1 INTRODUCTION
1.1.1.1
Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) of the Government of
the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region appointed Hyder Meinhardt Joint
Venture (HMJV) under Agreement No CE38/2008 (HY) on 31 July 2009 to provide professional
services in respect of Kai Tak Development – Trunk Road T2 and Infrastructure
at South Apron Investigation, Design and Construction. The date for
commencement of the Assignment was 31 July 2009.
1.1.1.2
The overall Kai Tak Development (KTD) is a designated project under
Schedule 3 of the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (EIAO). The Schedule 3 EIA Report for the overall Kai
Tak Development (EIAO Register No. AEIAR-130/2009) was completed and approved
under the EIAO on 4 March 2009 without condition. The Trunk Road T2 project is
one of the designated projects under Schedule 2 of the EIAO proposed in the KTD
and was previously assessed the KTD Schedule 3 EIA. Civil Engineering and Development Department
on 24 March 2009 submitted the Project Profile (No. PP-379/2009 for application
for an EIA study brief for the Trunk Road T2 Project under the EIAO.
Accordingly, an EIA Study Brief (ESB-203/2009) for the Trunk Road T2 Project
was issued on 30 April 2009.
1.2.1 Background
1.2.1.1
On 4 September 1998, the draft Kai Tak (North) and
(South) Outline Zoning Plans (OZPs) covering the Kai Tak area were exhibited
for public exhibition. A number of amendments to the OZPs were made over the
years. On 26 August 2011, the draft Kai Tak OZP No. S/K22/3 covering mainly the
urban design enhancement proposals, including the revised layout of the north
part of Kai Tak City Centre to accommodate the Lung Tsun
Stone Bridge Preservation Corridor and the relocation of roads away from the
waterfronts of the Runway and South Apron areas to enhance accessibility, was
exhibited for public inspection. On 4 September 2012, the Chief Executive in
Council (CE in C), under the Town Planning Ordinance, approved the draft Kai
Tak OZP, which was subsequently re-numbered as S/K22/4. On 14 September 2012,
the approved Kai Tak OZP No. S/K22/4 was exhibited.
1.2.1.2
As a part of
the strategic road network within the South East Kowloon Development, Route 6
forms an east west express link between
1.2.1.3
Based upon the Assignment and EIA Study Briefs, the Trunk Road T2 was
planned to be a dual 2-lane highway of about 3.6 km connecting CKR and
TKO-LTT. According to the Kai Tak
Development Engineering Study (KTDES), about 2.6 km of the Trunk Road T2 would
be in the form of tunnel and about 2.0 km of the tunnel would be placed under
the seabed. However, since the issue of
the Assignment Brief and EIA Study Brief (ESB-203/2009), there have been some
developments with respect to the design of the Trunk Road T2 project as
discussed below.
1.2.2
Interface with
1.2.2.1
During the design development process among the CKR, Trunk Road T2 and
TKO-LTT projects, the interfaces between the projects have been refined such
that there are following features in the design:
·
The at-grade portion of Trunk Road T2, including the turn-around road,
has been transferred to become part of the CKR project and will be assessed
under the CKR EIA Report. This reduces
the length of the Trunk Road T2 Project from 3.6km to about 3.0km; and
·
The eastern ventilation building for the Trunk Road T2 has been located
within the Lam Tin Interchange and within the boundary for the TKO-LTT
project. Notwithstanding, the emissions
from the ventilation building are assessed as part of this Trunk Road T2 EIA.
1.2.2.2
Figure 1.1 attached identifies the agreed
demarcation between the projects proponents of CKR, Trunk Road T2 and TKO-LTT,
and the key elements of the Trunk Road T2 project which will form the basis of
respective environmental impact assessments.
1.2.3 Construction Method
1.2.3.1
The EIA Study Brief (ESB-203/2009) for the Trunk Road T2 identified the
construction method for the marine tunnel as being an Immersed Tube (IMT)
tunnel and therefore, identified the following project scope:
·
a dual two-lane trunk road of about 3.6km
long with about 2.6km in form of tunnel;
·
dredging for the installation of immersed tube tunnel and other marine
works; and
·
temporary reclamation for construction of the landfalls of the tunnel,
temporary relocation of existing breakwaters of Kwun
Tong Typhoon Shelter, and reconstruction of sewage submarine outfall at the Kwun Tong Preliminary Treatment Works;
·
ventilation and administration buildings and a traffic control and surveillance
system; and
·
associated civil, electrical, mechanical, landscaping and environmental protection and mitigation works.
1.2.3.2
However, as one of the objectives of the EIA (para. 2.1(iv) of the EIA Study Brief) and the specific
requirement for the consideration of alternative construction methods (Section
3.3.3 of the EIA Study Brief), alternative construction methods to avoid or minimise environmental impacts have been reviewed and the use
of the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) method has been subsequently identified as being
feasible and having significant potential environmental benefits, as discussed
in Section 2 of this EIA Report. The works mentioned in the second and third
bullets of the project scope above are deleted.
1.2.4 Scope of Project
1.2.4.1
Based on the above, the scope of the Trunk Road T2 Project comprises the
following:
a)
a dual two-lane trunk road of approximately 3.0km long with about 2.7km
of the trunk road in form of tunnel;
b)
ventilation and administration buildings and a traffic control and
surveillance system; and
c)
associated civil, electrical, mechanical, landscaping and environmental protection
and mitigation
works.
1.2.5 Programme
1.2.5.1
The CKR and TKO-LTT are planned to be completed in 2020 and, as the
Trunk Road T2 is the middle section of the Route 6 alignment connecting the CKR
and TKO-LTT, it is, therefore, also targeted to be completed in 2020, with all
planned for commissioning
in 2021 to tally with each other. Construction of the Trunk Road
T2 project will commence in 2015.
1.3 Environment Impact Assessment
1.3.1 Background
1.3.1.1
The Trunk Road T2 Project is a designated
project based upon Items A.1 and A.7 Part I under Schedule 2 of the EIAO. As the submarine outfall in the
KTTS will not be affected based on the alternative construction method, the
Trunk Road T2 project, Item F6, Part I, Schedule 2 of the EIAO is not
relevant.
1.3.1.2
The purpose of this EIA study is to provide information on the nature
and extent of environmental impacts arising from the construction and operation
of the Project and related activities taking place concurrently. This
information will contribute to decisions by the Director on:
(a)
the overall acceptability of adverse environmental consequences that are
likely to arise as a result of the Project and associated works;
(b)
the conditions and requirements for the detailed design, construction
and operation of the Project to mitigate against adverse environmental
consequences wherever practicable; and
(c)
the acceptability of residual impacts after the proposed mitigation
measures are implemented.
1.3.2.1
The objectives of the EIA study as defined in the EIA Study Brief are as
follows:
(a)
to describe the Project, associated works, and option(s) of alignment
together with the requirements for carrying out the Project;
(b)
to identify any individual designated project element(s) under Schedule
2 of the EIAO and / or any work elements under this Project that constitute
material change(s) to exempted project(s) under the EIAO; to ascertain whether
the EIA Study has adequately addressed the environmental impacts of these
projects; and when necessary, to identify the outstanding issues that need to
be addressed in any further EIA study;
(c)
to identify and describe the elements of the community and environment
likely to be affected by the Project and/or likely to cause adverse impacts to
the Project, including both the natural and man-made environment and the
associated environmental constraints;
(d)
to present the consideration of alternative(s) to avoid or minimize the
potential environmental impacts on sensitive receivers; to compare the
environmental benefits and dis-benefits of the option(s) (including project
alignment, built forms, construction / tunnelling methods, ventilation building
/ tunnel portal (if any) location); to provide justifications and constraints
for selecting the preferred option(s) and to describe the part environmental
factors played in the selection;
(e)
to identify and assess air quality impacts, noise impacts, water quality
impacts, waste management implications, landscape and visual impacts, marine
ecological impacts, fisheries impacts and marine archaeology impacts; and
determine the significance of impacts on sensitive receivers and potential
affected uses;
(f)
to identify the negative impacts and propose measures to avoid or
provision of mitigation to minimize pollution, environmental disturbance and
nuisance during construction and operation of the Project;
(g)
to investigate the feasibility, practicability, effectiveness and
implications of the proposed impact avoidance and / or mitigation measures;
(h)
to identify, predict and evaluate the residual environmental impacts
(i.e. after practicable measures) and the cumulative effects expected to arise
during the construction and operation of the Project in relation to the
sensitive receivers and potential affected uses;
(i)
to identify, assesses and specify methods, measures and standards, to be
included in the detailed design, construction and operational stages of the
Project which are necessary to mitigate these environmental impacts and
cumulative effects and reduce them to acceptable levels;
(j)
to investigate the extent of the secondary environmental impacts that
may arise from the proposed mitigation measures and to identify constraints
associated with the mitigation measures recommended in the EIA study, as well
as the provision of any necessary modification; and
(k)
to design and specify the environmental monitoring and audit requirements
to ensure the effective implementation of the recommended environmental
protection and pollution control measures.
1.3.2.2
EM&A procedures are required during the construction and operational
phases of the project implementation and a summary of the requirements for each
of the environmental parameters is detailed in Table 1.1 below.
Table 1.1 Summary of EM&A Requirements
|
Parameter |
Construction
Phase |
Operational
Phase |
||
|
Monitoring |
Audit |
Monitoring |
Audit |
|
|
Air Quality |
ü |
ü |
- |
- |
|
Noise |
ü |
ü |
ü |
- |
|
Water Quality |
- |
ü |
- |
- |
|
Ecology |
- |
ü |
- |
- |
|
Fisheries |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Landscape and Visual |
- |
ü |
- |
ü(1) |
|
Cultural Heritage |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Waste |
- |
ü |
- |
- |
Notes: 1. It is proposed that the planting works will be on-site and
the planting should be completed during the construction contract. The
monitoring of the planting establishment shall be undertaken for a period of 12
months.
1.4 Purpose of this EM&A Manual
1.4.1.1
The purpose of this EM&A Manual is to guide the set-up of an
EM&A programme to check the compliance with the recommendations of the EIA
study for the proposed drainage improvement works, to assess the effectiveness
of the mitigation measures recommended in the EIA report and to identify any
further requirements for additional mitigation measures and remedial
action. The Environmental Mitigation
Implementation Schedule (EMIS) is included in Appendix A of this EM&A Manual. This
EM&A Manual outlines the monitoring and audit programme for the
Project. It aims to provide systematic
procedures for the monitoring, auditing and minimising of environmental impacts
associated with the activities of the Project.
1.4.1.2
All the environmental legislation of
1.4.1.3
This EM&A Manual contains the following information:
·
The
responsibilities of the Contractor, Engineer, Environmental Team (ET), and the
Independent Environmental Checker (IEC) with respect to the EM&A
requirements during the course of the Project;
·
The
requirements with respect to the construction schedule and the EM&A
programme to track the varying environmental impacts;
·
The
details of methodologies to be adopted, including all field laboratories and
analytical procedures, and details on the quality assurance and quality control
(QA/QC) programme;
·
The
rationale on which the environmental monitoring data will be evaluated and interpreted;
·
The
definition of Action and Limit levels;
·
The
establishment of Event and Action plans;
·
The
requirements for reviewing the pollution sources and working procedures
required in the event of the non-compliance with environmental criteria and
complaints;
·
The
requirements for the presentation of EM&A data and appropriate reporting
procedures; and
·
The
requirements for reviewing the EIA predictions and effectiveness of mitigation
measures/environmental management systems and the EM&A programme.
1.4.1.4
This EM&A Manual is a dynamic document that should be reviewed
regularly and updated as necessary during the construction and operation of the
Project.
1.5 Impact Prediction Review Procedures
1.5.1.1
The procedures for reviewing the impact prediction in the EIA study will
include:
·
Specifying
the requirements for submission of EM&A data, including monitoring and
audit records;
·
Implementation
of Event and Action Plans and follow-up action;
·
Listing
all relevant environmental protection and pollution control legislation and the
required licenses and permits;
·
Communication
with regulators vis a vis
offences under relevant environmental ordinances, prosecutions, etc;
·
Waste
disposal documentation;
·
Incident
reporting and investigations;
·
Resolution
of public complaints;
·
Work
programmes and methods including any variations to EIA predictions;
·
Design
issues, including any variations to EIA predictions; and
·
Review
of monitoring and audit criteria, etc.
1.6 Assessing Effectiveness of Environmental Management System, Practices and Procedures
1.6.1.1
The effectiveness of environmental management system, practices and
procedures for the EM&A Programme should be assessed with reference to the
following:
·
Effective
monitoring environmental impacts and effectiveness of measures to mitigate its
environmental impacts by specifying the environmental parameters and/or impact
to be monitored (e.g. monitoring frequency, methodology, locations,
equipment/instrumentation, Action/Limit levels to trigger corrective measures)
and the auditing procedure and statistical validation of the impacts.
·
Effective
auditing of the environmental performance by requiring:
a) Analysis and
interpretation of all monitoring and any audit data, to assist in the
prevention and mitigation of impacts on the environment;
b) Examination of all
available information related to the investigation of the nature, and causes of
actual, potential and cumulative environmental impacts and complaints/queries;
and
c) Proposals for (i) remedial measures for the resolution of impacts; (ii)
effective implementation of proposed mitigation measures; (iii) documentation
and summary of audit findings; (iv) liaison and consultation of with the public
and concerned groups on the effects of project works on the environment audit.
1.7.1.1
The roles and responsibilities of various parties involved in the
EM&A process and the organisational structure of
the parties responsible for implementing the EM&A programme are outlined
below. The responsibilities cover the
baseline, construction and operational phases of the project.
1.7.1.2
The project organisation and lines of communication with respect to
environmental protection works during the
construction and operational phases are shown in Figure 1.2 and discussed below.
1.7.2 The Engineer or Engineer’s Representative (ER)
1.7.2.1
The Engineer is responsible for overseeing the construction works and
ensuring the works to be undertaken by the Contractor in accordance with the
specifications and contractual requirements.
The duties and responsibilities of the Engineer with respect to the
EM&A programme include:
·
To
supervise the Contractor’s activities and ensure the requirements in the
EM&A Manual to be fully complied with;
·
To
inform the Contractor when action is required to reduce the environmental
impacts in accordance with the Event and Action Plans;
·
To
lead the regular site inspections and audits attended by the Contractor and
Environmental Team (ET);
·
To
adhere to the procedures for carrying out the complaint investigation; and
·
To
ensure a qualified Independent Environmental Checker is employed not later than
the construction contract is awarded.
1.7.3.1
The Contractor should report to the Engineer. The duties and responsibilities of the
Contractor are:
·
To
implement the recommendations and requirements of the EIA study;
·
To
provide assistance to the ET in carrying out the relevant environmental
monitoring;
·
To
submit the proposals of mitigation measures in case of exceedances
of the Action and Limit levels, in accordance with the Event and Action Plans;
·
To
implement the mitigation measures to reduce the environmental impacts where the
Action and Limit levels are exceeded until the events are resolved; and
·
To
adhere to the procedures for carrying out the complaint investigation as
required in the EM&A Manual.
1.7.4.1
The ET will conduct the EM&A programme to ensure the Contractor’s
compliance with the Project’s environmental requirements during the
construction phase.
1.7.4.2
The ET should be led and managed by an Environmental Team Leader (ETL),
who should possess at least 7 years of experience in EM&A. The ET should monitor the mitigation measures
implemented by the Contractor on a regular basis to ensure the compliance with
the intended aims of the mitigation measures.
The duties and responsibilities of the ET are:
·
To
monitor various environmental parameters as required in the EM&A Manual;
·
To
provide a qualified ecologist(s) and land surveyor to prepare and submit the
“Updated Baseline Vegetation Survey”, the “Flora Protection Plan” and the
“Flora Transplantation Plan” for the transplantation and protection of floral
species of conservation interest, and undertaking of the relevant survey and
monitoring;
·
To
provide a qualified ecologist(s) to prepare and submit the “Aquatic Fauna
Translocation Plan” and the “Aquatic Fauna Translocation Survey” for the
translocation of fauna species of conservation interest that may be present in
the works area and for undertaking the relevant survey;
·
To
certify the Contractor’s detailed landscape design comply with the EIA /
EM&A requirement before works;
·
To
carry out site inspections to investigate and audit the Contractor’s site
practices, equipment and work methodologies with respect to the pollution
control and environmental mitigation, and anticipate the environmental issues
for the proactive and practicable action before problems arising;
·
To
analyse the EM&A data, review the success of EM&A programme to confirm
the adequacy of mitigation measures implemented, and the validity of the EIA
predictions and to identify any adverse environmental impacts arising and
report the EM&A results to the Independent Environmental Checker (IEC),
Contractor, and Engineer;
·
To
prepare the reports of environmental monitoring data and site environmental
conditions; and
·
To
review the proposals of mitigation measures by the Contractor in case of exceedances of the Action and Limit levels, in accordance
with the Event and Action Plans.
1.7.5 Independent Environmental Checker (IEC)
1.7.5.1
The IEC should advise the Engineer on the environmental issues related
to the Project. The IEC should possess
at least 7 years of experience in EM&A.
The duties and responsibilities of the IEC are:
·
To
review and audit in an independent, objective and professional manner in all
aspects of the EM&A programme;
·
To
validate and confirm the accuracy of the monitoring results, monitoring
equipment, monitoring locations, monitoring procedures and locations of
sensitive receivers;
·
To
carry out random sample checking and audit of the environmental monitoring data
and sampling procedures, etc;
·
To
conduct random site inspections during construction;
·
To
audit the recommendations and requirements of the EIA study against the status
of the implementation of environmental protection measures on-site;
·
To
review the effectiveness of the environmental mitigation measures and
environmental performance of the Project;
·
On
as-needed basis, to verify and certify the environmental acceptability of the
Environmental Permit (EP) holder’s construction methodology (both temporary and
permanent works), relevant design plans and submissions under the EP;
·
To
verify the investigation results of the environmental complaints and the
effectiveness of corrective measures;
·
To
verify the EM&A reports that have been certified by the ETL; and
·
To
provide feedback of the audit results to the ET/EP holder according to the
Event and Action Plans in the EM&A manual.
1.8 Structure of this EM&A Manual
1.8.1.1
Following this introductory section, the remainder of the EM&A
Manual is set out as follows:
·
Section 2 sets out EM&A requirements for air quality;
·
Section 3 sets out EM&A requirements for noise;
·
Section 4 sets out EM&A requirements for water quality;
·
Section 5 details EM&A requirements for ecology;
·
Section 6 details EM&A requirements for fisheries;
·
Section 7 details auditing requirements for landscape and visual impact;
·
Section 8 details auditing requirements for cultural heritage;
·
Section 9 details the auditing requirement for waste management implications;
·
Section 10 describes the scope and frequency of the environmental site audits and
sets out the general requirements of the EM&A programme;
·
Section 11 details the EM&A reporting requirements; and
·
Section 12 describes the termination of
the EM&A programme.