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

Environmental Impact Assessment Study Brief No. ESB-034/1999

Project Title : New World First Bus Permanent Depot at Chai Wan
Name of Applicant : New World First Bus Services Limited

1. BACKGROUND

1.1 An application (No. ESB-034/1999) for an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) study brief under section 5(1) of the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (EIAO) was submitted by the Applicant on 14 June 1999 with a project profile (No. PP-050/1999) .

1.2 The Applicant proposes to provide a permanent depot building for bus parking and maintenance facilities in Chai Wan. The proposed bus depot is a multi-storey building comprising various provisions to facilitate different repairing and maintenance operation needs as well as for bus parking services.

1.3 Pursuant to section 5(7)(a) of the EIAO, the Director of Environmental Protection (the Director) issues this 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 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, 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 propose the provision of infrastructure or mitigation measures so as to minimize pollution, environmental disturbance and nuisance during construction and operation of the project;
   
   
5. 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;
   
   
6. 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;
   
   
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;
   
   
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

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 referred to as the TM), are fully complied with.

3.2 The Scope

The scope of this EIA study covers the proposed project mentioned in section 1.2 above.

3.3 Technical Requirements

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 :

3.3.1 Air Quality Impact

3.3.1.1 The assessment area for air quality impact shall generally be defined by a distance of 500m from the boundary of the project area(s).

3.3.1.2 For construction impacts, the Applicant shall follow the requirements of the Air Pollution Control (Construction Dust) Regulation in dust control and, subject to Section 4 below, shall initiate an audit and monitoring program during the construction stage to ensure construction dust impacts are controlled within the relevant standards as stipulated in Annex 4 of the TM.

3.3.1.3 For operational impacts, the air quality assessment shall address the following :

1. Analysis of operational activities and its characteristics.
   
   
2. Presentation of background air quality in the study area for the purpose of evaluating the cumulative air quality impacts of the operational activities.
   
   
3. Identification and description of representative existing air sensitive receivers (ASRs) and planned/committed air sensitive uses that would likely be affected by the air emissions of the operational activities. The locations shall be agreed with the Director and a map showing locations of all identified ASRs shall also be given.
   
   
4. Identification of emission characteristics and provision of emission inventory of the air pollution sources.
   
   
5. Description of the assessment method and the associated assumptions, validity of the method and limits of application. The methodology used shall be agreed with the Director before commencement of the EIA study.
   
   
6. Assessment and evaluation of the net and cumulative air quality impacts of the air emissions at the identified ASRs. (Quantitative whenever applicable for air pollutants established with Air Quality Objectives)
   
   
7. Presentation of the predicted residual air quality impacts (both unmitigated and mitigated) in the form of summary tables and pollution contours, for comparison with relevant air quality standards and the examination of the land use implications of these impacts.
   
   
8. Proposals of appropriate mitigation measures to reduce the cumulative air pollution impacts to established standards, and to minimize any potential nuisance from the operation, such as engine testing and painting work.
   
   
9. Submission of a copy of all input and output file(s) of the model run(s) in electronic format to the Director.
   
   

3.3.2 Noise Impact

3.3.2.1 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.

3.3.2.2 The noise impact assessment shall include the following :

1. Determination of Assessment Area

   The area for the noise impact assessment shall include all areas within 300m, in general, from the project boundary. Subject to the agreement of the Director, the assessment area could be reduced accordingly if the first layer of noise sensitive receivers, closer than 300m from the project boundary, provides acoustic shielding to those receivers at further distance behind.
   
   

2. Provision of Background Information and Existing Noise Levels

   The Applicant shall provide all background information relevant to the project, e.g. relevant previous or current studies. Unless involved in the planning standards, e.g. those for planning of fixed noise sources, no existing noise levels are particularly required.
   
   

3. 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.
      
      
4. 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; fixed plant equipment, as appropriate, for operational noise assessment). Confirmation of the validity of the inventory shall be obtained from the relevant government departments/authorities.
   
   

5. 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 as far as practicable.
      
      
   3. If the unmitigated construction noise levels are found exceeding 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 task) to minimize the impact. If the mitigated noise levels still exceed the relevant criteria, the duration of the noise exceedance shall be given.
      
      
   4. In case the applicant would like to evaluate whether construction works in restricted hours as defined under the Noise Control Ordinance (NCO) are feasible or not in the context of programming construction works, reference should be made to the relevant technical memoranda issued under the NCO. Regardless of the results of construction noise impact assessment for restricted hours, the Noise Control Authority will consider a well-justified Construction Noise Permit (CNP) application, once filed, based on the NCO, the relevant technical memoranda issued under the NCO, and the contemporary conditions/situations of adjoining land uses and any previous complaints against construction activities at the site before making his decision in granting a CNP. This aspect should be explicitly stated in the noise chapter and the conclusions and recommendations chapter in the EIA report.
      
      
6. Operational Noise Assessment
   1. Fixed Noise Sources

      (a1)       Assessment of Fixed Source Noise Levels

      The Applicant shall calculate the expected noise using standard acoustics principles. Calculations for the expected noise shall be based on assumed plant inventories and utilization schedule for the worst case scenario. The Applicant shall calculate the noise levels taking into account of correction of tonality, impulsiveness and intermittency in accordance with the Technical Memorandum for the Assessment of Noise from Places other than Domestic Premises, Public Places or Construction Sites.
      
      

      (a2)       Presentation of Noise Levels

      The Applicant shall present the existing and future noise levels in Leq (30 min) at the NSRs at various representative floor levels (in m P.D.) on tables and plans of suitable scale.

      A quantitative assessment at the NSRs for the proposed fixed noise source(s) shall be carried out and compared against the criteria set out in Table 1A of Annex 5 of the TM.
      
      

      (a3)       Proposals for Noise Mitigation Measures

      The Applicant shall propose direct technical remedies within the project limits in all situations where the predicted noise level exceeds the criteria set out in Table 1A of Annex 5 of the TM to protect the affected NSRs.
      
      

   2. Off-site Traffic Noise

      As stated in the Project Profile (No. PP-050/1999), there will be potential off-site traffic noise impacts generated from buses leaving and returning to the proposed bus depot, in particular during early morning and night time. Therefore, the Applicant shall evaluate such noise impacts in view of the noise sensitive receivers in the vicinity, and recommend suitable routings/mitigation measures to alleviate the traffic noise.
      
      

3.3.3 Waste Management Implications

3.3.3.1 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.

3.3.3.2 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 been 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 in (c) below.
      
      
   3. The impact caused by handling (including labelling, packaging & storage), collection, and disposal of wastes shall be addressed in detail. This assessment shall cover the following areas:
      - potential hazard;
      - air and odour emissions;
      - noise;
      - wastewater discharge; and
      - public transport.
      
      

3.3.4 Land Contamination Impact

To prevent contamination problems arising from the future operation of the proposed bus depot, in accordance with ProPECC Practice Note No. 3/94 "Contaminated Land Assessment and Remediation", the Applicant shall :

1. identify the possible sources of contamination in the operational phase of the proposed bus depot; and
   
   
2. formulate appropriate operational practices, waste management strategies and precautionary measures for prevention of contamination problems.
   
   

3.3.5 Hazard Impact

The assessment for hazard impact shall cover the following :

3.3.5.1 Scope of Work

1. On-site Risk imposed by the adjacent China Resources Company (CRC) Oil Terminal
   1. To identify all hazards to the population of the proposed bus depot due to the transport, storage and handling of dangerous goods (petroleum products) at the adjacent CRC Chai Wan Oil Terminal.
      
      
   2. To carry out a Quantitative Risk Assessment (QRA) of risk associated with the introduction of additional population at the proposed bus depot.
      
      
   3. To compare individual and societal risks at the proposed bus depot with Hong Kong Risk Guidelines (Annex 4 of the TM).
      
      
   4. To identify and assess risk mitigation measures for the population at the proposed bus depot.
      
      
   5. To report the findings and recommendations of the QRA in a chapter on Hazard Assessment (HA) in the EIA report.
      
      
2. Off-site Risk Imposed by the Proposed Bus Depot
   1. To identify all hazards to off-site population (including transient population) due to the transport , storage and handling of dangerous goods (diesel) of the proposed bus depot.
      
      
   2. To carry out a QRA of risks associated with the transport, storage and handling of dangerous goods (diesel) of the proposed bus depot on off-site population.
      
      
   3. To compare individual and societal risk posed by the proposed bus depot on off-site population with Hong Kong Risk Guidelines (Annex 4 of the TM).
      
      
   4. To identify and assess risk mitigation measures for the proposed bus depot.
      
      
   5. To report the findings and recommendations of the QRA in a chapter on HA in the EIA report.
      
      

3.3.5.2 Technical Approach

1. On-site Risk Imposed by the adjacent CRC Oil Terminal

   Accident scenarios at the CRC oil terminal which could lead to fatalities at the proposed bus depot shall be identified using a systematic methodology. These accident scenarios should cover fire and explosions at the terminal. Particular attention should be given to the impact of smoke ingress at the proposed bus depot. The frequency and consequences of fires/explosions resulting in fatalities at the proposed bus depot shall be quantified, so that comparison with the risk criteria of the Hong Kong Risk Guidelines can be made. The Applicant may use proprietary software provided that the software includes standard models and is well validated.

   The risk quantification at the proposed bus depot shall include :

   1. Individual risks at the proposed bus depot due to the adjacent CRC oil terminal.
      
      
   2. Societal risks expressing the cumulative frequencies of fatalities in form of "F-N" curves for the additional population associated with the proposed bus depot.
      
      

   Assessment of the calculated risk levels for the proposed bus depot shall be undertaken with reference to the Hong Kong Risk Guidelines (Annex 4 of the TM). If the "F-N curve" lies in the ALARP (As Low As Reasonably Practicable) region of societal risk guidelines, risk mitigation measures for the proposed bus depot shall be identified and implemented to reduce the risks within the acceptable limits. If the "F-N curve" lies in the acceptable region, then there are no formal requirements to implement risk mitigation measures at the proposed bus depot. However, the Applicant is encouraged to consider mitigation measures to further reduce risk levels for the population at the proposed bus depot.
   
   

2. Off-site Risk Imposed by the Proposed Bus Depot

   Accident scenarios associated with the transport, storage and handling of dangerous goods (diesel) at the proposed bus depot which could lead to off-site fatalities shall be identified using a systematic methodology. These accident scenarios should cover fire and explosions within the boundary of the proposed bus depot. Also, for the transport of dangerous goods (diesel) bound for the proposed bus depot, the potential risk associated with manoeuvering during ingress and egress of the tanker trucks within the immediate vicinity of the proposed bus depot should be assessed. The study area shall cover all areas, outside the bus depot perimeter potentially affected by pool fire incidents. The pool fire areas shall be assessed taking into account size of spills, local topography surrounding the depot, and drainage systems in the vicinity of the depot. If pool fires impact on the CRC Oil Terminal then the "domino effects" of this impact should be assessed as well.

   The frequency and consequences of fires/explosions resulting in fatalities outside the perimeter of the proposed bus depot shall be quantified, so that comparison with the risk criteria of the Hong Kong Risk Guidelines can be made. The Applicant may use proprietary software provided that the software includes standard models and is well validated.

   The risk quantification at the proposed bus depot shall include :

   1. Individual risk levels around the proposed bus depot due to the transport, storage and handling of dangerous goods.
      
      
   2. Societal risks expressing the cumulative frequencies of fatalities in form of "F-N" curves for the off-site population.
      
      

   Assessment of the calculated risk levels associated with the proposed bus depot shall be undertaken with reference to the Hong Kong Risk Guidelines (Annex 4 of the TM). If the "F-N curve" lies in the ALARP region of societal risk guidelines, risk mitigation measures for the proposed bus depot shall be identified and implemented to reduce the risks within the acceptable limits. If the "F-N curve" lies in the acceptable region, then there are no formal requirements to implement risk mitigation measures at the proposed bus depot. However, the Applicant is encouraged to consider mitigation measures to further reduce risk levels for the off-site population.
   
   

3.3.6 Sewage Treatment and Disposal Facilities

The Applicant shall illustrate the sewage treatment and disposal facilities of the proposed bus depot to handle the wastewater/effluent (e.g. waste oil) generated from all the operational processes, including bus maintenance and washing, so as to meet the relevant standards.

3.3.7 Summary of Environmental Outcomes

The EIA report shall contain a summary of the key environmental outcomes arising from the EIA study, including the population and environmentally sensitive areas protected, environmentally friendly designs recommended, key environmental problems avoided, compensation areas included and the environmental benefits of environmental protection measures recommended.

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 and/or environmental management system (EMS) activities during the construction and operation phases of the project and, if affirmative :

1. to define the scope of the EM&A requirements for the project in the EIA study; and/or
   
   
2. to set out the scope of the EMS requirements for the construction and operation of the project to achieve satisfactory environmental performance.
   
   

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 check list as shown in Annex 1) containing all the EIA study recommendations and mitigation measures with reference to the implementation programme.

5. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN

5.1 The EIA report shall include an Environmental Management Plan (EMP) for the construction and operation of the proposed bus depot to confirm the effectiveness of all the proposed mitigation measures in achieving satisfactory environmental performance.

5.2 The EMP shall be a stand-alone document and shall form part of the EIA study final report. The EMP shall include the EM&A requirements during the construction and operation phases as outlined in Section 4 with recommendations for regular review and update.

5.3 The EMP shall be developed and extended to consider and confirm whether there is the need for the future operator of the proposed bus depot to implement an EMS as outlined in Section 4, and be certified to internationally recognized standard.

5.4 The EMP shall assure compliance with all relevant existing legislation, standards, guidelines, code of practices, environmental policy in Hong Kong or other parts of the world.

5.5 The EMP shall include recommendations for specific contractual requirements to be incorporated into the agreement between the Government and the operator of the proposed bus depot, to ensure its implementation.

6. DURATION OF VALIDITY

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.

7. REPORT REQUIREMENTS

7.1 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.

7.2 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 80 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.
   
   

7.3 The Applicant shall make additional copies of the above documents available to the public, subject to payment by the interested parties of full costs of printing.

7.4 In addition, to facilitate the public inspection of the EIA Report via the EIAO Internet Website, the applicant shall provide electronic copies of both the EIA Report and the Executive Summary Report prepared in HyperText Markup Language (HTML) (version 4.0 or later) and in DynaDoc Format (version 3.0 or later) [for Chinese documents] and in Portable Document Format (PDF version 3.0 or later) [for English documents], unless otherwise agreed by the Director. For the HTML version, a content page capable of providing hyperlink to each section and sub-section of the EIA Report and the Executive Summary Report shall be included in the beginning of the document, and all graphics in the report shall be in interlaced GIF format.

7.5 The electronic copies of the EIA report and the Executive Summary shall be submitted to the Director at the time of application for approval of the EIA Report.

7.6 When the EIA Report and the Executive Summary are made available for public inspection under s.7(1) of the EIA Ordinance, the content of the electronic copies of the EIA Report and the Executive Summary must be the same as the hard copies and the Director shall be provided with the most updated electronic copies.

7.7 To promote environmentally friendly and efficient dissemination of information, both hard copies and electronic copies of future EM&A reports recommended by the EIA study shall be required and their format shall be agreed by the Director.

8. OTHER PROCEDURAL REQUIREMENTS

8.1 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.

8.2 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-050/1999) , 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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