1. BACKGROUND

1.1 An application (No. ESB-080/2001) 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 14 June 2001 with a project profile (No. PP-136/2001) (the Project Profile).

1.2 The Project is part of the sewerage improvement works recommended in "Aberdeen, Ap Lei Chau and Pok Fu Lam Sewerage Master Plan", completed by the Environmental Protection Department in June 1995 (the SMP), to upgrade existing sewerage systems in Aberdeen, Ap Lei Chau and Pok Fu Lam (Figure 1). The Project will include the following activities:

(a) to construct new sewers in Mount Gough, Mount Cameron and Aberdeen Reservoir Road with two associated pumping stations and rising mains in Mount Cameron for the replacement of the existing sewer within the water gathering ground;

(b) to upgrade the sewers in Mount Gough and Mount Kellett;

(c) to upgrade the sewer along Nam Long Shan Road;

(d) to upgrade the sewers and pumping facility in Sham Wan Road; and

(e) to conduct survey and rectify the expedient connection in Aberdeen, Ap Lei Chau and Pok Fu Lam as well as minor sewerage improvement works in these areas.

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 for the Project.

1.4 The purpose of the 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 overall acceptability of 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 and the associated environmental constraints;

(iii) to provide information on the consideration of alternatives to avoid and minimize the environmental impacts, in particular on the Pok Fu Lam Country Park, the Aberdeen Country Park, Pok Fu Lam Reservoir Catchment Area - Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and the water gathering grounds;

(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 and to propose measures to mitigate these impacts;

(vi) to identify and quantify any potential losses or damage to flora, fauna and natural habitats and to propose 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 construction and operation of the Project;

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

(x) 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;

(xi) 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 the identified environmental impacts and cumulative effects and reduce them to acceptable levels;

(xii) 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; 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 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 scope of this EIA study covers the project mentioned in section 1.2 above. 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.

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 Alternative Consideration

3.3.1.1 The Applicant shall provide information over considerations and assessments on deficiencies in the capacity of existing sewerage network and sewage pumping stations in the Aberdeen, Ap Lei Chau and Pokfulam area. The SMP completed in 1995 can be used as reference with update where appropriate. The information shall include estimation on the total sewage flow from existing and planned developments, design population to be served by the proposed sewerage network, and any inadequacies in the existing sewerage network.

3.3.1.2 The EIA report shall include reference to consideration of alternative sewerage alignments that run across the country parks, locations of sewage pumping stations, and discharge locations of emergency overflow from sewage pumping stations. The Applicant shall compare the main environmental impacts of different options, provide reasons for selecting the proposed system and alignment, and describe the environmental factors played in the selection process. Among the environmental considerations, the Applicant shall have due regard to potential impacts on water gathering grounds and Aberdeen Typhoon Shelter from underground seepage and emergency overflow during operation stage of the sewerage network and sewage pumping stations and any construction nuisance to country park users.

3.3.1.3 When preparing the EIA report in accordance with the technical requirements below and the TM, the Applicant shall provide and apply, where appropriate, the above information on consideration of alternatives to avoid or minimize potential environmental impacts.

3.3.2 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 landslip preventive works and site formation for residential developments. Findings of relevant environmental studies shall be reviewed and incorporated into the EIA Report.

3.3.3 Construction Air Quality Impact

3.3.3.1 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.

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

3.3.3.3 The air quality 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 of the project.

(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 shall consider alternative construction methods/phasing programmes to minimize the construction air quality impact.

(iii) Present the background air quality levels in the assessment area for the purpose of evaluating the cumulative construction 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 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 on 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, which are likely to have impact on the project. Examples of construction stage emission sources include stock piling, blasting, concrete batching and vehicular movements on unpaved haul roads on site and so forth. Confirmation of the validity of the assumptions and the magnitude of the activities (e.g. volume of construction materials handled) shall be obtained from the relevant government/authorities and documented.

Impact Assessment

(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 to within the relevant standards as stipulated in section 1 of Annex 4 of the TM. A monitoring and audit program during the construction stage shall be implemented to verify the effectiveness of the control measures and to ensure that the construction dust levels are 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 shall be carried out to evaluate the construction dust impact at the identified ASRs. The Applicant shall follow the methodology as approved by the Director.

3.3.4 Noise Impact

3.3.4.1 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.

3.3.4.2 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 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 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 noise sensitive receivers (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.

(iv) 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 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.

(vi) Operational Noise
(a) Calculation of Noise Levels
The Applicant shall analyze the scope of the proposed system to identify noise sources for the purpose of noise impact assessment. 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".

(b) Presentation of Noise Levels
The Applicant shall present the prevailing and future noise levels in Leq(30 min) at the NSRs at various representative floor levels (in mPD) on tables and plans of suitable scale.

Quantitative assessment at the NSRs 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 shall be quantified by estimating the total number of dwellings 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

The Applicant shall propose direct technical remedies in all situations where the predicted 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 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 and other noise sensitive element that will be benefited by the provision of direct technical remedies should be provided.

The total number of dwellings 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 consider alternatives to reduce the impacts.

(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.

3.3.5 Water Quality Impact

3.3.5.1 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.

3.3.5.2 The study area for this water quality assessment shall cover the Western Buffer, Southern and Southern Supplementary Water Control Zones as designated under the Water Pollution Control Ordinance. This study area could be extended to include other areas such as stream courses, water gathering ground, reservoirs and the associated water system in the vicinity being impacted; and identified during the course of the EIA study if found justifiable.

3.3.5.3 The Applicant shall identify and analyze all physical, chemical and biological disruptions of marine and coastal water, fresh water in water gathering ground(s), reservoir(s), ground water system(s), catchment area(s) and stream course(s) arising from the construction and operation of the Project.

3.3.5.4 The water quality impact assessment shall address the following:

(i) Collection and review of background information on the existing and planned water system(s) and the respective catchment(s).

(ii) Characterization of water and sediment 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 and sediment quality objectives and establishment of other appropriate water quality criteria or standards for the water system(s) and all the sensitive receivers.

(v) Review of the specific construction and operation of the Project. Identification of any alteration of water courses, natural streams, change of flow regimes, change of ground water levels, change of catchment types or areas.

(vi) Identification, analysis and quantification of all existing and future water and sediment 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 a pollution load inventory on the quantities and characteristics of all these pollution sources. Evaluation and quantification of the flows and pollution loads collected and discharged into the existing and planned water systems and drainage system before and after operation of the Project.

(vii) Prediction 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). Possible impacts include changes in hydrology, flow regime, sediment erosion or deposition, water and sediment quality and the effects on the aquatic organism due to changes such as, but are not limited to, emergency overflow of additional sewage into the Aberdeen Typhoon Shelter and the additional pollution load discharged through the existing sewerage system. The Applicant shall demonstrate mitigation measures to avoid overflow from pumping stations to the maximum practicable extent.

(viii) Demonstration of water pollution prevention and mitigation measures for the sewage overflow of pumping stations. Appropriate mitigation measures shall be implemented with a view to avoid sewage overflow to the maximum practicable extent. If sewage overflow is inevitable, the discharge shall avoid going into ecologically sensitive uses such as rivers, stream courses and water gathering grounds. In the event that the sewage overflow into these sensitive uses cannot be avoided, water quality impacts shall be assessed using at least one-dimensional mass balance approach.

(ix) Development of water pollution prevention and mitigation measures to be implemented during construction and operation stages so as to reduce the water and sediment quality impacts to within standards. Based on the impact assessment of emergency sewage overflow, the Applicant shall derive an emergency contingency plan for the operation phase of the Project with the aim to avoid and minimize the quantities of contaminants from reaching the water systems and sensitive receivers.

(x) Details of the assessment methodology mentioned in (vii) and (viii) shall be approved by the Director. 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.

Wastewater and Non-point Sources Pollution

(xi) Assessment and quantification of all existing and planned wastewater generation activities and analysis on the adequacy of existing and future sewerage infrastructure. In general, all wastewater generated shall have to meet TM standards prior to discharge.

(xii) Assessment and quantification of all existing and planned water pollutants from non-point sources and analysis on the provision and adequacy of existing and future facilities to reduce such pollution.

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

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 paper on construction site drainage.

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

Protection of Water Gathering Ground

(xv) An emergency contingency plan shall be derived for the construction and operation phase of the Project with the aim to contain and remove all accidental spillage in short notice and to prevent and or to minimize the quantities of contaminants from reaching the water gathering grounds, through proper siting and design for the overflow bypass.

(xvi) The Applicant shall assess the need for routine flow monitoring system, including details like the locations of the monitoring points and the frequency of monitoring, in order to ensure early detection of any major leakage.

3.3.6 Waste Management Implications

3.3.6.1 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.

3.3.6.2 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 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. This assessment shall cover the following areas :

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

(d) The Applicant shall review the need for and recommend appropriate measures to avoid any illegal or unplanned dumping of waste generated by the project, especially at those area close to ecological sensitive areas (i.e. Pok Fu Lam Country Park, Aberdeen Country Park and Pok Fu Lam Reservoir Catchment Area SSSI).

3.3.7 Ecological Impact

3.3.7.1 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.

3.3.7.2 In the ecological impact assessment, the Applicant shall examine the flora, fauna and other components of the ecological habitats within the assessment area, including the Pok Fu Lam Country Park, Aberdeen Country Park and Pok Fu Lam Reservoir Catchment Area SSSI. The assessment area for the terrestrial ecological impact assessment should cover 500m from the project boundary and any area likely to be impacted by the effluent pipe route. The aim shall be to protect, maintain or rehabilitate the natural environment. The assessment shall identify and quantify as far as possible the potential ecological impacts associated with the project, including the potential impacts to the sensitive ecological habitats at the study area.

3.3.7.3 The assessment shall include the following:

(i) review the finding of relevant studies and collate all the available information regarding the ecological characters of the assessment area;

(ii) evaluate the information collected and identify any information gap relating to the assessment of potential ecological impacts to the terrestrial environment;

(iii) carry out necessary field surveys (the duration of which shall be at least 9 months and cover the wet and dry seasons), and investigations to verify the information collected in (ii), fill the information gaps identified and fulfill the objectives of the EIA study;

(iv) establish the general ecological profile and describe the characteristics of each habitat found; major information to be provided shall include:

(a) description of the physical environment;

(b) habitat maps of suitable scale (1:1000 to 1:5000) showing the types and locations of habitats in the assessment area;

(c) ecological characteristics of each habitat type such as size, vegetation type, species present, dominant species found, species diversity and abundance, community structure, seasonality and inter-dependence of the habitats and species, and presence of any features of ecological importance;

(d) representative color photos of each habitat type and any important ecological features identified;

(e) investigate and describe the existing wildlife uses of various habitats with special attention to those wildlife groups and habitats with conservation interests, including country parks, Sites of Special Scientific Interest, reservoirs, woodlands; natural stream courses and rivers; protected plant species such as Camellia hongkongensis, and any other habitats and wildlife groups identified as having special conservation interests by the Study; and

(f) species found that are rare, endangered and/or listed under local legislation, international conventions for conservation of wildlife/ habitats or red data books;

(vi) using suitable methodology, identify and quantify as far as possible any direct, indirect, on-site, off-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, habitat fragmentation; and in particular the followings:

i) habitat loss and disturbance to wildlife during construction stage;

ii) deterioration of environmental qualities (e.g. water qualities) and the subsequent impacts to the biological communities, in particular Pok Fu Lam Country Park, Aberdeen Country Park and Pok Fu Lam Reservoir Catchment Area SSSI during operation stage;

(vii) evaluate the significance and acceptability of the ecological impacts identified using well-defined criteria;

(viii) evaluate potential cumulative impacts on Pok Fu Lam Country Park, Aberdeen Country Park, Pok Fu Lam Reservoir Catchment Area SSSI, Aberdeen Reservoirs, river streams and water systems due to discharges from this Project;

(ix) recommend all possible alternatives (such as modifications of sewer alignment, layout and design) and practicable mitigation measures to avoid, minimize and/or compensate for the adverse ecological impacts identified, such as reinstatement of habitats temporarily affected by the proposed development to its original state and if possible with some enhancement features;

(x) 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;

(xi) determine and quantify the residual ecological impacts after implementation of the proposed mitigation measures;

(xii) evaluate the severity and acceptability of the residual ecological impacts using well-defined criteria; and

(xiii) review the need for and recommend any ecological monitoring programme.

3.3.8 Landscape and Visual Impact

3.3.8.1 The Applicant shall follow the criteria and guidelines as stated in Annexes 10 and 18 of the TM for evaluating and assessing visual impacts of any above ground structures associated with the Project. Visual impacts during both the construction and the operation phases shall be assessed.

3.3.8.2 Description of the visual compatibility of the Project, especially the above ground structures associated with the pumping stations with the surrounding and the planned setting, and its obstruction and interference with key views of the adjacent areas; and the severity of visual impacts in terms of distance, nature and number of sensitive receivers shall be identified. The visual impacts of the Project with and without mitigation measures shall be included so as to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed mitigation measures.

3.3.8.3 The Applicant shall recommend mitigation measures to minimize the adverse effects identified above, including the provision of a landscape design to cover the retention of vegetation, transplanting of mature trees, provision of screen planting, re-vegetation of disturbed land, compensatory planting, provisioning and reprovisioning of amenity areas and open spaces, country park facilities, design of structures, provision of finishes to structures, colour scheme and texture of material used, and any measures to mitigate the disturbance of the existing land use. Presentation of perspective drawings, plans and section/elevation diagrams, photomontage from key vantage points taken for all proposed above ground structures in the existing and planned urban setting illustrating the effectiveness of visual impact mitigation measures shall be included.

3.3.9 Impact on Cultural Heritage

3.3.9.1 The Applicant shall follow the criteria and guidelines for evaluating and assessing impact on cultural heritage as state in Annexes 10 and 19 of the TM respectively.

3.3.9.2 The heritage impact assessment information shall include the following:

(i) The Applicant shall identify all historic buildings and structures that might be adversely affected by the impacts due to the construction activities of the sewer laying or the proposed pumping stations. A plan showing the location of both the proposed works and all historic buildings and structures identified within 50m of the sewer laying or the proposed pumping stations is required.

(ii) The Applicant shall assess the extent to which those sites of cultural heritage might be directly and indirectly affected and recommend possible alternatives (such as modification of layout and design of the project), practicable monitoring and mitigation measures to avoid or keep the adverse impacts on the site of cultural heritage to the minimum. Besides, a checklist including all the affected sites of cultural heritage, impacts identified, recommended mitigation measures as well as the implementation agent and period shall also be included in the EIA report. The Applicant shall demonstrate the disturbance, including access, to these buildings are avoided to the maximum practicable extent.

(iii) Special attention shall be paid to the historic buildings and structures in the vicinity of the project including the Tin Hau Temple on Aberdeen Main Road, Aberdeen (Grade II). A map in 1:1000 scale indicating the boundary of each identified built heritage together with the nearby work areas in proper scale shall be made.

(iv) When conducting the study under this section, the Applicant should, where appropriate, draw necessary reference to Annex A.

3.3.10 Environmental Monitoring and Audit (EM&A) Requirements

3.3.10.1 The Applicant shall identify and justify 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.

3.3.10.2 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 website.

3.3.10.3 The Applicant shall prepare a project implementation schedule (in the form of a checklist as shown in Annex B to this EIA study brief) 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 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 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 section 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 Section 1.2 of this EIA study brief and in Project Profile (No. PP-136/2001), 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 ---

July 2001
Environmental Assessment and Noise Division,
Environmental Protection Department

ANNEX A - Built Heritage Impact Assessment

The desk-top study, which should collect, collate and analyze information on historic buildings and structures, includes search of publications on local historical, architectural, anthropological, archaeological and other cultural studies, other unpublished papers, records, cartographic and pictorial documents, archival and historical documents in the Public Records Office, the Land Registry, District Lands Office, District Office, the Hong Kong Museum of History, and the Antiquities and Monuments Office (AMO) of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and so forth, as well as discussion with local informants. The information from the archives of the AMO is for reference only and should not be cited as the main and only source of the desk-top study.

The impact assessment on the sites of cultural heritage must be subject to the result of field survey and desktop research.

During the assessment, both the direct and indirect physical impacts which may affect the preservation of built heritage in-situ should be stated. A detailed description and plans should be provided to elaborate to what extent the site of cultural heritage will be affected. Preservation in totality must be taken as the first priority. During the evaluation of visual impact, there should have the general presumption in favour of the protection and conservation of all sites of cultural heritage, and adverse visual impacts on these sites shall be kept to an absolute minimum.

The programme for implementation of agreed mitigation measures should be able to be implemented and the funding proposal for the implementation should be included as part of the study report. The proposed mitigation measures to be implemented by whom, when, where, to what requirements and the various implementation responsibilities should be defined and listed out clearly in the study report."

The study report should have concrete evidence to show that the process of field survey and desk-top study has been satisfactorily completed. This should take the form of a detailed inventory of the sites of cultural heritage supported by full description of their cultural significance. The description should contain detailed geographical, archaeological, historical, architectural anthropological, ethnographic and other cultural data supplemented with the following:

• 1:1000 scaled plans showing the boundary of each identified historic building or structure, photographic records of each historic item and landscape, detailed record of each historic item including its construction year, previous and present uses, architectural characteristics, as well as legends, historic persons and events, and cultural activities associated with the historic item.

• A master layout plan showing the location of both the proposed works and all sites of cultural heritage identified is required.

• A cross-reference of all check list including all the affected sites of cultural heritage, direct and indirect impacts identified, recommended mitigation measures as well as the implementation agent and period shall also be included in the EIA report.