1 Introduction

1.2 Objective and Scope of the EIA Study

1.2.1 In accordance with the EIA Study Brief No. ESB-111/2004, the main objective of the EIA study is to provide information on the nature and extent of potential environmental impacts arising from the construction and operation of the developments proposed under the Project (hereinafter referred to as “the proposed developments”) and related activities taking place concurrently, and to contribute to decisions on the overall environmental acceptability of the Project, after the implementation of environmental mitigation measures.

1.2.2 The scope of this EIA study covers all developments proposed under the Project and any development proposals to be recommended in the course of the EIA study, and any other works associated with the proposed developments.

1.3 Consideration of Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance

1.3.1 The Project is an integrated planning and engineering feasibility study of an urban development project with a study area covering more than 20 ha or involving a total population of more than 100,000. Under the EIAO, this Project is classified as a Schedule 3 Designated Project (DP) under Item 1 of Schedule 3 “Major Designated Projects requiring Environmental Impact Assessment Reports”. A detailed environmental impact assessment for approval by the Director of Environmental Protection (DEP) is required.

1.3.2 The Project also includes various Schedule 2 DPs that, under the EIAO, require Environmental Permits (EPs) to be granted by the DEP before they may be either constructed or operated. Table 1.1 summaries the Schedule 2 DPs under this Project.

Table 1.1 Schedule 2 Designated Projects under this Project

Designated Project	Description	EIAO Reference
~~Cross Bay Link~~CBL	A district distributor, connecting to WCR and crossing Junk Bay to land area south of TKO Area 86 and Wan Po Road	Schedule 2, Part I, A.1
Road P2 (the southern extension, connecting with WCR, including a grade separated junction with Road D4)	A primary distributor road	Schedule 2, Part I, A.1
Road D4 Flyover	A district distributor	Schedule 2, Part I, A.1
WCR (including tunnel and reclamation)	A trunk road	Schedule 2, Part I, A.1, A.7 and C1

1.4 EIA Study Area

1.4.1 The assessment area for the purpose of this EIA study, as specified in the EIA Study Brief, is presented below:

· Air quality impact - the assessment area shall be a distance of 500m from the boundary of all the proposed developments.

· Noise impact – include all areas within 300 m from the boundary of all the proposed developments. If the first layer of noise sensitive receivers provides acoustic shielding to those receivers further from the site, the assessment area could be reduced accordingly.

· Water quality impact – cover Junk Bay Water Control Zone, Port Shelter Water Control Zone, Eastern Buffer Water Control Zone, Victoria Harbour Water Control Zone and Southern Water Control Zone as designated under the Water Pollution Control Ordinance (WPCO, Cap.358).

· Ecological impact (Terrestrial and Aquatic) – the assessment area for terrestrial ecological assessment include all areas within 500 m distance from the site boundaries of the proposed land based works areas or the area likely to be impacted by the proposed development and associated works. For aquatic ecology, the assessment area is the same as for water quality assessment or the area likely to be impacted by the proposed developments and associated works.

· Fisheries impact assessment – include all a

· reas within 500m from the boundary of the Study Area and any areas likely to be impacted by the proposed developments and associated works.

· Landscape and visual impact assessment – include all areas within 500m from the boundary of the proposed developments.

· Cultural heritage impact study – areas within 50m from the proposed developments and works areas that may have adverse impacts on known and unknown archaeological sites.

1.5 Relevant Approved EIA Reports and Studies

1.5.1 For the purpose of the EIA Study, relevant findings of the following EIA reports and studies were reviewed and adopted wherever appropriate:

(1) Fill Bank at Tsueng Kwan O Area 137, EIA Report (Approved on 27 June 2002);

(2) Tseung Kwan O Roads D1, D8 and D10, EIA Report (Approved on 23 November 2001);

(3) Tseung Kwan O Development – Contract F: Grade Separated Interchange T1/P1/P2, EIA Report (Approved on 20 October 1999);

(4) Feasibility Study on the Alternative Alignment for the Western Coast Road, Tseung Kwan O, EIA Report (Approved on 20 October 1999);

(5) Yau Tong Bay Development, Reclamation of Yau Tong Bay, Environmental Impact Assessment Study, Final Report (Approved on 8 April 2002);

(6) South East Development Strategy Review, Final Report (March 2002);

(7) Feasibility Study for Development at Cha Kwo Ling Kaolin Mine Site, Additional TIA and Updating of Study Reports, Final EIA Report (July 2003);

(8) Yau Tong Bay Development - Engineering Feasibility Study for the Comprehensive Development at Yau Tong Bay, EIA Study Final Report (Approved on 8 Apr 2002);

(9) Lei Yue Mun Road Underpass, Modification at Junction with Yau Tong Road and Associated Improvement Works - Feasibility Study, Final EIA Report (Approved on 21 Feb 2002);

(10) Comprehensive Feasibility Study for The Revised Scheme of South East Kowloon Development, EIA Report (Approved on 25 September 2001);

(11) Feasibility Study for Intensification and Extension of Tseung Kwan O New Town, EIA Report (February 2001);

(12) Tseung Kwan O Development Phase III, Road P2 connecting Town Centre and Western Coast Road, Final Environmental Impact Assessment (November 2001); and

(13) Agreement No. CE 10/98, Tseung Kwan O Development Phase III, Road P2 connecting Town Centre and Western Coast Road, Final EIA, (November 2001).

(14) Study on Minimization of the Impacts of Western Coast Road on Lei Yue Mun Village under Agreement No. NTE 5/99

(15) Tunnel alignment as proposed under the Preliminary Feasibility Study on Tunnel Alignment Option of Tseung Kwan O Western Coast Road under Agreement No. NTE 1/2000.

1.6 Approach Structure of the EIA Report

1.6.1 The approach in carrying out this EIA study followed the criteria and guidelines stipulated in the EIAO-TM, the EIA Study Brief, and other relevant legislation, polices, and guidelines.

1.6.2 It is understood that South East Kowloon Development (SEKD) is being reviewed by Planning Department at the time of this EIA Study under the SEKD Comprehensive Planning and Review. As part of the components of SEKD, the status of Road T2 alignment is therefore uncertain. Alteration of Road T2 alignment may have a knock-on effect the WCR alignment and its associated road network, in particularly the connection between WCR and Road T2.

1.6.3 According to Clause 3.3.2 of the EIA Study Brief, there is a requirement of this EIA Report to consider alternatives to the proposed option in light of the SEKD Comprehensive Planning and Engineering Review. Nevertheless, considering the time gap between the current study and the SEKD Comprehensive Planning and Engineering Review as well as the study programme of this Project, it is not feasible to consider alternatives with respective to the various options proposed under the review study at this stage. As such, the alternatives for WCR presented in Section 2 of this EIA Report are based on the existing layout proposed in the approved EIA report of Comprehensive Feasibility Study for the Revised Scheme of South East Kowloon Development (SEKD). If there are any changes in Road T2 alignment as a result of the SEKD Comprehensive Planning and Engineering Review which necessitate changes to the preferred WCR alignment and other elements of this Project (e.g. CBL, Road P2 and D4 Flyover), a detailed review should be undertaken with reference to findings of this EIA Report for any material change defined under the EIAO during the design stage of the Project.

1.7 Structure of the EIA Report

1.7.1 The background of the Project and objectives of this Report are introduced in Section 1. A description of the Project is provided in Section 2. Sections 3 to 15 detail the results of the environmental impact assessment of each key subject area, covering relevant legislation, environmental conditions, assessment criteria and methods, and assessment findings.

Sections 3 to 15 include:

· Section 3: Air Quality Impact

· Section 4: Noise Impact

· Section 5: Water Quality Impact

· Section 6: Sewerage and Sewage Treatment Implications

· Section 7: Terrestrial Ecology

· Section 8: Marine Ecology

· Section 9: Fisheries Impact

· Section 10: Landscape and Visual Impact

· Section 11: Waste Management Implications

· Section 12: Biogas Assessment

· Section 13: Impact on Cultural Heritage

· Section 14: Landfill Gas Hazard Assessment

· Section 15: Hazard to Life

1.7.2 An outline of the requirements for the environmental monitoring and audit (EM&A) programme is presented in Section 16. The EM&A programme is presented in detail in a separate EM&A Manual. A conclusion of the whole assessment is given in Section 17. A detailed implementation schedule of the recommended mitigation measures is provided in Section 18.