1                     INTRODUCTION

 

Background of the Project

 

1.1               Since the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) was completed in 1988 (Phase I) and extended in 1997 (Phase II), demand for ever-larger trade fairs there has kept increasing. The HKCEC already operates beyond capacity during peak seasons. Several mega trade fairs hosted annually in the HKCEC for light consumer goods, such as electronics, utilize all available space, including convention halls and meeting rooms. There are some 3,300 local companies on the waiting list of mega fairs organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (TDC) alone. These exhibitors, mostly small and medium-sized enterprises, are eager to participate but are unable to because of insufficient space.  

 

1.2               The TDC has proposed to expand the existing facilities to provide essential room for Hong Kong’s leading trade fairs to be held at the HKCEC. The Project is located in the North Wan Chai District and will occupy the aerial space between Phase I and Phase II of the HKCEC. The new Atrium Link Extension (ALE) spanning across the water channel between Phase I and Phase II of the HKCEC will accommodate 3 main levels of Exhibition Hall Extensions. The level of the main roof of the Extension will be of similar height as that of the podium roof of the Phase I building. A northern row of permanent supporting columns will be located on land close to Expo Drive Central and similarly a southern row will land near to Convention Avenue. There will be no permanent intermediate columns in the waterway. Figures 1.1 shows the location of the proposed Atrium Link Extension (ALE). 

 

1.3               The Project would involve a road fully enclosed by decking above and by structure on the sides of more than 100m, therefore it is classified as a Designated Project under Item A.9, Part I, Schedule 2 of the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (EIAO). An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Study for the Project has been undertaken in accordance with the EIA Study Brief and the Technical Memorandum on Environmental Impact Assessment Process (EIAO-TM).

 

Project Scope

 

1.4        The major works activity for the ALE will comprise the following:

 

Ÿ             Construction and demolition of the temporary footbridge;

Ÿ             Demolition of the existing Atrium Link;

Ÿ             Construction and demolition of a temporary working platform;

Ÿ             Construction of foundations and pile caps for the Atrium Link Extension; and

Ÿ             Construction of superstructure for the Atrium Link Extension.

 

1.5        Upon completion of the proposed ALE, Halls 1 and 2 at Level 2 and Level 5 of the Phase II development will be extended by 7,200 m2 each while Hall 3 at Level 7 will be extended by 5,000 m2. Related circulation and support areas of these Halls will be correspondingly enlarged. The total gross floor area of the Extension, including circulation and support areas, will be about 49,100 m2. Figure 1.2 shows the longitudinal section of the proposed ALE. 

 

Construction Programme

 

1.6       The tentative work programme for extension of the Atrium Link is provided in Table 1.1. Works are expected to be commenced in May 2006 and completed by March 2009.

 

Table 1.1          Tentative Programme for Atrium Link Extension Works

             

Construction Activity

Period

Construction of temporary footbridge

May 2006 – December 2006

Temporary piles for demolition of existing atrium link

July 2006 – September 2006

Construction of temporary working platform

September 2006 – October 2006

Demolition of existing atrium link

December 2006 – June 2007

Permanent foundations on land

March 2007 – July 2007

Construction of superstructure for atrium link extension

May 2007 – September 2008

Demolition of temporary working platform

August 2008 – September 2008

Removal of marine piles for working platform

October 2008 – November 2008

Demolition of temporary footbridge

December 2008 – February 2009

Removal of marine piles for temporary footbridge

January 2009 – March 2009

             

Purpose of the Manual

 

1.7        The purpose of this Environmental Monitoring and Audit (EM&A) Manual is to guide the set up of an EM&A programme to ensure compliance with the EIA study recommendations, to assess the effectiveness of the recommended mitigation measures and to identify any further need for additional mitigation measures or remedial action.  This Manual outlines the monitoring and audit programme for the construction and operational phase of the proposed Project.  It aims to provide systematic procedures for monitoring, auditing and minimising environmental impacts associated with construction works and operational activities.

 

1.8        Hong Kong environmental regulations and the Hong Kong Planning Standards and Guidelines have served as environmental standards and guidelines in the preparation of this Manual.  In addition, the EM&A Manual has been prepared in accordance with the requirements stipulated in Annex 21 of the EIAO-TM.

 

1.9        This Manual contains the following information:

·         responsibilities of the Contractor, the Engineer or Engineer’s Representative (ER), Environmental Team (ET) and Independent Checker (Environment) (IC(E)) with respect to the environmental monitoring and audit requirements during the course of the project;

·         project organisation for the project;

·         the basis for, and description of the broad approach underlying the EM&A programme;

·         requirements with respect to the construction programme schedule and the necessary environmental monitoring and audit programme to track the varying environmental impact;

·         details of the methodologies to be adopted, including all field laboratories and analytical procedures, and details on quality assurance and quality control programme;

·         the rationale on which the environmental monitoring data will be evaluated and interpreted;

·         definition of Action and Limit levels;

·         establishment of Event and Action plans;

·         requirements for reviewing pollution sources and working procedures required in the event of non-compliance with the environmental criteria and complaints;

·         requirements for presentation of environmental monitoring and audit data and appropriate reporting procedures;

·         requirements for review of EIA predictions and the effectiveness of the mitigation measures / environmental management systems and the EM&A programme.

1.10      For the purpose of this manual, 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 EM&A requirements.

 

Project Organisation

 

1.11      The roles and responsibilities of the various parties involved in the EM&A process and the organisational structure of the organisations responsible for implementing the EM&A programme are outlined below. The proposed project organisation and lines of communication with respect to environmental protection works are shown in Figure 1.3.

 

The Contractor

 

1.12      The Contractor shall report to the Engineer. The duties and responsibilities of the Contractor are:

·         employ an Environmental Team (ET) to undertake monitoring, laboratory analysis and reporting of environmental monitoring and audit;

·         provide assistance to ET in carrying out monitoring;

·         submit proposals on mitigation measures in case of exceedances of Action and Limit levels in accordance with the Event and Action Plans;

·         implement measures to reduce impact where Action and Limit levels are exceeded;

·         implement the corrective actions instructed by the Engineer;

·         accompany joint site inspection undertaken by the ET; and

·         adhere to the procedures for carrying out complaint investigation

 

Environmental Team

 

1.13      The ET shall report to the Contractor. The ET Leader and the ET shall be employed to conduct the EM&A programme and ensure the Contractor’s compliance with the project’s environmental performance requirements during construction. The ET Leader shall be an independent party from the Contractor and have relevant professional qualifications, or have sufficient relevant EM&A experience subject to approval of the Engineer’s Representative (ER) and the Environmental Protection Department (EPD). The ET shall be led and managed by the ET leader. The ET leader shall possess at least 10 years experience in EM&A and/or environmental management.

 

1.14      The duties and responsibilities of the ET are:

·         monitor various environmental parameters as required in this EM&A Manual;

·         analyse the environmental monitoring and audit data and review the success of EM&A programme to cost-effectively confirm the adequacy of mitigation measures implemented and the validity of the EIA predictions and to identify any adverse environmental impacts arising;

·         carry out regular site inspection to investigate and audit the Contractors' site practice, equipment and work methodologies with respect to pollution control and environmental mitigation, and effect proactive action to pre-empt problems; carry out ad hoc site inspections if significant environmental problems are identified;

·         audit and prepare monitoring and audit reports on the environmental monitoring data and site environmental conditions;

·         report on the environmental monitoring and audit results to the IC(E), Contractor, the ER and EPD or its delegated representative;

·         recommend suitable mitigation measures to the Contractor in the case of exceedance of Action and Limit levels in accordance with the Event and Action Plans;

·         adhere to the procedures for carrying out complaint investigation.

 

Engineer or Engineer’s Representative

 

1.15      The Engineer is responsible for overseeing the construction works and for ensuring that the works undertaken by the Contractor in accordance with the specification and contractual requirements. The duties and responsibilities of the Engineer with respect to EM&A may include:

·         supervise the Contractor’s activities and ensure that the requirements in the EM&A Manual are fully complied with;

·         inform the Contractor when action is required to reduce impacts in accordance with the Event and Action Plans;

·         employ an IC(E) to audit the results of the EM&A works carried out by the ET;

·         participate in joint site inspection undertaken by the ET;

·         adhere to the procedures for carrying out complaint investigation.

 

Independent Checker (Environment)

 

1.16      The Independent Checker (Environment) shall advise the Engineer’s Representative on environmental issues related to the project. The IC(E) shall possess at least 10 years experience in EM&A and/or environmental management.

 

1.17      The duties and responsibilities of the IC(E) are:

·         review the EM&A works performed by the ET (at least at monthly intervals);

·         carry out random sample check and audit the monitoring activities and results (at least at monthly intervals);

·         review the EM&A reports submitted by the ET;

·         review the effectiveness of environmental mitigation measures and project environmental performance;

·         review the proposal on mitigation measures submitted by the Contractor in accordance with the Event and Action Plans; and

·         adhere to the procedures for carrying out complaint investigation.

 

1.18      Sufficient and suitably qualified professional and technical staff shall be employed by the respective parties to ensure full compliance with their duties and responsibilities, as required under the EM&A programme for the duration of the Project.