9.1 This section further elaborates the requirements of environmental monitoring and audit (EM&A) for the Project, based on the assessment results of various environmental issues.
9.2 The objectives of carrying out EM&A for the Project include the following:
· To provide a database against which any environmental impacts of the Project can be determined;
· To provide an early indication should any of the environmental control measures or practices fail to achieve the acceptable standards;
· To monitor the performance of the Project and the effectiveness of mitigation measures;
· To verify the environmental impacts predicted in this EIA;
· To determine project compliance with regulatory requirements, standards and government policies;
· To take remedial action if unexpected problems or unacceptable impacts arise; and
· To provide data to enable an environmental audit.
9.3 The following sub-sections summarise the recommended EM&A requirements. Details of EM&A are provided in a stand-alone EM&A Manual.
9.4 With the implementation of practicable dust suppression measures stipulated in the Air Pollution Control (Construction Dust) Regulation, adverse construction dust impact is not expected during construction of the Project. Yet, regular site environmental audits during the construction phase of the Project as specified in the EM&A Manual should be conducted to ensure that the recommended dust suppression measures are implemented properly.
9.5 Commissioning tests will be conducted to confirm the centralized air pollution control unit, the cogeneration units and the standby flaring gas unit against the design emission levels as stated in Tables 3.7 – 3.9, During the operation of the OWTF Phase I development, stack monitoring would be installed for the OWTF to ensure that the air emissions from OWTF will meet the design emission limits as well as EPD criteria. Odour patrol at the plant boundary is also proposed to monitor any odour impact arising from the operation of the OWTF.
9.6 Construction and operation of the OWTF would not increase the risk of chlorine release at the Siu Ho Wan Water Treatment Works (SHWWTW). Impact of chlorine store and chlorine delivery operation at SHWWTW on construction workers and on-site personnel could be reduced with all the recommended practicable mitigation measures. The recommended mitigation measures outlined in the Implementation Schedule (Section 11) should be implemented to meet the EIAO-TM requirements.
9.7 With the implementation of recommended mitigation measures, no unacceptable water quality impact would be expected from the Project. Water quality monitoring is not considered necessary. However, it is recommended that regular site inspections should be undertaken to ensure that the recommended mitigation measures are properly implemented during the construction phase of the Project.
9.8
It
would be the Contractor’s responsibility to ensure that all wastes produced
during the construction of the Project are handled, stored and disposed of in
accordance with the recommended good waste management practices and EPD’s
regulations and requirements. A WMP
which would become part of the EMP should be prepared in accordance with ETWB TCW No.19/2005 by the
Contractor.
9.9 Waste materials generated from construction activities, such as excavated materials, C&D materials and general refuse, are recommended to be audited at regular intervals (at least once per week as part of the regular site inspections described in EM&A Manual) to ensure that proper storage, transportation and disposal practices are being implemented. The Contractor would be responsible for the implementation of mitigation measures to minimise waste or redress problems arising from the waste materials.
9.10 A specialist Landscape Sub-Contractor (on the approved Government list) shall be employed by the Contractor for the implementation of landscape establishment works and the compensatory planting, as well as the subsequent maintenance operations during the one-year maintenance period which will be the first operational year of the Project.
9.11 All measures, including compensatory planting, undertaken by both the Contractor and the specialist Landscape Sub-Contractor during the construction phase and the first year of the operation phase shall be audited by a Registered Landscape Architect on a regular basis to ensure compliance with the intended aims of the measures and the effectiveness of the mitigation measures.
9.12 The landscape and visual mitigation measures recommended in this EIA Report shall be incorporated as soon as possible during detailed design stage, so as to ensure the mitigation effect and achieve the intended aims. Any changes to the mitigation measures that may be recommended as a result of the baseline review or on-going monitoring of the design, construction and establishment works shall be taken into account.
9.13 As the NSRs identified in this EIA are located more than 1km away from the Project boundary, no adverse construction noise impact would be anticipated. No construction noise monitoring would be considered required. Notwithstanding this, the Contractor shall be responsible for implementation of good site practices to minimize the noise nuisance as far as practicable.
9.14 No operation noise monitoring for fixed plant would be considered necessary.