12.1.1
This
EIA Study has focused on the assessment and mitigation of the potential impacts
associated with the construction and operation of the Project. One of the key
outputs has been the identification of
mitigation measures to be undertaken so that residual impacts comply with
regulatory requirements including the EIAO‐TM. To confirm effective and
timely implementation of the mitigation measures, it is considered necessary to
develop Environmental Monitoring and Audit (EM&A) procedures and mechanisms
by which the Implementation Schedule (Annex 12A)
may be tracked and its effectiveness assessed.
12.2.1
The
objectives of carrying out EM&A for the Project include:
·
Providing
baseline information against which any short or long term environmental impacts
of the projects can be determined;
·
Providing
an early indication should any of the environmental control measures or
practices fail to achieve the acceptable standards;
·
Monitoring
the performance of the Project and the effectiveness of mitigation measures;
·
Verifying
the environmental impacts identified in the EIA;
·
Determining
project compliance with regulatory requirements, standards and government
policies;
·
Taking
remedial action if unexpected results or unacceptable impacts arise; and
·
Providing
data to enable an environmental audit to be undertaken at regular intervals.
12.2.2
The
following sections summarise the recommended EM&A requirements and further
details are provided in the EM&A Manual.
12.3.1
The
EIA study concluded that no adverse construction dust or odour impact is
anticipated on the identified air sensitive receivers (ASRs) provided that the
recommended air quality and odour mitigation measures are properly implemented
during the construction phase of the Project.
12.3.2
Odour
impact arising from emissions from TSTP or STKSTW has been predicted to be in
compliance with the odour criterion stipulated in Annex 4 of the EIAO-TM. Therefore, no adverse odour impact is
anticipated during the operation phase of the Project provided that the
recommended odour mitigation measures are properly equipped and
maintained.
12.3.3
Regular
site inspections and audits will be carried out during the construction phase
in order to confirm that the mitigation measures are implemented and are
working effectively. The detailed
EM&A measures are presented in Section 3.7 of the EIA Report and the
EM&A Manual. During the operation
phase, it is proposed to carry out monitoring of odour emission at the exhausts
at TSTP and STKSTW. Details of the
recommended monitoring of odour emission are presented in Section 3.9 of the
EIA Report and the EM&A Manual.
12.4.1
A
construction noise assessment has been undertaken to predict the noise levels
at the representative NSRs due to the construction of the Project. Practicable mitigation measures, including
use of quiet construction plant / quiet construction method, temporary noise
barriers and good site practices, have been recommended. With the implementation of the recommended
mitigation measures, the predicted construction noise levels at all NSRs comply
with the noise criteria during the
daytime period. Therefore, no noise
impact is expected to arise from the construction activities. Also, no cumulative impact or residual impact
is anticipated. Regular noise monitoring
at NSRs as part of the EM&A programme during the construction stage is
recommended.
12.4.2
Potential
noise impact from the operation of the expanded STKSTW and TSTP has been
assessed. The predicted fixed plant
noise levels at the representative NSRs due to the operation of the expanded STKSTW
and TSTPare well within the relevant noise criteria. Commissioning test and
noise monitoring for the expanded STKSTW and TSTP is considered unnecessary
during the operation phase.
12.4.3
Regular
site inspections and audits, and regular noise monitoring at NSRs as part of
the EM&A programme during the construction stage is recommended in order to
verify compliance with the regulatory requirements and conformity of the
Contractor with regard to noise control and contract conditions. The detailed
EM&A measures are detailed in the EM&A Manual for this Project.
12.5.1
Computational
modelling has been conducted to predict various potential water quality impacts
from the proposed installation and removal of sheetpiles for cofferdam
construction under this Project, including Suspended Solids (SS) elevation,
sedimentation, Dissolved Oxygen (DO) depletion, release of nutrient, heavy
metal and trace organic pollutants.
Modelling results indicate the potential impact on water quality from
the installation and removal of sheetpiles would be minimal. To ensure environmental compliance, marine
water monitoring for the sheetpile installation and removal is
recommended. Site audit would also be
conducted throughout the marine and land-based construction under this Project.
12.5.2
Whilst
the discharge of treated sewage effluent from the TSTP and expanded STKSTW is
the main environmental concern for the Project operation, no adverse water
quality impact from the discharge of treated sewage effluent would be
expected. To ensure environmental
compliance, monitoring of discharge effluent quality and marine water quality
at nearby selected WSRs are recommended.
The detailed EM&A measures are detailed in Section 5.12 and the
EM&A Manual for this Project.
12.6.1
Auditing
should be carried out periodically to determine if waste is being managed in
accordance with prescribed waste management procedures 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 the
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 as part of the monthly audit by the Independent Environmental Checker.
12.6.2
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, no
unacceptable impact due to waste management is expected during construction
phase. The recommended mitigation measures can be enforced by incorporating
them into the waste management requirements as part of the Environmental
Management Plan. Environmental audit would be necessary to ensure the
implementation of proper waste management practices during construction.
12.6.3
With reference
to the Sediment Quality Report in Annex 6B, only Category L sediment was
identified. In accordance with ETWB TCW No. 34/2002, Type 1 – Open Sea Disposal
should be adopted for the disposal of 3,040 m3 excavated sediment
during construction of the proposed outfall diffuser. The location of marine
disposal site should be sought with MFC/CEDD. The Contractor shall obtain a
Marine Dumping Permit in accordance with the Dumping at Sea Ordinance (DASO).
The Contractor should provide separate submissions (e.g. Sediment Sampling and
Testing Plan / Sediment Quality Report) to EPD / DASO authority when applying
for the Marine Dumping Permit under the DASO.
12.7.1 The assessment presented in Section 7 of the EIA Report indicates that unacceptable construction phase impacts and operation phase impacts are not expected to occur to terrestrial ecological resources. The implementation of the ecological mitigation measures described in Section 7.7 will be inspected regularly as part of the EM&A procedures during the construction period.
12.7.2
The following precautionary measure shall be
implemented as far as practicable for the protection of the identified Night
Roosting Site for Great Egret:
· Undertake Pre-construction survey to reconfirm the usage of the Night Roosting Site for Great Egret. If the Night Roosting Site is used by Great Egrets or other ardeids species, no work shall be undertaken within an area of 100m from the Night Roosting Site from 16:00 to 07:00 of the following day. In addition, strong artificial lighting should not be used in the area at night to avoid disturbance to the roosting ardeids. Clear signs should be erected on site to alert all site staff and workers about the requirement.
12.7.3
Details
of all the recommended mitigation measures are included within the
Implementation Schedule provided in Annex
12A. No
terrestrial ecology specific operational phase monitoring is considered
necessary.
12.7.4
The
mitigation measures designed to mitigate impacts to water quality to acceptable
levels (compliance with assessment criteria) are expected to mitigate impacts
to marine ecological resources and thus specific measures are not deemed
necessary. The water quality monitoring
programme will provide management actions and supplemental mitigation measures
to be employed should impacts arise, thereby ensuring the environmental
acceptability of the Project. The detailed EM&A measures for ecology are
presented in Section 7.10 of the EIA
12.8.1
Results
from the review indicate that fisheries importance of the Project Area and its
vicinity is low when compared to other waters of Hong Kong. Sensitive receivers including spawning ground,
nursery ground, artificial reefs and Fish Culture Zone areas have been
identified; however, the assessment of water quality impacts demonstrated that
these areas will not be significantly affected.
As no unacceptable impacts have been predicted to occur during the
construction and operation of this Project, monitoring of fisheries resources
during these project phases is not considered necessary.
12.8.2
Monitoring
activities designed to detect and mitigate any unacceptable impacts to water
quality during construction phase are also expected to serve to protect against
unacceptable impacts to fisheries. The
details of the water quality monitoring programme are presented in the EM&A
Manual attached to this EIA. The
detailed EM&A measures are presented in Section
5.12 of the EIA Report.
12.9.1
The
Landscape and Visual Assessment of the EIA recommended a series of mitigation
measures for the construction phase to mitigate the landscape and visual
impacts of the Project. Details of all the recommended mitigation measures are
included in Sections 9.8 of the EIA Report and summarized in the Implementation
Schedule provided in Annex 12A.
12.9.2
Implementation
of the mitigation measures for landscape and visual resources recommended by
the EIA shall be monitored through the site inspection and audit programme.
12.10.1
No
adverse impacts on any built heritage resources would be expected from the
construction of the Project. During construction, precautionary measure will be
carried out for the proposed works in the vicinity of the Tin Hau Temple. Details of all the recommended mitigation
measures are included in Sections 10.3.50 to 10.3.55 of the EIA Report and
summarized in the Implementation Schedule provided in Annex 12A.
No specific EM&A programme is required.