Improvements to

San Tin Interchange (Contract No. HY/2004/09)

Monthly Environmental Monitoring & Audit Report

Report No. 1526

August July 2007

1 Environmental Status. 1

1.1 Works undertaken during the Reporting Period. 1

1.2 Environmental Permit and Licences. 1

1.3 Environmental Document Submissions to EPD.. 2

1.4 Environmental Monitoring Locations. 2

2 Environmental Measures and Implementation Status. 2

3 Monitoring Results. 2

3.1 Noise Monitoring. 2

3.2 Water Quality Monitoring. 4

3.3 Landscape and Visual Resources. 4

3.4 Ad-hoc Air Quality Monitoring. 4

3.5 Waste Management 4

4 Environmental Audits. 4

4.1 Site Inspection and Audit 4

4.2 Environmental Exceedance. 5

4.3 Environmental Non-compliance. 5

4.4 Environmental Complaint and Prosecution. 5

5 Forecast and Schedule. 5

5.1 Key Issues for the Coming Months. 5

5.2 Monitoring Schedules for the Next Month. 5

6 Conclusion. 5

List of Annexes

Annex A Contractor’s Works Programme

Annex B Mitigation Measures Checklist

Annex C Calibration Certificates

Annex D Noise Monitoring Results

Annex E Water Quality Visual Inspection Reports

Annex F Landscape & Visual Resources Inspection Reports

Annex G Weekly Site Inspection Reports

Annex H Notification of Environmental Exceedances and Non-Compliance Forms

Annex I Action and Limit Levels

Annex J Cumulative Statistics on Complaints, Notifications of Summons and Successful Prosecutions

List of Tables

Table 1.1 Details of Permits and Licenses issued in July 2007

Table 1.2 Summary of Environmental Submissions to EPD in July 2007

Table 1.3 Noise Monitoring Stations

Table 3.1 Summary of Noise Monitoring Results during Normal Working Hours

Table 3.2 Summary of Noise Monitoring Results during Restricted Hours – General holidays (including Sundays) during the day-time and evening (0700-2300 hours)

Table 3.3 Summary of Waste Disposal for July 2007

Table 5.1 Proposed Noise Monitoring Schedule for August 2007

List of Figures

Figure 1 Site Plan & Locations of Noise and Air Quality Monitoring Stations

Executive Summary

Atkins China Limited (ACL) has been appointed by Chun Wo Construction & Engineering Co., Ltd. to implement the Environmental Monitoring and Audit (EM&A) programme for the construction works under Contract No. HY/2004/09 Improvements to San Tin Interchange (hereinafter, the Project).

The construction of the Project commenced since 21^st June 2005. This report is the fourteenth fiftwenty sixth monthly EM&A report for the Project which summarises the monitoring results and audit findings during the reporting period from 1^st July 2007 to 331^st 1^st AugustJuly 2007.

Environmental Monitoring and Audit Progress

The monthly EM&A programme was undertaken in accordance with the EM&A Manual. A summary of the monitoring activities in this reporting period is listed below:

· Weekly site inspections were undertaken jointly with the Contractor and Engineer’s Representative (ER) on 50^th, 12^th, 17^th, 26^th and 31^st JulyAugust 2007. The Independent Environmental Checker (IEC) joined the site inspection on 26^th July 2007.

· Noise monitoring at three designated monitoring stations was undertaken on 3^rd1^st, 9^th, 201^th, 26^th, 17^th, 23^rdand 30^th 30^th August July 2007 during normal working hours; and on 15^th 31^st AugustJuly 2007 during the restricted hour period when there were construction activities scheduled during that period. Also, o One ad-hoc monitoring was undertaken on 12^th August 2006 in response to following an exceedance of lLimit lLevel recorded on 11^th August 2006.

· Visual site surveillance for water quality was undertaken three times a week.

· Site inspections for landscape and visual resources were undertaken on 178^th and 30288^th August July 2007.

Breaches of Action and Limit Levels

There was seven one environmental exceedance recorded during the reporting period, of which six were recorded during restricted hours noise monitoring on 15^th 31^st AugustJuly 2007. However, , and one was recorded during normal working hours noise monitoring on 11^th August 2006.

For the restricted hours noise monitoring,this exceedance was proved not to have been caused by the site activities of the Contractor and was attributable to the high ambient traffic noise from San Tin Highway.

Environmental Non-Compliance

No environmental non-compliances were received during this reporting period.

There was one The environmental exceedance recorded during and one non-compliance regarding to the normal working hours noise monitoring was due to the measured Leq (30min) at on Monitoring Station CM1 was found to exceeding the Limit Level of 75dB(A), which was not in compliance with the requirements mentioned in EIA Report and EM&A Manual. During the measurement period, concrete breaking using a breaker was being undertaken at the Slip Road A works area at side of San Tin Highway. The Contractor was advised to stop the concrete breaking works in the concerned area immediately to avoid further exceedances. Following the Event and Action Plan for construction noise, additional noise measurement was conducted on the following day (12^th August 2006) during which no concrete breaking activity was being undertaken. The measured Leq (30min) noise level was found to be 67dB(A). Thus, the Contractor was advised to provide mitigation measures as necessary such as and reminded that movable noise barriers should be provided to avoid exceedances caused by prior to any further site concrete breaking works in the concerned area following the recommendations in Section 3.47 and Figure 3.5 of the Project EIA Report. Further to discussion with the Contractor, no further concrete breaking activities will be required in the concerned area. Following the Event and Action Plan for construction noise, additional noise measurement was conducted on the following day (12^th August 2006) in which no concrete breaking activity was being undertaken. The measured Leq (30min) noise level was found to be 67dB(A).

Complaint Log

No environmental complaints were received during this reporting period.

Notifications of Summons and Prosecutions

There were no notifications of summons or prosecutions received during this reporting period.

Reporting Changes

This report has been developed in compliance with the reporting requirements for the subsequent monthly EM&A reports as required by the Project EM&A Manual.

Future Key Issues

The key issues with respect to the works in the forthcoming 2 months include:

· Laying of drainage pipes;

· Road widening works;

· Trench works;

· Landscaping works;

· Road paving; and

· Installation of railings.

1 Environmental Status

1.1 Works undertaken during the Reporting Period

The major construction activities undertaken during this reporting period are summarised below:

· Bored piling;

· Laying of drainage pipes;

· Road widening works;

· Trench works;

· Landscaping works;

· Road paving; and

· Installation of railings.

The site plan of the Project is shown in Figure 1. The Contractor’s works programme is provided in Annex A.

1.2 Environmental Permit and Licences

There were no changes or clarification to the Environmental Permit (EP-190/2004) during the reporting period.

Seven Two Construction Noise Permits (CNP) were issued in July 2007. Details of the CNPs are summarised in Table 1.1. One CNP (Permit No. PP-RN0026-06) for carrying out percussive piling works from 15^th August 2006 to 13^th November 2006 was issued on 31^st July 2006 and received by the Contractor in August 2006.

Table 1.1 Details of Permits and Licenses issued in August July 2007

Permit / License	Reference No.	Issue Date	Expiry Date
CNP for general construction work	GW-RN0289-07	6^th July 2007	5^th November 2007
CNP for general construction work	GW-RN0317-07	23^rd July 2007	18^th October 2007

Construction Noise Permit for general construction work	GW-RN0427-06	22^nd August 2006	3^rd March 2007
Construction Noise Permit for general construction work	GW-RN0428-06	23^rd August 2006	10^th March 2007
Construction Noise Permit for general construction work	GW-RN0431-06	24^th August 2006	7^th September 2006
Construction Noise Permit for general construction work	GW-RN0435-06	29^th August 2006	30^th September 2006
Construction Noise Permit for general construction work	GW-RN0436-06	29^th August 2006	11^th October 2006

1.3 Environmental Document Submissions to EPD

A summary of the status of the submissions to EPD as provided during the month of August July 2007 is presented in Table 1.2.

Table 1.2 Summary of Environmental Submissions to EPD in August July 2007

Item No.	Document Title	Date of Submission
1	Monthly EM&A Report No. 25 for June 2007	13^th July 2007

1.4 Environmental Monitoring Locations

Noise monitoring was undertaken at three monitoring stations CM1, CM2 and CM3. The locations are shown on Figure 1. Description of these monitoring stations is provided in Table 1.3.

Table 1.3 Noise Monitoring Stations

Monitoring Station ID	Description	Easting	Northing
CM1	Village house near San Tin Highway	826133	839839
CM2	Village house near San Tin Highway	826291	839918
CM3	Village house near Kwu Tung Road	826605	840076

2 Environmental Measures and Implementation Status

The mitigation measures listed in the Project EIA Report, EM&A Manual and Environmental Permit and the implementation status are provided in Annex B.

In this reporting period, fast growing native trees and shrub mixes trees were being planted at the slope surface adjacent to West Abutment as compensation for the removal / disturbance area.

Based on site inspection findings, the Contractor has implemented the required mitigation measures during construction works to date in general.

3 Monitoring Results

3.1 Noise Monitoring

3.1.1 Noise Monitoring Equipment

Details of the noise monitoring equipment are listed below and the calibration certificates are presented in Annex C:

· Sound level meter ONO-SOKKI LA-5110

· Acoustical calibrator ONO-SOKKI SC-2110

· Hand-held anemometer

3.1.2 Noise Monitoring Methodology

The sound level meter was calibrated with an acoustical calibrator prior to each measurement. It was set on a tripod at 1.2 m above local ground level at the monitoring station. Measurement of the A-weighted L_{eq(30 minutes)} noise level for normal daytime hours was undertaken. Three consecutive A-weighted L_{eq(5 minutes)} noise levels were measured for restricted hours monitoring. Wind speed was checked during the monitoring period using the hand-held anemometer to ensure steady wind speed did not exceed 5 m/s, or gusts did not exceed 10 m/s. After the noise measurement the sound level meter was re-calibrated using the acoustical calibrator.

3.1.3 Noise Monitoring Results

Noise monitoring was undertaken on a weekly basis when noise generating activities were underway. The noise monitoring results obtained in August July 2007, during the normal working hours, and restricted hours from 0700 to 2300 hours on general holidays and restricted hours from 2300 to 0700 hours of next day are summarised in Table 3.1 and Table 3.2,3 respectively. Noise monitoring during restricted hours from 1900 to 2300 hours on normal working days and 2300 to 0700 hours of next day was not carried out as there were no construction activities during these time periods.

There was were no environmental exceedances of the Actione and Limit Levels for environmental exceedance of the Action and Limit Levels for noise monitoring recorded during the normal daytime hours within the reporting period and but six one notification of exceedance was reported during the rrestricted hours.

Details of the monitoring time period and weather condition during the monitoring period and the graphical presentation of the noise monitoring results are provided in Annex D.

Table 3.1 Summary of Noise Monitoring Results during Normal Working Hours

Date of Monitoring	Normal Hours. Noise Monitoring Results Leq(30 minutes) dB(A)
	CM1	CM2	CM3
3^rd July 2007	68	72	64
9^th July 2007	67	71	66
20^th July 2007	66	72	63
26^th July 2007	66	71	62
30^th July 2007	66	71	65

Remark:

(1) CM2 is a non-façade measurement location. A positive correction of 3dB(A) has been applied to the measured noise level at CM2 according to EPD’s guideline.

Table 3.2 Summary of Noise Monitoring Results during Restricted Hours – General holidays (including Sundays) during the day-time and evening (0700-2300 hours)

Date of Monitoring	Restricted Hours Noise Monitoring Results Leq(15 minutes) dB(A)
	CM1	CM2	CM3
15^th July 2007	65	69	62

Remark:

(1) CM2 is a non-façade measurement location. A positive correction of 3dB(A) has been applied to the measured noise level at CM2 according to EPD’s guideline.

(2) Underlined figure indicates an exceedance of the Limit Level of 65dB(A).

Date of Monitoring	Restricted Hours Noise Monitoring Results Leq(15 minutes) dB(A)
	CM1	CM2	CM3
17^th August 2006	65	69	59 (18^th August 2006)
31^st August 2006	65	6970	5955 (1^st September 2006)

Remark:

(1) CM2 is a non-façade measurement location. A positive correction of 3dB(A) has been applied to the measured noise level at CM2 according to EPD’s guideline.

(1) Underlined figure indicates exceedance of the Limit Level of 50dB(A).

(1) Time of measurement at CM3 started after 23:59 hours (midnight) of Tthe “Date of Monitoring” stated in the table. Therefore, the “Date of Monitoring” for CM3 refers to 18^th and 1^st September 2006, respectively refers to the date of which nighttime noise monitoring started.

3.2 Water Quality Monitoring

Visual site surveillances for water quality were undertaken three times a week. Based on the visual inspection results, the Contractor has followed all necessary site practices for the maintenance of the site drainage system, including:

· removal of stagnant water pools;

· removal of spoil inside drainage ditch to maintain free water flow; and

· Proper coverage of the exposed slope surfaces to prevent soil being washed down by rain.

The details of the water quality visual inspection reports are provided in Annex E.

3.3 Landscape and Visual Resources

Two site inspections on the landscape and visual resources were undertaken in August July 2007.

During the inspections, overgrown weeds that were observed in the transplantation nurseries in N1 and N2 Division areas during the last reporting period were observed to have been cleared out during this reporting period. Broken sandbags barrier that was found at the transplantation nursery in the N1 Division during the last reporting period has been replaced and arranged properly. Several trees in the transplantation nurseries in N1 and N2 Division were found to be dead, respectively. Compensatory measures should be undertaken. The Contractor was also reminded to take concern on tree growth to prevent tree death inside the nurseries. The uprooted tree that was found in N2 Division during inspection in the previous reporting period was still not yet rectified. The Contractor was reminded again to reinstate all trees to upright position. The illegible / missing tree identification labels that were found in the nurseries during the previous reporting period were still not replaced. The Contractor was reminded again to replace all defective tree identification labels. Temporary protective fencings for the transplantation nursery in N2 Division that were found broken during the previous reporting period were still not yet rectified. The Contractor was reminded again to replace the broken fencings to properly protect the transplantation nursery.

Sandbags barrier encircling the transplantation nursery in the N1 Division area was seen to have been damaged. Some construction materials were seen to have accumulated on top of the soil surface inside the nursery. The Contractor was reminded to clear up the construction materials and place them in an appropriate storage area. Damaged sandbags should be replaced by new ones to contain the soil inside the nursery and prevent soil erosion.

Several trees inside the transplantation nursery in the N2 Division aArea were found to have fallen down during the inspection on 15^th September 2006 due to the typhoon event in early August 2006 and mid-September 2006. The Contractor was reminded to replant these trees in the nursery to ensure their survival. The fallen trees were observed to have been replanted during inspection on 27^th September 2006.

The details of the landscape and visual resources inspection reports are provided in Annex F.

3.4 Ad-hoc Air Quality Monitoring

No ad-hoc air quality monitoring was required during the reporting period.

3.5 Waste Management

The Contractor has adopted a trip ticket system for the disposal of construction wastes. According to the records provided by the Contractor, the disposal of construction waste within the reporting period is summarised in Table 3.3Table 3.4Table 3.4Table 3.3.

Table 3.3443 Summary of Waste Disposal for JulyAugust 2007

Waste Type	Destination	No. of Trips	Quantity
C&D Waste	NENT Landfill	53	265 m^3
C&D Waste	WENT Landfill	4	20 m^3
Building debris	CEDD’s Tuen Mun Area 38 Fill Bank	128	640 m^3
Chemical Toilet Waste	Collected by Proenvironmental Services Ltd.	13	-
Sewage Holding Tank Waste	Collected by Waylung Waste Services Ltd.	13	-

4 Environmental Audits

4.1 Site Inspection and Audit

Site inspections were undertaken on 50^th, 12^th, 17^th, 26^th and 31^st JulyAugust 2007, and jointly with the IEC on 26^th JulyAugust 2007. Specific locations within the site were identified during the inspection for improvements in proper implementation of the environmental mitigation measures. These include:

· Removal and disposal of spoil inside the drain ditch to maintain free water flow.

· Water-spraying the unpaved haul road to prevent dust emissions.

· Well coverage of stockpile of soil and exposed slope surface with tarpaulin to prevent dust emissions and soil being washed down by rain.

· Removal and storage with proper coverage of cement powder to prevent dust emissions.

· Prompt removal of stagnant water pools to prevent mosquito breeding.

The record of the weekly site inspection findings is provided in Annex G.

4.2 Environmental Exceedance

During the reporting period, there was seven one record of exceedance of the Limit Level. Six of which were noise exceedances of the lLimit lLevel during restricted hours noise monitoring at CM2 on 15^th 31^st AugustJuly 2007.

Further to investigation and discussion with ER, the project-related works being undertaken during the measurement period were located at a distance away (over 400m) from the monitoring stations. The exceedance was due to the high ambient background noise caused by road traffic on San Tin Highway. Thus, the noise exceedance recorded was found not to be attributable to the project worksthe Contractor, no further concrete breaking activities will be required in the Slip Road A works area. Nonetheless, the Contractor was advised to implement necessary noise mitigation measures such as and reminded that movable noise barriers (as recommended in the Project EIA Report) of 3 to 5m high with skid footing should be provided to avoid further exceedances that would be caused by potential noisy prior to any further site works in the concerned area following the recommendations in Section 3.47 and Figure 3.5 of the Project EIA Report. Further to discussion with the Contractor, no further concrete breaking activities will be required in the concerned area.

Record of the notification of environmental exceedance and the non-compliance forms is provided in Annex H. The Action and Limit Levels for impact monitoring are provided in Annex I.

4.3 Environmental Non-compliance

During the reporting period, no environmental non-compliance was recorded.

4.4 Environmental Complaint and Prosecution

During the reporting period, no environmental complaints, prosecutions or summons were received. Cumulative statistics on complaints, notifications of summons and successful prosecutions for the Project are provided in Annex J.

5 Forecast and Schedule

5.1 Key Issues for the Coming Months

The key issues with respect to the works in the forthcoming 2 months include:

· Laying of drainage pipes;

· Road widening works;

· Trench works;

· Landscaping works;

· Road paving; and

· Installation of railings.

5.2 Monitoring Schedules for the Next Month

The proposed schedule for noise monitoring in September August 2007 is provided in Table 5.1.

Table 5.1 Proposed Noise Monitoring Schedule for September August 2007

Date	Noise Monitoring Station
7^th 5^th SeptemAugust 2007 (Tuesday)	CM1, CM2 and CM3
13^th August 2007 (Monday)	CM1, CM2 and CM3
20^th August 2007 (Monday)	CM1, CM2 and CM3
29^th 28^th August 2007 (Tuesday) (Friday)	CM1, CM2 and CM3

6 Conclusion

There was no environmental non-compliance attributable to the Project works during reporting period.

There was six one record of exceedance of the noise Limit Level during the reporting period. However, it is not attributable to project works.

There was one exceedance non-compliance of the Limit Level recorded during the normal hours noise monitoring due to concrete breaking activities in project works area during the reporting period.

No environmental complaints, prosecutions or summons was received during the reporting period.