11.1.1
This section further elaborates the requirements
of environmental monitoring and audit (EM&A) for the construction and
operation phases of the Project, based on the assessment results of the various
environmental issues. The objectives of
carrying out EM&A for the Project include the following:
·
to provide a database against which
any short or long term environmental impacts of the Project can be determined;
·
to provide an early indication should
any of the environmental control measures or practices fail to achieve the
acceptable standards;
·
to monitor the performance of the
Project and the effectiveness of mitigation measures;
·
to verify the environmental impacts
predicted in the EIA Study;
·
to determine project compliance with
regulatory requirements, standards and government policies;
·
to take remedial action if unexpected
problems or unacceptable impacts arise; and
·
to provide data to enable an
environmental audit.
11.1.2
The following sections summarises
the recommended EM&A requirements for the Project. Details of the specific requirements are
provided in a stand-alone EM&A Manual.
11.2.1
The air quality assessment has concluded
that the TSP levels
at the ASRs areare well within the dust criteria, with
the implementation of recommended
mitigation measuresmitigation measures stipulated in the Air Pollution Control (Construction Dust)
Regulation. Air monitoring during the construction of the
Project is considered not necessary but weekly site audits are required to
ensure that the dust and odour control measures are properly implemented.
11.3.1 Construction of the proposed drainage improvement works is likely,
if unmitigated, to generate high noise levels exceeding 75 dB(A) Leq(30-min) at
the NSRs identified in close
proximity to the proposed work sites. By using quietsilenced
equipment, movable noise barriers and temporary noise barrier, the mitigated
noise levels at the NSRs due to this Project would comply with the daytime
construction noise standard as set out in the EIAO-TM.
11.3.2 Noise monitoring stations are were proposed in in the vicinity of Sai
Kung River, Pak Kong River and Ho Chung Channel. The construction noise level
measured in terms of the A-weighted equivalent continuous sound pressure level
(Leq). Leq (30 min)
shall be used as the monitoring parameter for the time period between 0700-1900
hours on normal weekdays. Detailed
monitoring requirements are addressed in a stand-alone EM&A Manual.
11.4.1
The water quality assessment in the
EIA Report identified that the key issue in terms of water quality would be
related to excavation works for during the earth channel construction of the
proposed drainage improvement works. To
minimisze
potential impacts on water quality of surrounding water bodies during the
channel construction, less disturbing construction methods have beenwere recommended.
The EIA concluded that other identified water quality impacts could be minimiszed by
implementing the recommended mitigation measures for the construction works,
such as control measures on runoff and drainage from the works areas to minimisze construction
run-off and as well as proper site management and good
housekeeping practices.
11.4.2 In order
to detect any deterioration of water quality in the proposed three rivers and initiate any
necessary mitigation actions, water quality monitoring and audit was proposed
during the construction phase. Such d, and the
details are included in a stand-alone the separate EM&A Manual.
11.5.1
Waste management will be the
contractor’s responsibility to ensure that all wastes produced during the
construction of the Project are handled, stored and disposed of in accordance
with the recommended good waste management practices and EPD’s regulations and
requirements. The mitigation measures
recommended in Section 6 should form the basis of the site Waste Management
Plan to be developed by the Contractor at the construction stage.
11.5.2
It is recommended that the waste
arising generated during the construction activities should be audited
periodically to determine if wastes are being managed in accordance with
approved procedures and the site Waste Management Plan. The audits should look at all aspects of
waste management including waste generation, storage, recycling, transport and
disposal. An appropriate audit programme is to undertake a first audit near the
commencement of the construction works, and then to audit on a quarterly basis
thereafter. In addition, the routine
site inspections should check the implementation of the recommended good site
practices and other waste management mitigation measures.
11.6.1
Based on the findings of site appraisal and desktop
study, two potential contaminative workshops, including Workshop
A - Wah Shing Motor Repairing Factory and Workshop B - Wing Chong Car Repair (Figure 7.3 refers) are identified partially located within the proposed alignment of
Pak Kong River. Two potential contaminated zones have subsequently been confined for site
investigation after Based on the findings of
site appraisal and desktop study, two
potential zones have beenwere confined for further investigationthe land is resumed for the Project. due to the presence of two
potential contaminative workshops located within the proposed alignment of Pak
Kong River, including Workshop A1 - Wah
Shing Motor Repairing Factory and Workshop B1 - Wing
Chong Car Repair. (Figure 7.3 refers)
11.6.2
Owing to the possibility of land-use
and site condition changes, an updatinged
of the
preliminary
contamination assessment plan ( CAP) would be required by
the future Environmental Team at a later stage when full site inspection is
available after the land is resumed for
the Project after land
resumption. Site investigation at the potential contaminated zones should should follow the
requirements laid out in the approved CAP. Contamination Assessment Report (CAR) and, if necessary,
Remediation Action Plan (RAP) shouldall
be prepared accordingly.
11.6.3 It
should be noted that the CAP, site investigation, CAR and RAP shouldall be carried out as soon as the land is resumed for the study. The Project Proponent shouldall take into account the time required for land contamination study at the identified site. Construction works mayight only be carried out at these areas until the
investigation results are found acceptable. Recommended mitigation measures shouldallshould
be implemented during the construction stage of the Project. Detailed are provided in a
stand-alone EM&A Manual.
11.7.1 The
proper implementation of mitigation measures recommended in Section 8.8 should
be audited.
11.7.2 A specific
monitoring programme of channels constructed to replace Sai Kung, Pak Kong and Ho Chung Rivers is
recommended. The programme should provide data on the re-establishment of
aquatic/riparian communities in the channels, and allow an assessment of the
relative success of mitigation measures to be made. Baseline data should be
collected several months before the commencement of the construction phase,
with monitoring conducted 3 times a year during the construction phase, and 3
times a year for 3 years after the completion of works. Data collected should
include abiotic (e.g., water quality, sediment characteristics) and biotic
(e.g., avifauna, macroinvertebrate and fish populations, aquatic, emergent and
riparian vegetation) parameters. Reports on the findings of each monitoring
trip should be submitted to AFCD for review/discussion. A final report
summarising the results of monitoring over 3 years should be prepared to serve
as a reference for future projects of this kind. Monitoring should be conducted
by a suitably qualified ecologist(s) appointed by the Project Proponent.
11.7.3 The
newly constructed river Sai Kung River and Ho Chung River cChannels are expected to provide a
similar habitat to the rivers they would replace. It is therefore anticipated that
wildlife found in the existing rivers would successfully re-colonise the new
channels. However, if the post-construction phase monitoring demonstrates that
re-colonisation is unsuccessful the following contingency plan should be
implemented:
·
Baseline data collected prior to the construction
phase should be compared with post-construction phase data. Any substantial
differences in habitat characteristics (e.g., water quality, aquatic/emergent
vegetation) should be noted.
·
The potential cause of differences between pre- and
post-construction phase habitat characteristics (e.g., changes in water depth,
sediment characteristics) should be identified.
·
Measures to further rehabilitate the habitat
characteristics of river channels should be implemented (e.g., minor
re-profiling of riverbed, planting of riparian/emergent/aquatic vegetation,
increasing heterogeneity of substratum).
·
Further monitoring of abiotic and biotic parameters
should be conducted to determine the relative success of the contingency
habitat rehabilitation measures.
11.7.4 Following
transplantation of the two Ehretia acuminata trees and six seedlings, and the
planting of seedlings germinated from seeds collected from the two trees,
regular monitoring of the trees and seedlings should be conducted to check on
the health and condition of the plants. Monitoring should cover the 12-month
period following transplantation and planting, and be conducted at least twice
a month for the first four months after transplantation/planting, and once a
month for the remaining eight months. Monitoring should be conducted by a
suitably qualified botanist/horticulturalist appointed by the Project
Proponent.
Baseline
data collected prior to the construction phase should be compared with
post-construction phase data. Any substantial differences in habitat
characteristics (e.g., water quality, aquatic/emergent vegetation) should be
noted.
11.1.1
11.1.1The
potential cause of differences between pre- and post-construction phase habitat
characteristics (e.g., changes in water depth, sediment characteristics) should
be identified.
11.1.1
11.1.1Measures
to further rehabilitate the habitat characteristics of river channels should be
implemented (e.g., minor re-profiling of riverbed, planting of riparian/emergent/aquatic
vegetation, increasing heterogeneity of substratum).
11.1.1
Further monitoring of abiotic and biotic parameters
should be conducted to determine the relative success of the contingency
habitat rehabilitation measures.
11.1.1
Following transplantation of
the two Ehretia acuminata trees and approximately six seedlings, and the planting
of seedlings germinated from seeds collected from the two trees, regular
monitoring of the trees and seedlings should be conducted to check on the
health and condition of
the plants. Monitoring should cover the 12-month period following
transplantation and planting, and be conducted at least twice a month for the
first four months after transplantation/planting, and once a month for the
remaining eight months. Monitoring
should be conducted by a suitably qualified botanist/horticulturalist appointed
by the Project Proponent.The
proper implementation of mitigation measures recommended in Section 8.9
should be audited.
11.1.1
A specific monitoring
programme of channels constructed to replace Sai Kung, Pak Kong and Ho Chung
Rivers is recommended. The programme should provide data on the
re-establishment of aquatic/riparian communities in the channels, and allow an
assessment of the relative success of mitigation measures to be made. Baseline
data should be collected several months before the commencement of the
construction phase, with monitoring conducted 3 times a year during the
construction phase, and 3 times a year for 3 years after the completion of
works. Data collected should include abiotic (e.g., water quality, sediment
characteristics) and biotic (e.g., avifauna, macroinvertebrate and fish
populations, aquatic, emergent and riparian vegetation) parameters. Reports on
the findings of each monitoring trip should be submitted to AFCD for
review/discussion. A final report summarising the results of monitoring over 3
years should be prepared to serve as a reference for future projects of this
kind. Monitoring should be conducted by a suitably qualified ecologist(s)
appointed by the Project Proponent.
11.1.1
Following
transplantation of Ehretia acuminata individuals,
regular monitoring of the trees and seedlings should be conducted to check on
the health and condition of the plants. Monitoring should cover the 12-month period following
transplantation, monitoring conducted at least twice a month for the first four
months after transplantation, and once a month for the remaining eight months.
Monitoring should be conducted by a suitably qualified botanist/horticulturalist appointed by the
Project Proponent.
·
Additional tree and vegetation planting should be
carried out in locations where actual visual impacts are considered to substantially exceed the predicted visual impacts.
·
Measures to further vegetate the river channels should
be implemented to ensure
gabions are concealed (e.g., minor re-profiling of riverbed, increased planting of aquatic vegetation.
11.8.1 Planting whichTree planting along access roads which fails should
be immediately replaced. The drainage improvement works are expected to provide
comparable landscape and visual resources to the rivers they would replace
through the implementation of proposed landscape mitigation measures. However,
if the post-construction phase monitoring demonstrates that landscape
mitigation measures are insufficient, the following contingency plans should be
implemented:
·
Additional tree and vegetation planting should be
carried out in locations where actual visual impacts are considered to
substantially exceed the predicted visual impacts.
·
Measures to further vegetate the river channels
should be implemented to ensure gabions are concealed (e.g., minor re-profiling
of riverbed, increased planting of aquatic vegetation.
·
Tree planting along access roads which fails should
be immediately replaced. [Input will be provided as soon
as possible] The construction and operation
of the Project would give rise to landscape and visual impacts varying from
slight to moderate and these impacts are mainly due to the loss of existing
trees and surrounding vegetation,
construction of a below ground level of the channel and intrusion of the new
works into existing views. The proposed works would unlikely be acceptable in
landscape and visual terms if mitigation measures are not incorporated.
11.9
The recommended landscape and visual mitigation
measures for the drainage improvement works are described in Chapter 9. The
measures are mostly design measures which have to be incorporated into the
detailed planning and design of the three drainage channels. Implementation of
the recommended mitigation measures shall be monitored to ensure that the
measures are fully addressed and incorporated into the design and construction
of the Project. Impact on Cultural Heritage
11.9.1 No archaeological
potential sites were identified within the proposed project areas. Mitigation
measures have been recommended for the conservation and preservation of the
potentially affected cultural heritage sites development to this Project. measuresHowever, the
ccontractor
should report to the eEngineer,
the Drainage Services
Department DSD and the AMO immediately for any discovery of the
Antiquities or supposed antiquities during the course of the construction
works.
11.9.2 The Built
Heritage Impact Assessment identified several resources which require
mitigation measures during the construction stage and they include higher earth god shrine, Che Kung Temple in Ho Chung
and mature trees along the banks of all the three rivers. For the operation
phase of the Project, the
Built Heritage Impact Assessment has identified that mitigation measures should
be provided for the Che Kung Temple, second earth god shrine and the traditional environmental setting in Ho Chung and Sai
Kung River valleys. Details are provided
in a stand-alone EM&A
Manual.
has are listeas follows., including;Construction Phase
Higher earth god shrine
11.1.1The works are in extremely close proximity to the
shrine. , the
exterior of the shrine should be provided with protective covering, by the contractor,
if works are taking place within 1 meter.
11.1.1Protective
measures should provided for the shrine if works are taking place in close
proximity. The protective measures should consist of the following:
(1) High visibility fencing; at a distance of one
metrer around the
shrine.
(2) Heavy duty plastic sheeting to be placed over the
exterior surfaces of the shrine for duration of
ongoing works.
11.1.1The contractor should ensure that a pedestrian
access path to the shrine would be maintained throughout the
construction period. As the shrine is located within the works area, the path
should be marked with a temporary fence and the access route clearly marked by
signage.
The Che
Kung Temple in Ho Chung
11.1.1The pedestrian entrance to the Ttemple from
Hiram’s Highway is not within the works area and mitigation measures will not
be required. Vehicle access is from Ho Chung Road and parking is currently available
in an open lot directly to the northwest of the Ttemple. If
the works area infringes on the parking area, alternative parking facilities
should be made available. The
contractor should provide clear signage for directions to the Ttemple from
Hiram’s Highway.
11.1.1
Mature
trees along the banks of all three rivers
11.1.1The felling of mature
trees should be avoided. If it is unavoidable, any trees that are removed from
the area should be replaced by a trees of the same species.
11.1.1
11.1.1
Operation Phase
For the operation phase of the
Project, the Built Heritage Impact Assessment has has identified that mitigation measures should be provided
for the following resources;
The Che Kung Temple, second earth god shrine
11.1.1The vegetation along the south bank of the section
of the river visible from the tTeemple
should either be retained or if removed during the construction phase replaced
by similar species of plants.
Traditional
eEnvironmental
sSetting (Ho Chung, Pak Kong
and Sai Kung River valleys)
11.1.1The channel design should include proposals for
designs that will minimise any change in character to the environmental
setting, such as the incorporation of building materials for the channelisation, that are
compatible to the existing environment, such as cobbles and gravel and the
incorporation of features that will encourage vegetation growth along the
banks, such as grass concrete and natural verges..