8                                  Site environmental Audit

8.1                            Site Inspection

Site inspections provide a direct means to track and ensure the enforcement of specified environmental protection and pollution control measures.  The inspections will be undertaken on a month basis by the ET to ensure that appropriate environmental protection and pollution control mitigation measures are properly implemented.  Additionally, the ET will be responsible for defining the scope of the inspections, detailing any deficiencies that are identified, and reporting any necessary action or mitigation measures that were implemented as a result of the inspection; the results of the inspections shall be made available to CAPCO. 

The areas of inspection should include the general environmental conditions in the vicinity of the site and pollution control and mitigation measures within the site; it should also review the environmental conditions outside the site area which are likely to be affected, directly or indirectly, by site activities.  The ET will make reference to the following information in conducting the inspections:

·           the EIA and EM&A recommendations on environmental protection and pollution control mitigation measures;

·           ongoing results of the EM&A programme;

·           works progress and programme;

·           individual works method statements which will include proposals on associated pollution control measures;

·           the contract specifications on environmental protection; and

·           the relevant environmental protection and pollution control laws.

The ET’s inspection results and their associated recommendations on improvements to the environmental protection and pollution control works will be submitted to CAPCO and the Contractor(s) within 24 hours, for reference and for taking immediate action.  They will also be presented, along with the remedial actions taken, in the monthly EM&A reports.  The Contractor(s) will follow the procedures and time-frames stipulated in the environmental site inspection for the implementation of mitigation proposals.  An action reporting system will be formulated and implemented to report on any remedial measures implemented subsequent to the site inspections.

Ad hoc site inspections will also be carried out by the ET if significant environmental problems are identified.  Inspections may also be required subsequent to receipt of an environmental complaint, or as part of the associated investigation work.

8.2                            Compliance with Legal and Contractual Requirements

There will be contractual environmental protection and pollution control requirements as well as Hong Kong’s environmental protection and pollution control laws which the construction activities will comply with.

The ET will review the progress and programme of the works to check that relevant environmental laws have not been violated, and that any foreseeable potential for violating the laws can be prevented.

The Contractor(s) will also regularly copy relevant documents to the ET so that the checking work can be carried out.  The relevant documents are expected to include the updated Work Progress Reports, the updated Works Programme, the application letters for different licences/permits under the environmental protection laws, and all the valid licences/permit.  The site diary should also be available, upon request, to the ET during his site inspection.

After reviewing the documentation, the ET will advise CAPCO and the Contractor(s) of any non-compliance with the contractual and legislative requirements on environmental protection and pollution control for them to take follow-up actions.  If the ET's review concludes that the current status on licence/permit application and any environmental protection and pollution control preparation works is incompatible with the works programme or may result in potential violation of environmental protection and pollution control requirements by the works in due course, he will also advise CAPCO and the Contractor(s) accordingly.

Upon receipt of the advice, the Contractor(s) will undertake immediate action to remedy the situation.  The ET and CAPCO will follow up to ensure the appropriate action will be taken by the Contractor(s) in order that the environmental protection and pollution control requirements are fulfilled.