ESB-116/2004

Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (Cap. 499)

Section 5 (7)

Environmental Impact Assessment Study Brief No. ESB-116/2004)

Project Title:Optimized Shatin to Central Link (SCL) Conforming Scheme –

North South Railway Corridor (Mong Kok to Central South)

(hereinafter known as the “ Project “)

Name of Applicant: Kowloon Canton Railway Corporation (KCRC)

(hereafter known as the “Applicant”)

1. BACKGROUND

1.1 An application (No. ESB-116/2004) for an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) study brief under section 5(1) of the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (EIAO) was submitted by the Applicant on 15 April 2004 with a project profile (No. PP-213/2004) (the project profile)

1.2 The proposed project, “Optimized Shatin to Central Link (SCL) Conforming Scheme – North South Railway Corridor (Mong Kok to Central South) (the Project) is a new section of railway between Mong Kok and Central District of Hong Kong Island and the location of the project alignment shown on Drawings Nos, SCL002/CA/S0570 to SCL002/CA/S0571 reproduced as Figures 1 and 2 of this EIA study brief. The trains to be operated on the project are electrically powered. The project will comprise of the following major components: -

a) approximately 10.5 km of rail track running south from Mong Kok Station through Hung Hom Mass Transportaton Centre via Victoria Harbour to Central South on Hong Kong Island.

b) 6 railway stations including an integrated station with the existing Mong Kok Station, Hung Hom Mass Transportation Centre, Causeway Bay North Station, Exhibition Station, Admiralty East Station, Central South Station;

c) Fourth Rail Harbour Crossing;

d) The North Ventilation Building at Hung Hom Waterfront and the South Ventilation Building at Tin Hau Waterfront;

e) Dry Dock Casting Yard at Shek O for fabrication of the Immersed Tube Tunnel segment;

f) The temporary mooring site for Immersed Tube Tunnel Segment at Tseung Kwan O Bay;

g) The supporting infrastructures for the construction and operation of the above items.

The Project is a Designated Project under Schedule 2, Part I of the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (EIAO).

1.3 Pursuant to section 5(7)(a) of the EIAO, the Director of Environmental Protection (the Director) issues this EIA study brief to the Applicant to carry out an EIA study for the Project.

1.4 The purpose of the EIA report is to provide information on the nature and extent of environmental impacts arising from the construction and operation of the Project and related activities taking place concurrently. This information will contribute to decisions by the Director of Environmental Protection (the Director) on:

(i)The overall acceptability of any adverse environmental consequences that are likely to arise as a result of the proposed project;

(ii) The conditions and requirements for the detailed design, construction and operation of the proposed project to mitigate against adverse environmental consequences wherever practicable; and

(iii) The acceptability of residual impacts after the proposed mitigation measures are implemented.

2. OBJECTIVES OF THE EIA STUDY

2.1 The objectives of the EIA study are as follows:

(i)To describe the proposed project and associated works together with the requirements for carrying out the proposed project;

(ii)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 project, including both the natural and man-made environment;

(iii)To identify and quantify emission sources and determine the significance of impacts on sensitive receivers and potential affected uses;

(iv)To identify and quantify any potential impacts from point and non-point pollution sources on the identified water systems and sensitive receivers during the construction and operation stages;

(v)To identify and quantify any potential losses or damage to flora, fauna and natural habitats;

(vi)To identify any negative impacts on sites of cultural heritage and to determine the significance of those impact;

(vii)To identify, describe and quantify any potential landscape and visual impacts and evaluate the significance of such impacts; and to propose and implement measures to mitigate the impacts;

(viii)To propose the provision of infrastructure or mitigation measures so as to minimize the impacts including pollution, environmental disturbance and nuisance during construction and operation of the project;

(ix)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 potential affected uses;

(x)To identify, assess 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 to reduce them to acceptable levels;

(xi) To investigate the extent of secondary environmental impacts that may arise from the proposed mitigation measures and to identify constraints associated with the mitigation measures recommended in the EIA study, as well as the provision of any necessary modification;

(xii) To design and specify the environmental monitoring and audit requirements, if required, to ensure the implementation and the effectiveness of the environmental protection and pollution control measures adopted; and

(xiii) To provide information on the consideration and rationale in selecting and adopting the preferred option of the project.

3. DETAILED REQUIREMENTS OF THE EIA STUDY

The Scope

3.1 This EIA study shall cover all areas within the proposed scheme boundary as shown in Figures 1 & 2, and other specific areas stipulated in the technical requirements of this Study Brief. The EIA study shall address the likely key issues described below, together with any other key issues identified during the course of the EIA study:

(i) Phasing and sequencing of construction activities and the likely impacts on the sensitive receivers. The following are the key areas of concerns:

(a) Impacts at road sites which cannot be closed in daytime and where there is the need to carry out construction work at night-time and on public holiday, including the need for any temporary re-provisioning for traffic diversion during construction of the railway stations. The viability of each re-provisioning alternatives including an estimation of the affected residential population, its duration, its degree of intrusion into the boundary of the Victoria Harbour where applicable need to be taken into account the Protection of Harbour Ordinance, its ability to serve public need shall be evaluated and presented. In particular, disturbance at Gloucester Road and Harbour Road, due to cut and cover construction activities;

(b) Associated impacts from tunnel construction including the operation of tunnel boring machine (TBM) or equivalent, and drill and blast construction; and

(ii) The operational noise impacts arising from:

(a) The railway noise impacts including air-borne noise and ground-borne noise, to the sensitive receivers arising from the operation of the railway, including the noise from the tunnel section and the cumulative effects of the proposed railway, the existing KCRC East Rail and the future Shatin to Central Link (East West Railway Corridor), Kowloon Southern Link, KCR Tsim Sha Tsui Extension, South Island Line and North Island Line; and

(b) The fixed source noise impact due to the operation of the ventilation buildings and other facilities associated with the operation of the railway.

iii) Potential impacts to the declared monuments and sites of cultural heritage in the vicinity of the proposed project, including for example the former Central Magistracy, St. John’s Cathedral and the Central Police Station Compound, and also not limited to the sites of historical and cultural heritage significance described in section 3.2.7 of the project profile;

iv) Landscape and visual impacts from the project including permanent or temporary loss of recreational and amenity areas, impacts from the at-grade/elevated running line section (if any), all the above ground structures including Hung Hom Mass Transportation Centre (for any above ground and exposed structures), station buildings, ventilation buildings, vent shafts, construction shafts, works areas, Dry Dock Casting Yard, Temporary Mooring Site, etc and from noise mitigation measures (such as full and partial enclosures, cantilevered noise barriers and other types of noise barriers).

v) Any potential impacts including marine ecological impact from its construction including the dredging and disposal of contaminated and uncontaminated mud from the construction activities of the Fourth Rail Harbour Crossing, the construction and operation of a dry dock casting yard and temporary mooring site at Tseung Kwan O Bay within the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) for the Immersed Tube Tunnel, and the disposal of tunnel spoil;

vi) The potential impacts on water quality during the construction and operation stages of the entire project, including the immersed tube tunnel and the associated dry dock casting yard site and temporary mooring site, ventilation structures at Tin Hau Waterfront, Causeway Bay Typhoon Shelter, and Hung Hom Waterfront, construction site runoff, track runoff, spent cooling water discharge and sewage discharge;

vii) The potential impacts associated with waste generation during the construction of the project, in particular the spoil arising from the construction of the tunnel section, the proposed disposal arrangements, disposal of contaminated and uncontaminated mud;

viii) The potential land contamination impacts arising from the construction of the project; and

ix) The details of the construction programme, the construction methodologies and an assessment of extent to which the technologies to be employed are proven technologies.

Presentation of the Summary of Considerations Given to the Alternative Alignment, Building Design, Dry Dock Casting Yard and Construction Methods

3.2 The Applicant shall include the following information in the EIA Report:

(i) A summary of considerations given to any reasonable and practicable alternatives to the project including consideration of the alignment (including any alternate temporary re-provisioning measures); station location (including the consideration of moving the Wan Chai Station close to the Wan Chai Sports Ground in order to minimize the potential noise impact to the nearby residents, and consideration of locating the Causeway Bay North Station to a location near the Victioria Park or Lee Garden, also consideration of merging Exhibition station to the Wan Chai North Station in order to minimize the impacts to the nearby residents);building and structure design, including ventilation structures at Tin Hau Waterfront, Causeway Bay Typhoon Shelter, and Hung Hom Waterfront; dry dock casting yard; the temporary mooring site; and alternatives to locating the dry dock casting yard and temporary mooring site within the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and different construction methods; and shall list out considerations of such factors as environmental impacts, engineering, time, costs and so forth;

(ii) A presentation of considerations and justifications to demonstrate how the proposed scheme was arrived at, including the descriptions of the environmental factors which were considered in the selection; and the comparison of the environmental benefits and disbenefits of different options; and

(iii) A presentation of the rationale for selecting recommended construction methods, any alternative methods that have been considered and how the preferred methods avoid the adverse environmental effects to the maximum practicable extent. In particular, the summary shall include a comparison of cut and cover methods, drill and blast methods, Tunnel Boring Machine methods, immersed tube tunnel methods and the methods for the casting of the immersed tube to show that avoidance and minimizing of environmental impacts have been given priority consideration.

Technical Requirements

3.3 The Applicant shall conduct the EIA study to address all environmental aspects of the activities as described in the scope as set out above. The EIA study shall include the following technical requirements on specific impacts.

3.3.1 Construction Methodologies and Programme

The Applicant shall include in the EIA report details of the construction programme and methodologies, and assess to what extent the technologies to be employed are proven technologies, for example the Tunnel Boring Machine and the method of casting and installation of the immersed tube tunnel.

3.3.2 Construction Air Quality Impact

3.3.2.1 The Applicant shall follow the criteria and guidelines for evaluating and assessing construction air quality impact as stated in Annex 4 and Annex 12 of the Technical Memorandum (TM) issued under the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (EIAO) respectively. The assessment shall be based on the best available information at the time of the assessment.

3.3.2.2 The assessment area for air quality impact shall generally be defined by a distance of 500 m from the boundary of the project site, although it may be extended by agreement with the Director depending on the circumstances and the scale of the project.

3.3.2.3 The Applicant shall assess the air pollutant concentrations with reference to the Guidelines for Local-Scale Air Quality Assessment Using Models issued by the Modelling Section, Air Policy Group, Environmental Protection Department, HKSAR dated March 2000, or other methodology as agreed with the Director. These guidelines can be downloaded from Environmental Protection Department (EPD) website at http://www.epd.gov.hk

3.3.2.4 The construction air quality impact assessment shall include the following:

(i) Background and analysis of activities

(a) Provide background information relating to air quality issues relevant to the project, including description of the types of construction activities of the project that will likely give rise to dust emissions.

(b) Give an account, where appropriate, of the considerations and measures that had been taken into consideration in the planning of the project to abate the air pollution impact. That is, the Applicant should consider alternative construction methods/phasing programmes to minimise the construction air quality impact.

(c) Present the background air quality levels in the assessment area for the purpose of evaluating the cumulative construction air quality impact.

(ii) Identification of Air Sensitive Receivers (ASRs) and examination of emission/dispersion characteristics

(a) Identify and describe representative existing and planned/committed air sensitive receivers (ASRs) that would likely be affected by the project, including those earmarked on the relevant Outline Zoning Plans, Development Permission Area Plans, Outline Development Plans and Layout Plans. The Applicant shall select the assessment points of the identified ASRs such that they represent the worst impact point of these ASRs. A map showing the location and a description including the name of the buildings, their uses and height of the selected assessment points shall be given. The separation distances of these ASRs from the nearest emission sources should also be given. For phased development, the Applicant should review the development programme, and where appropriate, include occupiers of early phases as construction impact ASRs if they may be affected by the later phase works.

(b) Provide an exhaustive list of air pollutant emission sources, including any nearby emission sources which are likely to have impact on the project. Examples of possible construction stage emissionsourcesinclude stock piling, blasting, concrete batching, casting yard, vehicular movements on unpaved haul roads on site and so forth.Confirmation of the validity of theassumptionsand the magnitude of the activities, such as volume of construction materials handled, shall be obtained from the relevant government department/authorities and documented.

(iii) Construction Dust Air Quality Impact

(a) The Applicant shall follow the requirements of the Air Pollution Control (Construction Dust) Regulation in dust control to ensure construction dust impacts are controlled to within the relevant standards as stipulated in Annex 4 of the TM. An audit and monitoring program shall be initiated during the construction stage to verify the effectiveness of the control measures and to ensure that the construction dust levels are controlled to within the required standards.

(b) If the Applicant anticipates significant construction dust impact likely to cause exceedance of the recommended limits in the TM at the ASRs, despite incorporation of the dust control measures stated above, a quantitative assessment should be carried out to evaluate the construction dust impact at the identified ASRs. The Applicant shall follow the methodology below when carrying out the quantitative assessment.

(iv) Quantitative Assessment Methodology

(a) The Applicant shall apply the general principles enunciated in the modelling guidelines while making allowance for the specific characteristics of the project. This specific methodology must be documented in such level of detail (preferably with tables and diagrams) to illustrate how the model is set up to simulate the situation at hand without referring to the model input files. Details of the calculation of the emission rates of air pollutants for input to the modelling shall be presented in the report. The Applicant must ensure consistency between the text description and the model files at every stage of submission. In case of doubt, prior agreement between the Applicant and the Director on the specific modelling details should be sought.

(b) The Applicant shall identify the key/representative air pollutant parameters (types of pollutants and the averaging time concentration) to be evaluated for the assessment of the impact of the project and shall provide explanation for choosing these parameters.

(c) The Applicant shall calculate the expected cumulative airpollutantconcentrations at the identified ASRs and compare these results against the criteria set out in Annex 4 in the TM. The predicted air quality impacts (both unmitigated and mitigated) shall be presented in the form of summary tables and pollution contours, for comparison with relevant air quality standards and for examination of the land use implications of these impacts. Plans of suitable scale should be used for presentation of pollution contours to allow proper determination of buffer distances requirements.

(d) The Applicant shall propose remedies and mitigating measures where the predicted air quality impact exceeds the criteria set in Annex 4 in the TM. These measures and any constraints on future land use planning shall be agreed and documented with the relevant government departments/authorities. The Applicant shall demonstrate quantitatively that the resultant impacts after incorporation of the proposed mitigating measures will comply with the criteria stipulated in Annex 4 in the TM.

(e) All input and output file(s) of the model run(s) shall be submitted to the Director in electronic format.

3.3.3 Noise Impact

3.3.3.1 The Applicant shall follow the criteria and guidelines for evaluating and assessing both the construction and operational noise impacts arising from the Project as stated in Annexes 5 and 13 of the TM, respectively.

3.3.3.2 The study area shall include all areas within a distance of 300m from the project boundary and of all work sites proposed under the Project. The study area may be reduced accordingly if the first layer of noise sensitive receivers (NSRs), closer than 300m from the outer project limit, provides acoustic shielding to those receivers located further away. In this case, the study area shall be agreed with the Director. Subject to the agreement of the Director, the assessment area shall be expanded to include NSRs at greater distance which would be affected by the construction and operation of the Project.

3.3.3.3 Provision of Background Information and Existing Noise Levels:

(a)The Applicant shall provide all background information relevant to the Project, including relevant previous or current studies. Unless required for determining the planning standards, such as those for planning of fixed noise sources, no existing noise levels are required except as set out below.

(b) For ground-borne noise impact, the background information and existing noise levels shall be measured and described in a way sufficient for identification and prediction of noise impacts, and for formulation of noise criteria. Where necessary, baseline noise surveys shall be carried out to determine the existing noise conditions inside NSRs likely to be affected during the construction and operation of the Project. The type and duration of baseline surveys shall be such that there will be adequate information taking account of natural variation to define the existing conditions. Where appropriate, results from relevant past studies should be used.

3.3.3.4 Identification of Noise Sensitive Receivers (NSRs):

(a) The Applicant shall refer to Annex 13 in the Technical Memorandum (TM) issued under the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (EIAO) when identifying the NSRs. The NSRs shall include all existing NSRs and all planned/committed noise sensitive developments and uses earmarked on the relevant Master Development Plans, Outline Concept Plans, Preliminary Outline Development Plans, Outline Zoning Plans, Recommended Outline Development Plans and Layout Plans. For planned noise sensitive land uses without committed site layouts, the Applicant should work out representative site layouts for operational noise assessment purpose, based on the relevant planning parameters.

(b) The Applicant shall select assessment points to represent all identified NSRs for carrying out quantitative noise assessment as described below. The assessment points shall be agreed with the Director prior to the quantitative noise assessment. A map shall be given showing location and description, such as name of building, use, and number of floors of each and every selected assessment points.

3.3.3.5An inventory of noise sources including representative construction equipment for assessment of construction noise associated with, for example tunnelling and other construction works, and plant/equipment/railway/rolling stock for operational noise assessment shall be provided. The inventory shall include the railway traffic data as appropriate. Confirmation of the validity of the inventory shall be obtained from the Project Proponent.

3.3.3.6 Construction Noise Assessment:

(a) The assessment shall cover the cumulative noise impacts due to the construction works of the Project and other projects in the vicinity (including but not limited to KCRC Tsim Sha Tsui Extension, the future Kowloon Southern Link, Shatin to Central Link (East-West Railway Corridor), South Island Link, North Island Line, Central Reclamation Phase III, Wan Chai Development Phase II and Central Wanchai Bypass (if any). If appropriate, the dry dock casting yard at Shek O and the temporary mooring site at Tseung Kwan O Bay shall be included into the assessment.

(b) The Applicant shall carry out an assessment of noise impact from construction (excluding percussive piling) of the Project during day time (7am to 7pm, on weekdays other than general holidays) in accordance with the methodology stipulated in paragraphs 5.3 and 5.4 of Annex 13 of the TM issued under the EIAO. The criteria in Table 1B of Annex 5 of the TM shall be adopted in the assessment.

(c) For ground-borne noise impacts, the criteria and assessment methodology shall be agreed with the Director (with reference to Section 4.4.2(c) of the TM). Site measurements at appropriate locations may be required in order to obtain the empirical input parameters required in the ground-borne noise model.

(d)To minimize the construction noise impact, alternative construction methods to replace percussive piling and blasting shall be proposed as far as practicable. In case blasting cannot be avoided, it should be carried out, as far as practicable, outside the sensitive hours (7pm to 7am on Monday to Saturday and any time on a general holiday, including Sunday). For blasting that must be carried out during the above-mentioned sensitive hours, the noise impact associated with the blast and with removal of debris and rocks should be fully assessed and adequate mitigation measures should be recommended to reduce the noise impact as appropriate. Also, a mechanism should be recommended in the EIA Report such that the blasting schedule should be submitted to the concerned authority for approval prior to its implementation.

(e)For tunnelling, noise impact (including air-borne noise and ground-borne noise) associated with the operation of powered mechanical equipment, in particular, tunnel boring machines or equivalent, shall be assessed. If the equipment, such as a tunnel boring machine, are used and it is likely that ground-borne noise will affect NSRs, the assessment methodology/ model for ground-borne noise shall be agreed with the Director prior to obtaining the empirical parameters required in the ground-borne noise model.

(f) If the unmitigated construction noise levels are found to exceed the relevant criteria, the Applicant shall propose practicable direct mitigation measures (including but not limited to movable barriers, enclosures, quieter alternative methods, re-scheduling and restricting hours of operation of noisy tasks), particularly at open-cut areas and tunnel portals, to minimize the impacts. If the mitigated noise levels still exceed the relevant criteria, the duration of the noise exceedance shall be given and must be the absolute minimum.

(g) The Applicant shall formulate a reasonable construction programme as far as practicable such that no work will be required in the restricted hours as defined under the Noise Control Ordinance (NCO). In case the Applicant needs to evaluate whether construction works during restricted hours as defined under the NCO are feasible or not in the context of programming construction works, reference should be made to the relevant technical memoranda issued under the NCO. Regardless, of the results of the construction noise impact assessment for restricted hours, the Noise Control Authority will process Construction Noise Permit (CNP) applications, if necessary, based on the NCO, the relevant technical memoranda issued under the NCO, and the contemporary conditions/ situations of adjoining land uses and any previous complaints against construction activities at the site before making his decision in granting a CNP. This should be explicitly stated in the noise chapter and the conclusions and recommendations chapter in the EIA report.

3.3.3.7 Operational Noise Assessment:

(a) The Applicant shall assess the impacts during the operational phase of the proposed railway and the associated facilities, including worst case scenario, normal, abnormal, transient and emergency operations, with respect to the acceptable levels contained in Table 1A in Annex 5 in the TM issued under the EIAO. The assessment methodology including the railway/ train design noise level shall be agreed with the Director prior to the commencement of the assessment.

(b) For ground-borne noise impact, the criteria and assessment methodology shall be agreed with special reference to Section 4.4.2(c) of the TM. The assessment shall also cover the cumulative ground borne noise impact due to the Project and the railways in the vicinity, including the existing KCRC East Rail, the future Kowloon Southern Link, KCR Tsim Sha Tsui Extension, Shatin to Central Link (East-West Railway Corridor), North Island Line and South Island Line and Central Wanchai Bypass (if any). Site measurement at appropriate locations may be required in order to obtain the empirical input parameters required in the ground-borne noise model.

(c) In assessing the noise level, the Applicant shall allow for a deterioration in rail and rolling stock condition from brand new to an operating level and shall address the worst case scenario, taking into account any other planned noise source. Noise contours for the maximum Leq(30min), Leq(24hr), and Lmax during the day and at night shall be presented on plans of suitable scales showing the identified NSRs at various representative floor levels (in mPD). Quantitative assessment at the identified NSRs for different alignment of the rail shall be compared against the relevant criteria or limits. The potential noise impact of each proposed alignment on the existing and planned NSRs shall be quantified by estimating the total number of dwellings and/or classrooms and other sensitive elements that will be exposed to levels above the relevant planning criteria and statutory limits.

(d) The Applicant shall make recommendations for noise amelioration/direct technical remedies for any existing or planned NSRs which would be subject to predicted cumulative noise level in excess of the relevant planning criteria or statutory limits in the appropriate design year. A manual detailing the schedule of maintaining/capping the wheel/rail noise to suit the design specification shall be provided.

(e) In case where a number of the NSRs cannot all be protected by the recommended noise amelioration/direct technical remedies, the Applicant shall consider alternatives to reduce the noise impact.

3.3.3.8If the Project includes any fixed noise sources, such as ventilation systems, the following assessment shall be followed:

(a)Assessment of Fixed Source Noise Levels – The Applicant shall calculate the expected noise using standard acoustics principles. Calculations for the expected noise shall be based on the assumed plant inventories and utilization schedule for the worst case scenario. The Applicant shall calculate the noise levels taking into account the correction of tonality, impulsiveness and intermittency in accordance with the Technical Memorandum for the Assessment of Noise from Places other than Domestic Premises, Public Places or Construction Sites. The cumulative impacts due to the fixed noises sources proposed for the Project (such as the ventilation shafts) and other existing and planned noise sources shall also be assessed.

(b)Presentation of Noise Levels – The Applicant shall present the existing and future noise levels in Leq(30min) at the NSRs at various representative floor levels (in mPD) on tables and plans of suitable scale. A quantitative assessment at the NSRs for the proposed fixed noise sources shall be carried out and compared against the criteria set out in Table 1A of Annex 5 of the TM.

(c)Proposal for Noise Mitigation Measures – To protect the affected NSRs, the Applicant shall propose direct technical remedies within the project limits in all situations where the predicted noise levels exceed the criteria set out in Table 1A of Annex 5 of the TM.

3.3.3.9 The Applicant shall identify, assess and propose means to minimize any side effects of mitigation measures and to resolve any potential constraints due to the inclusion of the recommended direct technical remedies.

3.3.3.10Evaluation of Constraints on Planned Noise Sensitive Developments/Land Uses:

(a) For planned noise sensitive uses which will still be affected even with all practicable direct technical remedies in place, the Applicant shall propose, evaluate and confirm the practicality of additional measures within the planned noise sensitive uses boundary and shall make recommendations on how these noise sensitive uses should be designed for the information of relevant parties.

(b) The Applicant shall take into account the agreed environmental requirements/constraints identified by the study to assess the development potential of the concerned sites, and shall make such information known to the relevant parties.

3.3.3.11 The EIA Report shall cover but not be limited to the following:

(i)Phasing and sequencing of construction activities and the likely impacts on the sensitive receivers. The following are the key areas of concerns:

(a) Impacts at road sites which cannot be closed in daytime and where there is the need to carry out construction work at night-time and on public holiday, including the need for any temporary re-provisioning for traffic diversion during construction of the railway stations. The viability of each re-provisioning alternatives including an estimation of the affected residential population, its duration, its degree of intrusion into the boundary of the Victoria Harbour where applicable needs to be taken into account the Protection of Harbour Ordinance, its ability to serve public need shall be evaluated and presented. In particular, disturbance at Gloucester Road and Harbour Road, due to cut and cover construction activities;

(b)Associated impacts from tunnel construction including the operation of tunnel boring machine (TBM) or equivalent, and drill and blast construction; and

(ii) The air-borne operational noise impacts arising from:

(a) The railway noise impacts to the sensitive receivers arising from the operation of the railway, including the noise from the tunnel section and the cumulative effects of the proposed railway, the existing KCRC East Rail and the future Shatin to Central Link (East West Railway Corridor), Kowloon Southern Link, KCR Tsim Sha Tsui Extension, South Island Lineand North Island Line; and

(b)The fixed source noise impact due to the operation of the ventilation buildings and other facilities associated with the operation of the railway.

3.3.4 Water Quality Impact

3.3.4.1 The Applicant shall follow the criteria and guidelines for evaluating and assessing water pollution as set out in Annexes 6 and 14 of the TM, respectively.

3.3.4.2The EIA report shall cover the following:

(a) The water quality impacts of the site run-off generated during the construction stage, including but not limited to the effluents generated from dewatering associated with piling activities, grouting, concrete washing and dewatering of spoil from the tunnel boring operations;

(b) The water quality impacts of the track runoff containing oil/grease and suspended solids during the operational stage;

(c) The water quality impacts on stream courses (if any) and drainages around the work sites, Victoria Harbour, ecological sensitive receivers in Junk Bay and Tai Tam Bay, Causeway Bay Typhoon Shelter, and seawater intakes for cooling systems;

(d) The water quality impacts and the proposed monitoring schemes on the water quality at the seawater intakes of the salt water pumping stations of the Water Supplies Department;

(e) The water quality impacts associated with the construction and operation of the immersed tube tunnel, ventilation structures at Tin Hau Waterfront and Hung Hom Waterfront, Causeway Bay Typhoon Shelter, dry dock casting yard, mooring site and transportation of the immersed tube tunnel sections within the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). If the dry dock casting yard will require dredging and backfilling activities, the Applicant shall propose water quality assessment methodology for EPD agreement;

(f) The water quality impacts of the cooling water discharge from air-conditioning systems of the stations. For cooling water discharges outside Victoria Harbour, the assessment methodology should be agreed with EPD;

(g) The water quality impacts on the identified water systems and water sensitive receivers due to sewage derived from both the construction and operational stages of the Project.

3.3.4.3 The study area shall be within 300m from either side and along the full length of the project boundary. For the assessment of the impacts due to immersed tube tunnel, dry dock casting yard, and cooling water discharges, the study area son Control Ordinance. This study area may be extended to include other areas being impacted such as stream courses and the associated water systems in the vicinity.

3.3.4.4 The Applicant shall identify and analyse all physical, chemical and biological disruptions of marine or fresh water, stormwater drainage system and coastal water arising from the construction and operation of the Project.

3.3.4.5 The Applicant shall predict, quantify and assess any water quality impacts arising from the Project on the water system(s) and the sensitive receivers by appropriate mathematical modelling and/or other techniques proposed by the Applicant and approved by the EPD. The mathematical modelling requirements are set out in Annex I to this Study Brief. Possible impacts shall include but not limited to changes in hydrology, flow regime, sediment erosion and deposition pattern, water and sediment quality due to any dredging of marine sediment, backfilling activities, cooling water discharge and the proposed construction method for laying the immersed tube tunnel, and the consequential effects on aquatic organisms due to such changes in affected water bodies including Victoria Harbour, Junk Bay and Tai Tam Bay.

3.3.4.6 The Applicant shall take into account and include likely different construction stages or sequences, and different operational stages of the Project in the assessment. The assessment shall have regard to the frequency, duration, volume and flow rate of discharges and their pollutant and sediment loading. The assessment shall address the following:

(a) Collection and review of background information on the existing and planned water system(s) and sensitive receivers which may be affected by the Project during construction and operation;

(b) Characterization of water and sediment quality of the water system(s) and sensitive receivers which may be affected by the Project during construction and operation based on existing information or appropriate site surveys and tests;

(c) Identification and analysis of all existing and planned future activities and beneficial uses related to the water system(s) and identification of all water sensitive receivers. The Applicant shall refer to, inter alia, those developments and uses earmarked on the relevant Outline Zoning Plans, Development Permission Area Plans, Outline Development Plans and Layout Plans;

(d) Identification of pertinent water and sediment quality objectives and establishment of other appropriate water and sediment quality criteria or standards for the water system(s) and all the sensitive receivers in (a) and (c) above;

(e) Review of the construction sequences and methods, and operation of the Project to identify any alteration of existing shoreline, bathymetry and flow regimes;

(f) Identification and quantification of all existing and likely future water and sediment pollution sources and loading (which shall include maintenance dredging of marine sediment for the immersed tube tunnel, if necessary, during the operational phase of the Project). An emission inventory on the quantities and characteristics of all these existing and likely future pollution sources in the study area shall also be provided. Field investigation and laboratory tests, as appropriate, shall be conducted to fill relevant information gaps;

(g) Identification and quantification of all dredging, sediment/mud transportation, filling, reclamation, disposal activities and requirements. Potential fill source and dumping ground to be involved shall also be identified. Field investigation, sampling and chemical laboratory tests to characterize the sediment/mud concerned shall be conducted as appropriate. The potential for the release of contaminants during dredging shall be addressed using the chemical testing results derived from sediment and marine water samples collected on site and relevant historic data. Appropriate laboratory tests including elutriate tests and sediment pore water (interstitial water) analyses shall be performed on the sediment samples to simulate and quantify the degree of mobilization of various contaminants such as metals, ammonia, trace organic contaminants (including PCBs, PAHs, TBT and chlorinated pesticides) into the water column during dredging. The ranges of parameters to be analysed; the number, location, depth of sediment, type and methods of sampling; sample preservation; and chemical laboratory test methods to be used shall be subject to the approval of EPD. The Applicant shall also assess the pattern of the sediment deposition and the potential increase in turbidity and suspended solid levels in the water column and at the sensitive receivers due to the disturbance of sediments during dredging;

(h) Review of the designs and constructions methods and operation of the dry dock casting yard and concrete batching plant. Details including but are not limited to location of dredging and backfilling and their working rates, volumes and characteristics of marine sediment and fill materials to be dredged and backfilled respectively, equipment to be used should also be provided. The Applicant shall devise assessment methodology for EPD agreement. Water quality modelling assessment shall be required if major marine work is involved;

(i) Prediction and quantification of impacts on the water system(s) and the sensitive receivers likely to be affected by the alterations and changes identified in (e) above and the pollution sources identified in (f) above. The Applicant shall assess both the local and global effects on erosion, resuspension, sediment dispersion and water quality due to any dredging of marine sediment, backfilling activities, cooling water discharge and the proposed construction method for laying the immersed tube tunnel. The location, nature, extent and rate of such works for immersed tube tunnel shall be clearly identified and evaluated. The assessment shall also take into account the additional pollution loading and oxygen demand exerted by sediment disturbed during construction stage of the immersed tube tunnel;

(j) Assessment of the cumulative impacts due to other related concurrent and planned projects, activities or pollution sources along the identified water system(s) and water sensitive receivers, that may have a bearing on the environmental acceptability of the Project, through mathematical modelling. This shall include but shall not limited to, the potential cumulative construction and operational water quality impact arising from, inter alia, the projects components highlighted in Section 3.1 (vi); and

(k) The Applicant shall devise mitigation measures to avoid or minimize the impacts identified above, in particular suitable mud dredging and disposal methods shall be recommended to mitigate any adverse impacts. The residual impacts on the water system(s) and the sensitive receivers with regard to the relevant water and sediment quality objectives, criteria, standards or guidelines shall be assessed and quantified using appropriate mathematical models as set out in Annex I of this Study Brief.

3.3.5 Waste Management and Dredging, Filling and Dumping Implications

3.3.5.1 The Applicant shall follow the criteria and guidelines for evaluating and assessing the waste management implications of the Project as set out in Annexes 7 and 15 of the TM, respectively.

3.3.5.2 The EIA report shall cover the following :

(a) The quantity, quality and timing of the wastes arising as a result of the construction and operational activities, based on the sequence and duration of these activities;