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

Environmental Impact Assessment Study Brief No. ESB-138/2006

Project Title :                     Development of a Bathing Beach at Lung Mei, Tai Po

(hereinafter known as the "Project")

Name of Applicant :  Civil Engineering and Development Department

1.         BACKGROUND

            1.1       An application (No. ESB-138/2006) 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 30 November 2005 with a project profile (No. PP-270/2005) (the Project Profile).

1.2 The Project is to construct and operate an artificial beach at Lung Mei, Tai Po and the scope of works is described below. The location and general layout of the Project is shown in Appendix A.

(i) a 200m long beach with a groin at each end of the beach;

(ii) a beach building includes :

(a) public changing rooms and toilet;

(b) shower rooms;

(c) equipment/machinery stores for catamarans, motorized boats, beach transporters, beach cleansing and sand levelling machines, etc;

(d) dangerous goods stores for paints, thinner, kerosene and petrol; and

(e) ancillary facilities including management office, lookout/surveillance post, first aid room, staff changing room/toilet, staff room/pantry, store rooms, etc

(iii) retaining structures;

(iv) refuse collection point;

(v) outdoor shower facilities

(vi) lookout towers;

(vii) shark prevention net;

(viii) a fee-paying public car park for about 100 private cars, 10 motorcycles and 10 coaches;

(ix) landscaped areas;

(x) drainage diversion of an existing box culvert and Lo Tsz River; and

(xi) sewerage construction works.

The Project is a designated project (DP) in Part 1, Schedule 2 of the EIAO, under item C.12 “a dredging operation which is less than 500m from the nearest boundary of an existing site of special scientific interest and conservation area”.

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 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 potential environmental impacts to environmentally sensitive areas and other sensitive uses; to compare the environmental benefits and dis-benefits of each of different options; to provide reasons for selecting the preferred option(s) and to describe the part environmental factors played in the selection of preferred option(s);

(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 propose provision of mitigation measures so as to minimize pollution, environmental disturbance & nuisance during construction & operation of 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.  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 complied with.

3.2       The Scope

3.2.1    The scope of this EIA study shall cover the Project and associated works mentioned in sub-section 1.2 above.  The EIA study shall cover the combined impacts of all the Project and the cumulative impacts of the existing, committed and planned developments in the vicinity of the Project in accordance with the requirements laid down in section 3.4 of the TM.  The environmental impacts of on-site and off-site works and facilities associated with the Project shall be addressed. 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 air and noise impact on nearby village areas arising from construction and potential noise impact during operation of the Project;

(ii) potential water quality impact on nearby Tai Mei Tuk Water Sports Centre, Ting Kok Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), Yim Tin Tsai (East) Fish Culture Zone and relevant water system(s) from dredging and filling activities during construction and operation of the Project;

(iii) potential water quality impact on the Project during operation from discharges of nearby village areas, barbecue sites, restaurants, , stormwater outlets, plant nursery, rivers/streams including the Lo Tsz River etc.;

(iv) potential marine and terrestrial ecological impacts on nearby habitats including the coastal, intertidal and subtidal areas, conservation area, Lo Tze River, Ting Kok SSSI, etc. due to construction activities and change of flow regime/coastal profile during operation of the Project;

(v) waste arising as a result of the construction and operation activities of the Project; and

(vi) potential landscape & visual impacts from construction and operation of the project.

3.3       Consideration of Alternatives

3.3.1    The Need of the Project

The Applicant shall study and review the need of the Project and alternatives to the Project.  The Applicant shall provide information to justify the need, explain clearly the purpose and objectives of the Project and describe the scenarios with and without the Project.

3.3.2    Consideration of Alternative Project Locations

In addition to the proposed layout and design in the Project Profile, the Applicant shall consider other feasible locations for the Project, provide justification regarding how the proposed scheme is arrived at, including the descriptions of the environmental factors considered in the location selection.  Alternative locations and selection of the most suitable location shall be reviewed and investigated with a view to avoiding affecting nearby natural habitat such as natural stream Lo Tsz River and natural coast.  A comparison of the environmental benefits and dis-benefits of possible locations shall be made with a view to recommending the preferred location to maximize environmental benefits and avoid/minimize adverse environmental effects to the maximum practicable extent.

3.3.3    Consideration of Alternative Construction Methods and Sequences of Works

            Taking into consideration the combined effect with respect to the severity and duration of the construction impacts to the affected sensitive receivers, the EIA study shall explore alternative construction methods and sequences of works for the Project, with a view to avoid prolonged adverse environmental impacts to the maximum practicable extent.  A comparison of the environmental benefits and dis-benefits of applying different construction methods and sequence of works shall be made.

3.3.4    Selection of Preferred Scenario

            Taking into consideration of the findings in sub-sections 3.3.2 and 3.3.3 above, the Applicant shall recommend/justify the adoption of the preferred scenario that will maximise environmental benefits and avoid or minimize adverse environmental effects arising from the Project, and adequately describe the part that environmental factors played in arriving at the final selection.

3.4       Technical Requirements

            The Applicant shall conduct the EIA study to address all environmental aspects as described in sub-sections 3.1, 3.2 and 3.3 above.  The EIA study shall include the following technical requirements on specific impacts.

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.

Air Quality Impacts during Construction Stage

3.4.1.2  During the constructional stage, 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 dust control measures, a quantitative assessment by following the relevant technical requirements in sub-sections 3.4.1.3 to 3.4.1.5 below shall be carried out to evaluate the constructional dust impact at the identified ASRs.

Technical Requirements - General

3.4.1.3 Study Area :

(i)         The study area for constructional air quality impact assessments of the Project shall be defined by a distance of 500m from the boundary of the Project site.

(ii) The cumulative assessment for the constructional stage shall take into account the impacts of major emission sources from other concurrent construction projects within the study area.

3.4.1.4  The Applicant shall assess the air pollutant concentrations with reference to the Guidelines for Local-Scale Air Quality Assessment Using Models given in Appendices B1 to B3 or other methodology as agreed by the Director.

3.4.1.5  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.

(b)  Give an account, where appropriate, of the consideration / measures that had been taken into consideration in the planning of the Project to abate air pollution impact.  The Applicant shall consider alternative construction methods/phasing programmes to minimize the constructional air quality impact respectively.

(c)   For the evaluation of cumulative air quality impacts during construction stage, present the background air quality levels in the study area.

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

(a)  Identify and describe representative 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, Layout Plans and other relevant published land use plans, including plans and drawings published by Lands Department. 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 description including the name of buildings, their uses and height of selected assessment points shall be given.  Separation distances of these ASRs from the nearest emission sources shall also be given.

(b) Provide an exhaustive list of air pollutant emission sources, including any nearby emission sources which are likely to have impact on the Project based on the analysis of the constructional activities of the Project in sub-section 3.4.1.5(i) above.  Examples of constructional stage emission sources include stockpiling, material handling and vehicular movements on unpaved haul roads on site, etc. Confirmation of the validity of the assumptions and the magnitude of the activities shall be obtained from the relevant government department/authorities and documented.

(iii)      Constructional Phase Air Quality Impact

The Applicant shall follow the requirements of the Air Pollution Control (Construction Dust) Regulation to ensure constructional 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 devised to verify the effectiveness of the control measures and to ensure that the construction dust levels be brought under proper control.  The Applicant shall follow the methodology set out in subsection 3.4.1.5 (iv) below when carrying out the quantitative assessment.

(iv)      Quantitative Assessment Methodology

(a)    The Applicant shall conduct the quantitative assessment with reference to relevant sections of the modeling guidelines stated in sub-section 3.4.1.4 above or any other methodology as agreed with the Director.  The 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.  Detailed calculations of the pollutant emission rates shall be presented in the EIA report.  The Applicant must ensure consistency between the text description and the model files at every stage of submission.  In case of doubt, the Applicant shall seek and obtain prior agreement of the Director on the specific modeling details.

(b)    The Applicant shall identify the key/representative air pollutant parameters (types of pollutants and the averaging time concentrations) 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 pollutant concentrations 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 examination of the land use implications of these impacts.  Plans of suitable scale should be used for presentation of pollution contour to allow proper determination of buffer distance requirements.

(v)       Mitigating measures for non-compliance

(a)    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.

(vi)      Submission of model files

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

3.4.2     Noise Impact

                                     3.4.2.1            The Applicant shall follow the criteria and guidelines for evaluating and assessing noise impact as stated in Annexes 5 and 13 of the TM, respectively.

3.4.2.2  The noise impact assessment shall include the following :

             (i)        Determination of Study Area

The study area for the noise impact assessment shall generally include areas within 300m from the Project boundary.  Subject to the agreement of the Director, the study area could be reduced accordingly if the first layer of noise sensitive receivers (NSRs), closer than 300m from the outer Project limit, provides acoustic shielding to those receivers at distances further away from the Project.  Subject to the agreement of the Director, the study area shall be expanded to include NSRs at distances over 300m from the Project which would be affected by the construction and operation of the Project.

             (ii)       Provision of Background Information and Existing Noise Levels

  The Applicant shall provide background information relevant to the Project, e.g. relevant previous or current studies.  Unless required for determining the planning standards, e.g. those for planning of fixed noise sources (such as public announcement system), 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 existing NSRs and planned/committed noise sensitive developments and uses earmarked on the relevant Outline Zoning Plans, Development Permission Area Plans, Outline Development Plans, Layout Plans and other relevant published land use plans, including plans and drawings published by Lands Department.  Photographs of existing NSRs shall be appended to the EIA report.

(b) The Applicant shall select assessment points to represent identified NSRs for carrying out quantitative noise assessment described below.  The assessment points shall be agreed with the Director prior to the quantitative noise assessment.  A map showing the location and description such as name of building, use, and floor of each and every selected assessment point shall be given.  For planned noise sensitive land uses without committed site layouts, the Applicant should use the relevant planning parameters to work out representative site layouts for operational noise assessment purpose.

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

                                    The Applicant shall provide an inventory of noise sources including representative construction equipment for construction noise assessment, fixed plant equipment (e.g. public announcement system), as appropriate, for operational noise assessment.  Confirmation of the validity of the inventory shall be obtained from the relevant government departments/authorities and documented in the EIA report.

(v) Construction Noise Assessment

(a) The assessment shall cover the cumulative noise impacts due to the construction works of the Project and other concurrent projects identified during the course of the EIA study.

(b) The Applicant shall carry out assessment of noise impact from construction (excluding percussive piling) of the Project during daytime, i.e. 7am to 7pm, on weekdays other than general holidays in accordance with methodology in paragraphs 5.3. and 5.4 of Annex 13 of the TM.  The criteria in Table 1B of Annex 5 of TM shall be adopted in the assessment.

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

            (d)        If the unmitigated construction noise levels are found exceeding the relevant criteria, the Applicant shall propose practicable direct mitigation measures (including movable barriers, enclosures, quieter alternative methods, re-scheduling and restricting hours of operation of noisy tasks) to minimize the impact.  If the mitigated noise levels still exceed the relevant criteria, the duration of the noise exceedance shall be given.

(e)         The Applicant shall, as far as practicable, formulate a reasonable construction programme so that no work will be required in restricted hours as defined under the Noise Control Ordinance (NCO).  In case the Applicant needs to evaluate whether construction works in restricted hours as defined under the NCO are feasible or not in the context of programming construction works, reference should be made to relevant technical memoranda issued under the NCO.  Regardless of the results of construction noise impact assessment for restricted hours, the Noise Control Authority will process Construction Noise Permit (CNP) application, if necessary, based on the NCO, the relevant technical memoranda issued under the NCO, and the contemporary conditions/situations.  This aspect should be explicitly stated in the noise chapter and the conclusions and recommendations chapter in EIA report.

             (vi)      Operational Noise Assessment

                        (a)        Fixed Noise Sources

                                     If the Project will cause impacts from any fixed noise sources, such as the ventilation systems of plants, the following assessment shall be followed.

                        (b)        Assessment of Fixed Source Noise Levels

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

(c)        Presentation of Noise Levels

The Applicant shall present the existing and future noise levels in L_eq (30 min) at the NSRs at various representative floor levels (in m P.D.) on tables and plans of suitable scale.  A quantitative assessment at the NSRs for the proposed fixed noise source(s) shall be carried out and compared against the criteria set out in Table 1A of Annex 5 of the TM.

(d)        Proposals for Noise Mitigation Measures

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

            (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 due to 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  practicable direct technical remedies in place, the Applicant shall propose, evaluate and confirm the practicability 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 agreed environmental requirements / constraints identified by the EIA study to assess the development potential of concerned sites which shall be made known to the relevant parties.

3.4.3     Water Quality Impact

3.4.3.1  The Applicant shall follow the criteria and guidelines for evaluating and assessing water pollution as stated in Annexes 6 and 14 of the TM.

3.4.3.2 The study area for the purpose of this water quality impact assessment shall include the Tai Mei Tuk Water Sports Centre, Ting Kok SSSI, Ma Shi Chau Special Area, Yim Tin Tsai (East) Fish Culture Zone and all area within Tolo Harbour and Channel Water Control Zone.

3.4.3.3 The Applicant shall identify and analyse physical, chemical and biological disruptions of marine, estuarine or fresh water system(s), drainage system, catchment area(s), stormwater channel(s) and coastal water(s) arising from the construction and operation of the Project.

3.4.3.4 The Applicant shall predict, quantify and assess any water quality impacts arising from the Project on the affected water system(s) and their sensitive receivers by proposing appropriate techniques approved by the Director.  Potential impacts shall include, but are not limited to, those arising from: the dredging and backfilling for the artificial bathing beach; sewage, wastewater and surface runoff from construction activities.

3.4.3.5 The Applicant shall address water quality impacts due to the construction phase and operational phase of the Project.  Essentially, the assessment shall address the following :

(i) Collect and review background information on affected existing and planned water systems, their respective catchments and sensitive receivers which might be affected by the Project;

(ii) Characterize water and sediment quality of the water systems and sensitive receivers, which might be affected by the Project based on existing best available information or through appropriate site survey and tests;

(iii) Identify and analyse relevant existing and planned future activities, beneficial uses and water sensitive receivers related to the affected water system(s).  The Applicant should refer to those uses specified in the relevant Outline Zoning Plan, Outline Development Plans and Layout Plans, and any other relevant published landuse plans;  

(iv) Identify pertinent water and sediment quality objectives, criteria or standards for the water system(s) and the sensitive receivers identified in (i), (ii) & (iii) above, including ecological and fisheries sensitive receivers for the assessments covered in Sections 3.4.5 and 3.4.6.

(v) Review construction methods and sequence of the Project to identify any alteration of existing shoreline or bathymetry, flow regimes, ground water levels and catchment types or areas.

(vi) Review the specific construction sequence and methods of the Project, such as, the dredging and filling methods; dredging rates.

(vii) Identify and quantify existing and likely future water and sediment pollution sources and loading (to include maintenance dredging and sand filling, if found necessary, during operational phase of the Project).  An emission inventory on the quantities and characteristics of these existing and likely future pollution sources in the study area including those from the nearby restaurants, barbecue sites, village areas, plant nursery, river stream such as Lo Tsz River etc. shall also be provided.  Field investigation and laboratory test, shall be conducted as appropriate to fill relevant information gaps.

(viii)  Predict and quantify, by mathematical modelling or other technique approved by the Director, the impacts due to the Project on the water system(s) and their sensitive receivers.  The mathematical modelling requirements are set out in Appendix C of this Study Brief.  Possible impacts include change in hydrology, flow regime, sediment erosion or deposition, water and sediment quality and the effects on the marine or aquatic organisms or fisheries due to such changes in the affected water bodies.  The prediction shall take into account and include possible different construction and operation stages of the Project. 

(ix)   Assess the cumulative impacts due to other related concurrent and planned projects, activities or pollution sources within the study area that may have a bearing on the environmental acceptability of the Project. This shall include assessing the potential cumulative water quality impacts arising from, the associated works of the Project, and other activities and planned projects to be approved by the Director.

(x)     Identify and quantify dredging, back filling, mud/ sediment transportation and disposal activities and requirements. Potential fill source and dumping ground to be involved shall also be identified.  Field investigation, sampling and laboratory tests to characterize the sediment/mud concerned shall be conducted as appropriate.  The potential release of contaminants during dredging and other marine works shall be addressed using the chemical testing results derived from sediment and marine water samples collected on site and relevant historical data.  Appropriate laboratory tests such as elutriate tests in accordance with the USACE method and sediment pore water (interstitial water) analyses shall be performed on the sediment samples to simulate and quantify the degree of mobilization of various contaminants such as metals, oxygen demand, ammonia, nutrients, trace organic contaminants (including PCBs, PAHs, TBT and chlorinated pesticides) into the water column during dredging. The ranges of parameters to be analyzed; the number, location, depth of sediment, type and methods of sampling; sample preservation; and chemical laboratory test methods to be used shall be subject to the approval of the Director. The Applicant shall also assess the pattern of the sediment deposition and the potential increase in turbidity and suspended solid levels in the water column and at the sensitive receivers due to the disturbance of sediments during dredging, back filling and dumping.

(xi) Predict, quantify and assess impacts on the hydrodynamic regime, water and sediment quality of the water system(s) and the sensitive receivers due to the activities identified above and the development of the artificial bathing beach. The prediction and quantification of impacts caused by sediment re-suspension and contaminants release shall be carried out by mathematical modelling requirements as set out in Appendix C of this Study Brief or other techniques to be approved by the Director.

(xii) Evaluate the impacts of dredging, back filling and dumping, in particular sediment re-suspension and contaminants release, and their effects on ecological sensitive receivers identified in Section 3.4.5. 

(xiii) Review, evaluate and identify best practicable dredging and backfilling methods to minimize, to the maximum extent, marine mud disturbance, the need for dumping and any demand for fill sources.  The Applicant shall work on the presumption that existing marine mud shall be left in place and not be disturbed as far as possible.  The selected method shall take into consideration the need to protect ecological sensitive receivers identified in Section 3.4.5.  The selected method shall also take into consideration the need to reduce to the maximum extent the creation of visually intrusive sediment plume to key vantage points, such as commercial buildings fronting the harbour.  Where appropriate, the effectiveness of mitigation measures to reduce the size of such plumes shall be included.

(xiv) The Applicant shall devise mitigation measures to avoid or minimize the impacts identified.  The residual impacts on the water system(s) and the sensitive receivers with regard to the relevant water and sediment quality objective, criteria, standards or guidelines shall be assessed and quantified using appropriate mathematical modelling as set out in Annex C to this Study Brief or other techniques to be approved by the Director.

(xv) Predict and quantify by mathematical modelling or other technique approved by the Director, the water quality of the Project is suitable to operate as a bathing beach with regard to the water quality objectives, criteria, standards or guidelines.

3.4.4       Waste Management Implications

3.4.4.1    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.

3.4.4.2    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 of the Project and from the surround environment such as stream and storm water drains outlets, based on the sequence and duration of these activities. The Applicant shall adopt design general layout, construction methods and programme to minimize the generation of public fill/inert C&D material and maximize the use of public fill/inert C&D material for other construction works.

(ii)     Proposal for Waste Management

(a) Prior to considering disposal options for various wastes, opportunities for reducing waste generation, on-site/off-site re-use and recycling shall be  evaluated. Measures which can be taken in planning and design stages e.g. by modifying design approach and in construction stage to maximize waste reduction shall be separately considered.

(b) After considering 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.  The disposal method recommended for each type of waste shall take into account of the result of the assessment in (c) below. The EIA report shall also state clearly the transportation routings and the frequency of the trucks/vessels involved, any barging point or conveyor system to be used, the stockpiling areas and the disposal outlets for the waste identified.

(c) The impact caused by handling (including labelling, 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.

3.4.5       Ecological Impact

3.4.5.1    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.

3.4.5.2    The assessment area for the purpose of the marine and terrestrial ecological impact assessment shall include all areas within 500m distance from the project site boundary or the areas likely to be impacted by the Project. The study should also cover the eastern part of the Ting Kok SSSI which may be affected by the Project.

3.4.5.3    In the ecological impact assessment, the Applicant shall examine the flora, fauna and other components of the ecological habitats including mangrove within the assessment area.  The aim shall be to protect, maintain or rehabilitate the natural environment. The assessment shall identify and quantify the potential ecological impacts associated with the Project.

3.4.5.4    The assessment shall include the following major tasks:

(i) review the findings of relevant studies and collate 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 and investigations of at least six months duration covering the dry and wet seasons to verify the information collected, fill the information gaps identified and fulfil 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 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;

(v) investigate and describe the existing wildlife uses of various habitats;

(vi) describe recognized sites of conservation importance in the assessment area, and assess whether these sites will be affected by the Project or not;

(vii) using suitable methodology, and considering also any works activities from other projects reasonably likely to occur at the time, identify and quantify 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, in particular the following :

(a) removal or disruption pf potentially valuable benthic communities;

(b) deterioration of disturbance to corals or other marine habitats (intertidal and subtidal) of conservation value, including any discovered during the course of the assessment;

(c) deterioration of environmental qualities (e.g. water qualities) and the subsequent impacts to the biological communities, in particular Ting Kok SSSI, Lo Tze River, conservation area and other coastal, intertidal and subtidal habitats near Lung Mei, due to construction and operation of the Project.  Water quality and hydrodynamic modelling may be needed to study the potential change in water current and/or speed and sedimentation pattern which may have adverse impacts on the ecologically sensitive habitats and species mentioned above.

(viii) identify 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 mangrove at Ting Kok SSSI shall be included as one of the sensitive receivers;

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

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

(xi) 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;

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

(xiii) evaluate the severity and acceptability of the residual ecological impacts using well-defined criteria and determine if off-site mitigation measures are necessary to mitigate the residual impacts; and

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

3.4.6     Fisheries Impact

3.4.6.1  The Applicant shall follow the criteria and guidelines for evaluating and assessing fisheries impact as stated in Annexes 9 and 17 of the TM.

3.4.6.2  The assessment area for fisheries impact assessment shall include all areas within 500m distance from the project area and any areas likely to be impacted by the Project. Special attention shall be given to the potential loss of fishing grounds and the Yim Tin Tsai (East) fish culture zone.  Existing information regarding the study area shall be reviewed.

3.4.6.3  The assessment shall cover any potential impact of the Project on both capture and culture fisheries, during construction and operation stages of the Project. The assessment shall include the following:

(i) Description of the physical environmental background;

(ii) Description and quantification as far as possible of the existing capture and culture fisheries activities;

(iii) Description and quantification as far as possible of the existing fisheries resources (e.g. major fisheries products and stocks);

(iv) Identification of parameters (e.g. water quality parameters) and areas that will be affected;

(v) Identification and quantification of any direct/indirect and onsite/offiste impacts of fisheries;

(vi) Evaluation of impacts and make recommendations for any environmental mitigation measures with details on justification, description of scope and programme, feasibility as well as staff and financial implications including those related to subsequent management and maintenance requirements of the proposals; and

(vii) Review the need for monitoring and, if necessary, recommend a monitoring auditing programme.

3.4.7     Landscape and Visual Impact

3.4.7.1  The Applicant shall follow the criteria and guidelines as stated in Annexes 10 and 18 of the TM and the EIAO Guidance Notes No.8/2002 “Preparation of Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment under EIAO” for evaluating and assessing landscape and visual impacts of the Project, including the beach buildings, works associated with the Project and possible glare light during night time. Landscape and visual impacts during both construction and operation stages within the study area shall be assessed.

3.4.7.2    Study areas for landscape impact assessment shall include areas within 100m from the Project.  Study area for visual impact assessment shall be defined by the visual envelope of the Project.  The defined visual envelope must be shown on a plan in the EIA report.

3.4.7.3  The Applicant shall review relevant Outline Zoning Plans, Outline Development Plans, Layout Plans, other relevant published land use plans, planning briefs and studies which may identify areas of high landscape value and recommend country park, coastal protection area, conservation area, open space, amenity area and green belt designations.  Any guidelines on landscape strategies, landscape frameworks, urban design concepts, special design areas, open space networks, landscape links that may affect the appreciation of the Project shall also be reviewed.  The aim is to gain an insight to the future outlook of the area so as to assess whether the project can fit into surrounding setting. Any conflict with statutory town plan(s) and any published land use plans should be highlighted and appropriate follow-up action should be recommended.

3.4.7.4  The Applicant shall describe, appraise, analyse and evaluate the existing and planned landscape resources and character of the study area.  A system shall be derived for judging landscape and visual impact significance as required under the TM and EIAO Guidance Note No.8/2002 “Preparation of Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment under EIAO”. Annotated oblique aerial photographs and plans of suitable scale showing the baseline landscape character areas and landscape resources and mapping of impact assessment shall be extensively used to present the findings of impact assessment.  Descriptive text shall provide a concise and reasoned judgment from a landscape and visual point of view.  The assessment shall be particularly focused on the sensitivity of the landscape framework and its ability to accommodate change.  The Applicant shall identify the degree of compatibility of the Project with the existing and planned landscape settings.  The landscape impact assessment shall quantify 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.  A tree survey shall be carried out and the impacts on existing trees shall be addressed.  Cumulative landscape and visual impacts of the Project with other existing, committed and planned developments in the study area shall be assessed.

3.4.7.5    The Applicant shall assess the visual impacts of the Project.  Clear illustrations including mapping of visual impact is required.  The assessment shall include :

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

(ii) identification of the key groups of sensitive receivers within the visual envelope with regard to views from both sea level, ground level and elevated vantage points;

(iii) description of the visual compatibility of the Project with the surrounding and the existing and planned setting, and its obstruction and interference with the key views of the adjacent areas; and

(iv) description of the severity of visual impacts in terms of nature, distance and number of sensitive receivers

3.4.7.6    The Applicant shall evaluate the merits of preservation in totality, in parts or total destruction of existing landscape and the establishment of a new landscape character area.  In addition, 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 shall also include consideration of potential enhancement of existing landscape and visual quality.  The Applicant shall recommend mitigation measures to minimize adverse effects identified above, including provision of a landscape design.

3.4.7.7    The mitigation measures shall include preservation of vegetation and natural coastline, transplanting of trees, provision of screen planting, re-vegetation of disturbed land, woodland restoration, compensatory planting, provisioning / 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 and planned land uses and sensitive receivers.  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.  Presentation of photomontages of the Project in the existing and planned setting illustrating the effectiveness of the proposed mitigation measures shall be included.

3.4.7.8    Annotated illustration materials such as coloured perspective drawings, plans and section/elevation diagrams, oblique aerial photographs, photographs taken at vantage points, and computer-generated photomontage shall be adopted to  illustrate the landscape and visual impacts of the Project.  In particular, the landscape and visual impacts of the Project with and without mitigation measures shall also be properly illustrated in existing and planned setting by computer-generated photomontage so as to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed mitigation measures.  Computer graphics shall be compatible with Microstation DGN file format or as agreed with the Director.  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.

3.4.8     Summary of Environmental Outcomes

             The EIA report shall contain a summary of 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.

3.4.9     Environmental Monitoring and Audit (EM&A) Requirements

3.4.9.1  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 EM&A requirements for the Project in the EIA study.

3.4.9.2  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.

3.4.9.3  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 the EIA study recommendations and mitigation measures with reference to the implementation programme.  The Project Implementation Schedule shall include the explicit agreement reached between the Applicant and relevant parties on the responsibility for funding, implementation, management and maintenance of mitigation measures.  Alternatively, the Project Implementation Schedule shall include an undertaking from the Applicant to assume the responsibility of those mitigation measures until an agreement is reached between the Applicant and relevant parties on the funding, implementation, management and maintenance of mitigation measures. 

4.         DURATION OF VALIDITY

4.1        The Applicant shall notify the Director of the commencement of the EIA study.  If the EIA study does not commence within 36 months after the date of issue of the EIA study brief, 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 sub-section 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 EIA report via EIAO Internet Website, the Applicant shall provide electronic copies of both the EIA report and 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 executive summary shall be included in the beginning of the document. Hyperlinks to figures, drawings and tables in the EIA report and executive summary shall be provided in the main text from where respective references are made.  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 sub-section 1.2 of this EIA study brief and in Project Profile (No. PP-270/2005), 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 ---

January 2006

Environmental Assessment and Noise Division,

Environmental Protection Department

Appendix B-1

Guidelines on Choice of Models and Model Parameters

[The information contained in this Appendix is meant to assist the Applicant in performing the air quality assessment.  The Applicant must exercise professional judgement in applying this general information.]

1.   Introduction

1.1  To expedite the review process by the Authority and to assist project proponents or environmental consultants with the conduct of air quality modelling exercises which are frequently called for as part of environmental impact assessment studies, this paper describes the usage and requirements of a few commonly used air quality models.

2.   Choice of models

2.1  The models which have been most commonly used in air quality impact assessments, due partly to their ease of use and partly to the quick turn-around time for results, are of Gaussian type and designed for use in simple terrain under uniform wind flow. There are circumstances when these models are not suitable for ambient concentration estimates and other types of models such as physical, numerical or mesoscale models will have to be used. In situations where topographic, terrain or obstruction effects are minimal between source and receptor, the following Gaussian models can be used to estimate the near-field impacts of a number of source types including dust, traffic and industrial emissions.

Model	Applications
FDM	for evaluating fugitive and open dust source impacts (point, line and area sources)
CALINE4	for evaluating mobile traffic emission impacts (line sources)
ISCST3	for evaluating industrial chimney releases as well as area and volumetric sources (point, area and volume sources); line sources can be approximated by a number of volume sources.

These frequently used models are also referred to as Schedule 1 models (see attached list).

2.2  Note that both FDM and CALINE4 have a height limit on elevated sources (20 m and 10m, respectively). Source of elevation above these limits will have to be modelled using the ISCST3 model or suitable alternative models. In using the latter, reference should be made to the 'Guidelines on the Use of Alternative Computer Models in Air Quality Assessment'.

2.3  The models can be used to estimate both short-term (hourly and daily average) and long-term (annual average) ambient concentrations of air pollutants. The model results, obtained using appropriate model parameters (refer to Section 3) and assumptions, allow direct comparison with the relevant air quality standards such as the Air Quality Objectives (AQOs) for the relevant pollutant and time averaging period.

3. Model input requirements

3.1  Meteorological Data

3.1.1 At least 1 year of recent meteorological data (including wind speed, wind direction, stability class, ambient temperature and mixing height) from a weather station either closest to or having similar characteristics as the study site should be used to determine the highest short-term (hourly, daily) and long-term (annual) impacts at identified air sensitive receivers in that period. The amount of valid data for the period should be no less than 90 percent.

3.1.2 Alternatively, the meteorological conditions as listed below can be used to examine the worst case short-term impacts:

Day time: stability class D; wind speed 1 m/s (at 10m height); worst-case wind angle; mixing height 500 m

Night time: stability class F; wind speed 1 m/s (at 10m height); worst case wind angle; mixing height 500 m

This is a common practice with using the CALINE4 model due to its inability to handle lengthy data set.

3.1.3  For situations where, for example, (i) the model (such as CALINE4) does not allow easy handling of one full year of meteorological data; or (ii) model run time is a concern, the followings can be adopted in order to determine the daily and annual average impacts:

(i) perform a frequency occurrence analysis of one year of meteorological data to determine the actual wind speed (to the nearest unit of m/s), wind direction (to the nearest 10^o) and stability (classes A to F) combinations and their frequency of occurrence;

(ii) (ii) determine the short term hourly impact under all of the identified wind speed, wind direction and stability combinations; and

(iii) apply the frequency data with the short term results to determine the long term (daily / annual) impacts.

Apart from the above, any alternative approach that will capture the worst possible impact values (both short term and long term) may also be considered.

3.1.4 Note that the anemometer height (relative to a datum same for the sources and receptors) at which wind speed measurements were taken at a selected station should be correctly entered in the model. These measuring positions can vary greatly from station to station and the vertical wind profile employed in the model can be grossly distorted from the real case if incorrect anemometer height is used. This will lead to unreliable concentration estimates.

3.1.5 An additional parameter, namely, the standard deviation of wind direction, σ_θ, needs to be provided as input to the CALINE4 model. Typical values of σ_θ range from 12^o for rural areas to 24^o for highly urbanised areas under 'D' class stability. For semi-rural such as new development areas, 18^o is more appropriate under the same stability condition. The following reference can be consulted for typical ranges of standard deviation of wind direction under different stability categories and surface roughness conditions.

Ref.(1): Guideline On Air Quality Models (Revised), EPA-450/2-78-027R, United States Environmental Protection Agency, July 1986.

3.2  Emission Sources

All the identified sources relevant to a process plant or a study site should be entered in the model and the emission estimated based on emission factors compiled in the AP-42 (Ref. 2) or other suitable references. The relevant sections of AP-42 and any parameters or assumptions used in deriving the emission rates (in units g/s, g/s/m or g/s/m²) as required by the model should be clearly stated for verification. The physical dimensions, location, release height and any other emission characteristics such as efflux conditions and emission pattern of the sources input to the model should also correspond to site data. If the emission of a source varies with wind speed, the wind speed-dependent factor should be entered.

Ref.(2): Compilation of Air Pollutant Emission Factors, AP-42, 5thEdition, United States Environmental Protection Agency, January 1995.

3.3  Urban/Rural Classification

Emission sources may be located in a variety of settings. For modelling purposes these are classed as either rural or urban so as to reflect the enhanced mixing that occurs over urban areas due to the presence of buildings and urban heat effects. The selection of either rural or urban dispersion coefficients in a specific application should follow a land use classification procedure. If the land use types including industrial, commercial and residential uses account for 50% or more of an area within 3 km radius from the source, the site is classified as urban; otherwise, it is classed as rural.

3.4  Surface Roughness Height

This parameter is closely related to land use characteristics of a study area and associated with the roughness element height. As a first approximation, the surface roughness can be estimated as 3 to 10 percent of the average height of physical structures. Typical values used for urban and new development areas are 370 cm and 100 cm, respectively.

3.5  Receptors

These include discrete receptors representing all the identified air sensitive receivers at their appropriate locations and elevations and any other discrete or grid receptors for supplementary information. A receptor grid, whether Cartesian or Polar, may be used to generate results for contour outputs.

3.6  Particle Size Classes

In evaluating the impacts of dust-emitting activities, suitable dust size categories relevant to the dust sources concerned with reasonable breakdown in TSP (< 30 μgm) and RSP (< 10 μgm) compositions should be used.

3.7  NO₂ to NOx Ratio

The conversion of NOx to NO₂ is a result of a series of complex photochemical reactions and has implications on prediction of near field impacts of traffic emissions. Until further data are available, three approaches are currently acceptable in the determination of NO₂:

(a) Ambient Ratio Method (ARM) - assuming 20% of NOx to be NO₂; or

(b) Discrete Parcel Method (DPM, available in the CALINE4 model); or

(c) Ozone Limiting Method (OLM) - assuming the tailpipe NO₂ emission to be 7.5% of NOx and the background ozone concentration to be in the range of 57 to 68 μg/m³ depending on the land use type (see also EPD reference paper 'Guidelines on Assessing the 'TOTAL' Air Quality Impacts').

3.8  Odour Impact

In assessing odour impacts, a much shorter time-averaging period of 5 seconds is required due to the shorter exposure period tolerable by human receptors. Conversion of model computed hourly average results to 5-second values is therefore necessary to enable comparison against recommended standard. The hourly concentration is first converted to 3-minute average value according to a power law relationship which is stability dependent (Ref. 3) and a result of the statistical nature of atmospheric turbulence. Another conversion factor (10 for unstable conditions and 5 for neutral to stable conditions) is then applied to convert the 3-minute average to 5-second average (Ref. 4). In summary, to convert the hourly results to 5-second averages, the following factors can be applied:

Stability Category	1-hour to 5-sec Conversion Factor
A & B	45
C	27
D	9

Under 'D' class stability, the 5-second concentration is approximately 10 times the hourly average result. Note, however, that the combined use of such conversion factors together with the ISCST results may not be suitable for assessing the extreme close-up impacts of odour sources.

Ref.(3): Richard A. Duffee, Martha A. O' Brien and Ned Ostojic, 'Odor Modeling - Why and How', Recent Developments and Current Practices in Odor Regulations, Controls and Technology, Air & Waste Management Association, 1991.

Ref.(4): A.W.C. Keddie, 'Dispersion of Odours', Odour Control - A Concise Guide, Warren Spring Laboratory, 1980.

3.9 Plume Rise Options

The ISCST3 model provides by default a list of the U.S. regulatory options for concentration calculations. These are all applicable to the Hong Kong situations except for the 'Final Plume Rise' option. As the distance between sources and receptors are generally fairly close, the non-regulatory option of 'Gradual Plume Rise' should be used instead to give more accurate estimate of near-field impacts due to plume emission. However, the 'Final Plume Rise' option may still be used for assessing the impacts of distant sources.

3.10 Portal Emissions

These include traffic emissions from tunnel portals and any other similar openings and are generally modelled as volume sources according to the PIARC 91 (or more up-to-date version) recommendations (Ref. 5, section III.2). For emissions arising from underpasses or any horizontal openings of the like, these are treated as area or point sources depending on the source physical dimensions. In all these situations, the ISCST3 model or more sophisticated models will have to be used instead of the CALINE4 model. In the case of portal emissions with significant horizontal exit velocity which cannot be handled by the ISCST3 model, the impacts may be estimated by the TOP model (Ref. 6) or any other suitable models subject to prior agreement with EPD. The EPD's 'Guidelines on the Use of Alternative Computer Models in Air Quality Assessment' should also be referred to.

Ref.(5): XIXth World Road Congress Report, Permanent International Association of Road Congresses (PIARC), 1991.

Ref.(6): N. Ukegunchi, H. Okamoto and Y. Ide "Prediction of vehicular emission pollution around a tunnel mouth", Proceedings 4th International Clean Air Congress, pp. 205-207, Tokyo, 1977

3.11 Background Concentrations

Background concentrations are required to account for far-field sources which cannot be estimated by the model. These values, to be used in conjunction with model results for assessing the total impacts, should be based on long term average of monitoring data at location representative of the study site. Refer to EPD reference paper 'Guidelines on Assessing the 'TOTAL' Air Quality Impacts' for further information.

3.12 Output

The highest short-term and long-term averages of pollutant concentrations at prescribed receptor locations are output by the model and to be compared against the relevant air quality standards specified for the relevant pollutant. Contours of pollutant concentration are also required for indicating the general impacts of emissions over a study area.

Copies of model files in electronic format should also be provided for EPD's reference.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Schedule 1

Air Quality Models Generally Accepted by Hong Kong Environmental Protection Department

For Regulatory Applications as at 1 July 1998*

Industrial Source Complex Dispersion Model - Short Term Version 3 (ISCST3) or the latest version developed by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA)

California Line Source Dispersion Model Version 4 (CALINE4) or the latest version developed by Department of Transportation, State of California, U.S.A.

Fugitive Dust Model (FDM) or the latest version developed by USEPA.

* EPD is continually reviewing the latest development in air quality models and will update this Schedule accordingly.

Appendix B-2

Guidelines on Assessing the “Total” Air Quality Impacts

[The information contained in this Appendix is meant to assist the Applicant in performing the air quality assessment.  The Applicant must exercise professional judgement in applying this general information.]

1. Total Impacts - 3 Major Contributions

1.1 In evaluating the air quality impacts of a proposed project upon air sensitive receivers, contributions from three classes of emission sources depending on their distance from the site should be considered. These are:

Primary contributions:	project induced
Secondary contributions:	pollutant-emitting activities in the immediate neighbourhood
Other contributions:	pollution not accounted for by the previous two (Background contributions)

2. Nature of Emissions

2.1 Primary contributions

In most cases, the project-induced emissions are fairly well defined and quite often (but not necessarily) the major contributor to local air quality impacts. Examples include those due to traffic network, building or road construction projects.

2.2 Secondary contributions

Within the immediate neighbourhood of the project site, there are usually pollutant emitting activities contributing further to local air quality impacts. For most local scale projects, any emission sources in an area within 500m radius of the project site with notable impacts should be identified and included in an air quality assessment to cover the short-range contributions. In the exceptional cases where there is one or more significant sources nearby, the study area may have to be extended or alternative estimation approach employed to ensure these impacts are reasonably accounted for.

2.3 Background contributions

The above two types of emission contributions should account for, to a great extent, the air quality impacts upon local air sensitive receivers, which are often amenable to estimation by the 'Gaussian Dispersion' type of models. However, a background air quality level should be prescribed to indicate the baseline air quality in the region of the project site, which would account for any pollution not covered by the two preceding contributions. The emission sources contributing to the background air quality would be located further afield and not easy to identify. In addition, the transport mechanism by which pollutants are carried over long distances (ranging from 1km up to tens or hundreds of kms) is rather complex and cannot be adequately estimated by the 'Gaussian' type of models.

3. Background Air Quality - Estimation Approach

3.1 The approach

In view of the difficulties in estimating background air quality using the air quality models currently available, an alternative approach based on monitored data is suggested. The essence of this approach is to adopt the long-term (5-year) averages of the most recent monitored air quality data obtained by EPD. These background data would be reviewed yearly or biennially depending on the availability of the monitored data. The approach is a first attempt to provide a reasonable estimate of the background air quality level for use in conjunction with EIA air quality assessment to address the cumulative impacts upon a locality. This approach may be replaced or supplemented by superior modelling efforts such as that entailed in PATH (Pollutants in the Atmosphere and their Transport over Hong Kong), a comprehensive territory-wide air quality modelling system currently being developed for Hong Kong. Notwithstanding this, the present approach is based on measured data and their long term regional averages; the background values so derived should therefore be indicative of the present background air quality. In the absence of any other meaningful way to estimate a background air quality for the future, this present background estimate should also be applied to future projects as a first attempt at a comprehensive estimate until a better approach is formulated.

3.2 Categorisation

The monitored air quality data, by 'district-averaging' are further divided into three categories, viz, Urban, Industrial and Rural/New Development. The background pollutant concentrations to be adopted for a project site would depend on the geographical constituency to which the site belongs. The categorisation of these constituencies is given in Section 3.4. The monitoring stations suggested for the 'district-averaging' (arithmetic means) to derive averages for the three background air quality categories are listed as follows:

Urban:  Kwun Tong, Sham Shui Po, Tsim Sha Tsui and Central/Western Industrial: Kwun Tong, Tsuen Wan and Kwai Chung Rural/New Development: Sha Tin, Tai Po, Junk Bay, Hong Kong South and Yuen Long

The averaging would make use of data from the above stations wherever available. The majority of the monitoring stations are located some 20m above ground.

3.3 Background pollutant values

Based on the above approach, background values for the 3 categories have been obtained for a few major air pollutants as follows:

POLLUTANT	URBAN	INDUSTRIAL	RURAL/NEW DEVELOPMENT
NO2	59	57	39
SO2	21	26	13
O3	62	68	57
TSP	98	96	87

All units are in micrograms per cubic metre. The above values are derived from 1992 to 1996 annual averages with the exception of ozone which represent annual average of daily hourly maximum values for year 1996.

In cases where suitable air quality monitoring data representative of the study site such as those obtained from a nearby monitoring station or on-site sampling are not available for the prescription of background air pollution levels, the above tabulated values can be adopted instead. Strictly speaking, the suggested values are only appropriate for long term assessment. However, as an interim measure and until a better approach is formulated, the same values can also be used for short term assessment. This implies that the short term background values will be somewhat under-estimated, which compensates for the fact that some of the monitoring data are inherently influenced by secondary sources because of the monitoring station location.

Indeed, if good quality on-site sampling data which cover at least one year period are available, these can be used to derive both the long term (annual) and short term (daily / hourly) background values, the latter are usually applied on an hour to hour, day to day basis.

3.4 Site categories

The categories to which the 19 geographical constituencies belong are listed as follows:

DISTRICT	AIR QUALITY CATEGORY
Islands	Rural/New Development
Southern	Rural/New Development
Eastern	Urban
Wan Chai	Urban
Central & Western	Urban
Sai Kung	Rural/New Development
Kwun Tong	Industrial
Wong Tai Sin	Urban
Kowloon City	Urban
Yau Tsim	Urban
Mong Kok	Urban
Sham Shui Po	Urban
Kwai Tsing	Industrial
Sha Tin	Rural/New Development
Tsuen Wan	Industrial
Tuen Mun	Rural/New Development
Tai Po	Rural/New Development
Yuen Long	Rural/New Development
Northern	Rural/New Development

3.5 Provisions for “double-counting”

The current approach is, by no means, a rigorous treatment of background air quality but aims to provide an as-realistic-as-possible approximation based on limited field data. 'Double-counting' of 'secondary contributions' may be apparent through the use of such 'monitoring-based' background data as some of the monitoring stations are of close proximity to existing emission sources. 'Primary contributions' due to a proposed project (which is yet to be realised) will not be double-counted by such an approach. In order to avoid over-estimation of background pollutant concentrations, an adjustment to the values given in section 3.3 is possible and optional by multiplying the following factor:

(1.0 - E_{Secondary contributions}/E_Territory) where E stands for emission.

The significance of this factor is to eliminate the fractional contribution to background pollutant level of emissions due to 'secondary contributions' out of those from the entire territory. In most cases, this fractional contribution to background pollutant levels by the secondary contributions is minimal.

4. Conclusions

4.1 The above described approach to estimating the total air quality impacts of a proposed project, in particular the background pollutant concentrations for air quality assessment, should be adopted with immediate effect. Use of short term monitoring data to prescribe the background concentrations is no longer acceptable.

Appendix B-3

Guidelines on the Use of Alternative Computer Models in Air Quality Assessment

[The information contained in this Appendix is meant to assist the Applicant in performing the air quality assessment.  The Applicant must exercise professional judgement in applying this general information.]

1. Background

1.1 In Hong Kong, a number of Gaussian plume models are commonly employed in regulatory applications such as application for specified process licences and environmental impact assessments (EIAs). These frequently used models (as listed in Schedule 1 attached; hereafter referred to as Schedule 1 models) have no regulatory status but form the basic set of tools for local-scale air quality assessment in Hong Kong.

1.2 However, no single model is sufficient to cover all situations encountered in regulatory applications. In order to ensure that the best model available is used for each regulatory application and that a model is not arbitrarily applied, the project proponent (and/or its environmental consultants) should assess the capabilities of various models available and adopt one that is most suitable for the project concerned.

1.3 Examples of situations where the use of an alternative model is warranted include:

(i) complexity of situation to be modelled far exceeds capability of Schedule 1 models; and

(ii) performance of an alternative model is comparable or better than the Schedule 1 models.

1.4 This paper outlines the demonstration / submission required in order to support the use of an alternative air quality model for regulatory applications for Hong Kong.

2. Required Demonstration / Submission

2.1 Any model that is proposed for air quality applications and not listed amongst the Schedule 1 models will be considered by EPD on a case-by-case basis. In such cases, the proponent will have to provide the followings for EPD's review:

(i) Technical details of the proposed model; and
(ii) Performance evaluation of the proposed model

Based on the above information, EPD will determine the acceptability of the proposed model for a specific or general applications. The onus of providing adequate supporting materials rests entirely with the proponent.

2.2 To provide technical details of the proposed model, the proponent should submit documents containing at least the following information:

(i) mathematical formulation and data requirements of the model;
(ii) any previous performance evaluation of the model; and
(iii) a complete set of model input and output file(s) in commonly used electronic format.

2.3 On performance evaluation, the required approach and extent of demonstration varies depending on whether a Schedule 1 model is already available and suitable in simulating the situation under consideration. In cases where no Schedule 1 model is found applicable, the proponent must demonstrate that the proposed model passes the screening test as set out in USEPA Document "Protocol for Determining the Best Performing Model"

2.4 For cases where a Schedule 1 model is applicable to the project under consideration but an alternative model is proposed for use instead, the proponent must demonstrate either that

(i) the highest and second highest concentrations predicted by the proposed model are within 2 percent of the estimates obtained from an applicable Schedule 1 model (with appropriate options chosen) for all receptors for the project under consideration; or

(ii) the proposed model has superior performance against an applicable Schedule 1 model based on the evaluation procedure set out in USEPA Document "Protocol for Determining the Best Performing Model"

2.5 Should EPD find the information on technical details alone sufficient to indicate the acceptability of the proposed model, information on further performance evaluation as specified in Sections 2.3 and 2.4 above would not be necessary.

2.6 If the proposed model is an older version of one of the Schedule 1 models or was previously included in Schedule 1, the technical documents mentioned in Section 2.2 are normally not required. However, a performance demonstration of equivalence as stated in Section 2.4 (i) would become necessary.

2.7 If EPD is already in possession of some of the documents that describe the technical details of the proposed model, submission of the same by the proponent is not necessary. The proponent may check with EPD to avoid sending in duplicate information.

Schedule 1 - Air Quality Models Generally Accepted by Hong Kong Environmental Protection Department For Regulatory Applications as at 1 July 1998*

Industrial Source Complex Dispersion Model - Short Term Version 3 (ISCST3) or the latest version developed by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA)

California Line Source Dispersion Model Version 4 (CALINE4) or the latest version developed by Department of Transportation, State of California, U.S.A.

Fugitive Dust Model (FDM) or the latest version developed by USEPA.

* EPD is continually reviewing the latest development in air quality models and will update this Schedule accordingly.

Appendix C

Water Quality Modelling Requirements

1.       Modelling software general

1.1     The modelling software shall be fully 3-dimensional capable of accurately simulating the stratified condition, and salinity transport, and effect of wind and tide within the model area.

1.2     The modelling software shall consist of hydrodynamic, water quality, sediment transport and particle dispersion modules.  All modules shall have been proven with successful applications locally and overseas.

1.3     All modules shall be strictly mass conserved at all levels.

2.       Model details – Calibration & Validation

2.1     No field data collection is required for model calibration for this study.  However, the models shall be properly calibrated and validated before its use in this study in the marine waters in the area including the Tolo Harbour & Channel Water Control Zone, as defined under the WPCO, with the field data collected by :-

· Update on Cumulative Water Quality and Hydrological Effect of Coastal Developments and Upgrading of Assessment Tool (1998)

· EPD’s routine monitoring data

· Tidal data from HK Observatory

2.2     Tidal data shall be calibrated and validated in both frequency and time domain manner.

2.3     For the purpose of calibration and validation, the model shall run for not less than 15 days of real sequence of tide (excluding model spin up) in both dry and wet seasons with due consideration of the time required to establish initial conditions.

2.4     In general the hydrodynamic models shall be calibrated to the following criteria:

Criteria

with field data Level of fitness

· tidal elevation (root mean square)                                 < 8 %

· maxi. phase error at HW and LW                                < 20 minutes

· maxi. current speed deviation                                       < 30 %

· maximum phase error at peak speed                             < 20 minutes

· maximum direction error at peak speed                        < 15 degrees

· maximum salinity deviation                                            < 2.5 ppt

3.       Model details – Simulation

3.1 The water quality modeling results shall be qualitatively explainable, and any identifiable trend and variations in water quality shall be reproduced by the model.  The water quality model shall be able to simulate and take account of the interaction of dissolved oxygen, phytoplankton, organic and inorganic nitrogen, phosphorus, silicate, BOD, temperature, suspended solids, E. Coli, air-water exchange, contaminants release of dredged and disposal material, and benthic processes.  It shall also simulate salinity.  Salinity results simulated by hydrodynamic models and water quality models shall be demonstrated to be consistent.

3.2 The sediment transport model for assessing impacts of sediment loss due to marine works shall incorporate the processes of settling, deposition and re-erosion.  The values of the modeling parameters shall be agreed with EPD.  Contaminants release and DO depletion during dredging, sand filling and dumping shall be simulated by the model.

3.3 The models shall at least cover the Hong Kong waters, the Pearl Estuary and the Dangan (Lema) Channel to incorporate all major influences on hydrodynamic and water quality.  A fine grid model can be used for detailed assessment of this study.  It shall either be linked to a far field model or form part of a larger model by gradual grid refinement.  The coverage of the fine grid model shall be properly designed such that it is remote enough so that the boundary conditions would not be affected by the proposed project.  The model coverage area shall be agreed with EPD.  For indicative purpose, it shall cover the Tolo Harbour & Channel Water Control Zone as defined under the WPC

3.4     OIn general, grid size at the area affected by the Project shall be less than 400 m in open waters and less than 75 m around sensitive receivers.  The grid schematisation shall be agreed with EPD. 

4.       Modelling assessment

4.1 Scenarios to be assessed shall cover all phases of development being considered, including the construction and operation phases of the project.  Where appropriate, the assessment shall also include maintenance dredging and sand filling.  Scenarios to be assessed shall cover the baseline condition and various options proposed by the Applicant in order to quantify the environmental impacts and improvements that will be brought about by these options.  Corresponding pollution load generated from dredging and dumping works, bathymetry and coastline shall be adopted in the model set up.

4.2 Hydrodynamic and water quality models shall be run for (with proper model spin up) at least a real sequence of 15 days spring-neap tidal cycle in both dry season and wet season.

4.3 The results shall be assessed for compliance of Water Quality Objectives.  Any changes in hydrodynamic regime shall be assessed.  Daily erosion / sedimentation rate shall be computed and its ecological impact shall be assessed.

4.4 The impact on all sensitive receivers shall be assessed.

4.5 Cumulative impacts due to other projects, activities or pollution sources within a boundary to the agreement of EPD shall be predicted and quantified.

4.6 All modelling input data and results shall be submitted in digital media to EPD.

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Appendix D

IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE

	EM&A		Location/Duration of measures/	Implementation	Implementation Stage **				Relevant Legislation &
EIA* Ref.	Log Ref.	Environmental Protection Measures*	Timing of completion of measures	Agent	Des	C	O	Dec	Guidelines

*             All recommendations and requirements resulted during the course of EIA Process, including ACE and/or accepted public comment to the proposed project.

**           Des=Design; C=Construction; O=Operation; Dec=Decommissioning