1. introduction

1.2 Objectives of the EIA

1.2.1 The objective of this EIA is to assess the potential environmental impacts arising from the construction and operation of the proposed Roads D1, D8, D10 and the extended Road P2 to the west of Area 67. The study has identified, evaluated and proposed the most effective means of ameliorating any potentially negative impacts on the environment and in particular on the existing or planned neighbouring schools and residential estates likely to be affected.

1.2.2 The objectives of the EIA study are as follows:

i) to describe the proposed project and associated works together with the requirements for carrying out the proposed project;

ii) to describe the considerations given to different options, and the project’s different siting or alignment, including scenarios with or without the project;

iii) to identify and describe the elements of the community and environment likely to be affected by the proposed project and/or likely to cause adverse impacts to the proposed project, including both the natural and man-made environment;

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

v) to identify any potential landscape and visual impacts and to propose measures to mitigate these impacts;

vi) to propose the provision of infrastructure or mitigation measures so as to minimize pollution, environmental disturbance and nuisance during construction and operation phases of the project in relation to the sensitive receivers and potential affected uses;

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

viii) 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 to reduce them to acceptable levels;

ix) to investigate the extent of side-effects of proposed mitigation measures that may lead to other forms of impacts;

x) to identify constraints associated with the mitigation measures recommended in the EIA study; and

xi) to design and specify the environmental monitoring and audit requirements, if required, to ensure the implementation and the effectiveness of the environmental protection and pollution control measures adopted.

1.3 EIA Approach

1.3.1 The EIA Study has been conducted based on information available at the time. Relevant reports and drawings have been reviewed and findings have been incorporated where appropriate in this EIA Report.

1.3.2 In accordance with the Study Brief, the following key areas are to be addressed in the EIA Study:

· air quality impacts;

· noise impacts;

· water quality impacts;

· solid waste impacts;

· landfill gas hazard; and

· visual and landscape impacts.

It is noted that the landfill gas hazard is considered as an environmental issue applicable only to Road D1 and Road D10 as they fall within the Consultation Zone (i.e. 250m area from the boundary) of the TKO Stage I Landfill.

1.3.3 The report has been prepared in accordance with the requirements stipulated in the Technical Memorandum on Environmental Impact Assessment Process. This covers relevant project information and legislation, existing environmental conditions, assessment criteria and methods, assessment findings and proposed mitigation measures.

1.3.4 In view of the speedy developments in Tseung Kwan O, this study has adopted a worst case scenario where possible future development to the south of Road D1 and at Area 78 is assumed.

1.3.5 To ensure that the environmental impacts on the vicinity resulting from the proposed roads would not exceed relevant standards, planned and existing receivers are identified in the committed development whilst indicative sensitive receivers are assumed in the possible future development to the south of Road D1. The assessment results have been used as the basis for evaluation of the respective impacts arising from the proposed roads on existing, planned and possible future sensitive developments. The results were also used to identify locations where the acceptable criteria limits are exceeded and appropriate mitigation measures are required.

1.3.6 However, it is noted that there is uncertainty of the possible future development to the south of Road D1, which requires further reclamation at Inner Tseung Kwan O Bay. Should there be no further development to the south of Road D1, the assessment results and consequently the proposed mitigation measures regarding noise, air quality and landscape and visual impacts may be substantially different. Hence, two assessments have been done to evaluate the noise, air quality, and landscape and visual impacts. For Assessment 1, it is assumed that there will be further development to the south of Road D1, whereas Assessment 2 assumes that there will be no further development to the south of Road D1 based on the approved OZP. Assessment 1 and thus the proposed measures are for the worst case assessment purpose, the package of the proposed measures will need to be reviewed if further reclamation is put forward in the future.

1.3.7 The quantitative modelling and calculations, together with the input parameters, have been verified and agreed with the relevant government departments. It is considered that the data used in the assessment are sufficient and suitable for the purpose of impact prediction. The selection, use and reliability of data used in the assessment is discussed in each of the technical assessment chapters. The assumptions used in the assessment are also explained where relevant in each chapter.

1.3.8 Where appropriate, the assessment predictions are compared to a “do-nothing” scenario. Since the proposed new roads D1, D8, D10, and extended Road P2, and the associated junctions of Tseung Kwan O are required to connect the east Tseung Kwan O area, including the proposed residential development in Area 86, to the town centre and other areas of Tseung Kwan O, and these roads are proposed to provide an efficient means of district transport for the future communities, the future development of the surrounding areas may be considerably different from the present proposal in the absence of these roads. Thus, for most situations, with insufficient information to predict future possible environmental conditions, the future conditions in the “do-nothing” scenario are assumed to be no better and no worse than the current conditions and the impact of Roads D1, D8 and D10 is therefore compared to present day environmental conditions.

1.3.9 The Environmental Monitoring and Audit (EM&A) programme is presented in a separate EM&A Manual.

1.4 Structure of the Report

1.4.1 The report has been structured in accordance with the requirements given in Annex 11 of the TM of the EIAO Process. The background to the project and the objectives of this report are introduced in Section 1. The Study Area and a description of the probable construction activities and sequence, are provided in Section 2. Sections 3 through 8 detail the results of the environmental assessment of each key subject area, covering relevant legislation, existing environmental conditions, assessment criteria and methods, and assessment findings. Chapter 3 – 8 include:

Chapter 3: Air Quality

Chapter 4: Noise

Chapter 5: Water Quality

Chapter 6: Solid Waste

Chapter 7: Landfill Gas Hazard

Chapter 8: Visual and Landscape Impact

1.4.2 An outline of the requirements for Environmental Monitoring and Audit (EM&A) programmes to be included in the development is discussed in Section 9. Detailed EM&A programmes are presented in a separate EM&A Manual. A detailed implementation schedule of the recommended mitigation measures is provided in Section 10. A conclusion of the whole assessment is given in Section 11.

1.4.3 Since there are no known land contamination sites, ecological sensitive receivers, archaeological sites and agricultural uses within the Study Area, land contamination problem, ecological, cultural heritage and agricultural impacts are not considered.