1.1.1
The purpose of this Environmental Monitoring and
Audit (EM&A) Manual is to guide the setup of an EM&A programme to
ensure compliance with the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) study
recommendations, to assess the effectiveness
of, inter alia, the implementation of the recommended environmental
impact mitigation measures and to identify the need for any additional
mitigation measures or remedial action.
1.1.2
This Manual outlines the monitoring
and audit programme for the construction and operation phases of the proposed
Project, namely “Drainage Improvement in Sai Kung – Design and Construction”
(hereinafter referred to as “the Project”). It aims to provide systematic procedures for the
minimisation and amelioration of environmental impacts associated with the
construction works and operational activities.
1.1.3
Hong Kong environmental regulations for air
quality, noise and waste, the Hong Kong Planning Standards and Guidelines, and
recommendations in the EIA study final report on the Project have served as
environmental standards and guidelines in the preparation of this Manual.
1.1.4
This EM&A Manual contains the following
information:
(a)
duties of the Environmental Team (ET) Leader, the Independent Checker
(Environment) (IC(E)), Engineer's Representative (ER) and Contractor, in
relation to the project's environmental monitoring and audit requirements
during construction;
(b) information
on the project organisation and programming of construction activities;
(c)
the project construction schedule and the necessary environmental
monitoring and audit programme to track the environmental impacts;
(d)
requirements for the review of pollution sources and working procedures
in the event of non-compliance of the project's environmental performance
criteria;
(e)
environmental monitoring protocols and their technical requirements;
(f)
environmental auditing procedures;
(g)
requirements for the documentation of environmental monitoring and audit
data, and appropriate reporting procedures; and
(h)
complaint resolution procedures.
1.1.5
For the purpose of this EM&A Manual, the
"Engineer" shall refer to the Engineer as defined in the Contract and
the Engineer's Representative (ER), in cases where the Engineer's powers have been
delegated to the ER, in accordance with the Contract. The ET leader, who shall be
responsible for and in charge of the ET, shall refer to the person delegated
the role of executing the environmental monitoring requirements. The IC(E)
shall undertake the auditing role.
1.2.1
Sai Kung River, Pak Kong River and Ho
Chung Channel are the watercourses causing flooding problems in Sai Kung town
centre, Ho Chung and Pak Kong. These watercourses remain semi-natural with
irregular cross-sections along most of their lengths. Although engineering
works have been locally carried out in some parts of the watercourses, flooding
persists due to inadequate flow capacities of these rivers exacerbated by the
development strain in Sai Kung.
1.2.2
The Land Drainage Division of the
Drainage Services Department (DSD) completed the Stormwater Drainage Master
Plan in Sai Kung, East Kowloon and Southern Lantau (DMP Study) and
Preliminary Project Feasibility Study Report for the drainage improvement in
Sai Kung in September 2000 and October 2001 respectively.
1.2.3
The DMP Study identified deficiencies
and flooding problems in the existing drainage systems within the study
area. This improvement works, included
under PWP Item No. 120CD - Drainage Improvement in Sai Kung (i.e. the
Project), is to implement as a part of the recommendations in the DMP Study for
upgrading three existing rivers in Sai Kung, namely Sai Kung River, Pak Kong
River and Ho Chung Channel.
1.3.1
The location plan for the three rivers
in Sai Kung is presented in Figure 1.1 and the individual layout plans
for the improvement works at Sai Kung River, Pak Kong River and Ho Chung
Channel are given in Figures 1.2 –1.4. A schematic cross section layout
and typical cut sections are presented in Figures 1.5 - 1.7 respectively.
The major items of works are summarised below.
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(A)
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Sai Kung River and Sha Ha Diversion Culvert
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(a)
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Construction of
approximately 150m long of trapezoidal using gabion lining with planting pits
and natural substrates and rip-rap bedding; and.
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|
(b)
|
Construction of
approximately 280m long three cells 3m x 3m box culvert to connect the Sai
Kung River to the downstream box culvert.
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|
|
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(B)
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Ho Chung
Channel
|
|
(a)
|
Construction of
approximately 300m long of trapezoidal using gabion lining with planting pits
and natural substrates and rip-rap
bedding; and
|
|
(b)
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Construction of
approximately 350m long of rectangular channel by bored pile with natural
substrates and rip-rap bedding; and
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(c)
|
Reprovision of
three pedestrian crossings;
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(d)
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Reconstruction
of existing vehicular crossing and weir arrangement adjacent to WSD Ho Chung
Lowland Pumping Station.
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|
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(C)
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Pak Kong River
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(a)
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Reprovision of one
pedestrian and one vehicular crossing to 3-cell box culverts.
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(b)
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Construction of
approximately 100m long retaining walls to stabilize an existing river slope
adjacent to the Hiram’s Highway.
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|
|
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1.4.1
The construction of the proposed
drainage improvement in Sai Kung is scheduled to commence in December 2005 with
a view to completing all the construction works in April 2008.
1.5.1
The construction and operational
phases impacts of the Project are assessed and presented in the EIA Report
on Drainage Improvements in Sai Kung – Design and Construction. The EIA
Report also specified the recommended environmental mitigation measures to
minimise the potential adverse environmental impacts identified. An
implementation schedule of the recommended environmental mitigation measures is
prepared as part of the EIA Study and is contained in Appendix A of this
Manual.
1.5.2
In order to ensure that the mitigation
measures recommended in the EIA Report are implemented fully and resulted in
the expected effectiveness, this Manual defines the scope of EM&A
requirements for the construction and operation of the Project to achieve
satisfactory environmental performance. The EM&A requirements are prepared
in accordance with the requirements stipulated in Annex 21 of the TM on EIA
Process.
1.6.1
The project organisation and lines of communication
with respect to environmental protection works is shown in Figure 1.8.
1.6.2
The general duties/responsibilities of various
parties comprise the following:
Environmental Team (ET)
1.6.3
The ET leader and the ET should not be
in any way an associated body of the Contractor. The ET should be led and
managed by the ET leader. The ET leader should have relevant education,
training, knowledge, professional qualifications and at least 7 years
experience in EM&A for environmental management works subject to approval
of the ER's Representative and the Director of Environmental Protection (DEP).
1.6.4
Suitably qualified staff should be
included in the ET, and resources for the implementation of the EM&A
programme should be allocated in time under the Contract, to enable fulfilment
of the project's EM&A requirements as specified in the EM&A Manual.
1.6.5
The ET leader and the ET are employed
to conduct the EM&A programme and ensure the Contractor's compliance with
the project's environmental performance requirements during construction and
operation of the Project. The duties are:
(a) sampling, analysis and statistical
evaluation of monitoring parameters with reference to the EIA study final
report on Drainage Improvement in Sai Kung – Design and Construction
recommendations and requirements;
(b)
environmental site surveillance;
(c)
audit of compliance with environmental
protection, and pollution prevention and control regulations;
(d) monitor the implementation of environmental mitigation measures;
(e) monitor compliance with the environmental
protection clauses/specifications in the Contract;
(f) review construction and operation
programme and comment as necessary;
(g) review construction and operation
methodology and comment as necessary;
(h) complaint investigation, evaluation and
identification of corrective measures;
(i) liaison with Independent Checker
(Environment) (IC(E)) on all environmental performance matters, and timely
submission of all relevant EM&A proforma for the approval by IC(E);
(j) advice to the Contractor on environment
improvement, awareness, enhancement matters, etc., on site and
(k) timely submission of the EM&A report to
the project proponent and the DEP.
Contractor
The term
"Contractors" should be taken to mean all construction contractors,
operators and sub-contractors, working on site at any one time. Other than
reporting to the Engineer, the Contractors should:
(a) work within the scope of the relevant
contract and other tender conditions;
(b) participate in the site inspections
undertaken by the ET, as required, and undertake any correction actions
instructed by the Engineer;
(c) provide information/advice to the ET
regarding works activities which may contribute, or be continuing to the
generation of adverse environmental conditions;
(d) implement measures to reduce impact whenever
Action and Limit Levels are exceeded; and
(e) take responsibility and strictly adhere to
the guidelines of the EM&A programme and complementary protocols developed
by their project staff.
Engineer or Engineer's Representative
1.6.6
The term Engineer, or Engineer's
Representative (ER), refers to the organisation responsible for overseeing the
construction works or operation of the Project and 'monitoring' the works
undertaken by various Contractors, and for ensuring that they are undertaken by
the Contractors in accordance with the specification and contractual
requirements. The ER should:
(a) Monitor the Contractors' compliance with
contract specifications, including the implementation and operation of
environmental mitigation measures and ensure their effectiveness, and other
aspects of the EM&A programme;
(b) Comply with the agreed Event and Action
Plan in the event of any exceedance;
(c) Provide assistance to the ET as necessary
in the implementation of the environmental monitoring and auditing programme;
and
(d) Instruct the Contractors to follow the
agreed protocols or those in the Contract Specifications in the event of
exceedances or complaints.
Independent Checker (Environment) (IC(E))
1.6.7
The IC(E) should advise the ER on
environmental issues related to the Project. The role of the IC(E) should be
independent from the management of construction and operation activities, but
he/she should be empowered to audit the environmental performance of
construction and operation.
1.6.8
The IC(E) should be employed prior to
commencement of construction of the Project. The IC(E) should have at least 7
years experience in EM&A or environmental management. The appointment of
the IC(E) is subject to the approval of the ER.
1.6.9
The IC(E) should audit the overall
EM&A programme including the implementation of all environmental mitigation
measures, submissions relating to EM&A, and any other submission required
under the this Manual.
1.6.10
In addition, the IC(E) should be
responsible for verifying the environmental acceptability of permanent and
temporary works, and relevant design plans.
1.6.11
The IC(E) should arrange and conduct
monthly general site inspections of the work site during the construction
period. The IC(E) should ensure the impact monitoring is conducted according to
the prescribed schedule at the correct locations.
1.6.12
The IC(E) should report the findings
of the site inspections and other environmental performance reviews to DSD and
EPD.
1.6.13
Appropriate resources should also be
allocated under the Contractor and the ER to fulfil their duties specified in
this Manual.
1.6.14
The main duty of the IC(E) is to carry
out environmental audit of the construction and operation of the Project; this
should include, inter alia, the followings:
(a) review and audit all aspects of the
EM&A programme;
(b) validate and confirm the accuracy of
monitoring results, monitoring equipment, monitoring locations, monitoring
procedures and locations of sensitive receivers;
(c) carry out random sample check and audit
on monitoring data and sampling procedures, etc;
(d) conduct random site inspection;
(e) audit the EIA recommendations and
requirements against the status of implementation of environmental protection
measures on site;
(f) review the effectiveness of
environmental mitigation measures and project environmental performance;
(g)
on a needs basis, audit the Contractor's
construction methodology and agree the least impact alternative in consultation
with the ET leader and the Contractor;
(h)
check complaint cases and the effectiveness of
corrective measures;
(i)
review and audit in an independent,
objective and professional manner in all aspects of the EM&A programme;
(j)
validate and confirm the accuracy of
monitoring results, monitoring equipment, monitoring locations, monitoring
procedures and locations of sensitive receivers;
(k)
carry out random sample check and
audit on monitoring data and sampling procedures, etc;
(l)
conduct random site inspection;
(m)
audit the EIA recommendations and
requirement against the status of implementation of environmental protection
measures on site;
(n)
review the effectiveness of
environmental mitigation measures and project environmental performance;
(o)
on a need basis, verify and certify
the environmental acceptability of the permit holder's construction methodology
(both temporary and permanent works), relevant design plans and submissions
under the environmental permit. Where necessary, the IC(E) shall seek the least
impact alternative in consultation with Environmental Team (ET) leader and the
permit holder;
(p)
verify the investigation results of
complaint cases and the effectiveness of corrective measures;
(q)
verify EM&A report that has been
certified by the ET leader; and
(r)
feedback audit results to ET/Permit
Holder according to Event/Action Plan in the EM&A Manual.