1.1
Biodegradable organic waste constitutes the
largest portion of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) disposed of in
1.2 “A Policy Framework for the Management of Municipal Solid Waste in Hong Kong (2005-2014)” (Policy Framework) published in December 2005 suggested, amongst other measures, the implementation of biological treatment facilities to treat source-separated biodegradable organic waste from the commercial and industrial establishment so as to turn them into useful products and to reduce landfill disposal.
1.3 To prepare for the implementation of Organic Waste Treatment Facilities (OWTF) suggested by the Policy Framework, EPD has started a study “Pilot Plant Development of Biodegradable Waste Treatment Facilities – Investigation”. Under this study, a site search exercise has been conducted and it concluded that two potential sites at Siu Ho Wan and Sha Ling are the most appropriate locations for developing the OWTF. In this regard, EPD decided to develop the OWTF in phases.
1.4
The OWTF Phase I development
(herein referred to as “the Project’) is to construct and operate a biological
treatment facility with a capacity of about 200 tonnes per day (tpd) and
convert source-separated organic waste into compost and biogas through proven
biological treatment technologies. As
shown in Figure 1.1, the
proposed Project Site is located at Siu Ho Wan,
1.5 In August 2008, ENSR Asia (HK) Ltd., now known as AECOM Asia Co. Ltd. (AECOM), has been commissioned by EPD to carry out the Organic Waste Treatment Facilities, Phase I – Feasibility Study under Agreement No. CE7/2008(EP) (the Assignment). AECOM is also required to conduct the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Study of the Assignment in accordance with the requirements of the EIA Study Brief, registered under the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (EIAO) (Ref. No. ESB-172/2007).
1.6 In accordance with the EIA Study Brief for the Project, the purpose of the EIA Study is to provide information on the nature and extent of the environmental impacts arising from the construction and operational phase of the Project and related activities taking place concurrently. This information will contribute to decisions on:
Ÿ the overall acceptability of any
adverse environmental consequences that are likely to arise as a result of the
proposed project;
Ÿ the conditions and requirements for
the detailed design, construction and operation of the Project to mitigate
against adverse environmental consequences; and
Ÿ the acceptability of residual
impacts after the proposed mitigation measures are implemented.
1.7 The objectives of this EIA Study are:
Ÿ to describe the proposed project and
associated works together with the requirements for carrying out the proposed
projects;
Ÿ 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 projects,
including both the natural and man-made environment;
Ÿ to provide information on the
consideration of alternatives to avoid and minimise the potential adverse
environmental impacts on the sensitive uses that may be subject to the adverse
environmental impacts of the proposed developments and associated works; to
compare the environmental benefits and dis-benefits of each of the different
options; to provide reasons for selecting the preferred option(s) and to
describe the part of environmental factors played in the selection of the
preferred option(s);
Ÿ to identify and quantify emission
sources and determine the significance of impacts on sensitive receivers and
potential affected uses;
Ÿ to identify and quantify any
potential landscape and visual impacts and to propose measures to mitigate
these impacts;
Ÿ to describe the composition of the biogas,
location/ quantity/ design of the biogas storage, operation of the biogas
system and the safety measures to be adopted;
Ÿ to propose the provision of the
infrastructure or mitigation measures so as to minimise pollution,
environmental disturbance and nuisance during construction and operation of the
project;
Ÿ 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 the potential
affected uses;
Ÿ to identify, assesses, 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 reducing them to acceptable levels;
Ÿ to investigate the extent of
side-effects of proposed mitigation measures that may lead to other forms of
impacts;
Ÿ to identify constraints associated
with the mitigation measures recommended in the EIA study; and
Ÿ to design and specify the
environmental monitoring and audit requirements to ensure the effective
implementation of the recommended environmental protection and pollution
control measures.
Consideration of Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance
1.8 The Project is a Designated Project (DP) under Item G.4 of Part 1, Schedule 2 of the EIAO “A waste disposal facility (excluding any refuse collection point), or waste disposal activities, for (a) refuse; or (b) chemical, industrial or special wastes.”. It requires an environmental permit under the EIAO for the implementation of the Project.
1.9 The following definitions of the study areas have been adopted with reference to the EIA Study Brief:
Ÿ
Air
quality impact assessment – area within a distance of 500m from the boundary of
the Project Site and it shall be extended to include major emission sources
that may have a bearing on the environmental acceptability of the Project.
Ÿ
Hazard
to Life – area within the consultation zone of the Siu Ho Wan Water Treatment
Works.
Ÿ
Water
quality impact assessment – cover the project area and any stream courses and
the associated water system in the vicinity that may be affected by the
Project.
Ÿ
Waste
management implications – areas within the boundary of the Project Site.
Ÿ
Landscape
and visual impact assessment – the assessment area for landscape impact
assessment shall include areas within a 500m distance from the boundary of the
Project Site, while the assessment area for the visual impact assessment shall
be defined by the visual envelop of the Project.
Ÿ
Noise
impact assessment – areas within 300m from the boundary of Project Site. Subject to
1.10 The remainder of this EIA Report is sets out as follows:
Ÿ
Section
2 illustrates the Project locations, and provides a description of the Project
highlighting the key elements and operation activities.
Ÿ
Section
3 identifies and assesses the potential air quality impacts associated with the
construction and operation of the Project.
Ÿ
Section
4 presents the hazard to life assessment conducted for the construction and
operation of the Project.
Ÿ
Section
5 identifies and assesses the potential water quality impacts associated with
the construction and operation of the Project.
Ÿ
Section
6 identifies and assesses the waste management implications associated with the
construction and operation of the Project.
Ÿ
Section
7 identifies and assesses the potential impacts on landscape and visual
associated with the construction and operation of the Project.
Ÿ
Section
8 identifies and assesses the potential noise impacts associated with the
construction and operation of the Project.
Ÿ
Section
9 highlights the environmental monitoring and audit (EM&A) requirements for
the Project. The scope and approach
are presented in detail in a stand-alone EM&A Manual.
Ÿ
Section
10 summarises and concludes the findings of the EIA Study.
Ÿ
Section
11 presents the implementation schedules for the mitigation of various
environmental issues addressed in the EIA Study.