6.1
Desktop review and field investigation were conducted to
identify the areas with archaeological potential, and the findings indicated
that the works areas in Tai Kong Po, Shek Kong and Tse Uk Tsuen would have
archaeological potential. Mitigation
measures are recommended to avoid the impact on archaeological remains within
works areas.
6.2
Potential impacts on cultural heritage resources have been
carefully considered during the development of the Project design to avoid and
minimize impacts. According to the
EIA study, the Project would not result in any adverse direct impact to
historical buildings with mitigation measure implemented except
earth shrines at Nam Hing Lei, Leung Uk Tsuen and Tai Kong Po. Consultation with the local villagers has been made
and it was agreed that the earth shrines will be relocated by themselves. A monitoring and audit programme
for vibration impacts would be in place to monitor the vibration levels during the
construction phase.
6.3
Findings of marine archaeological investigation confirmed
that there would be no archaeological remains in the proposed dredging area,
and therefore mitigation measures are not required.
Construction Phase
Archaeology
6.4
Terrestrial archaeological investigation results indicated
that there would be archaeological remain area at the southern portion of SSS,
and therefore rescue excavation is recommended to be conducted prior to the commencement
of construction works at this area to preserve archaeological remains by
detailed records.
6.5
There are inaccessible areas with surface disturbed by
different land uses, such as pig and chicken farms, open storage, garages, etc,
within the study areas. To
investigate and confirm any archaeological potential/remains in these
inaccessible areas, a further archaeological investigation is recommended to be
conducted upon the completion of land resumption and prior to the commencement
of construction works at these areas.
The further investigation includes a minimum of 18 test pits (each size 1m
x 1.5m) to confirm whether any archaeological remains exist in the inaccessible
areas. If archaeological data
collected from these 18 test pits is insufficient to ascertain the
archaeological potential of the inaccessible areas, additional test pits should
be conducted.
6.6
An Archaeological Action Plan (AAP) following the Guideline for
Cultural Heritage Impact Assessment should be submitted to Antiquities and
Monuments Office (AMO). The project proponent should
appoint qualified and experienced archaeologist(s) with sufficient funding,
time and personnel arrangements to implement the AAP. Details of the proposal plan
with specification for further archaeological investigation, rescue excavation
and watching brief should be agreed with AMO. The AAP should include the following
information:
l
a
detailed plan for further archaeological investigation at inaccessible areas in
TPP and SSS;
l
a
detailed plan for rescue excavation at the southern SSS;
l
a
contingency plan to address possible arrangement if significant archaeological
findings are unearthed during the further archaeological investigation and
rescue excavation; and.
l
a detailed plan for archaeological
watching brief during the construction works at TUW.
6.7
Regular site audit should be conducted to confirm that no
excavation at the archaeological deposit area in Lung Kwu Sheung Tan (LKST) is carried
out during the construction of LKST barging point. The audit findings should be presented in
the monthly EM&A report, which would also be submitted to AMO upon
completion of construction of this barging point.
6.8
To avoid any potential impact to relic discovered area in
Tai Kong Po, works boundary of TPP should not be extended to relics discovered
area outside TPP.
Built Heritage
6.9
Visual aesthetic measures as recommended for visual impact would
mitigate the potential visual impact to acceptable levels, by adoption of sensibly
designed decorative screen hoardings.
6.10
Indirect vibration impact associated with the use of drill
and blast construction method is anticipated but no adverse impact on all the
identified heritage resources would arise with appropriate control of vibration
levels.
6.11
For Ex-Lai Chi Kok Hospital
(LCKH), a further condition survey and appropriate consolidation works (e.g.
installation of temporary propping or reinforced timber beam to maintain the
stability of structure) are recommended to be carried out at Blocks P, Q, W and
inaccessible area prior to the commencement of construction works.
6.12
The
location and installation of the monitoring stations should be discussed and
agreed in advance with AMO and relevant parties before installation. Vibration
induced by blasting should be monitored and it should not exceed the vibration
limit of 25mm/s. Remedial measures in case of exceeding the vibration limit should also
be planned and agreed with AMO, Hong Kong Institution for Promotion
of Chine Culture (the “NPO”, selected organization for the Revitalisation
Scheme), the Commissioner for Heritage’s Office and relevant parties. Vibration monitoring stations at LCKH should be set up before
commencement of blasting activities, and monitoring results should be documented in regular
EM&A reports. It is
proposed to install deformation monitoring/ground settlement markers at Blocks
P and Q; and telltales monitoring provided for Blocks L, P and W. All the works (i.e. condition survey,
consolidation works, location and installation of monitoring station) which
will be conducted at LCKH should be discussed and agreed with AMO, NPO, the
Commissioner for Heritage’s Office and relevant parties.
6.13
If consent is given by the property
owner of Cheung Yuen (LET-06), a condition survey and vibration monitoring should
be conducted at Cheung Yuen prior to the commencement of works in SSS and
during excavation works being conducted within 50m radius from the house,
respectively. The survey and
monitoring should be discussed and agreed in advance with AMO and property
owner. Vibration level at Cheung
Yuen should be controlled to an acceptable level of 25mm/s during the vibration
monitoring.
Operation Phase
6.14
No specific mitigation measures was proposed as no adverse
impacts on archaeological remains and built heritage are expected. The mitigation measures in relation to
visual impacts would generally ameliorate potential impacts to the surrounding
environment including historic buildings, as such the EM&A requirements
recommended in Section 5 would as
well be applicable in controlling the potential operational visual impact on
heritage sites.
6.15
Site audit should be undertaken during the construction
phase of the Project to check that the proposed mitigation measures as detailed
in Appendix A are properly implemented
and maintained. The extent of the
agreed works areas should be regularly checked during the construction
phase. Section 12 of the Manual sets out inspection requirements and
the programme for verifying the implementation and evaluating the effectiveness
of the mitigation measures.