4        NON-COMPLIANCE (EXCEEDANCE) OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY PERFORMANCE LIMITS (ACTION AND LIMIT LEVELS)

 

Summary of Exceedances

 

4.1               The event and Action Plans for air quality and water quality are presented in Appendix G.

 

4.2               There were 7 (three Action and four Limit Level) 24-hr TSP exceedances in the reporting quarter.

 

4.3               In the reporting quarter, 35 water quality exceedances (1 DO, 12 turbidity and 22 SS exceedances) were recorded, in which 6 were recorded in April, 13 in May and 16 in June 2006.

 

Review of the Reasons for and the Implications of Non-compliance

4.4               Two Action and three Limit Level 24-hr TSP exceedances were recorded in April 2006. One Action Level and one Limit Level exceedances were recorded in May 2006. There was no Action/Limit Level exceedances recorded in June 2006. All exceedances were considered due to insufficient water dampening for the haul road, dust emission from rock crushing plant and due to an uncovered stockpile near the monitoring station. The Contractor was recommended to:

·         Implement proper mitigation measures at site exit and near weighbridge

·         Provide sufficient water spraying during unloading activities and rock crushing activities

·         Ensure the area near the site exit and all the haul roads to be sufficiently dampened

·         Advise the dump truck drivers to travel on the dampened haul roads

 

4.5               In accordance with the observations by ET during the water quality monitoring events, there was no sediment plume observed from the Fill Bank. The recorded levels were within the respective baseline data range. The exceedances were due to natural variation and not Project-related.

 

Summary of Actions Taken

4.6               Although the exceedance events were considered not related to the Project, the Contractor properly maintained sufficient mitigation measures. ET had notified EPD, ER, IC(E) and the Contractor of all the exceedance events and provided recommendations for their follow-up actions.