Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (Cap. 499), Section 5(7)

Environmental Impact Assessment Study Brief No. ESB-137/2005

 

 Project Title : Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre,

Atrium Link Extension

(hereinafter known as the "Project")

 

Name of Applicant :    Hong Kong Trade Development Council

(hereinafter known as the "Applicant")

                                                                                                            

1.            BACKGROUND

 

1.1                    An application (No. ESB-137/2005) 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 1 November 2005 with a Project Profile (No. PP-268/2005) (the Project Profile).

 

1.2                    The proposed Project is to expand the existing facilities to provide essential room for Hong Kong's leading trade fairs to be held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC).  The Atrium Link Extension will be constructed in place of the present link between the Phase I and Phase II buildings of the HKCEC and will provide accommodation for Hong Kong's mega fairs. The location of the Project is given in Appendix A, which was prepared based on Figure 1.6a of the Project Profile.

 

1.3                    The scope of the Project include the following major works:

(i)                  Construction of foundations, pile caps and superstructure for the Atrium Link Extension which decks over the existing and planned roads between the Phase I and Phased II of the HKCEC;

(ii)                Demolition of the existing Atrium Link; and

(iii)               Construction and demolition of a temporary footbridge and a temporary working platform.  All of the temporary marine piles of the Project will be removed in the final construction stage.

 

1.4                    Based on the information in the Project Profile, the Project which involves a road fully enclosed by decking above and by structure on the sides of more than 100m, is identified as a Designated Project as defined under Item A.9, Part I, Schedule 2 of the EIAO. The Project may also involve a dredging operation which is less than 100m from a seawater intake point. Thus, the Project may also be a Designated Project as defined under Item C.4 and/or C.12, Part I, Schedule 2 of the EIAO.

1.5                    Pursuant to section 5(7)(a) of the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance, the Director of Environmental Protection (the Director) issues this EIA study brief to the Applicant to carry out an EIA study.

1.6                    The purpose of this EIA study is to provide information on the nature and extent of environmental impacts arising from the construction and operation of the Project and related activities that take place concurrently. This information will contribute to decisions by the Director on:

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

(ii)                the conditions and requirements for the detailed design, construction and operation of the 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 Project and associated works together with the requirements for carrying out the Project;

(ii)                to identify the Designated Projects under Schedule 2 of the EIAO to be covered in the Project;

(iii)              to consider alternative project design, alternative construction method(s) and sequence(s), layout of the temporary marine piles, and to compare their environmental benefits and dis-benefits with the view of selecting the preferred options from the environmental perspective;

(iv)              to identify and describe the elements of the community and environment likely to be affected by the Project and/or likely to cause adverse impacts to the Project, including both the natural and man made environment and the associated environmental constraints;

(v)               to identify and quantify air and water pollutant emission sources and determine the significance of impacts on sensitive receivers and potential affected uses and to propose measures to avoid in the first instance or mitigate these impacts;

(vi)              to identify and quantify any potential landscape and visual impacts and to propose measures to avoid in the first instance or mitigate these impacts;

(vii)            to identify and quantify waste management requirements including handling and disposal of wastes from the demolition of the existing Atrium Link, and if dredging operation is required, handling and disposal of any marine sediment and to propose measures to avoid in the first instance or mitigate these impacts;

(viii)           to propose the provision of mitigation measures so as to minimize pollution, environmental disturbance and nuisance during construction and operation of the Project;

(ix)              to investigate the feasibility, practicability, effectiveness and implications of the proposed mitigation measures;

(x)               to identify, predict and evaluate the residual environmental impacts (i.e. after practicable mitigation) 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;

(xi)              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 cumulative effects and reduce them to acceptable levels;

(xii)            to investigate the extent of the 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; and

(xiii)           to design and specify the environmental monitoring and audit requirements to ensure the effective implementation of the recommended environmental protection and pollution control measures.

 

3.            DETAILED REQUIREMENTS OF THE EIA STUDY

 

3.1          The Purpose

 

                           The purpose of this study brief is to scope the key issues of the EIA study and to specify the environmental issues that are required to be reviewed and assessed in the EIA report.  The Applicant has to demonstrate in the EIA report that the criteria in the relevant sections of the Technical Memorandum on the Environmental Impact Assessment Process of the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (hereinafter referred to as the TM) are fully complied with.

 

3.2          The Scope

 

               The scope of this EIA study shall cover the Project proposed in the Project Profile and the works and facilities mentioned in Sections 1.2 V 1.4 above.  The EIA study shall address the key issues described below, together with any other key issues identified during the course of the EIA study and the cumulative environmental impacts of the Project, through interaction or in combination with other existing, committed, and planned and known potential developments in the vicinity of the Project for both long-term and interim scenarios of with and without the planned Road P2 and Central Wan Chai Bypass (CWB):

(i)            the potential air quality impacts on the air sensitive receivers, including fresh air intakes of the nearby hotels and commercial buildings during the operation stage of the Project due to the decking over the existing roads (e.g. Convention Avenue and Expo Drive Central) and planned roads (e.g. Road P2 and Central Wan Chai Bypass as shown on the Draft Wan Chai North Outline Zoning Plan No. S/H25/1);

(ii)          the potential construction stage water quality impacts on the water sensitive receivers including the Water Services Departments Wan Chai Salt Water Pumping Station and other seawater intake points along Convention Avenue for flushing/cooling purpose;

(iii)         the potential landscape and visual impacts on existing and planned sensitive receivers, including the nearby hotels in particular the lower floors, due to the construction and operation of the Project including area underneath the proposed Atrium Link Extension; and

(iv)        the potential impacts of various types of waste arising, including any dredged marine sediment arising from the construction of the Project, during the occasions such as removal of temporary marine piles.

 

3.3          Consideration of Alternatives

 

3.3.1       Need for the Project

 

The Applicant shall present in the EIA the information on the need for the Project and the Projects implementation programme.

 

3.3.2       Consideration of Alternatives

The EIA study shall explore alternative project design, alternative construction methods for the Project, such as no dredging construction method and complete removal of proposed temporary marine piles from the seabed after use instead of cutting off the piles close to the seabed level, with a view to avoiding adverse environmental impacts to the maximum practicable extent, including potential air quality, water quality and landscape and visual impacts, including visual impact on the nearby hotels in particular the lower floors, due to the construction and operation of the Project.

A comparison of the environmental benefits and dis-benefits of applying different project design and construction methods shall be made with a view to recommending the preferred methods to avoid adverse on-site and off-site environmental impacts to the maximum practicable extent.

 

3.4          Technical Requirements

 

The Applicant shall conduct the EIA study to address the environmental aspects as described above.  The EIA study shall include the following technical requirements on specific impacts. The Applicant shall include in the EIA report details of the construction programme.

 

The Applicant shall review previously studies or EIA reports which have a bearing or are relevant to the Project and make reference to the relevant information for the purpose of this EIA study. The following approved EIA reports shall be referred to:

 

(i)                  Environmental Impact Assessment Report of Central - Wan Chai Bypass and Island Eastern Corridor Link (EIAO Register No. AEIAR-041/2001);

(ii)                Environmental Impact Assessment Report of Wanchai Development phase II (EIAO Register No. AEIAR-042/2001);

(iii)               Environmental Impact Assessment Report of Central Reclamation Phase III (EIAO Register No. AEIAR-040/2001); and

(iv)              Environmental Impact Assessment Report of Central and Wan Chai Reclamation Development Focussed Study for the Proposed Extension to the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre - Stage 2 Final Report Vol. 2 V Environment (EIAO Register No. EIA-030/BC)

 

The EIA study shall meet the following technical requirements on specific impacts, unless otherwise approved by the Director specifically in writing.

 

3.4.1              Air Quality Impact (Operation Stage)

3.4.1.1          This EIA study should make reference to the relevant findings and recommendations of the approved EIA reports as mentioned in Section 3.4 above, extract to present all relevant information from the approved EIA reports and incorporate any new and additional information to address the air quality impacts arising from operation of the Project for long-term and interim scenarios of with and without the planned Road P2 and Central Wan Chai Bypass.  The Applicant shall follow the criteria and guidelines for evaluating and assessing air quality impact as stated in Section 1 of Annex 4 and Annex 12 of the TM, respectively.

3.4.1.2          The study area for air quality impact assessment shall generally be defined by a distance of 500 metres from the boundary of the project site, yet it shall be extended to include major emission sources that may have a bearing on the environmental acceptability of the Project.

3.4.1.3          The Applicant shall assess the air pollutant concentrations with reference to the relevant sections of the air modelling guidelines in Appendices B-1 to B-3 attached to this study brief, or other methodology as agreed by the Director.

3.4.1.4          The air quality impact assessment shall cover the operation of the Project, and include the following:

(i)                  Background and Analysis of Activities

(a)    Provide background information relating to air quality issues relevant to the Project, e.g. description of the Project that may affect air quality during operation stage.

(b)   Give an account, where appropriate, of the consideration/measures that had been taken into consideration in the planning of the Project to abate the air pollution impact. That is, the Applicant shall consider alternative project design to minimize the operational air quality impact.

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

(ii)                Identification of Air Sensitive Receivers (ASRs) and Examination of Emission / Dispersion Characteristics

(a)     Identify and describe representative existing and planned/committed 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 that represent the worst impact point of these ASRs.  A map showing the location and description such as name of buildings, their uses and fresh air intake locations, where applicable, and height of the selected assessment points shall be given.  The separation distances of these ASRs from the nearest emission sources shall also be given.

(b)     Provide an exhaustive list of air pollutant emission sources, including any nearby emission sources which are likely to have impact related to the Project based on the analysis of and operational activities in Sub-section (i)(a) above. Examples of operational stage emission sources include exhaust emissions from vehicles, etc. Confirmation of validity of the assumptions and magnitude of the activities (e.g. traffic mix and volume on a road, etc.) shall be obtained from the relevant government departments/ authorities and documented.

(iii)               Operation Phase Air Quality Impact

(a)    The Applicant shall calculate the expected air pollutant concentrations at the identified ASRs based on an assumed reasonably worst case scenario.  The evaluation shall be based on the strength of the emission sources identified in Sub-section (ii)(b) above.  The Applicant shall follow Sub-section (iv) below when carrying out the quantitative assessment.

(b)   For calculation of future road traffic air pollution impacts, the assessment shall be conducted for long-term and interim scenarios of with and without the planned Road P2 and Central Wan Chai Bypass, including its eastbound and westbound slip roads. The Applicant shall contact the Civil Engineering Development Department to obtain the latest best available information on the on-going Review of the Wan Chai Development Phase II. The Applicant shall demonstrate that the selected year of assessment represents the reasonably worst scenario given the combination of vehicular emission factors and traffic flow for the selected year.

(c)    As planned vehicular tunnels and full enclosure (i.e. the planned underground Central Wan Chai Bypass and the proposed Atrium Link Extension) are located in the Project site, it is the responsibility of the Applicant to ensure that the air quality inside/under these proposed structures shall comply with Practice Note on Control of Air Pollution in Vehicle Tunnels issued by the Environmental Protection Department (EPD).  For assessment of air quality impact due to emissions from tunnels/full enclosures, the Applicant shall ensure that the emission amount and the pollutants emitted from these tunnel/full enclosures have been agreed with the relevant tunnel ventilation design engineer and documented.

(iv)              Quantitative Assessment Methodology

(a)    The Applicant shall conduct the assessment with reference to the relevant sections of the modelling guidelines stated in section 3.4.1.3 or any other methodology as agreed with the Director.  The specific methodology must be documented in such level of details, preferably with tables and diagrams, to allow the readers of the assessment report to grasp 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, including types of pollutants and the averaging time concentration, to be evaluated and provide explanation for choosing these parameters for the assessment of the impact of the Project.

(c)    The Applicant shall calculate the cumulative air quality impact at the identified ASRs and compare these results against the criteria set out in section 1 of Annex 4 in the TM.  The predicted air quality impacts, for both unmitigated and mitigated scenarios, shall be presented in the form of summary table and pollution contours, to be evaluated against the relevant air quality standards and on any effect they may have on the land use implications.  Plans of a suitable scale should be used to present pollution contour to allow buffer distance requirements to be determined properly.

(d)   As tunnel and decking above existing and planned roads are involved in the Project, portal emissions of the tunnel/enclosed road section and air quality inside the tunnel/enclosed road section shall also be addressed.  The Applicant shall highlight clearly the locations of the ASRs, including the fresh air intakes of nearby centralised ventilation buildings (e.g. hotels), as well as tunnel/road enclosure and their portals on the contour maps for easy reference.

(v)                Mitigation Measures for Non-compliance

The Applicant shall propose remedies and mitigating measures where the predicted air quality impact exceeds the criteria set in section 1 of Annex 4 in the TM.  These measures, their operation, maintenance and responsibility, and any constraints on future land use planning shall be agreed with the relevant government departments/authorities and documented. The Applicant shall demonstrate quantitatively that the resultant impacts after incorporation of the proposed mitigating measures will comply with the criteria stipulated in section 1 of Annex 4 in the TM.

(vi)              Submission of Model Files

All input and output file(s) of the model run(s) shall be submitted to the Director in electronic format, together with the hard copy submission of the EIA report.

3.4.2              Water Quality Impact (Construction Stage)

3.4.2.1            The Applicant shall follow the criteria and guidelines for evaluating and assessing water pollution as stated in Annexes 6 and 14 of the TM respectively.