10.1.1.1 The development of the appropriate environmental monitoring and audit (EM&A) programmes and methodologies is a vital part of the environmental management and control of this Project. This section further elaborates the requirements of EM&A for the construction and operation of the drainage improvement works at Ngong Ping, based on the assessment results of various issues. Details of the EM&A programme are presented as part of this EIA report in a separate stand-alone EM&A Manual, prepared in accordance with Annex 21 of the EIAO-TM and EPD’s EM&A Guidelines for Development Projects in Hong Kong.
10.1.1.2 The Implementation Schedule for Environmental Mitigation Measures (EMIS) for the recommended mitigation measures is included in Section 11 of this EIA report. All EM&A data, assessment and recommendations would be reported in a series of regular EM&A reports during the next phases of this Project.
10.1.1.3 The broad objectives of the EM&A process are:
(i)
To clarify and identify sources of pollution, impact and nuisance
arising from the works;
(ii)
To establish a record of change associated with the implementation of this Project;
(iii)
To verify all or selected parameters measured are in compliance with
legal and contract specifications, internal policies and standards;
(iv)
To provide an early warning system for impact prevention;
(v)
To provide a database of environmental parameters against which to
determine any short term or long term environmental impacts;
(vi)
To propose timely, cost-effective and viable solutions to actual or
potential environmental issues;
(vii)
To setup event and action plans and determine the degree and scope of
any necessary remedial measures in case of exceedance of compliance, for which
environmental monitoring forms the basis, or the recommendation of
environmental controls in the event that the environmental objectives are not
achieved;
(viii)
To monitor performance of the mitigation and enhancement measures and to
assess their effectiveness and, whenever necessary, identify any further need
for additional measures;
(ix)
To verify the EIA predicted impacts and compare the impact predictions
with actual impacts for the purpose of assessing accuracy of impact predictions
in EIA;
(x)
To collate information and evidence for use in public and Government
consultation; and
(xi)
To audit the environmental performance.
10.2.1.1 In accordance with the findings of the EIA, the EM&A procedures are required during construction and operational phases of the Project implementation and a summary of the requirements for each of the environmental parameters is detailed in Table 10.1. The EM&A requirements are divided into environmental monitoring and/or project auditing in the form of site inspection and supervision.
Table 10.1 Summary
of EM&A Requirements
|
Parameter |
Construction
Phase |
Operational
Phase |
||
|
Monitoring |
Audit |
Monitoring |
Audit |
|
|
Air Quality |
- |
ü |
- |
- |
|
Noise |
ü |
ü |
- |
- |
|
Water Quality |
ü |
ü |
- |
- |
|
Ecology |
ü |
ü |
- |
- |
|
Landscape and Visual |
ü |
ü |
ü |
ü |
|
Cultural Heritage |
ü |
ü |
- |
- |
|
Waste |
- |
ü |
- |
- |
10.3.1.1 With the implementation of the dust suppression measures stipulated in the Air Pollution Control (Construction Dust) Regulation, good site practices and proposed mitigation measures, adverse dust impact would not be anticipated at the ASRs in the vicinity of the construction sites. As such, dust monitoring is not recommended. However, weekly site audits are recommended to ensure that appropriate dust control measures are properly implemented and good construction site practices are adopted throughout the construction period.
10.3.1.2 Air quality monitoring or audit during the operation phase of this Project is considered not necessary as the proposed drainage works would not expected to generate any air quality impacts to the adjacent identified ASRs.
10.4.1.1 Even with the use of all practical mitigation measures, some residual impact would still be anticipated at some of the NSRs during the construction phase and as such, construction phase monitoring and audit are recommended.
10.4.1.2 In the operation phase, adverse impacts would not be anticipated and noise monitoring during the operation phase of this Project is not considered necessary.
10.5.1.1 In order to protect water quality in the downstream section of the
Ngong Ping Stream within the Lantau North Country Park and the water gathering
grounds, mitigation measures have been recommended and residual impacts are not
predicted if these are implemented.
However, in light of the sensitive nature of the downstream section of
the
10.5.1.2 In order to avoid wastewater being discharged in the existing watercourses during maintenance works, desilting by hydraulic jetting shall be avoided and mechanical scooping / scraping methods are recommended. Desilting or maintenance works shall also be undertaken during the dry season when flow in the watercourse is low. The disposal of the removed silt material shall be properly handled.
10.6.1.1 An EM&A for ecology is recommended to be undertaken during the baseline, construction and post-construction phases of the project. The EM&A objectives are to ensure that the ecological contract works and construction mitigation procedures recommended in the EIA are carried out as specified and are effective. The baseline phase EM&A will be carried pre-construction before any construction works commence and will include the transplantation and translocation of floral and fauna species of conservation interest. The construction and post-construction phase EM&A will be carried out as part of the site audit programme.
10.7.1.1 An EM&A for landscape and visual resources is recommended to be undertaken during the construction and operational phases of the project. The design, implementation and maintenance of landscape mitigation measures is a key aspect of this and should be checked to ensure that they are fully realised and that potential conflicts between the proposed landscape measures and any other project works and operational requirements are resolved at the earliest possible date and without compromise to the intention of the mitigation measures. In addition, the implementation of the mitigation measures recommended by the EIA will be monitored through the site audit programme.
10.8.1.1 An EM&A for the cultural heritage resources is recommended to be undertaken during the construction phase of the project and will comprise the condition survey of built heritage resources identified. Implementation of the mitigation measures recommended by the EIA will be monitored through the site audit programme.
10.8.1.2 In the operation phase, adverse impacts would not be anticipated and the EM&A for cultural heritage during the operation phase of this Project is not considered necessary.
10.9.1.1 During the construction phase of this Project, the Contractor will be responsible to the appropriate handling and disposal of any waste generated and will be required to implement the recommended mitigation measures in order to minimise waste or resolve issues associated with the management of waste. The Contractor should also ensure that all wastes produced during the construction phase are handled, stored and disposed of in accordance with good waste management practices, relevant legislation and waste management guidelines. Wastes generated from the construction activities, such as the construction and demolition (C&D) materials, should be audited at regular intervals to ensure that proper storage, transportation and disposal practices are undertaken. Such audit would ensure the waste generated is properly disposed.
10.9.1.2 Large quantities of wastes are not expected to be generated from the operational phase of the drainage improvement works and no adverse environmental impacts would arise with the implementation of good waste management practices. Therefore, an audit programme for the operational phase will not be required.