10.1.1
The purpose of this
Chapter is to guide the setup of an Environmental Monitoring and Audit
(EM&A) programme to ensure the effective implementation of mitigation
measures recommended in the EIA Report, to assess the effectiveness of the
recommended mitigation measures, and to identify any further need for
additional mitigation measures or remedial actions. The EM&A programme aims
to provide systematic procedures for monitoring, auditing and minimising the
environmental impacts associated with the construction works. A stand alone
EM&A Manual describing detailed requirements will be issued to accompany the
Final EIA Report.
10.1.2
All relevant
legislation, the recommendations from this EIA Report, EPD’s “EM&A
Guidelines for Development Projects in
10.1.3
In order to ensure
satisfactory environmental performance of the Project, appropriate Project
Environmental Policy Statements, all the necessary and appropriate
recommendations and mitigation measures from this Study as well as the related
legal requirements should be incorporated into all the project design elements
including, inter alia, analysis and plan of structures, facilities,
plant and equipment, foundations, utilities and landscaping; documentation of
tender, contractor contracts (construction and operation), drawings, and specification
(material, work procedure, procurement), etc.
10.2.1
The proposed Project is
expected to contribute to the relief of the present drainage problems that have
repeatedly led to severe flooding in Hang Hau Tsuen.
10.2.2
Construction activities
for the Project involve site clearance in the works areas; excavation to
formation levels of the channel; construction of channel structures / linings,
footbridges, box culvert, maintenance access road and associated ancillary
structures; and landscaping works. Small scale routine maintenance would be necessary
during the operation of the proposed channel to remove excessive silts,
vegetation, debris and obstructions in order to maintain its hydraulic
performance and structural integrity. All these
activities have the potential to impact on the existing environment.
10.2.3
The key environmental
issues assessed in the EIA Report are:
·
Air Quality;
·
Noise;
·
Water Quality;
·
Waste Management;
·
Ecology;
·
Fisheries; and
·
Landscape and Visual.
10.2.4
Mitigation measures
have been recommended in the EIA Report to mitigate potential adverse impacts
from the construction and operation of the Project. Based on these
recommendations, EM&A requirements have been established.
10.3.1
The Contractor should
prepare and implement an Environmental Management Plan (
(i)
the abatement of
environmental nuisances on construction sites including air, noise and
wastewater pollution; and
(ii)
the reduction of
Construction and Demolition (C&D) materials to be disposed of during the
course of construction.
10.3.2
The Contractor should
submit the
10.4.1
An
Environmental Team (ET) and an ET Leader should be employed to conduct the
EM&A programme and to ensure the Contractor’s compliance with the project’s
environmental performance requirements during construction.
10.4.2
An
Independent Environmental Checker (IEC) should be employed to advise the
Engineer’s Representative on environmental issues related to the Project.
10.4.3
Details
of their duties are presented in the EM&A Manual.
10.5.1
The tentative works
programme for the Project is expected to start in end 2009 for completion in end
2012.
10.6.1
According to the EIA,
potential sources of air quality would be dust emissions generated during
construction activities. Dust will be generated from site clearance and
excavation works. In view of the small scale of construction activities and the
high water content of spoil, it is considered that the dust impact would be
localised and temporary. It is considered that potential air quality impacts
from dust emissions can be kept within acceptable levels by undertaking good
construction practices on-site.
10.6.2
Nonetheless, dust
monitoring is recommended to check compliance with the relevant environmental
standards (e.g. the Air Pollution Control (Construction Dust) Regulation) and
to ensure that any deteriorating air quality could be readily detected and
timely action taken to rectify the situation.
10.6.3
Monitoring of air
quality (dust) in terms of Total Suspended Particulates (TSP) levels should be
carried at the air sensitive receivers as shown in Table 10.1 and Figure 10.1.
Representative ASRs chosen
for Air Quality Monitoring during Construction Stage
|
Air Quality
Monitoring Station |
ASR ID |
General Description |
|
A1 |
ASR 2 |
Wing Jan Camp |
|
A2 |
ASR 4 |
Village house at No. 57 Hang Hau Tsuen |
Notes:
-
Location of the monitoring stations is shown in
Figure 10.1.
-
All monitoring stations shall be proposed by the
Environmental Team Leader and verified by the Independent Environmental Checker
before submitting to EPD for approval prior to commencement of any monitoring.
10.6.4
Details of the
monitoring programme are presented in the EM&A Manual.
10.6.5
No adverse air quality
impact is predicted during operational phase. Operational phase air quality
monitoring and audit is considered not necessary.
10.7.1
The use of powered mechanical equipment during the
construction phase of this drainage project is expected to create noise
nuisance, due to the close proximity between the works areas and noise
sensitive receivers. Assessment indicates that such noise impacts can be
mitigated to acceptable levels by appropriate measures, including the use of
quiet plant, temporary noise barrier, restrict concurrent usage of equipment and
the implementation of good site practices. The Contractor will be required to
implement these measures throughout the construction phase. With these measures
in place, residual noise impact would not
be expected from the construction works.
10.7.2
Noise monitoring is recommended at selected representative noise
sensitive receivers in terms of the A-weighted equivalent
continuous sound pressure level (Leq) during the construction period to check for compliance
with permissible noise levels and effectiveness of the proposed mitigation
measures. Construction stage noise monitoring
should be carried out for the following representative NSRs as shown in Table 10.2 and Figure
10.2.
Representative NSRs chosen for Noise Monitoring during
Construction Stage
|
Noise Monitoring
Station |
NSR ID |
General Description |
|
N1 |
NSR 1 |
Wing Jan Kindergarten |
|
N2 |
NSR 3 |
Village house at No. 84 Hang Hau Tsuen |
|
N3 |
NSR 6 |
Village house at No. 88 Hang Hau Tsuen |
Notes:
-
Location of the monitoring stations is shown in
Figure 10.2.
-
All monitoring stations shall be proposed by the
Environmental Team Leader and verified by the Independent Environmental Checker
before submitting to EPD for approval prior to commencement of any monitoring.
10.7.3
Details of the
monitoring programme are presented in the EM&A Manual.
10.7.4
No adverse noise impact
is predicted during operational phase. Operational phase noise monitoring and
audit is considered not necessary.
10.8.1
Potential sources of
impact on water quality during the construction of the proposed drainage
channel have been identified, which include construction runoff, general
construction activities and sewage effluents from the construction workforce.
It is considered that the identified potential sources of impacts on water
quality can be mitigated by the implementation of the recommended site
practices and other measures to control runoff and to minimise water pollution.
10.8.2
Nonetheless, water
quality monitoring is recommended to check compliance with the relevant
environmental standards (e.g. the Water Pollution Control Ordinance) and to
ensure that any deteriorating water quality could be readily detected and
timely action taken to rectify the situation.
10.8.3
Monitoring of pH value,
dissolved oxygen, turbidity and suspended solids is recommended to ensure that
any deteriorating water quality could be readily detected and timely action be
taken to rectify the situation. Monitoring should preferably be undertaken at
both upstream and downstream of the affected stream. Where applicable, control
station should also be provided. Table 10.3 and Figure 10.3 show the proposed water
quality monitoring stations.
Water
Quality Monitoring Stations during Construction Stage
|
Water Quality Monitoring
Station |
Description |
Purpose of Placing Sampling Station |
Coordinates E = Easting |
|
W1 |
Downstream of the works
immediately at the discharge point to |
Monitor and audit potential
impacts from the works, check water quality discharging to |
E: 816023 N: 836095 |
|
W2 |
Near the oyster bed in |
Monitor and audit potential
impacts from the works, check water quality discharging to |
E: 815791 N: 836276 |
|
W3 |
Near the oyster bed in |
Monitor and audit potential
impacts from the works, check water quality discharging to |
E: 815673 N: 836076 |
|
W4 |
Immediate downstream of any
specific works within Hang Hau Tsuen channel |
Temporary / mobile station to
monitor and audit potential impacts from any specific works, check water
quality discharging to Deep Bay, impact station |
See notes below |
|
W5 |
Upstream of the works at the confluence of
San Hing Tsuen Channel and Fung Kong Tsuen Channel |
Establish background water quality levels entering Hang Hau Tsuen stream, control station |
E: 816390 N: 836039 |
|
W6 |
Waters of |
Establish background water quality levels in |
E: 815496 N: 836713 |
|
W7 |
Waters of |
Establish background water quality levels in |
E: 815174 N: 835484 |
Notes:
-
Location of the monitoring stations is shown in
Figure 10.3.
-
Temporary / mobile station to be proposed by the
Environmental Team Leader with reference to the contractor’s working programme
and works location.
-
All monitoring stations shall be proposed by the
Environmental Team Leader and verified by the Independent Environmental Checker
before submitting to EPD for approval prior to commencement of any monitoring.
10.8.4
Details of the
monitoring programme are presented in the EM&A Manual.
10.8.5
No adverse water
quality impact is predicted during operational phase. Operational phase water
quality monitoring and audit is considered not necessary.
10.9.1
Construction and demolition materials will inevitably be
produced during the construction phase of the Project. Waste generated during
construction works includes site clearance / demolition materials, excavated
materials, chemical waste and general works waste. Waste types, quantities and
timing have been estimated and mitigation measures have been proposed in terms
of avoidance-minimisation-reuse-recycling-disposal hierarchy.
10.9.2
Potential for reuse of inert construction & demolition
material (public fill) within the Project will be rigorously explored during
the detailed design stage in an effort to minimise off-site disposal.
10.9.3
Provided that there is strict control of construction and
demolition materials generated from construction works and that all arisings
are stored, handled, transported and disposed of in accordance with the
recommended mitigation measures, potential impact is not expected.
10.9.4
The recommended waste management measures can be enforced
by incorporating them into an Environmental Management Plan (EMP) to be prepared by the Contractor.
Environmental audit would be necessary to ensure the implementation of proper
waste management practices during construction.
10.9.5
Auditing should be carried out periodically to determine if
waste is being managed in accordance with the relevant environmental
legislation and standards (e.g. Waste Disposal Ordinance) and the EMP. The audits should
examine all aspects of waste management including waste generation, storage,
recycling, treatment, transportation, and disposal. The general site
inspections including waste management issues will be undertaken weekly by
Environmental Team to check all construction activities for compliance with all
appropriate environmental protection and pollution control measures, including
those set up in the EMP. Meanwhile, waste management audit will also be
carried out on monthly basis by the Independent Environmental Checker.
10.9.6
Details of waste audit are further described in the EM&A
Manual.
10.9.7
Waste generated during operation and maintenance of the
Project is expected to be minimal. Proper waste management practices have been
recommended.
10.10.1
Given the
limited sizes of the works areas, the ecological value of the habitats affected
by the works areas, and the low disturbing construction method used for the
channel construction, no specific ecological monitoring is required during
construction phase.
10.10.2
The weekly site audit undertaken by the Environmental Team
should include checking the retained mangroves are properly fenced off and are
not adversely affected by construction works.
10.10.3
Ecological
monitoring programme is proposed during operational phase to ensure the
survival and growth of the compensatory mangrove planting. Quadrats should be
employed at each planting area. Individuals within each quadrats should be
recorded by species, and their height measured and health condition
recorded. Monitoring should be
carried out by a suitable qualified ecologist employed by the project proponent
once every quarter for two years after completion of the mangrove
planting. Should the overall
survival rate of each mangrove species be lower than 75%, replanting should be
implemented by the Contractor under the landscape establishment works contract.
10.10.4
Detailed
monitoring methodologies and proposals should be developed and agreed with EPD
and AFCD prior to commencement of the monitoring.
10.10.5
Details of
the monitoring and audit programme will be presented in the EM&A Manual.
10.11.1
Other than the water
quality monitoring programme, no specific fisheries EM&A programme would be
required during he construction and operation phases of the Project.
10.12.1
Monitoring and audit
should be undertaken during the construction phase to ensure that the
implementation and maintenance of landscape and visual mitigation measures are being
properly carried out.
10.12.2
A landscape auditor (as
a member of the ET) should be employed to review Contractor’s submissions and
proposals and to monitor and audit the Contractor’s landscape works in
particular to ensure the existing trees retained on-site are being well
preserved, tree transplanting and felling operations are being undertaken in
accordance with the requirements, procedures and specifications as stipulated
in the contract and the approvals granted by concerned authorities, and all the
newly planted vegetations are being maintained properly during the
establishment period.
10.12.3
Details of the
monitoring and audit programme are presented in the EM&A Manual.
10.13.1
Details on the
following aspects of EM&A are further described in the EM&A Manual:
·
monitoring equipment
requirements;
·
baseline and impact
monitoring;
·
action and limit
levels;
·
event and action plans;
·
site inspection and
audit;
·
compliance with legal
and contractual requirements;
·
handling of
environmental complaints; and
·
documentation and
reporting.