(a)
Provision
of an additional traffic lane for the southbound traffic between KT I/C upramp
and KCR (Bridge H);
(b)
Modification
of existing slip roads (Bridge G); and
(c)
Associated environmental mitigation measures,
utility diversion, street lighting, traffic aids, traffic and control
surveillance, drainage works, landscaping works and other related works.
1.1.3
The Project is a Designated
Project under the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (EIAO). An application (No. ESB-242/2012) for an
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Study Brief under section 5(1)(a) of the EIAO was submitted by the CEDD on 29 February
2012 with a Project Profile (No. PP-459/2012) for the
Project. An EIA Study for the
Project has been undertaken as part of the Assignment, in accordance with the
EIA Study Brief (No. ESB-242/2012) which was issued in April
2012 and the Technical Memorandum on Environmental Impact Assessment Process
(EIAO-TM).
1.2.2
Regarding the modification of
existing slip road (Bridge G), it would not cause any environmental impact
likely to affect existing or planned community, or environmental sensitivity uses
in the vicinity. It is because the
modification of Bridge G would not increase any traffic lane and it would
divert some traffic flow from Bridge G to Bridge H, and that traffic noise
impact and vehicular emission during operation phase would be slightly improved
in considering of Bridge G itself in view of the reduced traffic. Hence, it would not have any increase in
pollution emissions or discharges or waste generation likely to violate
guidelines or criteria stipulated in EIAO-TM without mitigation in place. Therefore, referring to section 6 of EIAO-TM,
Bridge would not constitute any “material change” under the EIAO. As Bridge G would not induce adverse noise
impact during operation phase in view of the reduced traffic, mitigation
measures for Bridge G is anticipated not necessary.
· The acceptability of adverse
environmental consequences that are likely to arise as a result of the Project;
· The conditions and requirements
for the detailed design, construction and operation of the Project to mitigate
against adverse environmental consequences; and
· The acceptability of residual
impacts after the proposed mitigation measures are
implemented.
1.4
Objectives of this EIA Study
(a)
to describe the Project and associated works together with the
requirements and environmental benefits for carrying out the Project;
(b)
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;
(c)
to identify and quantify emission sources and determine the
significance of impacts on sensitive receivers and potential affected uses;
(d)
to identify any systematically evaluate any potential landscape and
visual impacts and to propose measures to mitigate these impacts;
(e)
to identify any negative impacts on sites of cultural heritage and to
propose measures to mitigate these impacts;
(f)
to propose the provision of infrastructure or mitigation measures to
minimize pollution, environmental disturbance and nuisance during construction
and operation of the Project;
(g)
to investigate the feasibility, effectiveness and implications of the
proposed mitigation measures;
(h)
to identify, predict and evaluate the residual (i.e. after practicable
mitigation) environmental impacts and the cumulative effects expected to arise
during the construction and operation phases of the Project in relation to the
sensitive receivers and potential affected uses;
(i)
to identify, assess and specify methods, measures and standards, to be
included in the detailed design, construction and operation of the Project
which are necessary to mitigate these residual environmental impacts and
cumulative effects and reduce them to acceptable levels;
(j)
to design and specify the environmental monitoring and audit
requirements; and
(k)
to identify any additional studies necessary to implement the
mitigation measures or monitoring and proposals recommended in the EIA report.
1.5.1
The following general
principles and approaches for evaluating the potential environmental impacts
were adopted in this EIA study:-
Description of the Environment
1.5.2
The characteristics of the
existing environment were described for the identification and prediction of
potential impacts which are likely to arise from implementing the Project. Baseline environmental surveys were conducted
where necessary and relevant reports / documents were reviewed to determine the
existing environmental conditions on the Project site and in all surrounding
areas likely to be affected by the Project.
Impact Prediction
1.5.3
Individual aspect assessments
were undertaken in accordance with the relevant guidelines on assessment
methodologies given in the EIAO-TM.
Impact Evaluation
1.5.4
The predicted changes and
effects resulting from the Project were evaluated with respect to the criteria
given in the EIAO-TM and were in quantitative assessments as far as
practicable.
Impact Mitigation
1.5.5
Mitigation measures have been
identified and evaluated to avoid, reduce and remedy the impacts. Priority was given to avoidance of impacts as
a primary means of mitigation. The
effectiveness of the proposed mitigation was assessed and the residual
environmental impacts were identified and considered for their acceptability.
1.5.6
An implementation schedule for
the mitigation measures was prepared to identify when and where each mitigation
measure is required, and to identify which parties are responsible for its
implementation and where necessary, for its maintenance.
1.6.1
The environmental issues
covered in this EIA study, as addressed in the EIA Study Brief (No.
ESB-242/2012), are as follows:
·
Potential noise and air quality
impacts from the construction and operation of the Project to sensitive
receivers along or near the Project, taking into account the cumulative impact
from the operation of existing roads in the vicinity of the Project;
·
potential water quality impact
from the construction and operation of the Project on the relevant water
system(s);
·
potential waste management
issues and impacts arising from the construction and operation of the Project;
·
potential land contamination
arising from land to be resumed for the Project;
·
potential landfill gas hazard
on site during the construction and operation of the Project due to the former
Gin Drinker’s Bay Landfill;
·
potential landscape and visual
impacts during the construction and operation of the Project;
·
potential impacts on sites of
cultural heritage from construction and operation of the Project; and
·
potential cumulative environmental impacts of the Project and associated
works, through interaction or in combination with other existing, committed and
planned projects in their vicinity, and that those impacts may have a bearing
on the environmental acceptability of the Project.
1.7.1
The Project was presented to
the Transport & Traffic Committee (T&TC) and Community Affairs
Committee (CAC) under Kwai Tsing District Council (KTDC) in December 2014 after
consultation with Kwai Tsing District Office and on completion of TIA, DIA and
draft EIA studies. The presentation was to introduce the proposed road
alignment option, associated works, implementation
programme, results of the TIA and EIA together with the mitigation measures,
land resumption, and road crossing facilities to be affected during
construction and operation stages. The Project was supported without opposition
in the T&TC meeting, and no adverse comment was received from the CAC on
the consultation paper circulated to CAC.
1.7.2
Early consultation with the
neighbouring facilities that may be affected by the Project was conducted prior
to the aforementioned presentation to T&TC in order to provide an
opportunity for direct dialogue with the public having concerns on matters
relating to the traffic, environment, and community services. Informal meetings
were held with the representatives of Sin Ching Kindergarten, Lai King Catholic
Secondary School, Lingnan Dr. Chung Wing Kwong
Memorial Secondary School and Estate Management Advisory Committee of Lai King
Estate, and the district councillors of Lai King/Hing Fong constituencies
during November and December 2014.
1.8
Structure of the EIA Report
· Section 3: Air Quality Impact
· Section 4: Noise Impact
· Section 5: Water Quality Impact
· Section 6: Waste Management
Implication and Land Contamination
· Section 7: Landscape and Visual
Impacts
· Section 8: Landfill Gas Hazard
Assessment
· Section 9: Impact on Cultural
Heritage