1. BACKGROUND

1.1 An application (No. ESB-075/2001) 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 23.4.2001with a Project Profile (No. PP-128/2001).

1.2 The Project Profile (No. PP-128/2001) proposed to build a single two lane elevated road of about 330 metres in length over the existing Yuen Long Nullah between Yuen Long On Ning Road and Kau Yuk Road with a 200 metres long footbridge (of about 5 metres wide) adjoining the elevated road. The Project will also include access ramps, staircases, associated landscape, drainage, street lighting, traffic aids and E&M works and environmental and drainage mitigation measures. The location of the Project is shown on Plan No. P/2183/PP1 of the Project Profile (No. PP-128/2001) and Figure 1 of this EIA study Brief.

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 Project and related activities that take place concurrently. This information will contribute to decisions by the Director on:

(i) the acceptability of the Project and its alignment and any adverse environmental consequences that are likely to arise as a result of the Project;

(ii) the conditions and requirements for the detailed design, construction and operation of the Project to mitigate against adverse environmental consequences wherever practicable; and

(iii) 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:

(i) to describe the Project and associated works together with the requirements for carrying out the Project;

(ii) to identify and describe elements of community and environment likely to be affected by the Project and/or likely to cause adverse impacts to the Project, including natural and man-made environment;

(iii) to provide information on the consideration of alternatives, include no-build option, for avoiding and minimizing the environmental impacts to the sensitive receivers and the environment;

(iv) to identify and quantify emission sources and determine the significance of impacts on sensitive receivers and potential affected uses;

(v) to identify and quantify any potential landscape and visual impacts, especially to sensitive receivers, existing or planned, having line of sight to the Project and to propose measures to avoid/mitigate these impacts;

(vi) to identify any adverse impact on the flow regime and water quality of Yuen Long Nullah and Inner Deep Bay and to proposed measures to mitigate these impacts;

(vii) to identify any negative impacts on site of cultural heritage and to propose measures to mitigate these impacts;

(viii) to propose the provision of mitigation measures so as to minimize pollution, environmental disturbance and nuisance during the construction and operation of the Project;

(ix) to identify, predict and evaluate the residual environmental impacts (i.e. after practicable mitigation) 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;

(x) to identify, assess 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;

(xi) to investigate the extent of the secondary environmental impacts that may arise from the proposed mitigation measures and to identify constraints associated with the mitigation measures recommended in the EIA study, as well as the provision of any necessary modification;

(xii) to investigate the feasibility, effectiveness and implications of the proposed mitigation measures; and

(xiii) to design and specify environmental monitoring and audit requirements to ensure the effective implementation of the recommended environmental protection and pollution control measures.

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 (hereinafter referred to as "the TM") are fully complied with.

3.2 The Scope

3.2.1 The EIA shall state the objective of the Project and the specific problem that the Project is aimed to address. The EIA shall also describe in detail the extent and characteristics of the Project.

3.2.2 The EIA study shall address any key issues identified during the course of the study and the cumulative environmental impacts of the Project, through interaction or in combination with other existing, committed and planned developments in the vicinity of the Project.

Alternative Consideration

3.2.3 When preparing the EIA report in accordance with the technical requirements below, the Applicant shall provide information on the consideration and evaluation of all alternatives, including construction methods, pedestrianisation schemes and no-build option, to the Project with a view to avoiding and minimizing the potential environmental impacts to the maximum practicable extent.

3.2.4 The EIA report shall include reference to the consideration of the alternative options to the Project like traffic management on existing road network and alternative project alignments/designs. The Applicant shall compare the main environmental impacts of different options, alignments and designs with the proposed Project, provide reasons for selecting the proposed approach, road alignment and design, and the part environmental factors played in the selection shall be described.

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 Cumulative Environmental Impact

The Applicant shall assess and evaluate the cumulative environmental impacts arising from the project and other planned development in its vicinity, including but not limited to the Yuen Long Bypass Floodway, the Sewer Upgrading Works at Yuen Long Town, and the proposed Public Transport Interchange and Residential Development near the West Rail Long Ping Station.

3.3.2 Air Quality Impact

General Requirement

3.3.2.1 The Applicant shall follow the criteria and guidelines for evaluating and assessing air quality impact as stated in section 1 of Annex 4 and Annex 12 of the TM respectively.

3.3.2.2 The assessment area for air quality impact shall generally be defined by a distance of 500 m from the boundary of the project site, yet it may be extended depending on the circumstances and the scale of the project.

3.3.2.3. The Applicant shall assess the air pollutant concentrations in accordance with the latest set of Guidelines for Local-Scale Air Quality Assessment Using Models issued by the Environmental Protection Department (EPD), HKSAR. (ref. EPD's home page under items for Air - http://www.info.gov.hk/epd) or other methodology as agreed by the Director.

Impact Assessment

3.3.2.4. The air quality impact assessment shall include the following:

Background and analysis of activities

(i) Provide background information relating to air quality issues relevant to the Project, e.g. description of the types of activities during construction stage of the Project such as stockpiling of excavated materials that will likely give rise to dust/odour emissions and those activities during operation stage of the Project such as fuel combustion that will give off gaseous emissions.

(ii) Give an account, where appropriate, of the consideration/measures that had been taken into consideration in the planning of the Project to abate the air pollution impact. That is, the Applicant should consider alternative construction methods/phasing programmes and alternative modes of operation to minimise the constructional and operational air quality impact respectively.

(iii) Present the background air quality levels in the assessment area for the purpose of evaluating the cumulative constructional and operational air quality impacts.

Identification of Air Sensitive Receivers (ASRs) and examination of emission/dispersion characteristics

(iv) Identify and describe representative existing and planned/committed ASRs, in particular Chung Sing School, that would likely be affected by the Project. The Applicant shall select the assessment points of the identified ASRs such that they represent the worst impact point of these ASRs. A map showing the location and a description including the name of the buildings, their uses and height of the selected assessment points shall be given. The separation distances of these ASRs from the nearest emission sources should also be given.

(v) Provide an exhaustive list of air pollutant emission sources, including any nearby emission sources, including particulate emissions, exhaust emissions from vehicles under normal operation, which are likely to have impact on the Project based on the analysis of the constructional and operational activities of the Project in (i) above. Examples of constructional stage emission sources include stockpiling, concrete batching and vehicular movements on unpaved haul roads/nullah banks on site, etc. Examples of operational stage emission sources include vehicular flow etc. Confirmation of the validity of the assumptions and the magnitude of the activities (e.g. volume of construction materials handled, traffic mix and volume on a road etc.) shall be obtained from the relevant government department/authorities and documented.

Construction phase air quality impact

(vi) The Applicant shall follow the requirements of the Air Pollution Control (Construction Dust) Regulation in dust control to ensure construction dust impacts are controlled within the relevant standards as stipulated in section 1 of Annex 4 of the TM. An audit and monitoring program during constructional stage shall be initiated to verify the effectiveness of the control measures and to ensure that the construction dust levels be brought under control.

(vii) If the Applicant anticipates a significant construction dust impact that will likely cause exceedance of the recommended limits in the TM at the ASRs despite incorporation of the dust control measures stated in (vi) above, a quantitative assessment should be carried out to evaluate the construction dust impact at the identified ASRs based on the emission strength of the emission sources identified in (v) above. The Applicant shall follow (xi) to (xv) below when carrying out the quantitative assessment.

Operational phase air quality impact

(viii) The Applicant shall calculate the expected air pollutant concentrations at the identified ASRs. Calculations for the expected impact shall be based on an assumed reasonably worst case scenario. The evaluation shall be based on the strength of the emission sources identified in (v) above. The Applicant shall follow (xi) to (xv) below when carrying out the quantitative assessment.

(ix) For calculation of future road traffic air pollution impacts, this shall be based on the highest emission strength from the road within the next 15 years upon commencement of operation of the proposed road. The Applicant shall demonstrate that the selected year of assessment represents the highest emission scenario given the combination of vehicular emission factors and traffic flow for the selected year.

(x) If there are vehicular tunnels, full enclosures proposed in the Project, it is the responsibility of the Applicant to ensure that the air quality inside these proposed structures shall comply with EPD's "Practice Note on Control of Air Pollution in Vehicle Tunnels". For assessment of air quality impact due to emissions from the tunnels/full enclosures, the Applicant shall ensure that the emission amount and the pollutants emitted from these tunnel/full enclosure have been agreed with the relevant tunnel ventilation design engineer and documented.

Quantitative Assessment Methodology

(xi) The Applicant shall apply the general principles enunciated in the modelling guidelines (paragraph 3.3.2.3 above) while making allowance for the specific characteristic of each project. This specific methodology must be documented in such level of details (preferably with tables and diagrams) to allow the readers of the assessment report to grasp how the model is set up to simulate the situation at hand without referring to the model input files. Details of the calculation of the emission rates of air pollutants and a map showing all the road links for input to the modelling shall be presented in the report. The Applicant must ensure consistency between the text description and the model files at every stage of submission. Prior agreement of the general methodology between the Applicant and the Director is advised.

(xii) The Applicant shall, based on the nature of the activities analysed in (v) above, identify the key/representative air pollutant parameters (types of pollutants and the averaging time concentration) to be evaluated and provide explanation for choosing these parameters for the assessment of the impact of the Project.

(xiv) The Applicant shall calculate the cumulative air quality impact at the identified ASRs and compare these results against the criteria set out in section 1 of Annex 4 in the TM. The predicted air quality impacts (both unmitigated and mitigated) shall be presented in the form of summary table and pollution contours, for comparison with relevant air quality standards and examination of the land use implications of these impacts. Plans of suitable scale should be used for presentation of pollution contour for determining buffer distances required.

(xv) If there are any direct technical noise remedies recommended in the study, the air quality implication due to these remedies shall be assessed. For instance, if barriers that may affect dispersion of air pollutants are proposed, then the implications of such remedies on air quality impact shall be assessed. If an enclosure is proposed, then portal emissions of the enclosed road section and air quality inside the enclosed road section shall also be addressed. The Applicant should highlight clearly the locations and types of agreed noise mitigating measures, ASRs as well as tunnel/road enclosure and their portals (where applicable) on the contour maps for easy reference.

Mitigating measures for non-compliance

(xvi) The Applicant shall propose remedies and mitigating measures where the predicted air quality impact exceeds the criteria set in section 1 of Annex 4 in the TM. These measures and any constraints on future land use planning shall be agreed with the relevant government departments/authorities and documented. The Applicant shall demonstrate quantitatively that the resultant impacts after incorporation of the proposed mitigating measures will comply the criteria stipulated in section 1 of Annex 4 in the TM.

Submission of model files

(xvi) All input and output file(s) of the model run(s) shall be submitted to the Director in electronic format.

3.3.3 Noise Impact

3.3.3.1 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.

3.3.3.2 The noise impact assessment shall include the following :

(i) Determination of Assessment Area

The noise impact assessment shall include all areas within 300m from the boundary of the project site. Subject to the agreement of the Director, the assessment area could be reduced accordingly if the first layer of Noise Sensitive Receivers (NSRs), closer than 300m from the boundary of the project site, provides acoustic shielding to those receivers located further away.

(ii) Provision of Background Information

The Applicant shall provide all background information relevant to the Project including relevant previous and current studies. Unless involved in the planning standards, no existing noise levels are particularly required.

(iii) Identification of Noise Sensitive Receivers

(a) The Applicant shall refer to Annex 13 of the TM when identifying the NSRs. The NSRs shall include all existing ones and all planned or committed noise sensitive developments and uses.

(b) 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 floors of each and every selected assessment point shall be given.

(iii) Provision of an Emission Inventory of the Noise Sources

The Applicant shall provide an inventory of noise sources including construction equipment for construction noise assessment and 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.

(v) Construction Noise Assessment

(a) 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.

(b) To minimize the construction noise impact, alternative construction methods to replace percussive piling shall be proposed as far as practicable.

(c) If the unmitigated construction 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.

(d) The assessment shall include a detailed assessment on noise impacts on Chung Sing School, including noise from machinery and vehicles.

(vi) Road Traffic Noise

(a) Calculation of Noise Levels

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.

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.

(b) Presentation of Noise Levels

The Applicant shall present the prevailing and future traffic noise levels in L10 (1 hr) at the NSRs on tables and plans of suitable scale.

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.

(c) Proposals for Noise Mitigation Measures

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 within the project limits 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 as far as possible 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.

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.

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 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 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).

(vii) 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 arising from the inclusion of any recommended direct technical remedies.

(viii) Evaluation of Constraints on Planned Noise Sensitive Developments/Land Uses

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.

The Applicant shall take into account the agreed environmental requirements/constraints identified by the study to assess the development potential of the concerned sites, which shall be made known to the relevant parties.

3.3.4 Water Quality Impact

3.3.4.1 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.

3.3.4.2 The Applicant shall assessment the water quality impacts for up to 300 m down stream of the Yuen Long Nullah from the boundary of the project site.

3.3.4.3 All physical, chemical and biological disruptions of marine, estuarine, fresh/storm water or ground water system(s) arising during the construction, operation of the Project shall be identified and analysed in the impact assessment.

3.3.4.4 The water quality impact assessment shall address the followings:

(i) Collection and review of background information on the existing water system(s) including that connecting to the Shan Pui River.

(ii) Characterization of water quality based on existing information or site surveys/tests as appropriate.

(iii) Identification and analysis of all existing and planned future activities and beneficial uses related to the water system(s) and identification of all water sensitive receivers.

(iv) Identification of pertinent water quality objectives and establishment of other appropriate water quality criteria or standards for the water system(s) and all the sensitive receivers.

(v) Review the specific construction methods and configurations, and operation of the Road. Identification of any alteration of water courses.

(vi) Identification, analysis and quantification of all existing and likely future water pollution sources, including point discharges and non-point sources to surface water runoff. Field investigation and laboratory tests shall be conducted as appropriate. Establishment and provision of an emission inventory on the quantities and characteristics of all these pollution sources.

(vii) Prediction and quantification of the impacts on the water system(s) and the sensitive receivers due to those alterations and changes identified in (v) and the pollution sources identified in (vi). The prediction shall take into account and include likely different construction stages or sequences, different operation stages.

(viii) Cumulative impacts due to other projects; activities or pollution sources within a boundary around the Study Area to be agreed by the Director shall also be predicted and quantified.

Waste Water and Non-point Sources Pollution

(ix) Analysis on the provision and adequacy of existing and planned future facilities to reduce pollution arising from the non-point sources identified in (vi).

(x) Proposal of effective and practicable infrastructure upgrading or provision, water pollution prevention and mitigation measures to be implemented during the construction, operation stages so as reduce the water quality impacts to within acceptable levels of standards. Requirements to be incorporated in the project contract document shall also be proposed.

(xi) Best management practices to reduce storm water and non-point source pollution shall be investigated and proposed as appropriate. Attention shall be made to the water quality control and mitigation measures recommended in the ProPECC PN 1/94 on construction site drainage.

(xii) Evaluation and quantification of residual impacts on the water system(s) and the sensitive receivers with regard to the appropriate water quality criteria, standards or guidelines.

Protection of Inner Deep Bay

(xiii) Derive an emergency contingency plan for the construction and operational phase of the Project with the aim to contain and remove all accidental spillages along the road in short notice and to prevent and/or to minimize the quantities of contaminants from reaching the Inner Deep Bay.

3.3.5 Waste Management Implications

3.3.5.1 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.

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

(i) 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.

(ii) Proposal for Waste Management

(a) Prior to considering the disposal options for various types of wastes, the Applicant shall fully evaluate opportunities for reducing waste generation and on-site or off-site reuse shall be fully evaluated. Measures which can be taken in the planning and design stages, e.g. by modifying the design approach and in the construction stage for maximizing waste reduction shall be separately considered.

(b) After taking taken into account all the opportunities for reducing waste generation and maximizing reuse, the Applicant shall estimate the types and quantities of the wastes required to be disposed of as a consequence and describe the disposal options for each type of waste in detail. The disposal options for each type of wastes shall take into account the result of the assessment in (c) below.

(c) The impact caused by handling (including labeling, packaging & storage), collection, and disposal of wastes shall be addressed in detail and appropriate mitigation measures shall be proposed. In particular, stockpiling of waste at the vicinity of Chung Sing School shall be avoided. This assessment shall cover the following areas :

- potential hazard;
- air and odour emissions;
- noise;
- wastewater discharge; and
- public transport.

3.3.6 Landscape and Visual Impact

3.3.6.1 The Applicant shall follow the criteria and guidelines for evaluating and assessing landscape and visual impacts for any above ground structures and work areas as stated in Annexes 10 and 18 of the TM, respectively. Both construction and operation impacts shall be assessed.

3.3.6.2 The assessment area for the landscape impact assessment shall include all areas within a 500 m distance from the boundary of the project site. The assessment area for the visual impact assessment shall be defined by the visual envelope from the Project, which is generally the viewshed formed by natural/man-made features such as ridgeline and building blocks.

3.3.6.3 The Applicant shall review relevant outline development plan(s), outline zoning plan(s), layout plan(s) and planning briefs/studies, including the Yuen Long OZP No. S/YL/8, which will govern the development of the Comprehensive Development Area (CDA) at Tai Kiu and all other documents that contain guidelines on landscape framework, urban design concept, designated view corridors, and open space network of the assessment area that may affect the appreciation of the Project. The aim is to gain an insight to the future outlook of the area so as to assess whether the Project can fit into the surrounding setting and the CDA development proposal. Any conflict with the statutory town plans should be highlighted and appropriate follow-up action should be recommended.

3.3.6.4 The Applicant shall describe, appraise, analyze and evaluate the existing landscape resource and character of the assessment area. A system shall be derived for judging landscape and visual impact significance as required under the TM. 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 Project with the existing landscape and planned landscape setting. The assessment shall quantify the potential landscape impacts as far as possible, so as to illustrate the significance of such impacts arising from the Project. Clear mapping of the landscape impact is required.

3.3.6.5 The Applicant shall assess the visual impacts of the Project. Clear illustrations of visual impact are required. The assessment shall include the following:

(i) Identification and plotting of visual envelope of the Project;

(ii) Identification of the key groups of sensitive receivers within the visual envelope and their views at both street level and elevated vantage points (up to 25 metres above street level). Sensitive receivers shall involve the residential population, students of schools, users and visitors of the open spaces in the assessment area, and the passengers of the existing bus/Light Rapid Transit route having direct sight line of the Project;

(iii) Description of the visual compatibility of the Project with the surrounding, and the planned setting and its obstruction and interference with the key views of the adjacent areas and possible visual severance of Yuen Long Town Centre; and

(iv) The severity of visual impacts in terms of nature, distances and number of sensitive receivers. Day and night time reflection/glare shall be considered in the assessment. The visual impacts of the Project with and without mitigation measures shall also be included so as to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed mitigation measures.

3.3.6.6 Alternative alignment, design and construction methods that would avoid or reduce the identified landscape and visual impacts shall be evaluated for comparison before adopting other mitigation or compensatory measures to alleviate the impacts. The mitigation measures proposed shall not only be concerned with damage reduction but should also include consideration of potential enhancement of existing landscape. The Applicant shall recommend mitigation measures to minimize the adverse effects identified above, including provision of a landscape design.

3.3.6.7 The mitigation measures shall include preservation of vegetation, transplanting of mature trees, provision of screen planting, re-vegetation of disturbed land, compensatory planting, reprovisioning of amenity areas and open spaces, design of structures, provision of finishes to structures, colour scheme and texture of material used and any measures to mitigate the impact on existing land use and on the open spaces. Parties shall be identified for the on-going management and maintenance of the proposed mitigation works to ensure their effectiveness throughout the operation phase of the Project. A practical programme and funding proposal for the implementation of the recommended measures shall be provided.

3.3.6.8 Coloured perspective drawings, plans and section/elevation diagrams, annotated oblique aerial photographs and computer-generated photomontage shall be adopted to fully illustrate the landscape and visual impacts of the Project. All computer graphics shall be compatible with Microstation DGN file format. The Applicant shall record the technical details such as system set-up, software, data files and function in preparing the illustration, which may need to be submitted for verification of the accuracy of the illustrations.

3.4 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.

3.5 Environmental Monitoring and Audit (EM&A) Requirements

3.5.1 The Applicant shall identify in the EIA study the 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 and prepare an EM&A Manual for the Project.

3.5.2 Subject to the confirmation of the EIA study findings, the Applicant shall comply with the requirements as stipulated in Annex 21 of the TM. The Applicant shall also propose real-time reporting of monitoring data for the Project through a dedicated internet web site.

3.5.3 The Applicant shall prepare a detailed Project Implementation Schedule containing all the EIA study recommendations and mitigation measures with reference to the implementation programme.

4. DURATION OF VALIDITY

4.1 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 a fresh EIA study brief before commencement of the EIA study.

5. REPORT REQUIREMENTS

5.1 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.

5.2 The Applicant shall supply the Director with the following number of copies of the EIA report and the Executive Summary:

(i) 50 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.

(ii) when necessary, addendum to the EIA report and the executive summary submitted in 5.2 (i) above as required under section 7(1) of the EIAO, to be supplied upon advice by the Director for public inspection.

(iii) 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.

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

5.4 In addition, to facilitate the public inspection of the EIA Report via the EIAO Internet Web site, 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 Portable Document Format (PDF version 4.0 or later), 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. Hyperlinks to all figures, drawings and tables in the EIA Report and Executive Summary shall be provided in the main text from where the respective references are made. All graphics in the report shall be in interlaced GIF format unless otherwise agreed by the Director.

5.5 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.

5.6 When the EIA Report and the Executive Summary are made available for public inspection under s.7(1) of the EIAO, 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.

5.7 To promote environmentally friendly and efficient dissemination of information, both hardcopies 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.

6. OTHER PROCEDURAL REQUIREMENTS

6.1 If there is any change in the name of Applicant for this EIA study brief during the course of the EIA study, the Applicant must notify the Director immediately.

6.2 If there is any key change in the scope of the Project mentioned in Sections 1.2 of this EIA study brief and in Project Profile (No. PP-128/2001), 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 a fresh EIA study brief.

--- END OF EIA STUDY BRIEF ---

June 2001
Environmental Assessment and Noise Division,
Environmental Protection Department