9.
ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND AUDIT REQUIREMENTS
9.1.1
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.
9.1.2
All relevant
legislation, the recommendations from this EIA report, EPD’s “EM&A
Guidelines for Development Projects in
9.1.3
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.
9.2.1
The Project is is
to construct and operate a new submarine water main across Adamasta Channel
from Lantau to Cheung Chau to replace the existing submarine water main, which
is serving as emergency back up, to improve the reliability of water supply to
Cheung Chau.
9.2.2
Construction activities
for the Project involve site clearance in the works areas; drilling works;
laying of water main and reinstatement works. All these
activities have the potential to impact on the existing environment.
9.2.3
The key environmental
issues assessed in the EIA report are:
·
Water Quality;
·
Ecology;
·
Fisheries;
·
Cultural Heritage
·
Waste Management; and
·
Construction Noise.
9.2.4
Mitigation measures
have been recommended in the EIA report to mitigate potential adverse impacts
during the construction phase of the Project. Based on these recommendations,
construction phase EM&A requirements have been established.
9.2.5
No operation phase
impact is expected from the Project, hence no EM&A is necessary during
operation.
9.3.1
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.
9.3.2
The Contractor should
submit the
9.4.1
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.
9.4.2
An
Independent Environmental Checker (IEC) should be employed to advise the
Engineer’s Representative on environmental issues related to the Project.
9.4.3
Details
of their duties are presented in the EM&A Manual.
9.5.1
The tentative works
programme for the Project is expected to start in early 2012 for completion in
early 2014.
9.6.1
Potential sources of
impact on water quality during the construction of the Project have been
identified, which include silt-laden site runoff, inadvertent release of
drilling fluids, runoff from workshops & depot, sewage effluent from the
construction workforce and discharge of chlorinated water during sterilization
of the water main. It is considered that the identified potential sources of
impacts on water quality can be mitigated by the provision of suitable
temporary site drainage systems with treatment facilities, installation of
drilling fluid recycling and treatment systems, implementation of the recommended
good site management practices and proper sewage collection and disposal
systems.
9.6.2
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.
9.6.3
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. In addition, monitoring of residual chlorine is
recommended to ensure no untreated effluent is discharged during sterilization
of the water main. Control station should be provided. Table 9.1 and Figure 9.1
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 |
Marine waters near the proposed
launching site at Cheung Chau |
Impact station; Monitor and
audit potential impacts from the works near Cheung Chau, check water quality discharging
to Southern Water Control Zone |
E: 820704 N: 808688 |
|
W2 |
Marine waters near the proposed
launching site at Cheung Chau |
Impact station; Monitor and
audit potential impacts from the works near Cheung Chau, check water quality discharging
to Southern Water Control Zone |
E: 820656 N: 808631 |
|
W3 |
Marine waters along the
proposed water main alignment |
Impact station; Monitor and
audit potential impacts from the works at Adamasta Channel, check water
quality discharging to Southern Water Control Zone |
E: 820445 N: 809036 |
|
W4 |
Marine waters along the
proposed water main alignment |
Impact station; Monitor and
audit potential impacts from the works at Adamasta Channel, check water
quality discharging to Southern Water Control Zone |
E: 820072 N: 809297 |
|
W5 |
Marine waters near the proposed
reception site at Lantau |
Impact station; Monitor and
audit potential impacts from the works near Lantau, check water quality
discharging to Southern Water Control Zone |
E: 819875 N: 809700 |
|
W6 |
Marine waters near the Cheung
Sha Wan Fish Culture Zone |
Impact station; Monitor and
audit potential impacts from the works on Cheung Sha Wan Fish Culture Zone,
check water quality discharging to Southern Water Control Zone |
E: 819174 N: 810917 |
|
W7 |
Marine waters between the works
and the Cheung Sha Wan Fish Culture Zone |
Impact station; Monitor and audit spatial changes in water quality between the works area and the sensitive receiver |
E: 820055 N: 810523 |
|
W8 |
Marine waters of Adamasta
Channel |
Control station; Establish background water quality level |
E: 821328 N: 810240 |
|
W9 |
Marine waters of Adamasta
Channel |
Control station; Establish background water quality level |
E: 819045 N: 807953 |
Notes:
-
Location of the monitoring stations is shown in
Figure 9.1.
-
All monitoring stations shall be proposed by the Environmental
Team Leader and verified by the Independent Environmental Checker before
submitting to EPD for approval (and to AFCD for information) prior to
commencement of any monitoring.
9.6.4
Details of the
monitoring programme are presented in the EM&A Manual.
9.7.1
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 laying
the water main, no specific ecological monitoring is required during construction phase.
9.7.2
The weekly site audit undertaken by the Environmental Team
should ensure the recommended good site practices are being properly
implemented. For example, the Cheung Chau launching site should be checked to
make sure it is properly bunded, the retained trees are properly protected and
are not adversely affected by construction works. The site audit at Lantau
should check the works in
9.7.3
Details of
the site audit will be presented in the EM&A Manual.
9.8.1
Water quality
monitoring programme at various locations including the Cheung Sha Wan Fish
Culture Zone is recommended during construction phase to ensure no adverse
water quality impact is arising from the works.
9.8.2
Details of the
monitoring programme are presented in the EM&A Manual.
9.9.1
No adverse impact on terrestrial archaeological resources and
marine archaeological resources has been identified in the EIA. No mitigation
is required.
9.10.1
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, used bentonite, chemical waste and general works waste.
9.10.2
Potential for reuse of inert construction & demolition
material (public fill) within the Project or other projects within Cheung Chau
will be explored throughout the course of the Project in an effort to minimise
off-site disposal.
9.10.3
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.
9.10.4
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.
9.10.5
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.
9.10.6
Details of waste audit are further described in the EM&A Manual.
9.11.1
The use of powered mechanical equipment during the
construction phase of this 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 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.
9.11.2
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
9.2 and Figure 9.2.
Table 9.2
Representative NSRs
chosen for Noise
Monitoring during Construction Stage
|
Noise Monitoring
Station |
NSR ID |
General Description |
|
N1 |
NSR 2 |
Village house at No. 1A Tai Kwai Wan San Tsuen |
Notes:
-
Location of the monitoring stations is shown in
Figure 9.2.
-
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.
9.11.3
Details of the
monitoring programme are presented in the EM&A Manual.
9.12
Other Information
9.12.1
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.