16.1.1
As required
by the EIA Study Brief (No. SB-044/BC), the purpose of this EIA Study is to
assess the environmental feasibility and to provide information on the nature
and extent of environmental impacts arising from the construction and operation
of the developments proposed in the Draft RODP, taking into account the
cumulative environmental impacts from other concurrent activities. A detailed assessment has been performed to
demonstrate the environmental acceptability of the Yam O Interchange to R10
toll plaza section of the Chok Ko Wan Link Road (CKWLR) to provide information
for the Environmental Permit application by the Project Proponent. This EIA will provide information to
contribute to decisions by the Director of Environmental Protection on:
·
The overall
acceptability of any adverse environmental consequences that are likely to
arise as a result of the proposed Project;
·
The
conditions and requirements for the detailed design, construction and operation
of the proposed Project to mitigate against adverse environmental consequences,
wherever practicable; and
·
The
acceptability of residual impacts after the proposed mitigation measures are
implemented.
16.1.2
This EIA
Study has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Study Brief
and the general principles and guidelines of the Technical Memorandum on Environmental Impact Assessment Process (EIAO
TM). Additionally, all survey work
undertaken for this EIA has been discussed and agreed with the relevant
authorities before commencement, namely sediment and soil testing (EPD),
terrestrial, marine ecological and fisheries surveys (AFCD), and archaeological
survey (AMO).
16.1.3
As
described in individual technical sections of the EIA Report, wherever
possible, quantitative modelled assessments to specifications agreed, in
advance, by the Director of Environmental Protection have been undertaken to
ensure confidence in the assessment predictions. Additionally, all assessments have been undertaken versus a
worst-case basis to provide conservative impact assessment results. Similarly, mitigation measures recommended
have been screened to ensure their efficacy and finally environmental
monitoring and audit mechanisms have been recommended to verify the accuracy of
predictions and effectiveness of recommended mitigation measures during both
construction and operation.
16.2.1
The
following sections summarise the nature and extent of the key environmental
impacts and findings arising from the construction and operation of the Project
and related activities taking place concurrently assessed, in full, in the EIA. The sections summarise the key environmental
impacts avoided and protection and benefits afforded to sensitive environmental
resources and population, environmentally sensitive designs and
mitigation/compensation areas recommended:
Air Quality
16.2.2
The Project
Area is predominantly rural in nature and the major existing sources of air
emission identified include the NLH and the Penny's Bay Gas Turbine Plant
(GTP). Other potential odour sources
within the Project Area include the Siu Ho Wan Sewage Treatment Works (STW) and
the North Lantau Transfer Station (NLTS).
16.2.3
Air quality
impacts arising from the construction of the Project primarily relate to dust
nuisance and gaseous pollutant emissions from the construction plant and
vehicles. Cumulative dust impacts at
air sensitive receivers (ASRs) identified within the Project Area from all
concurrent construction activities have been quantitatively assessed using
computer dispersion modelling. With the
incorporation of the recommended dust suppression measures, the maximum hourly
and daily total suspended particulates levels are predicted to be within the
relevant standards at the identified ASRs.
16.2.4
Vehicular
emissions, industrial emissions from the GTP and the Theme Park are expected to
be the major sources of air pollutant in the Penny's Bay area during the
operational phase. Cumulative impacts
due to all prominent sources have been assessed using computer dispersion
modelling, taking into consideration the background pollutant
concentrations. Results of the
assessment indicate that the predicted criteria pollutant levels at all ASRs
will comply with relevant Hong Kong Air Quality Objectives (AQOs). Electric passenger trains will be used for
the proposed PBRL hence no air pollutant emissions of significant levels are
envisaged.
16.2.5
Height
restrictions have been incorporated into the Theme Park (Phases I and II) plans
to avoid any potential air quality impact from the GTP and it has been assessed
that the dispersion of the chimney emissions will not affect the Theme Park and
its associated developments.
16.2.6
The impacts
of fireworks display emissions from the Theme Park on air quality has been
assessed in the Theme Park EIA and it is predicted that they would only
contribute to marginal increases in the
air pollutant levels in the atmosphere.
16.2.7
To ensure
AQO will not be exceeded at the air sensitive receivers due to emissions from
major roads, buffer distances recommended by Hong Kong Planning Standards and
Guidelines should be followed in detailed planning of the Project developments. Results of the computer modelling of
unmitigated emission from the Yam Tsai tunnel at Road P1 have indicated
exceedance of HKAQO at ASRs in the vicinity of the portal. Two ventilation buildings have been
recommended at the tunnel to ensure effective dispersion of the pollutant
emissions. With the incorporation of
these recommended mitigation measures, air quality at Luk Keng Tsuen and the
proposed Conservation Area at Luk Keng should achieve full compliance of the
AQOs.
16.2.8
Odour
control facilities have already been incorporated into the NLTS and the Siu Ho
Wan STW to control odour level at the site boundaries to acceptable levels. Hence it is envisaged that there will be no
residual odour impact for the NLDFS developments proposed in the vicinity. Potential odour impacts from the proposed
sewage pumping station would not affect the adjacent ASRs with the adoption of
recommended odour control measures in the detailed design such as enclosure of
odour sources and provision of odour scrubbing systems.
16.2.9
Environmental
monitoring and audit (EM&A) arrangement has been recommended to ensure
compliance of relevant environmental standards at representative sensitive
receivers.
16.3.1
The Project
Area comprises a predominantly rural nature.
The existing NLH and the Lantau Airport Railway are the dominant noise
sources along the northshore of Lantau Island.
A number of industrial operations are scattered within the Project
Area. Background noise of the Project
Area is also affected by the aircraft noise with the Hong Kong International
Airport located at approximately 4.5 km from the western Project Area boundary.
16.3.2
Noise
impacts due to the use of powered mechanical equipment (PME) during
construction phase of the Project have been quantitatively and cumulatively
evaluated based on the worst case construction programme. Results of the assessment indicate that
unmitigated construction activities associated with the Project would cause
exceedances at certain Noise Sensitive Receivers (NSRs) of both daytime and
evening construction noise standards stipulated in the EIAO TM. Mitigation measures such as the use of quiet
plant, erection of temporary noise barriers, reduction on the number of PME
usage and re-scheduling of certain construction activities to avoid evening
works have been recommended to ameliorate the impacts. Night-time construction works will be
limited to the dredging and sand filling activities of the first stage of
Penny's Bay Reclamation. Results of the
assessment indicate that compliance of the night-time 45 dB(A) criterion at
NSRs identified at Peng Chau and Discovery Bay can be achieved during this
worst case period.
16.3.3
Operational
noise impacts from the Theme Park (Phases I and II) have been assessed in
detail in the Theme Park EIA. The
report indicates that noise impacts from the operations and the fireworks shows
are predicted to be within relevant acceptable standards at NSRs.
16.3.4
Unmitigated
road traffic noise predictions suggested that there will be approximately 1,130
residential dwellings at the proposed residential development at Siu Ho Wan and
Luk Keng Tsuen, and 67 classrooms at Siu Ho Wan which exceed the relevant EIAO TM
criteria. At source noise mitigation
measures, including semi-enclosures and roadside barriers, have been proposed
to ameliorate traffic noise impacts at the residential dwellings to achieve the
EIAO TM criterion of 70 dB(A).
Exceedance of the traffic noise criterion was predicted at approximately
13 classrooms at the schools in Siu Ho Wan after all possible direct mitigation
measures have been exhausted. Indirect
noise mitigation measures by the provision of window insulation and
air-conditioning have been recommended to achieve the EIAO TM criterion.
16.3.5
No NSRs
have been planned within the Noise Exposure Forecast (NEF) 25 zone hence no
adverse aircraft noise impacts are anticipated. The Government Flying Service's Penny's Bay helicopter flight
path is an emergency path to be used only in adverse weather conditions. Noise levels predicted at the proposed
residential development at Siu Ho Wan reveals only minor exceedance of 1 dB(A),
of which the impact is envisaged to be minimal.
16.3.6
The
predicted cumulative (Airport Express, Tung Chung Line, and the proposed
Penny's Bay Rail Link) railway noise levels at Luk Keng Tsuen and the proposed
residential and school developments at Siu Ho Wan will comply with the
statutory requirements of the Noise Control Ordinance and the EIAO TM. Adverse noise impacts from train operation
are not envisaged.
16.3.7 For
other fixed plant noise sources, including the Penny's Bay GTP, the proposed
sewage pumping station at Penny’s Bay, the proposed public transport
interchanges at Yam O and Penny's Bay, the proposed future Container Terminal
development near Kau Yi Chau and the Sewage and Water Treatment Works at Siu Ho
Wan, it is predicted that their impacts on NSRs are within the relevant noise
criteria.
16.3.8 Environmental monitoring and audit
(EM&A) arrangement has been recommended to ensure compliance of relevant
environmental standards at representative sensitive receivers.
16.4.1
A review of
EPD routine water quality monitoring data determined that the water quality in
the vicinity of the NLDFS development was generally good. There were, however, exceedances of the
Water Quality Objectives (WQOs) for total inorganic nitrogen to the south of
Penny’s Bay and of dissolved oxygen to
the south and east of Penny’s Bay and to the north of Yam O. The exceedance of the total inorganic
nitrogen had been recorded for the last 10 years and was thought to be strongly
influenced by the outflows from the Pearl River Estuary. The non-compliance of the dissolved oxygen
WQO had not been recorded in earlier years and would be expected to recover in
the future (found to have recovered based on EPD's 1999 water quality
monitoring data). E. coli levels were in compliance with the WQOs for Secondary
Contact Recreation Sub-zones to the south of Penny’s Bay.
16.4.2
The
construction phase impacts were assessed by considering the potential impacts
due to the construction of the reclamations associated with the NLDFS
developments and land based construction activities, including those for the
CKWLR. The assessment determined that,
while there was the potential for adverse impacts to water quality, these
predicted impacts could be readily controlled through the implementation of
suitable mitigation measures. The
mitigation measures were specified in terms of operational constraints and
‘best practice’ construction methods.
The potential impacts to water quality from land based construction
activities could be readily controlled through a series a ‘best practice’
methods to control wastewater discharges from the construction sites. Environmental Monitoring and Audit
(EM&A) was recommended to ensure that no adverse impacts would occur during
reclamation formation, while audit of the mitigation measures for the land
based construction activities would be carried out.
16.4.3
The
assessment of the impacts of the operation of the NLDFS developments on water
quality considered the potential impacts to hydrodynamic characteristics and
marine water quality, as a result of sewage effluent generated by the
developments and stormwater discharges, including those from the CKWLR. The assessment of the impacts of the
operation of the NLDFS development on hydrodynamics and water quality was
undertaken for the development alone and cumulatively with a proposed future
Container Terminal developments near Kau Yi Chau. The assessment determined that the Northshore Lantau Development
could cause changes in tidal current patterns but that these changes in
combination with the discharge of sewage effluent and stormwater would not
result in adverse impacts to water quality.
It was assessed that there was the potential for poor water quality in
the small embayed area at Yam O but that this potential could be mitigated and
that the need for and extent of such mitigation would be determined during
further, more detailed studies. The
cumulative impact from the proposed future Container Terminal developments was
not predicted to cause adverse impacts to water quality, except within the
Container Terminal developments itself.
Mitigation measures were devised to minimise the risk of such an
impact. It was determined that the
potential impacts from the operation of the CKWLR could be controlled through
design measures for the drainage system and would not therefore pose the risk
of adverse impacts.
16.5.1
The
following quantities of waste are expected to arise during the construction of
the NLDFS developments and CKWLR:
Dredged materials (about 55 Mm3 and 4.2Mm3 respectively,
maximum dredging rate is 90,600 m3 day-1 and 6,000 m3
day-1, respectively), construction and demolition waste (peak
generation rate of about 50 m3 day-1 for NLDFS
developments and minimal generation rate for CKWLR); chemical waste (a few
cubic metres per month); and general refuse (3.9 tonnes day-1 and
227.5 kg day-1 respectively during peak construction period). No surplus of excavated materials is
envisaged.
16.5.2
Reclamations
for the NLDFS development and CKWLR require large amounts of fill materials and
therefore offers a very good opportunity to utilise the public fill generated
in the HK SAR. The use of public fill
will not only alleviate the demand for virgin fill material but also reduce the
pressure of disposing inert Construction and Demolition Material (C&DM) at
the strategic landfills. The intention
to maximise the use of good quality public filling material reclamations has
been incorporated into the engineering design of the Project whilst ensuring
that the programme is not adversely affected.
Apart from Penny’s Bay Reclamation Stage I, over 77% of the fill requirements
for other reclamations will make use of public fill. These initiatives will have indirect environmental benefit.
16.5.3
Waste
arising during full operational is estimated to be approximately 335 tpd. With
proper planning and management as well as waste avoidance and recycling
measures, it is considered that the handling and disposal of waste arising from
the Project will not cause insurmountable impacts.
16.5.4
A waste
avoidance and recycling programme, which forms a major part of the Theme Park
(Phases I and II) Waste Management Plan for the operation of the Theme Park and
associated development, will be implemented and closely monitored. Similar plans are recommended for the
operation of other tourism and recreational developments such as Theme Park
Extension, Tourist and Convention Village, Eco Park, Water Recreation Centre,
Technodrome, and the recreational development at Tsing Chau Tsai East.
16.5.5
The
assessment indicates that the NLTS will be able to handle the waste arising
from the NLDFS developments.
16.5.6
Good waste
management practices have been recommended to ensure that adverse environmental
impacts from NLDFS developments and CKWLR construction and operational wastes
are prevented. This EIA concludes that
no unacceptable environmental impacts will result from the storage, handling,
collection, transport, and disposal of wastes arising from the construction and
operation of the NLDFS developments and CKWLR.
16.5.7
No biogas
emission is envisaged at the Theme Park (Phase I) due to the adoption of a
fully dredged reclamation option. As it
is not possible to measure possible methane emission from the organic sediment
within the proposed undredged areas, the gas generation rate has been estimated
based on total organic carbon and sediment oxygen demand levels of the marine
sediment using certain conservative assumptions. On the basis of the results of the sediment analysis and
comparison with published guidance on safe levels of gas emissions, the
predicted rate of gas generation is within the range which may be considered as
‘likely to be safe’ and will not constraint the developments on top of the
reclamation areas.
16.6.1
The major habitat types within the Project Area
comprise secondary woodland, tall shrubland, grassland/shrubland mosaic,
brackish/freshwater wetland, village orchard, wasteland, plantation, freshwater
streams, as well as backshore vegetation.
The field surveys which have been undertaken indicate that the
grassland/shrubland mosaic, which are typical of similar habitats elsewhere in
Hong Kong, are the main habitat type.
The identified secondary woodland, backshore vegetation and freshwater
stream habitats are considered to have moderate to high ecological value, and
all the others habitats a low value.
16.6.2
A number of plant species with ecological interest are
present within the Study Area which may be affected by the proposed NLDFS
developments and CKWLR including Thespesia
populnea (Portia Tree) at Fa Peng and Pa Tau Kwu Pak Wan, Lilium brownii at Fa Peng Teng (Chinese
lily), Amorphophallus variabilis
(Snake Aroid) at Tso Wan, Eriocaulon
merrilli (Pipewort) at Penny’s Bay
and herb Schoenus falcatus at Penny’s
Bay and Chok Ko Wan Tsui.
16.6.3
Two locally rare faunal species have been recorded in
the Study Area: the Rice Fish (Oryzias
latipes) in the lower Mong Tung Hang Stream and the White-bellied Sea Eagle
(Haliaeetus leucogaster) in the Pa Tau Kwu woodland, respectively.
16.6.4
The proposed developments associated with the NSLD and
CKWLR will generally lead to a loss of low ecological value terrestrial
habitats with low ecological impact.
Mitigation measures for the development are recommended to avoid or
reduce the potential impacts on the secondary woodlands, backshore vegetation,
natural streams, rare/restricted/ protected plant species, Rice Fish and the
White-bellied Sea Eagle.
16.6.5
Stream
habitat creation is also recommended to compensate for the loss of the
permanent freshwater stream at Fa Peng and behind the GTP.
16.6.6 During
project construction and operation, the potential disturbance to a pair of White-bellied
Sea Eagles in the Project Area was considered moderate. Although construction disturbance effects
(e.g. noise) could potentially be controlled such that disturbance to the
Eagles would be minimised, and the Theme Park fireworks displays would be
located about 800 m from the nesting site to reduce potential disturbance,
abandonment of the nest site as a result of disturbances could not be ruled
out. However, the closest point from
the Theme Park to the nest site would be about 500 m and in the worst case
scenario of nest abandonment, the White-bellied Sea Eagles should be able to
find suitable alternative nesting sites.
Hence, no significant residual impacts are expected, though construction
and operation EM&A was recommended to provide feedback into construction
and operation to minimise any disturbance.
16.7.1 Literature
reviews of existing information supplemented with the results of Project field
surveys on marine ecological resources indicate that the intertidal rocky
shores within the Study Area are of medium ecological value whereas for the
sandy habitats, low ecological value was assigned. Soft bottom habitats identified in the review were regarded as of
low ecological value. A small area
containing high ecological value assemblages of hard corals will be lost as a
result of the reclamation activities.
Information on baseline conditions suggests that no species of
conservation importance have been recorded from the marine areas close to the
reclamation site, with the exception of the Indo-Pacific Humpbacked
Dolphin. However, as the waters near
the proposed NLDFS reclamation sites do not appear to be highly utilised by the
dolphins, it is unlikely that this area contains critical Indo-Pacific
Humpbacked Dolphin (Sousa chinensis)
habitat.
16.7.2 Potential
impacts to marine ecological resources from the proposed construction works may
arise either indirectly, e.g. through perturbations of the surrounding water
quality, or directly as a result of habitat loss. The natural intertidal and subtidal assemblages within the
various reclamation footprints will be lost permanently. However, it is anticipated that given
adequate seawall design, assemblages typical of those lost will recolonise
after reclamation. Indirect impacts
during the reclamation process, such as an increase in suspended solids levels
and decrease in dissolved oxygen in the water column may impact intertidal and
subtidal filter feeders and other marine organisms. However, the effects are not expected to be severe and no unacceptable
impacts are predicted to occur from NLDFS developments or CKWLR Project
construction.
16.7.3 Operational
impacts to marine ecological resources may occur through disturbances to water
quality due to changes in the hydrodynamic regime of the area or due to
polluted discharges into the marine environment. It is expected that all NLDFS developments discharges will comply
with the Water Pollution Control
Ordinance discharge standards and consequently marine ecological resources
will be protected from impacts. Minor
changes in the local hydrodynamic regime are predicted although these are not
expected to alter water quality to an extent that marine ecological resources
are affected. An increase in the number
of vessels travelling to and from the Pearl River Delta and the NLDFS is
predicted to occur. Many of these
vessels on the northshore of Lantau are expected to be high speed ferries to
and from the cross boundary ferry terminal (CBFT) which could potentially
impact dolphin populations. Mitigation
measures have been recommended to minimise disturbances to dolphins.
16.7.4 Mitigation
measures specific to marine ecology include the provision of either rubble
mound, armour rock or concrete armour seawalls on the edges of the reclamations
to facilitate colonisation by intertidal organisms and corals which will be
lost as a result of the construction of the reclamation. Mitigation measures designed to minimise
impacts to the seasonal population of marine mammals that use the area include
restrictions on vessel speed and the use of bubble curtains during underwater
percussive piling work for construction of the CBFT and Road P1. Other mitigation measures designed to
mitigate impacts to water quality to acceptable levels (compliance with WQOs)
are also expected to mitigate impacts to marine ecological resources.
16.7.5 The
impacts occurring as a result of construction and operation of the NLDFS are
the direct loss of 258 ha of the low ecological value soft benthic assemblages,
4.6 km of medium and low ecological value intertidal shores and 0.16 ha of high
ecological value coral habitat. The
loss of the habitat within the areas to be reclaimed can be mitigated through
the provision of 11.3 km of rubble mound, armour rock or concrete armour
sloping seawalls which are suitable for the colonisation and growth of
intertidal organisms. These seawalls
will provide 3.1 ha which are suitable for the colonisation and growth of
corals. This mitigation measure reduces
the magnitude of the residual impact to acceptable levels.
16.7.6 The cumulative
losses of habitats as a result of NLDFS developments, Theme Park and its
associated developments and Route 10 are the direct loss of 558 ha of soft
bottom benthic habitat, the severity of which is anticipated to be acceptable
as the areas to be reclaimed are of low ecological value. The residual impact is considered to be
acceptable as the habitat is of low ecological value and the rubble mound,
armour rock or concrete armour sloping seawalls and Artificial Reefs to be
deployed will assist in enhancing the marine ecology of the area surrounding
the completed reclamations. The direct
loss of 0.458 ha of subtidal hard surface habitats of high ecological value is
unlikely to be acceptable without mitigation.
The provision of rubble mound, armour rock or concrete armour sloping
seawalls is expected to provide greater than 7.4 ha of habitat suitable for
colonisation by corals. With these
mitigation measures in place the residual cumulative loss of subtidal habitat
is considered to be acceptable. The direct
loss of 4.68 km of natural and 4.27 km of artificial intertidal habitats, the
severity of which is anticipated to be acceptable in the light of the
provisioning of greater than 15.2 km of sloping artificial seawalls that are
ecologically enhancing.
16.7.7
An ecological monitoring and audit programme involving
the use of dive surveys will be conducted to report on the progress of
colonisation of the rubble mound, armour rock or concrete armour sloping
seawalls once construction works have ceased.
As an additional habitat enhancement measure the Project Proponent of
the Theme Park EIA, CED, has undertaken to deploy Artificial Reefs (AR) in Hong
Kong waters at a site (or sites) to be decided upon consultation with AFCD and
others. The location and feasibility of
the AR within the Project Area is subject to detailed study. Construction phase dolphin monitoring should
be conducted to evaluate whether there have been any effects on the
animals. Operation phase dolphin
monitoring should be conducted for a period of two years on commencement of
operations of the CBFT by a qualified research team, to evaluate whether there
have been any effects on the animals.
Further monitoring and audit activities specifically designed to assess
the effects of the reclamation activities on marine ecological resources are
not deemed necessary as those conducted to detect and mitigate any unacceptable
impacts to water quality will serve to protect against unacceptable impacts to
marine ecological resources.
16.8.1
A review of existing information on capture fisheries
indicates that the value and productivity of the adult fisheries resources in
the marine areas close to the proposed reclamation sites are in general
low. Adult capture fisheries resources
are unlikely to be adversely impacted by the NLDFS and CKWLR Projects as they
will likely avoid the works areas.
Although impacts to fish fry may occur through the permanent loss of
habitat and/or elevated suspended sediment levels as a result of the proposed
reclamation works, these impacts have been deemed acceptable as these waters
are not an important nursery or spawning area for commercial fisheries
species. Any impacts which are
predicted can be mitigated through Project design. Any measures which are required to reduce impacts to water
quality will also serve to protect against unacceptable impacts to capture
fisheries resources.
16.8.2
In terms of
residual impacts to capture fisheries, the combination of the small loss of
fishing grounds and the low value to the Hong Kong fishery are expected to be
compensated for by the potential environmental benefits of the proposed rubble
mound, armour rock or concrete armour
sloping seawalls. Artificial Reefs have
been recommended for deployment as an additional marine ecology and fisheries
habitat enhancement measure. As a
result, the residual impacts to capture fisheries through the construction and
operation of the NLDFS and CKWLR Projects has been deemed acceptable.
16.8.3
In terms of
impacts to the culture fisheries, the Ma Wan Fish Culture Zone (FCZ) is not
predicted to be impacted by either suspended solids elevations, dissolved
oxygen depletions or nutrient elevations as a result of the either the
construction or operation. Discharges
comply with WPCO standards and any potential impacts to water quality and,
therefore, culture fisheries resources at the FCZ, will be avoided. Project changes to the hydrodynamic regime
are not expected to impact the water quality of the FCZ as current speeds are
expected to be only minimally affected.
16.9.1
A number of
potential sources of hazard have been identified within the Project Area. These include the Siu Ho Wan Water Treatment
Works, which is classified as a Potentially Hazardous Installation, the
proposed Tang Lung Dangerous Goods Anchorage, the Towngas high pressure gas
pipeline which has a landfall at the Luk Keng headland and runs along the North
Lantau coast to Tai Ho, and the handling and storage of fireworks and sodium
hypochlorite at the Theme Park (Phases I and II).
16.9.2
Based on
the identification of hazard sources within the NLDFS Study Area, the proximity
of the proposed NLDFS developments to these hazard sources and the additional
population due to the proposed NLDFS developments, it is found that the
proposed developments considered in the Draft RODP do not contribute to any
significant increase in overall risks from the hazard sources.
16.9.3
It is
concluded that the Draft RODP is compatible with Hong Kong Risk Guidelines and
are feasible from hazard to life considerations.
16.10.1
The
Northshore Lantau area is rural in nature with significant intrusions along the
north coast in the form of the NLH. Elements consist of natural and man-made
coastlines, bay and coastal waters, undulating hills and upland area,
associated with Fa Peng Teng, Tai Yam Teng and Tai Shan, and some small streams
and associated valleys. Upland areas are dominated by grassland, and denser
shrubland and woodland exist in scattered groups along sheltered stream courses
and the lower slopes. Many of the streamcourses in the north of the study areas
have already been altered due to construction of the NLH corridor. Much of the coastline has already been
disturbed or reclaimed.
16.10.2
Development
is proposed predominantly on reclamation and the local natural landscape will
remain relatively undisturbed. Impacts
will be concentrated on the south and east on Tsing Chau Tsai headland due to
cut slopes for the construction of the CKWLR and the service reservoir.
Additional smaller impacts will occur on the south and east Fa Peng Teng
hillsides due to construction of the Road P1 extension, tunnel portals and at
Ngong Shuen Au due to loss of woodland for CKWLR.
16.10.3
Landscape
character on Fa Peng Teng will change from primarily natural hillsides to a
zone containing a road and the
reservoir with associated slope cuttings, although much of the hillsides will
retain their overall character. The
change of Penny’s Bay from a bay to a reclaimed area will represent a major
change in character. The proposed
development will cause a change of the overall character of this eastern end of
Lantau, from being distinctly rural to a more sub-urban tourism and recreation
oriented landscape, with a mix of build up and natural areas.
16.10.4
Visual
impacts will arise from the extension of the coastline along the northern side
of Lantau. However, much of its coastal areas are already reclaimed and is
dominated by the NLH and Airport Railway.
The predominantly low rise development complimented by comprehensive
urban design and landscaping will provide the opportunity to create a new
character to the coastal zone to screen and buffer the transport corridor. The recent policy decision for enhancing the
existing NLH corridor and the landscape treatment of the additional transport
infrastructure will provide an opportunity to achieve such objectives and will
have a beneficial impact visually on the Northshore Lantau area.
16.10.5
On the
southern side of Lantau the impacts are likely to be greater overall as the
change in character will be from the current bay with limited disturbance to a
large reclamation. The change of character will be great, but will also provide
opportunity to create positive visual features and high quality landscaping of
the area.
16.10.6
The main
landscape impacts after mitigation are the loss of good quality woodland,
shrubland and natural coastline. A range of mitigation measures have been
proposed in the form of compensatory planting and provision of naturalistic
contours. Rough blasting for cut slopes
will reduce impacts to the greatest extent.
Visual impacts will be substantially alleviated by mitigation measures.
Impacts that persist are associated chiefly with the slope cutting for CKWLR at
Pa Tau Kwu.
16.10.7
The primary
residual impact that have been identified are the loss of the bay at Penny’s
Bay and coastal water on the Northshore Lantau and the adverse impact of the
CKWLR on local landscape and visual quality of the area. However, the development will introduce a
high quality tourism and recreational area which is a new landscape character. In accordance with the EIAO TM, the
landscape and visual impacts are considered acceptable with mitigation.
16.11.1
Desk-top
literature review and field surveys were conducted to assess the cultural
heritage impacts. The NLDFS
developments and the CKWLR have been designed with due consideration to avoid
and minimise the potential impacts to the known archaeological sites as far as
practicable.
16.11.2
Mitigation
measures to heritage resources such as temporary coverage of the archaeological
site before construction have been recommended to ameliorate the potential
impacts. In order to ensure the preservation of the heritage sites within the
Project Area, a number of archaeological sites, heritage building structures,
and grave sites located in the vicinity to construction sites have been
recommended to be shown on construction plans as “temporary protection
area”. The sites will be fenced off
during the construction period.
16.11.3
Preservation
by record prior to the reclamation of Chok Ko Wan archaeological site has been
recommended to mitigate the impact through implementation of a full rescue
programme. Field evaluations conducted at the proposed Tso Wan Village
Expansion Area site have identified three grave sites and two boundary stones.
No significant archaeological remains have been identified during the field
evaluations.
16.11.4
The
preferred alignments of CKWLR and Road P2 may have impact on potential
archaeological deposit at the original coastal area currently covered by Cheoy
Lee Shipyard. Field evaluation at the Cheoy Lee Shipyard site has been
recommended to provide data for the design of the structural support locations
of the roads. Rescue excavation may be
considered if avoidance of impacts is considered impractical.
16.11.5
Detailed
design of certain developments and infrastructures including the Road P1,
drainage channel at Fa Peng, looking out area at Fa Peng Teng and services
reservoirs at Yam O Tuk should avoid direct impact to the archaeological sites
in the vicinity as far as practicable.
16.12.1
Contaminated
land issues have not been identified as a major concern for the Study Area,
with the exception of the Cheoy Lee Shipyard (CLS) site. However, the NLDFS EIA comprises Schedule 3 level coverage of the
environmental impacts arising from shipyard decommissioning, although access to
the shipyard site was not available as part of the Schedule 3 NLDFS EIA, due to
its present operation and private ownership. A separate and subsequent EIA
Study will be commissioned by CED before the decommissioning of the CLS. This subsequent decommissioning EIA, which,
due to access requirements can only commence after the shipyard property has
become available, will include detailed site investigation and formulation of
appropriate remedial methods and procedures, if required, to decontaminate the
shipyard site. CED presently expect
this decommissioning EIA to be completed and submitted under the EIAO to DEP
for approval in 2002. More importantly,
this decommissioning EIA will need to be approved under the EIAO, and an
Environmental Permit issued by the DEP before any construction work can
commence in the shipyard area.
16.12.2
As a result
of the CLS site Schedule 2 EIA described above, appropriate remediation will be
performed in accordance with EPD guidelines for the decommissioning of the
shipyard site, future potential negative impacts are not expected. The concerns for potential impacts of land
contamination are reduced further as there have been no documented spillages or
confirmed leakages from this shipyard site, or any other facilities within the
Study Area according to Government sources.
Where shipyard facility operations are noted to be a concern for causing
potential contamination, it is noted that standard mitigation measures will be
employed, thereby reducing the need for contact with any potentially
contaminated soils during construction works. In order to provide quantitative
information to the limited extent possible, a preliminary sampling programme
was conducted along a stream bed discharging from the southeastern boundary of
the CLS site. The results of five soil
samples indicated that, whilst low concentrations of total petroleum
hydrocarbons (as gasoline) and 11 heavy metal compounds were detected in some
samples, the concentrations were not a major concern. Almost all of the
detected metal compounds were noted to be below the respective Dutch “A” Value
concentrations, which would imply clean, uncontaminated soil. Likewise, there
was also no sign of elevated levels of contamination in the marine sediment
samples taken from outside the seaward boundary of the shipyard. Therefore, assuming that remedial measures
prescribed by the CLS site Schedule 2 EIA are conducted in accordance with
appropriate protocols and the Guidance
Notes (this will be verified in the CLS site Schedule 2 EIA), there will be
no potential residual negative impacts, and no insurmountable conditions for
the future use of the former CLS site for road and railway access to the Theme
Park (Phases I and II) and associated developments.
16.13.1
An EM&A
Manual has been prepared for the Project which contains detailed EM&A
arrangement for the construction of CKWLR.
It is envisaged that there may be multiple contracts underway in the
area during the construction of CKWLR for which an Environmental Projects
Office (ENPO) will be set up to integrate the reclamation and construction
works in the North-East Lantau area.
The Project EM&A Manual which has recommended a comprehensive
EM&A programme comprising monitoring before construction and monitoring
and audit during both construction and
operation of the Project for air
(baseline, construction and operation), noise (baseline, construction and
operation), water (baseline and construction), waste management (construction
and operation), terrestrial (baseline, construction and operation), and marine
ecological (baseline, construction and operation) resources.
16.14.1
The
perceived benefits associated with the tourism and recreational developments
are expected to be primarily of an economic nature. The Theme Park development and hotels, and other proposed
recreational developments would be expected to strengthen HK SAR’s role as
major tourist destinations in Asia and the world and generate substantial
employment opportunities during both construction and operation. The proposed housing in Siu Ho Wan would
help increase housing supply to meet the demand.
16.14.2
The
reclamation for the Theme Park and associated developments will require a large
amount of fill material and therefore offers a very good opportunity to utilise
the public fill generated in the SAR.
The use of public fill will not only alleviate the demand for virgin
fill material but also reduce the pressure of disposing inert Construction and
Demolition Material (C&DM) at the strategic landfills. The entire NLDFS has assumed an overall 40%
of the total filling material to be public fill. The reclamation design intention is to maximise the use of good
quality public filling material for the proposed reclamations. Except for the Penny’s Bay (Stage I)
Reclamation which the use of public fill is constrained by the construction programme,
over 77% of public fill will be used as fill materials at other proposed NLDFS
reclamations.
16.14.3
The
proposed NLDFS developments will transform the area from a predominantly rural
to a suburban area with tourism and recreation oriented landscape. It will provide an opportunity to create
positive visual features and a high quality landscape setting.
16.14.4
The Cheung
Sok Island has been zoned Conservation Area in the OZP. A preliminary planning
concept of an Eco Park has been proposed at Luk Keng under the Draft RODP,
subject to further investigation, and it is expected that recreation of
habitats or introduction of new habitats/ species would be required to upgrade
the interest of the site and enhance visitor appeal.
16.14.5
The
deletion of two reclamation areas (about 16 ha) to the south-west and east of
Cheung Sok from the previous North-East Lantau Port OZP has preserved
approximately 1 km of natural coastline.
16.14.6
As an additional habitat enhancement measure the
Project Proponent of the EIA for Construction of an International Theme Park in
Penny's Bay of North Lantau and Its Essential Associated Infrastructures has
recommended to deploy 4,350 m3 Artificial Reefs (ARs) in Hong Kong
waters at a site (or sites) to be decided upon consultation with the AFCD. ARs
act as fish aggregation devices and provide hard bottom, high profile habitat
in areas without natural cover. The AR subsequently will provide food, shelter
and a nursery ground for commercial fish and, over the long term enhance
fishery stocks. Enhanced fish stocks in
the area will not only benefit local fishermen but will also increase the
availability of prey items for the seasonal population of marine mammals that
use the area. One potential location for the deployment of the ARs includes the
area north of the Luk Keng headland.
The location and feasibility of AR within the Project Area is subject to
detailed study.
16.14.7
The rubble
mound, armour rock or concrete armour
sloping seawalls proposed for the reclamation have been demonstrated to become
colonised by subtidal hard surface assemblages, such as soft corals, gorgonians
and hard corals. Thus the potential
habitat provided by the total surface area of the such sloping seawalls of the
NLDFS reclamations is expected to mitigate for the loss of natural shorelines
whilst providing additional habitats and benefit to Hong Kong’s marine ecology
and fisheries after construction.
16.14.8
Secondary
woodland planting will compensate for the approximate loss of 1.8 ha of the woodland at Ngong Shuen Au which cannot
be avoided by the PBRL, Road P2 and CKWLR alignment has been recommended. As considerable areas, not less than 7 ha,
of woodland planting are proposed as landscape and visual impact mitigation on
the adjacent hill side to the east of Ngong Shuen Au, sufficient compensatory
woodland will be provided. Species used
for planting should take reference from the species identified in the Tree
Survey and be native to Hong Kong or South China region.
16.14.9
The use of
fabric (plastic) fenders instead of tropical hardwood fenders has been
recommended in the proposed Theme Park Ferry Pier and service quay, as well as
the Cross Boundary Ferry Terminal construction.
16.14.10
The use of
wooden hoardings in the Project construction will not be allowed and metal
(aluminium, alloy, etc.) has been recommended to help reducing the construction
and demolition (C&D) wastes.
16.14.11
The Theme
Park operator, HKITP, will additionally benefit the environment by
implementation of waste reduction initiatives. The quantity of recyclable
materials potentially recovered by local recyclers under market driven
conditions is estimated to be about 23 to 26% of the total waste generated.
These estimates are based on the market conditions in Hong Kong. The analysis on the markets show that the
market for the major recyclables exists, especially when source separation
programmes are in place to enhance the market value of the materials. It has been recommended in the Theme Park
EIA that the operator should institute a source separation programme to recover
recyclables from the remaining waste stream with a recycling target of an
additional 10% for remaining recyclable materials and an extra 10% for food
waste if a composting facility is available in HK SAR. A waste avoidance and recycling programme,
which forms a major part of the HKITP’s Waste Management Plan for the operation
of the Theme Park, should be implemented and annually monitored. It is recommended similar waste reduction
and recycling arrangement could be considered by other NLDFS tourism and
recreation developments.
16.14.12
The current
dredged and drained design of Penny's Bay Reclamation will have a 30% decrease
in total dredging volume, a 34% decrease in fill volume, and a 97% reduction in
the volume of contaminated sediments requiring disposal compared to the
previously proposed combined Container Terminals No. 10 & 11 Ancillary
Works (Design) and the Design of Reclamation and Edge Structures for Container
Terminals 10 and 11 and Back-up Areas (fully dredged option) of the Lantau Port
Development - Stage 1 Study.
16.14.13
Environmental
benefits will also arise from the conversion of land uses from port
developments to tourism and recreation purposes, in particular for visual and
landscape aspects.
16.14.14
The public
modes of transport to the proposed NLDFS developments are expected to
dominate. Of the public modes, the rail
mode will be dominant mode of access to the Theme Park through the proposed
Penny's Bay Rail Link, which is connected with the Tung Chung Line, and its possible future extensions and will
be complemented by other transport modes and the provision of integrated transport facilities (PTIs at Yam O
and the Theme Park) to improve accessibility by rail.
16.15.1
As detailed
in Section 2, Schedule 2 Designated Projects identified within the Draft RODP
which may require further studies for their Environmental Permits application
include the following :
1.
Road P1 (Primary Distributor) of about 4 km;
2.
Distributor Road for the Theme Park Extension
(about 1 km);
3.
Possible future Penny's Bay Rail Link Extension
from Theme Park to Tsing Chau Tsai East Reclamation and Hong Kong, and its
associated stations;
4.
Reclamations proposed at Northshore Lantau (65
ha), Tsing Chau Tsai East (74 ha), Theme Park Extension (80 ha), and Siu Ho Wan
(39 ha) including Special Duties Unit and Small Boat Division Marine Base and
Road P2 (Siu Ho Wan to Ta Pang Po section);
5.
Proposed drainage within 300 m from the Fa Peng
archaeological site;
6.
Theme Park Extension Development (about 70 ha)
and
7.
Decommissioning of Cheoy Lee Shipyard.
16.16.1
The EIA
has, based on the latest information available, critically assessed the overall
acceptability of the adverse environmental consequences that are likely to
arise as a result of the Project and, where necessary, has specified the
conditions and requirements for the detailed design, construction and operation
of the Project to mitigate against adverse environmental consequences, wherever
practicable.
16.16.2
The EIA for
NLDFS and CKWLR has predicted that the Projects will comply with all
environmental standards and legislation after the proposed construction and
operational stage mitigation measures are implemented and has thus demonstrated
the acceptability of residual impacts. EM&A mechanisms have been
recommended before, during construction and operation to verify the accuracy of
EIA predictions and effectiveness of recommended mitigation measures.
16.16.3
In conclusion, the
EIA has determined that the preferred CKWLR alignment and its associated 17 ha
reclamation at Tsing Chau Tsai East are considered to be environmentally
acceptable. It also provides a suitable
basis for the Director of Environmental Protection to consider granting an
Environmental Permit to allow the construction and operation of CKWLR (Yam O
Interchange to R10-NLYLH toll plaza section).
16.16.4
The EIA has
also demonstrated the environmental feasibility of the NLDFS developments and
infrastructures proposed in the Draft RODP and there should be no
insurmountable environmental impacts during the construction and operational
stages. Further studies are likely to
be required for DPs within NLDFS where sufficient details are not presently
available in this EIA.