1. BACKGROUND

1.1 An application (No. ESB-086/2001) 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 24 October 2001 with a project profile (No. PP-147/2001) (the Project Profile).

1.2 The proposed Project is to expand the sewage treatment capacity and upgrade the treatment level of existing Pillar Point Sewage Treatment Works by the addition of chemically enhanced primary treatment with disinfect ion facilities in order to cater for the projected population and planned developments in Tuen Mun area, as shown in drawings nos. DPM0106 & DPM0107 in the Project Profile, reproduced in Appendix A and described below :-

(a) modify and expand the existing aerated grit channels;
(b) construct primary treatment units;
(c) construct sedimentation units;
(d) construct solid treatment units including sludge digesters and sludge de-watering facilities;
(e) construct sludge thickening facilities;
(f) construction disinfection units;
(g) modify and expand the existing septic waste reception facilities; and
(h) modify and expand the existing ancillary facilities including administration building, workshop, laboratory and landscaping works.

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 overall acceptability of any adverse environmental consequences that is 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 consider alternatives where necessary, as detailed in Section 3.3 below, with a view to avoiding and minimizing the potential environmental impacts to the ecological sensitivity areas in Sha Chau and Lung Kwu Chau Marine Park and other sensitive uses; to compare the environmental benefits and dis-benefits of each of the different options; to provide reasons for selecting the preferred option(s) and to describe the part of environmental factors played in the selection;

(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 losses or damage to flora, fauna and natural habitats and to propose measures to mitigated these impacts;

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

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

(viii) 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;

(ix) 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 cumulative effects and reduce them to acceptable levels;

(x) 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

(xi) 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 and to specify the environmental issues that are required to be reviewed and assessed in the EIA report. 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

The scope of this EIA study shall cover the Project mentioned in Section 1.2 above. The EIA study shall address the likely key issues described below, together with any other key issues identified during the course of the EIA study :

(i) potential water quality impact and associated impact on the nearby ecological sensitive areas including Sha Chau and Lung Kwu Chau Marine Park caused by potential increase in pollution load from the increased discharge, including emergency discharges, upon operation of the Project;

(ii) potential air quality impacts, including odour impact, arising from the construction and operation of the Project, on nearby sensitive receivers including the nearby River Trade Terminal;

(iii) if there is storage of chlorine on site as mentioned in Section 3.4.5.1 below, the potential hazard to life due to on-site transportation, storage and uses of chlorine as disinfectant upon operation of the Project;

(iv) potential impacts, including odour impact, arising from the handling, storage, transportation and disposal of the increased output in sewage sludge upon operation of the Project;

(v) cumulative environmental impacts of the Project, through interaction or in combination with other existing, committed and planned developments in the vicinity of the Project, and that those impacts may have a bearing on the environmental acceptability of the Project. Consideration shall be given to account for the cumulative water quality and ecological impacts from likely concurrent projects such as the effluent discharge into the same water bodies from other sewage treatment works in the vicinity.

3.3 Consideration of Alternative Treatment Methods and Construction Methods

3.3.1 Consideration of Alternative Treatment Methods

Where the EIA predicts impacts on water quality of receiving water bodies and/or impacts on ecological sensitive areas would exceed relevant criteria in the TM, the Applicant shall consider other feasible sewage treatment options for the Project, such as using a higher level of treatment, with a view to mitigating the water quality and/or ecological impacts to within relevant criteria in the TM. A comparison of the environmental benefits and disbenefits of possible sewage treatment options, including different disinfection options, shall be made with a view to recommending the preferred option to avoid adverse environmental effects to maximum practicable extent. Assessments on water quality impacts, including identification of potentially harmful products associated with different disinfection options as well as mathematical modeling works, should be carried out to evaluate the respective impacts on nearby sensitive receivers.

3.3.2 Consideration of Alternative Construction Methods and Sequences of Works

If the EIA predicts that the construction air, water quality and odour impacts would exceed relevant criteria in the TM, the Applicant shall explore alternative construction methods and sequences of works for the Project, taking into consideration the combined effect with respect to the severity and duration of the construction impacts to the affected sensitive receivers, with a view to avoiding prolonged adverse environmental impacts to the maximum practicable extent. A comparison of environmental benefits and disbenefits of applying different construction methods and sequence of works shall be made.

3.3.3 Selection of Preferred Scenario

Taking into consideration of the findings in Sections 3.3.1 and 3.3.2 above, the Applicant shall recommend with full justifications the adoption of the preferred sewage treatment method, construction method and sequence of work that will avoid or minimize adverse environmental effects arising from the Project, in particular the impacts on ecology and water quality in the Urmston Road and the Sha Chau and Lung Kwu Chau Marine Park, and the air and odour impacts on nearby sensitive receivers such as the River Trade Terminal.

3.4 Technical Requirements

The Applicant shall conduct the EIA study to address all environmental aspects as described in Sections 3.1, 3.2 and 3.3 above. The EIA study shall include the following technical requirements on specific impacts. The Applicant shall include in the EIA report details of the construction programme.

3.4.1 Air Quality Impact

3.4.1.1 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.

3.4.1.2 The study area for air quality impact assessment shall generally be defined by a distance of 500 metres from the boundary of the project site, yet it shall be extended to include major emission sources that may have a bearing on the environmental acceptability of the Project. For this Project, the assessment shall include but not limited to the existing, planned and committed sensitive receivers within the study area including the River Trade Terminal at Tuen Mun Area 38. Such assessment shall be based on the best available information at the time of the assessment.

3.4.1.3 The Applicant shall assess the air pollutant concentrations with reference to the relevant sections of the guidelines in Appendices B-1 to B-3 attached to this study brief, or other methodology as agreed by the Director.

3.4.1.4 The air quality impact assessment shall include the following:

(i) Background and Analysis of Activities

(a) Provide background information relating to air quality issues relevant to the Project, e.g. description of the types of activities of the Project that may affect air quality during both construction and operation stages.

(b) 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 and alternative modes of operation to minimize the constructional and operational air quality impact respectively.

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

(ii) Identification of Air Sensitive Receivers (ASRs) and Examination of Emission / Dispersion Characteristics

(a) Identify and describe existing and planned/committed ASRs that would likely be affected by the Project, including those earmarked on the relevant Outline Zoning Plans, Development Permission Area Plans, Outline Development Plans and Layout Plans. The Applicant shall select the assessment points of the identified ASRs that represent the worst impact point of these ASRs. A map showing the location and description such as name of buildings, their uses and height of the selected assessment points shall be given. The separation distances of these ASRs from the nearest emission sources shall also be given. For phased development, the Applicant shall review the development programme against the different construction stages to assess whether the occupiers of the early phases could become ASRs to be affected by the construction works of later phases.

(b) Provide an exhaustive list of air pollutant emission sources, including any nearby emission sources which are likely to have impact related to the Project based on the analysis of constructional and operational activities in Sub-section 3.4.1.4(i) above. Examples of construction stage emission sources include stockpiling, blasting, concrete batching, marine construction plant and vehicular movements on unpaved haul roads on site, odour emission from the modification/expansion work on existing sewage treatment units such as the existing aerated grit channels, etc. Examples of operational stage emission sources include exhaust emissions from sludge digesters, etc. Confirmation of validity of the assumptions and magnitude of the activities (e.g. volume of construction material handled, odour emission strength, etc.) shall be obtained from the relevant government departments/authorities and documented.

(iii) Construction Phase Air Quality Impact

(a) The Applicant shall follow the requirements stipulated under the Air Pollution Control (Construction Dust) Regulation to ensure that construction dust which may arise as a result of the works are controlled within the relevant standards as stipulated in Section 1 of Annex 4 of the TM. A monitoring and audit programme for the construction phase shall be devised to verify the effectiveness of the control measures proposed so as to ensure proper construction dust control.

(b) If the Applicant anticipates that the Project will give rise to significant construction dust impacts likely to exceed recommended limits in the TM at the ASRs despite the incorporation of the dust control measures proposed in accordance with Sub-section 3.4.1.4(iii)(a) above, a quantitative assessment should be carried out to evaluate the construction dust impact at the identified ASRs. The Applicant shall follow the methodology set out in Sub-section 3.4.1.4(v) below when carrying out the quantitative assessment.

(c) The Applicant shall ensure that any odour emissions which may arise as a result of the works such as the modification and expansion to the existing sewage treatment units including the existing aerated grit channels are controlled within the relevant standards as stipulated in Section 1 of Annex 4 of the TM. A monitoring and audit programme for the construction phase shall be devised to verify the effectiveness of the control measures proposed so as to ensure proper construction odour control.

(d) If the Applicant anticipates that the Project will give rise to significant construction odour impacts likely to exceed recommended limits in the TM at the ASRs despite the incorporation of the odour control measures proposed in accordance with Sub-section 3.4.1.4(iii)(c) above, a quantitative assessment should be carried out to evaluate the construction odour impact at the identified ASRs. The Applicant shall follow the methodology set out in Sub-section 3.4.1.4(v) below when carrying out the quantitative assessment.

(iv) Operational Phase Air Quality Impact

(a) The Applicant shall calculate the expected air pollutant concentrations, including odour, at the identified ASRs based on an assumed reasonably worst-case scenario. The evaluation shall be based on the strength of the emission sources identified in Sub-section 3.4.1.4(ii)(b) above. The Applicant shall follow Sub-section 3.4.1.4(v) below when carrying out the quantitative assessment.

(v) Quantitative Assessment Methodology

(a) The Applicant shall apply the general principles enunciated in the modelling guidelines in Appendices B-1 to B-3 while making allowance for the specific characteristics of the 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 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. In case of doubt, prior agreement between the Applicant and the Director on the specific modelling details should be sought.

(b) The Applicant shall identify he 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.

(c) 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, to be evaluated against the relevant air quality standards and on any effect they may have on the land use implications. Plans of a suitable scale should be used to present pollution contour to allow buffer distance requirements to be determined properly.

(vi) Mitigation Measures for Non-compliance

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 with the criteria stipulated in Section 1 of Annex 4 in the TM.

(vii) Submission of Model Files

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

3.4.2 Water Quality Impact

3.4.2.1 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.

3.4.2.2 The study area for this water quality assessment shall cover all water bodies and sensitive receivers within the radius of 20 km from the project site excluding the area south of Penny's Bay. Sensitive receivers including nearby beaches such as Butterfly Beach, Kadoorie Beach, Cafeteria New & Old Beaches and Lung Kwu Upper & Lower Beaches shall be addressed in the water quality assessment.

3.4.2.3 The Applicant shall identify and analyse all physical, chemical and biological disruptions of marine, fresh water or ground water system(s), catchment area(s), storm water pipeline and coastal water arising from construction and operation of the Project.

3.4.2.4 The Applicant shall predict, quantify and assess any water quality impacts arising from construction and operation of the Project, including any water quality impacts from emergency discharges of the Project, on the water system(s) and the sensitive receivers by appropriate mathematical modeling and/or other techniques approved by the Director. The mathematical modeling requirements are set out in Appendix C to this study brief. Possible impacts shall include but not be limited to changes in hydrology, flow regime, sediment erosion and deposition pattern, water and sediment quality, downstream salinity profile and effects on the flora and fauna due to such changes in North Western Water Control Zone.

3.4.2.5 The Applicant shall take into account and include likely different operation stages of the Project in the assessment. The assessment shall have regard to the frequency, duration, volume and flow rate of the discharges and its pollutant and sediment loading. Reference shall be made to available information in previous studies including, but not limited to, those listed in Appendix C to this study brief. Where applicable, the Applicant shall also assess the water quality impacts of all necessary temporary discharges via emergency outfall immediately prior to and/or during the early phase of the commissioning of the upgraded sewage treatment facilities. Essentially the assessment shall address the following:

(i) Collection and review of background information on the existing and planned water system(s) and their respective catchments and sensitive receivers which might be affected by the Project during operation;

(ii) Characterization of water and sediment quality of the water system(s) and respective catchments and sensitive receivers which might be affected by the Project during operation based on existing information or appropriate site survey and tests;

(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. The Applicant shall refer to, inter alia, those developments and uses earmarked on the relevant Outline Zoning Plans, Development Permission Area Plans, Outline Development Plans and Layout Plans;

(iv) Identification of pertinent water and sediment quality objectives and establishment of other appropriate water and sediment quality criteria or standards for the water system(s) and all the sensitive receivers in Sub-section 3.4.2.5(i) above. Reference shall be made to relevant publications;

(v) Review of the operation of the Project to identify any alteration of existing water courses, natural streams/ponds, shoreline or bathymetry, flow regimes, ground water levels and catchment types or areas;

(vi) Identification and quantification of all likely water and sediment pollution sources and loading, including point and non-point discharges to surface water runoff, through appropriate site investigation and tests, generated by the Project and discharged to the marine waters in North Western Water Control Zone and existing and planned drainage systems and water courses;

(vii) Establishment and provision of a pollution load inventory on the quantities and characteristics of all existing and likely future water pollution sources identified above. Field investigation and laboratory tests shall be conducted as appropriate to fill in any major information gaps;

(viii) Analysis on the provision and adequacy of existing and planned future wastewater treatment facilities in terms of capacity and level of treatment to reduce pollution arising from both point and non-point discharges identified in Sub-section 3.4.2.5(vi) above;

(ix) Assessment of the cumulative impacts due to other related concurrent and planned projects, activities or pollution sources along the identified water system(s) and sensitive receivers that may have a bearing on the environmental acceptability of the Project through hydraulic modelling. This shall include the potential cumulative operational water quality impact arising from, inter alia, other sewage treatment works in the vicinity which discharge into the North Western Water Control Zone;

(x) Assessment and evaluation of any potential water quality impacts on identified water system(s), respective catchments and sensitive receivers due to sewage arising from the operation stage. Any effluent generated will require appropriate collection, treatment and disposal to within standards and objectives and criteria established in Sub-section 3.4.2.5(iv) above. Proposal of effective and practicable infrastructure upgrading or provision, water pollution prevention and mitigation measures to be implemented during operational stage so as to reduce water quality impacts to within acceptable levels of standards. No net increase of pollution load to North Western Water Control Zone should be ensured;

(xi) The Applicant shall devise mitigation measures to avoid or minimize the impacts identified above. The residual impacts on the water system(s) and the sensitive receivers with regard to the relevant water quality objectives, criteria, standards or guidelines shall be assessed and quantified using appropriate mathematical models set out in Appendix C to this study brief.

(xii) Recommendation of aappropriate mitigation measures, including a contingency plan (for beach closure, etc.), to minimise the duration and impact of any emergency overflow discharges.

3.4.3 Waste Management Implications

3.4.3.1 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.

3.4.3.2 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 operation activities of the Project, 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, opportunities for reducing waste generation, on-site or off-site re-use and recycling shall be fully evaluated. Measures that can be taken in the planning and design stages e.g. by modifying the design approach and in the operational stage for maximizing waste reduction shall be separately considered.

(b) After considering all the opportunities for reducing waste generation and maximizing re-use, 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 shall be described in detail. Pre-treatment processes for slurry/sludge before disposal shall be addressed in details. The disposal method recommended for each type of waste shall take into account of the result of the assessment in Sub-section 3.4.3.2(c) below.

(c) The impact caused by handling (including labelling, packaging & storage), collection, transportation 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.

3.4.4 Ecological Impact (Aquatic)

3.4.4.1 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.

3.4.4.2 The assessment area for the purpose of this ecological impact assessment shall be the same as the assessment area for Water Quality Impact Assessment, or the area likely to be impacted by the Project.

3.4.4.3 In the ecological impact assessment, the Applicant shall examine the flora, fauna and other components of the ecological habitats within the assessment area. The aim shall be to protect, maintain or rehabilitate the natural environment. In particular, the Project shall avoid impacts on recognized sites of conservation importance (e.g., Country or Marine Parks, Sites of Special Scientific Interest) and other ecological sensitive areas. The assessment shall identify and quantify as far as possible the potential ecological impacts associated with the Project.

3.4.4.4 The assessment shall include the following major tasks:

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

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

(iii) carry out necessary field surveys which shall cover the wet season, the duration of which shall be at least four months, and investigations to verify the information collected, fill the information gaps identified and fulfil the objectives of the EIA study;

(iv) review the adequacy of the field survey and recommend, with full justifications, whether further field survey is required, having regard to the information available from previous studies and the results of the field survey conducted for this Project.

(v) 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 showing the types and locations of habitats in the assessment area;

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

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

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

(vi) investigate and describe the existing wildlife uses of various habitats with special attention to:-

(a) the Chinese White Dolphin, Sousa chinensis; and

(b) any other habitats and wildlife groups identified as having special conservation interest by the study.

(vii) describe all recognized sites of conservation importance in the assessment area, in particular, the Sha Chau and Lung Kwu Chau Marine Park, and assess whether these sites will be affected by the Project or not;

(viii) using suitable methodology, identify and quantify as far as possible any direct, indirect, on-site, primary, secondary and cumulative ecological impacts such as destruction of habitats, reduction of species abundance/diversity, loss of feeding and breeding grounds, reduction of ecological carrying capacity and habitat fragmentation.;

(ix) identification of all ecological sensitive receivers including sensitive elements of marine, subtidal, and intertidal communities/habitats which would be potentially affected directly or indirectly by the Project. The Sha Chau and Lung Kwu Chau Marine Park and the Chinese White Dolphin (Sousa chinensis) shall be included as major sensitive receivers;

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

Assessment of Impacts on Chinese White Dolphins

(xi) review and incorporate the findings of relevant studies including the previous dolphins studies, in particular the "Population Biology of the Indo-Pacific Hump-backed Dolphin in Hong Kong Waters" (Wildlife Monograph No. 144, page 1-65, published in October 2000), and collate all the available information regarding the ecological characters of the assessment area;

(xii) evaluate the information collected and identify any information gap relating to the assessment of potential impacts on the Chinese White Dolphins;

(xiii) carry out necessary field surveys and investigations to verify the information collected, fill the information gaps identified, if any, and to fulfil the objectives of the EIA study;

(xiv) present all relevant survey findings including previous surveys conducted in relevant studies together with surveys carried out under this study;

(xv) take into account the difference in discharge volume and sewage quality as a result of the commissioning of the Project, and estimate and present the change in pollution load into the receiving waters, in terms of at least Biochemical Oxygen Demand, suspended solids and bacteria/E.coli;

(xvi) assess the water quality and consequent ecological impacts on the Chinese White Dolphins, especially during the operational phase. The assessment shall include the prediction of water quality changes. Parameters to be assessed shall include dissolved oxygen, suspended solids, nutrients, ammonia, bacteria and deposition rate. The significance and acceptability of the predicted changes shall be evaluated using well-defined criteria;

(xvii) assess the cumulative impacts of any nearby development on the dolphins;

(xviii) identify precautionary and mitigatory measures for protection of the Chinese White Dolphins. The proposed measures may include, but need not be limited to, those recommended in previous EIA studies and dolphins studies, such as ecological monitoring on the dolphins.

Ecological Mitigation

(xix) consider, evaluate and recommend all possible alternatives and practicable mitigation measures to avoid, minimize, and/or compensate for the adverse ecological impacts identified.

(xx) 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;

(xxi) determine and quantify as far as possible the residual ecological impacts after implementation of the proposed mitigation measures;

(xxii) evaluate the severity and acceptability of the residual ecological impacts using well-defined criteria. If off-site mitigation measures are considered necessary to mitigate the residual impacts, the guidelines and requirements laid down in the PELB Technical Circular No. 1/97 shall be followed; and

(xxiii) review and recommend any ecological monitoring programme required.

3.4.5 Hazard To Life

3.4.5.1 If there is storage of chlorine on site for disinfectant use, a hazard assessment shall be carried out following the criteria for evaluating hazard to life as stated in Annexes 4 and 22 of the TM and including the following in the assessment :

(i) Identification of all hazardous scenarios associated with the on-site transport, storage and use of chlorine as disinfectant.

(ii) Execution of a Quantitative Risk Assessment expressing population risks in both individual and societal terms.

(iii) Comparison of individual and societal risks with the Criteria for Evaluating Hazard to Life stipulated in Annex 4 of the TM; and

(iv) Identification and assessment of practicable and cost-effective risk mitigation measures.

3.4.6 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.

3.4.7 Environmental Monitoring and Audit (EM&A) Requirements

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

3.4.7.2 Subject to confirmation of EIA findings, the Applicant shall comply with 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.

3.4.7.3 The Applicant shall prepare a project implementation schedule (in the form of a checklist as shown in Appendix D 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 36 months from 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 above documents available to the public, subject to payment by the interested parties of full costs of printing.

5.4 In addition, to facilitate 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 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 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 Section 1.2 of this EIA study brief and in Project Profile (No. PP-147/2001), 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 ---

December 2001
Environmental Assessment and Noise Division,
Environmental Protection Department