5.4 of Annex 13 of the TM. The criteria in Table 1B of Annex 5 of the TM shall be adopted in the assessment.
    2. To minimize the construction noise impact, alternative construction methods to replace percussive piling shall be proposed.
    3. The Applicant shall propose practicable direct mitigation measures (including movable barriers, enclosures, quieter alternative methods, re-scheduling and restricting hours of operation of noisy task) to minimize the impact. If the mitigated noise levels still exceed the relevant criteria, the duration of the noise exceedance shall be given.
  5. Operational Noise Assessment
    1. The Applicant shall analyse the scope of the proposed road alignment(s) to identify appropriate new and existing road sections for the purpose of traffic noise impact assessment. When an existing road section undergoes major modification which will directly result in 25% increase in lanes or substantial changes in alignment or characters (e.g. change to a high speed road) of the existing road, it shall be regarded as a new road for the purpose of this noise impact assessment.
    2. The Applicant shall calculate the expected road traffic noise using methods described in the U.K. Department of Transport's "Calculation of Road Traffic Noise" (1988). Calculations of future road traffic noise shall be based on the peak hour traffic flow in respect of the maximum traffic projection within a 15 years period upon commencement of operation of the proposed roadwork. The Applicant shall calculate the traffic noise levels in respect of each road section and the overall noise levels from the combined road sections (both new and existing) at the NSRs.
    3. The Applicant shall present the prevailing and future traffic noise levels in L10, (1 hr) at the NSRs at various representative floor levels (in m P.D.) on tables and plans of suitable scale.

    4. Quantitative assessment at the NSRs for proposed road alignment(s) shall be carried out and compared against the criteria set out in Table 1A of Annex 5 in the Technical Memorandum. The potential noise impact of proposed road alignment(s) shall be quantified by estimating the total number of dwellings, classrooms and other noise sensitive elements that will be exposed to noise levels exceeding the criteria set in Table 1A of Annex 5 in the Technical Memorandum.

    5. After rounding of the predicted noise levels according to the U.K. Department of Transport's "Calculation of Road Traffic Noise" (1988), the Applicant shall propose direct technical remedies in all situations where the predicted traffic noise level exceeds the criteria set in Table 1A of Annex 5 in the TM by 1 dB(A) or more. Specific reasons for not adopting certain direct technical remedies in the design to reduce the traffic noise to a level meeting the criteria in the TM or to maximize the protection for the NSRs should be clearly quantified and laid down. The total number of dwellings, classrooms and other noise sensitive element that will be benefited by the provision of direct technical remedies should be provided.

    6. The total number of dwellings, classrooms and other noise sensitive elements that will still be exposed to noise above the criteria with the implementation of all recommended direct technical remedies shall be quantified.

    7. In case where a number of the NSRs cannot all be protected by the recommended direct technical remedies, the Applicant shall identify and estimate the total number of existing dwellings, classrooms and other noise sensitive elements which may qualify for indirect technical remedies under the ExCo directive "Equitable Redress for Persons Exposed to Increased Noise Resulting from the Use of New Roads", the associated costs and any implications for such implementation. For the purpose of determining the eligibility of the affected premises for indirect technical remedies, reference shall be made to the set of the following three criteria:
      1. the predicted overall noise level from the new road together with other traffic noise in the vicinity must be above a specified noise level (e.g. 70 dB(A) for domestic premises and 65 dB(A) for education institutions, all in L10(1 hr));
      2. the predicted overall noise level is at least 1.0 dB(A) more than the prevailing traffic noise level, i.e. the total traffic noise level existing before the works to construct the road were commenced; and
      3. the contribution to the increase in the predicted overall noise level from the new road must be at least 1.0 dB(A).
  6. Assessment of Side Effects and Constraints
    The Applicant shall identify, assess and propose means to minimize any side effects and to resolve any potential constraints due to the inclusion of any recommended direct technical remedies.
  7. Evaluation of Constraints on Planned Noise Sensitive Developments/Land Uses
    1. For planned noise sensitive uses which will still be affected even with all practicable direct technical remedies in place, the Applicant shall propose, evaluate and confirm the practicality of additional measures within the planned noise sensitive uses and shall make recommendations on how these noise sensitive uses will be designed for the information of relevant parties.
    2. The Applicant shall take into account the agreed environmental requirements/constraints identified by this EIA to assess the development potential of the concerned sites which shall be made known to the relevant parties.

3.7 Water Pollution

3.7.1 The Applicant shall follow the criteria and guidelines for evaluating and assessing water pollution as stated in Annexes 6 and 14 of the TM, respectively.

3.7.2 The Applicant shall identify and analyse in the assessment all physical, chemical and biological disruptions of marine or fresh water system(s) arising from construction and operation of the project.

3.7.3 The Applicant shall include the following in the water quality impact assessment:
  1. collection and review of background information on the existing water system(s) and their respective catchment(s), and sensitive receivers which might be potentially affected by the proposed project both during construction and operation;
  2. based on collected information, characterization of water and sediment quality on the surrounding water system(s) and sensitive receivers which might be potentially affected by the proposed project both during construction and operation;
  3. establishment of pertinent water quality objectives, criteria and standards for the water system(s) and all the sensitive receivers identified in (i) above;
  4. identification and quantification of all dredging, filling, reclamation and excavation activities which might lead to alteration of water system(s) identified in (i), change of shoreline or bathometry, change of flow regimes and change of catchment area(s). Mud/sediment transportation and disposal activities and requirements and potential fill source and dumping ground to be involved shall be identified;
  5. field investigation, sampling and laboratory tests to characterize the sediment/mud concerned in (iv) shall be conducted as appropriate. The ranges of parameters to be analyzed; the number, type and methods of sampling, sampling protocols and laboratory to be used shall be subject to the agreement of the Director;
  6. prediction and quantification, by mathematical modelling or other technique subject to agreement of the Director, of impacts on the water system(s) and the sensitive receivers due to those changes, alterations and activities identified in above. Possible impacts caused by, amongst others, sediment re-suspension and contaminants release shall be predicted and assessed by mathematical model or other techniques mentioned above. The effects on aquatic organisms, coastal marine habitats and sensitive receivers due to such changes and activities shall also be predicted and assessed appropriately. The prediction shall include possible different construction stages or sequences. Possible cumulative impacts due to other projects, activities or pollution sources shall be identified, predicted and quantified;
  7. identification and evaluation of the best practicable dredging and reclamation methods to minimize dredging and dumping requirements and demand for fill sources based on the criterion that existing marine mud shall be left in place and not be disturbed as far as possible;
  8. identification, assessment and evaluation of any potential stormwater impacts on identified system(s) and sensitive receivers during both construction and operation stages. Best Management Practices (BMPs) shall be recommended to reduce potential impacts to within standards, objectives and criteria established in (iii) above;
  9. assessment and evaluation of any potential water quality impacts on the identified water system(s) and sensitive receivers due to sewerage arising from on-site construction workforce. Any effluent generated will require appropriate treatment and disposal; and
  10. appropriate mitigation measures shall be recommended to alleviate all potential impacts identified above and residual or mitigated impacts shall be predicted and in compliance with all established objectives, criteria and standards identified in (iii) above both during construction and operation of the proposed project.

3.8 Waste Management Implications

3.8.1 The Applicant shall follow the criteria and guidelines for evaluating and assessing waste management implications as stated in Annexes 7 and 15 of the TM, respectively.

3.8.2 The assessment of waste management implications shall cover the following :

  1. Analysis of Activities and Waste Generation

    The Applicant shall identify the quantity, quality and timing of the waste arising as a result of the construction and operation activities, based on the sequence and duration of these activities.

  2. Proposal for Waste Management
    1. Prior to considering the disposal options for various types of wastes, opportunities for reducing waste generation shall be fully evaluated.
    2. Having taken into account all the opportunities for reducing waste generation, the types and quantities of the wastes required to be disposed of as a consequence shall be estimated and the disposal options for each type of waste described in details. The disposal method recommended for each type of wastes shall take into account the result of the assessment in (c) below.
    3. The impact caused by handling (including labelling, packaging & storage), collection, and disposal of wastes shall be addressed in details. This assessment shall cover the following areas:
      1. potential hazard;
      2. air and odour emissions;
      3. noise;
      4. wastewater discharge; and
      5. public transport.

3.9 Ecological Impact (Both Aquatic and Terristerial)

3.9.1 The Applicant shall follow the criteria and guidelines for evaluating and assessing ecological impact as stated in Annexes 8 and 16 of the TM, respectively.

3.9.2 In the ecological impact assessment, the Applicant shall examine the flora, fauna and other components of the ecological habitats within the assessment area. The aim shall be to protect, maintain or rehabilitate the natural environment. In particular, the proposed project shall avoid impacts on recognized sites of conservation importance and other ecological sensitive areas. The assessment shall identify and quantify as far as possible the potential ecological impacts associated with the project.

3.9.3 The Applicant shall include the following in the ecological impact assessment:

  1. review findings of relevant studies and collate all the available information regarding the ecological characters of the assessment area;
  2. evaluate the information collected and identify any information gap relating to the assessment of potential ecological impacts to the terrestrial and aquatic environment;
  3. carry out necessary field surveys (the duration of which shall be at least 4 months and cover the wet season) and investigations to verify the information collected, fill the information gaps identified and fulfill the objectives of the EIA study;
  4. establish the general ecological profile and describe the characteristics of each habitat found; major information to be provided shall include :
    1. description of the physical environment;
    2. habitat maps of suitable scale (1:1000 to 1:5000) showing the types and locations of habitats in the assessment area;
    3. ecological characteristics of each habitat type such as size, vegetation type, species present, dominant species found, species diversity and abundance, community structure, seasonal patterns, inter-dependence of the habitats and species, and presence of any features of ecological importance;
    4. representative colour photos of each habitat type and any important ecological features identified;
    5. species found that are rare, endangered and/or listed under local legislation, international conventions for conservation of wildlife/habitats or red data books;
  5. investigate and describe the existing wildlife uses of various habitats with special attention to those wildlife groups and habitats identified as having special conservation interests including:
    1. woodland; and
    2. coastal marine habitats.
  6. describe all recognized sites of conservation importance in the proposed development site and its vicinity and assess whether these sites will be affected by the proposed development or not;
  7. using suitable methodology, identify and quantify as far as possible any direct, indirect, on-site, primary, secondary and cumulative ecological impacts such as destruction of habitats, reduction of species abundance/diversity, loss of feeding grounds, reduction of ecological carrying capacity and habitat fragmentation and, in particular, the habitat loss and disturbance to wildlife during construction stage;
  8. evaluate the significance and acceptability of the ecological impacts identified using well-defined criteria;
  9. recommend all possible alternatives (such as modifications of layout and design) and practicable mitigation measures to avoid, minimize and/or compensate for the adverse ecological impacts identified;
  10. evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of the recommended mitigation measures and define the scope, type, location, implementation arrangement, subsequent management and maintenance of such measures;
  11. determine and quantify as far as possible the residual ecological impacts after implementation of the proposed mitigation measures;
  12. evaluate the severity and acceptability of the residual ecological impacts using well-defined criteria; and
  13. review the need for and recommend any ecological monitoring programme required.

3.10 Fisheries Impact

3.10.1 The Applicant shall follow the criteria and guidelines for evaluating and assessing fisheries impact as stated in Annexes 9 and 17 of the TM.

3.10.2 The fisheries impact assessment shall cover any potential impact of the proposed project on nearby aquaculture activities, including the Ma Wan Fish Culture Zone, during both the construction phase.

3.10.3 The fisheries impact assessment shall include the followings:

  1. description of the physical environmental background;
  2. description an quantification as far as possible existing fisheries activities (e.g. capture fisheries, aquaculture, shellfish farming/collection, etc.);
  3. description and quantification the existing fisheries resources (e.g. major fisheries products and stocks);
  4. identification of parameters (e.g. water quality parameters) and areas (e.g. breeding/spawning grounds, nursery grounds, reefs) that are important to fisheries;
  5. identification and quantification any direct/indirect impacts to fisheries (e.g. deterioration of fishing grounds/fish culture zones, loss of breeding grounds, reduction of catch/productivity);
  6. evaluation of impacts and make proposals for any environmental mitigation measures with details on justification, description of scope and programme, feasibility as well as staff and financial implications including those related to subsequent management and maintenance requirements of the proposals; and
  7. review the need for monitoring and, if necessary, propose a monitoring and audit programme.

3.11 Landscape and Visual Impact

3.11.1 The Applicant shall follow the criteria and guidelines as stated in Annexes 10 and 18 of the Technical Memorandum, respectively for evaluating and assessing landscape and visual impacts. Both the impacts during construction and operation phases shall be assessed.

3.11.2 The landscape and visual impact assessment shall include the following:

  1. a baseline study to provide for a comprehensive and accurate description of the baseline landscape and visual character;
  2. a review of the relevant planning and development control framework;
  3. impact studies to identify the potential landscape and visual impacts and predict their magnitude and potential significance; and
  4. recommendations on mitigation measures and implementation programme.

3.11.3 The Applicant shall appraise and analyse the existing landscape resource and character of the assessment area. The sensitivity of the landscape framework and its ability to accommodate change shall be particularly focused on. The Applicant shall identify the degree of compatibility of the proposed project(s) with the existing landscape. The landscape impact assessment shall quantify the potential landscape impact as far as possible so as to illustrate the significance of such impacts arising from the proposed development.

3.11.4 The Applicant shall assess the visual impacts of the proposed project(s). The assessment shall include the following:

  1. identification and plotting of visibility contours of the proposed project(s) within the assessment area;
  2. identification of the key groups of sensitive receivers within the visibility contours with regard to views from both ground level and elevated vantage points;
  3. description of the visual compatibility of the project with the surrounding, and its obstruction and interference with key views of the adjacent areas; and
  4. the severity of visual impacts in terms of distance, nature and number of sensitive receivers shall be identified. The visual impacts of the project(s) with and without mitigation measures shall be assessed.

3.11.5 The Applicant shall review relevant plans and studies which may contain guidelines and control on specific design elements including areas of high visual value, coastal areas, woodlands, scenic spots etc.. The aim is to gain an insight to the future outlook of the area affected and the ways that the project can fit into the environment. Any conflict with the statutory town plans should be highlighted and appropriate follow-up action should be recommended.

3.11.6 The Applicant shall recommend mitigation measures to minimize the adverse effects identified above, including provision of a landscape design. The mitigation measures shall also include the retention of vegetation, transplanting of mature trees, provision of screen planting, re-vegetation of disturbed land, compensatory planting, provisioning of amenity areas and any measures to mitigate the disturbance of the existing land use. Parties shall be identified for the management and maintenance of any proposed mitigation measures to ensure their effectiveness throughout the operation phase of the proposed project. A practical programme and funding proposal for the implementation of the recommended measures shall also be worked out. For bridge structures: Presentation of photomontage of the proposed road(s) in the existing urban setting illustrating the effectiveness of visual impact mitigation measures shall be included.

3.11.7 Perspective drawings, plans and section/elevation diagrams, oblique aerial photographs, photographs taken at vantage points, photographs on scaled physical models, photo-retouching and photo-montage shall be adopted to illustrate the landscape and visual impacts of the proposed project. The applicant shall record the technical details in preparing the illustration, which may need to be submitted for verification of the accuracy of the illustration.

4. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING & AUDIT (EM&A) REQUIREMENTS

4.1 The Applicant shall identify in the EIA study whether there is any need for EM&A activities during the construction and operation phases of the project and, if affirmative, to define the scope of the EM&A requirements for the project in the EIA study.

4.2 Subject to the confirmation of the EIA study findings, the Applicant shall comply with the requirements as stipulated in Annex 21 of the TM.

4.3 The Applicant shall prepare a project implementation schedule (in the form of a checklist) containing all the EIA study recommendations and mitigation measures with reference to the implementation programme.

5. DURATION OF VALIDITY

5.1 This EIA study brief is valid for 24 months after the date of issue. If the EIA study does not commence within this period, the Applicant shall apply to the Director for another EIA study brief afresh before commencement of the EIA study.

6. REPORT REQUIREMENTS

6.1 In preparing the EIA report, the Applicant shall refer to Annex 11 of the TM for the contents of an EIA report. The Applicant shall also refer to Annex 20 of the TM, which stipulates the guidelines for the review of an EIA report.

6.2 The Applicant shall supply the Director with the following number of copies of the EIA report and the executive summary:

  1. 40 copies of the EIA report in English and 50 copies of the executive summary (each bilingual in both English and Chinese) as required under section 6(2) of the EIAO to be supplied at the time of application for approval of the EIA report.
  2. when necessary, addendum to the EIA report and the executive summary submitted in (i) above as required under section 7(1) of the EIAO, to be supplied upon advice by the Director for public inspection.
  3. 20 copies of the EIA report in English and 50 copies of the executive summary (each bilingual in both English and Chinese) with or without Addendum as required under section 7(5) of the EIAO, to be supplied upon advice by the Director for consultation with the Advisory Council on the Environment.

7. OTHER PROCEDURAL REQUIREMENTS

7.1 During the EIA study, if there is any change in the name of the Applicant for this EIA study brief, the Applicant mentioned in this study brief must notify the Director immediately.

7.2 If there is any key change in the scope of the project mentioned in section 1.2 of this EIA study brief and in Project Profile (No. PP-010/1998), the Applicant must seek confirmation from the Director in writing on whether or not the scope of issues covered by this EIA study brief can still cover the key changes, and the additional issues, if any, that the EIA study must also address. If the changes to the project fundamentally alter the key scope of the EIA study brief, the Applicant shall apply to the Director for another EIA study brief afresh.

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