1. BACKGROUND

1.1 An application (No. ESB-024/98) 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 12 November 1998 with a project profile (No. PP-034/98) on the captioned project.

1.2 The Applicant proposes to demolish all the buildings and structures; including a 150 m high chimney, and to clear the land within the Kwai Chung Incineration Plant (KCIP). The demolition of a municipal waste incinerator is a Designated Project under item 3 of Part II, Schedule 2 of the EIAO.

1.3 The KCIP is located at Kwai Yue Road, Kwai Chung, facing the Rambler Channel and Tsing Yi South Bridge and has a site area of about 14,000 m² (see Figure 1). It was put into service as a municipal solid waste incinerator in 1978 and ceased operation in May 1997. The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department has removed all electrical and mechanical installations and equipment within the KCIP. The long term use of the area after demolition has not been identified at this stage.

1.4 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.

1.5 The purpose of this EIA study is to provide information on the nature and extent of environmental impacts arising from the demolition of the KCIP (the proposed project) 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 and/ or demolition 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 propose the provision of infrastructure or mitigation measures so as to minimize pollution, environmental disturbance and nuisance during demolition of the KCIP;

5. to identify, predict and evaluate the residual (i.e. after practicable mitigation) environmental impacts and the cumulative effects expected to arise during the demolition of the KCIP in relation to the sensitive receivers and potential affected uses;

6. to identify, assesses and specify methods, measures and standards, to be included in the detailed design and demolition of the project which are necessary to mitigate these environmental impacts and reducing them to acceptable levels;

7. to investigate the extent of side-effects of proposed mitigation measures that may lead to other forms of impacts;

8. to identify constraints associated with the mitigation measures recommended in the EIA study; and

9. 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 (hereinafter referred 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. The demolition works will be carried out by conventional method using mechanical breakers and jackhammers or other alternative methods including explosive techniques.

Technical Requirements

3.3 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:

AIR QUALITY IMPACT

3.4 The Applicant shall follow the requirements of the Air Pollution Control (Construction Dust) Regulation on dust control and, subject to section 4 below, shall initiate a monitoring and audit program during demolition to ensure demolition dust impacts are controlled within the relevant standard as stipulated in Annex 4 of the Technical Memorandum.

3.5 An Asbestos Abatement Plan and the related statutory requirements shall be undertaken under the Air Pollution Control Ordinance.

3.6 If a blasting method is used for demolition of the chimney, a dust impact assessment shall be required. The assessment shall include the following:

1. the assessment area shall generally be defined by a distance of 500 m from the boundary of the project area;

2. presentation of existing and background air quality area for the purpose of evaluating the cumulative dust impacts of the proposed project;

3. identification of emission characteristics and provision of an emission inventory of the existing, committed and planned air pollution sources;

4. description of the assessment method (whether it may be analytical, numerical or physical) and the associated assumptions, validity of the method and limits of appreciation;

5. assessments of net and cumulative air pollution impact of the proposed project to sensitive receivers by dispersion modelling. The applicant shall provide detailed methodology statement and key assumptions of the selected model such as emission factors, other input parameters and the like to the Director for comment and consent before commencement of the study. The EIA Report shall include the entire output file(s) of the model run(s) in electronic format. These files shall echo all the input data. Air pollution isopleths shall be produced as an output of the study.

6. proposals of effective mitigation measures to reduce the cumulative air pollution impacts to established standards.

NOISE IMPACT

3.7 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.

3.8 The study area for noise impact assessment shall include an area within 700m from the project boundary. Subject to the agreement of the Director, the study area can be reduced accordingly if the first layer of the noise sensitive receivers (NSRs), closer than 700m from the project boundary, provides acoustic shielding to those receivers located further away.

3.9 The noise impact assessment shall include the following:

Provision of Background Information

3.9.1 The Applicant shall provide all background information and any relevant current or previous studies relevant to the project including existing noise levels.

Identification of Noise Sensitive Receivers

3.9.2 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.

3.9.3 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 including name of building, use, and number of floors of all selected assessment points shall be given.

Provision of an Emission Inventory of the Noise Sources

3.9.4 The Applicant shall provide an inventory of noise sources (e.g. demolition equipment for noise assessment and other associated construction equipment). Confirmation of the validity of the inventory shall be obtained from the relevant government departments/authorities.

Noise Assessment

3.9.5 The Applicant shall carry out assessment of noise impact from demolition 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.

3.9.6 To minimize the demolition noise impact, alternative demolition methods to replace blasting shall be proposed as far as practicable.

3.9.7 Unless blasting, if any, is carried out during the period from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., noise mitigation measures should be recommended. If the unmitigated demolition noise levels are found to exceed the relevant criteria, the Applicant shall propose practicable direct mitigation measures (including movable barriers, enclosures, quieter alternative methods, re-scheduling and restricting hours of operation of noisy tasks) to minimize the impact. If the mitigated noise levels still exceed the relevant criteria, the duration of the noise exceedance shall be given.

WATER POLLUTION

3.10 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.

3.11 The Applicant shall identify and analyse in the assessment all physical, chemical and biological disruptions of surface and ground water systems arising from demolition works.

3.12 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, sensitive receivers which might be affected by the proposed project during demolition;

2. assessment and quantification of all existing and future waste water generation activities during the demolition stage and analysis of the adequacy of existing and future sewerage infrastructure;

3. assessment and quantification of all existing and future water pollutants from point discharges and non-point sources to surface runoff, as well as possible contaminated leachate migrating from the nearby closed landfill at Kwai Chung Park, the former Gin Drinkers Bay Landfill, and analysis of the provision and adequacy of existing and future facilities to reduce such pollution;

4. proposals for upgrading or providing any effective infrastructure, water pollution prevention and mitigation measures to be implemented during the demolition stage so as to reduce the water and sediment quality impacts to within acceptable standards. Control requirements to be incorporated in the project contract documents shall also be proposed;

5. best management practices to reduce storm water and non-point source pollution during the demolition stage shall be investigated and proposed as appropriate; and

6. identification, evaluation and quantification of cumulative impacts from other on-going development projects in the study area, including the construction work of Kwai Chung Public Filling Barging Point, as well as any other residual impacts on the water system(s) and the sensitive receivers with regard to the appropriate water quality objectives, criteria, standards or guidelines.

WASTE MANAGEMENT IMPLICATIONS

3.13 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.

3.14 The study area shall be generally within 500 m from the proposed project. Where off-site impact may be caused (e.g. waste disposal or dumping), the study area shall also include locations beyond this limit.

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

Analysis of Activities and Waste Generation

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

Proposal for Waste Management

3.15.2 Prior to considering the disposal options for various types of wastes, opportunities for reducing waste generation shall be fully evaluated.

3.15.3 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 detail. The disposal method recommended for each type of wastes shall take into account the result of the assessment set out below.

3.15.4 The impact caused by handling (including labeling, packaging & storage), collection, and disposal of wastes shall be addressed in detail. This assessment shall cover the following areas:

1. potential hazard;
2. air and odour emissions;
3. noise;
4. wastewater discharge; and
5. public transport.

LAND CONTAMINATION IMPACT

3.16 The Applicant shall follow the guidelines for evaluating and assessing potential land contamination issues as stated in sections 3.1 and 3.2, Annexes 19 of the TM.

3.17 The Applicant shall provide a clear and detailed account of the present land use (including description of the activities, chemicals and hazardous substances handled with clear indication of their storage and location by reference to a site map) and the relevant landuse history in relation to possible land contamination (including accident records, change of land use and the like).

3.18 During the execution of the EIA study, the Applicant shall submit a contamination assessment plan (CAP) to the DEP for endorsement prior to conducting an actual contamination impact assessment of the land/site. The CAP shall include proposals on sampling and analysis required and shall aim at determining the nature and the extent of the contamination of the land/site.

3.19 Based on the endorsed CAP, the Applicant shall conduct a land contamination impact assessment. If land contamination is confirmed, a remedial action plan shall be prepared to formulate necessary remedial measures.

LANDFILL GAS HAZARDS

3.20 The Applicant shall follow the criteria and guidelines for evaluating and assessing landfill gas hazards as stated in Annexes 7 and 19 of the TM, respectively.

3.21 The assessment of landfill gas hazards shall cover the following:

1. review of background information and studies related to the relevant landfill;

2. identification of the nature and extent of the sources, including the likely concentrations and/or amounts of hazardous emissions which might have the potential impacts on the proposed demolition project;

3. identification of the possible pathways through the ground, underground cavities, utilities or ground water, and the nature of these pathways through which the hazardous emissions must traverse if they were to reach the proposed demolition site;

4. identification of the potential receivers associated with the proposed demolition site project which are sensitive to the impacts of the hazardous emissions;

5. qualitative assessment on the degree of risk which the hazardous emissions may impose on the proposed project for each of the source-pathway-receiver combinations; and

6. determination of suitable level of precautionary measures during demolition of the incineration plant for the proposed project, if needed.

HAZARD TO LIFE (for blasting method using explosives)

3.22 If there is storage of explosives on site, the Applicant shall follow Annexes 4 and 22 of the TM in conducting a hazard assessment and shall include the following in the assessment: