TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.......... Introduction. 1
1.1 Project Background. 1
1.2 Purpose of this
Executive Summary. 1
2.......... Project Description. 2
2.1 Location and Scale
of Project 2
2.2 The Need and
Benefits of the Project 2
2.3 Consideration of
Alternative Options. 2
2.4 Construction
Methodology. 3
2.5 Works Programme. 4
2.6 Interactions with
Other Projects. 4
3.......... KEY FINDINGS OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT. 5
3.1 Introduction. 5
3.2 Air Quality Impact 5
3.3 Noise Impact 5
3.4 Hazard to Life. 6
3.5 Water Quality
Impact 6
3.6 Waste Management
Implications. 6
3.7 Ecological Impact 7
3.8 Landscape and
Visual Impacts. 8
4.......... Environmental Monitoring and Audit. 9
5.......... Conclusion. 10
List of Figures
Figure 2.1..... Site Location Plan
Figure 2.2..... Project Layout Plan
Figure 2.3..... Considered Schemes for the Extension of the Existing Cemetery
1.1.1
With a growing and aging population in Hong Kong, the numbers of deaths
and cremations have been rising gradually year by year, leading to a
corresponding increase in the demand for public niches. There is currently no
public columbarium facility on Lantau Island. Eligible residents in Lantau
Island of Islands District can only choose from public niches in Peng Chau or
Lamma Island (in addition to New Territories (NT)/Urban niches) if cremation
is adopted, although there are two public cemeteries on the Island, namely, Tai
O Cemetery and Lai Chi Yuen Cemetery where only coffin burial or urn burial are
available. It is against this background that Members of Islands District
Council and Mui Wo Rural Committee strongly requested public niches be provided
on Lantau Island to cope with the need of eligible local residents.
1.1.2
In this regard, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD)
proposed an extension of the Mui Wo Lai Chi Yuen Cemetery (hereafter referred
to as “the Project”) to construct an elevated platform of around 225m2
within the existing Lai Chi Yuen Cemetery boundary to accommodate the outdoor
niches and the ancillary facilities including one joss paper burner (with a
fresh water tank and a sewage holding tank for supporting its operation) and
planters. Also, a site access of 7.5m2,
which is indispensable for the development, will be constructed just outside
the cemetery boundary due to lack of suitable space for accommodating it in the
cemetery.
1.1.3
The Project is classified as a Designated Project (DP) under Category
Q.1 – the Project is wholly within an existing country park, Part I in Schedule
2 of the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (EIAO).
1.1.4
An application for an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Study
Brief under Section 5(1) of the EIAO was made to Environmental Protection
Department (EPD) and the EIA Study Brief No. ESB-288/2015 for the Project was
issued under the EIAO. AECOM Asia
Company Limited was commissioned by Architectural Services Department (ArchSD) as the Consultant to conduct this EIA study for the Project.
1.2
Purpose of this Executive
Summary
1.2.1 The purpose of this
Executive Summary (ES) is to present the summary of the findings, conclusions
and recommendations in the EIA Report. This ES contains the following
information:
·
Section
2
– Purpose, nature, consideration of alternative options for the site location,
and construction methods of the Project
·
Section
3
– Key findings of environmental impacts
·
Section
4
– Environmental monitoring and audit (EM&A) for the Project
·
Section
5
– Conclusions
2.1.1
The Project site is located on a slope next to the entrance staircase
of the existing Lai Chi Yuen Cemetery with a total area of 232.5m². An elevated
platform of around 225m² supported by structural columns will be constructed to
accommodate some 790 niches (one 46 columns x 10 tiers and one 33 columns x 10
tiers), with internal dimension of each niche being 200mm(W) x 210mm(H)
x 410mm(D). All the niches will be in
outdoor setting. The ancillary
facilities like a joss paper burner (with a fresh water tank and a sewage
holding tank for supporting its operation) and planters will be provided as
well.
2.1.2
A site access of 7.5m2 will be constructed just outside
the cemetery boundary. The site access area has however been minimized to allow
only pedestrian access without compromising the wheelchair access requirement.
2.1.3
The location plan and preliminary layout plan of the Project are
shown in Figures 2.1 and 2.2, respectively.
2.2.1
Since the 1970s, the Government has been encouraging cremations
instead of coffin burials, resulting in a rising demand for columbarium facilities
and an upsurge of private columbaria.
With a growing and ageing population in Hong Kong, the numbers of deaths
and cremations have been rising gradually year by year, leading to a
corresponding increase in the demand for public niches.
2.2.2
There is currently no public columbarium facility on Lantau Island. Local villagers and residents in Lantau Island of Islands District can only choose from
public niches in Peng Chau or Lamma Island (in addition to NT/Urban niches) if
cremation is adopted. In view of the
great demand of public niches in Mui Wo and Lantau Island at large, the Islands
District Council Members and the Mui Wo Rural Committee strongly requested
public niches be provided on Lantau island to cope with the need of local
villagers and residents.
2.2.3
In this regard, FEHD proposed the Project to cope with the need of
local villagers
and residents in Lantau Island.
2.2.4
The Project will help to meet the great public demand for public
niches, to relieve the shortage of niches in Hong Kong and to cope with the
need of local villagers and residents on Lantau Island.
2.2.5
More than 96% project site area is within the existing Lai Chi Yuen
Cemetery. Only the access 7.5m2 is
proposed to be constructed just outside the cemetery boundary due to lack of
suitable space for accommodating it in the cemetery. Environmental impacts on surrounding
sensitive receivers are minimised.
New Sites on Lantau Island
Sites outside Lantau Island
2.3.2 Alternative project sites outside Lantau
Island have been considered at the initial stage. However, as Lai Chi Yuen Cemetery site is one
of the 12 batch one sites that were announced by the Government on 6 July 2010
when it launched the first public consultation on the review of columbarium
policy, the niches to be provided in the Project are targeted for local villagers and residents on
Lantau Island. Other sites outside Lantau
Island for the Project are thus not applicable.
Extension of Existing Lai
Chi Yuen Cemetery
2.3.3 The existing Lai Chi Yuen
Cemetery site is a developed site with the necessary transport network
support.
2.3.4 The development of new
columbarium at a new or remote site will carry environmental dis-benefits. The impact of such dis-benefits is relatively
less significant for development of the existing Lai Chi Yuen Cemetery.
2.3.5 Human activities already
exist at the current site in Lai Chi Yuen Cemetery and its vicinity. The presence of a
new small scale columbarium with
minimal ancillary facilities will have
insignificant effect on the existing Lai Chi Yuen area.
2.3.6 FEHD has once explored a
number of development options (see Figure 2.3) for the extension of Lai Chi Yuen
Cemetery but the Barrier Free Access (BFA) requirement involves substantial
encroachment onto the virgin country park area.
On the advice of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department
(AFCD) that the columbarium should be built within the cemetery boundary as far
as possible, FEHD eventually identified the currently proposed site within the
Lai Chi Yuen Cemetery with minimal area outside the cemetery boundary. Owing to the limited footprint of the site
and the BFA requirement, terraced platform design was not proposed to avoid the
need of bulky ramps connecting the platforms to provide a barrier free access.
2.3.7 Extension of the existing
Lai Chi Yuen Cemetery is therefore considered the
most preferred scenario for the following reasons:
a) Provision of new columbarium at the Project site
has a much less significant environmental impact in comparison with introducing
new columbarium to a new site;
b) The Project site is mainly confined to the boundary
of the Lai Chi Yuen Cemetery, which is considered compatible use;
c) It is the most suitable option for early
implementation to meet the great demand for public niches as soon as possible;
and
d) The footprint is minimized and the layout design is
optimized to minimize environmental impacts.
2.4.1
The main access to the Site is through the existing single track
access road (two ways) connecting to South Lantau Road. No widening is required for this access road.
2.4.2
The elevated platform will be constructed by in-situ concrete
casting. The area of the proposed
barrier-free site access is very small (i.e. around 7.5m2) and the
required depth of excavation is expected to be less than 1.5m. The construction can be achieved by simple
open cut followed by in-situ casting of the reinforced concrete retaining
wall/slab. Good site practice will be
adopted to minimize the impact on the environment during the construction
stage.
2.4.3
The outdoor niches will also be formed by in-situ concrete casting,
with the niches block modules either in the form of prefabricated stone or
precast concrete.
2.5.1
Construction of the Project will tentatively commence in February
2018 and complete in September 2019.
2.6.1
According to the latest plan, there is no concurrent project to be
constructed and operated in the vicinity of the Project.
3.1.1
This EIA Report has provided an assessment of the potential
environmental impacts associated with the construction and operation of the
Project, based on the engineering design information available at this stage.
The assessment has been conducted in accordance with the EIA Study Brief (No.
ESB –288/2015) issued for the Project and it covers the following environmental
issues:
·
air quality impact
·
noise impact
·
hazard to life
·
water quality impact
·
waste management implications
·
ecological impact
·
landscape and visual impacts
3.2.1
The air quality assessment was conducted in accordance with the
requirements in Annexes 4 and 12 of the Technical Memorandum on Environmental
Impact Assessment Process (EIAO-TM) and the requirements in Section 3.4.3 of
the EIA Study Brief. Scattered village house located at a distance of
approximately 82m to the north of the Project site boundary are the most
affected air sensitive receivers within 500m assessment area.
Construction Phase
3.2.2
Fugitive dust from construction activities including site formation,
erection of retaining walls and construction of proposed new columbarium and the ancillary
facilities would be the major potential construction air quality impact. Since
the construction works of the Project would be minor and small scale, dust
emission from the construction of the Project would be insignificant. With
implementation of the recommended dust suppression measures as stipulated in
the Air Pollution Control (Construction
Dust) Regulation, no adverse air quality impact is anticipated.
Operational Phase
3.2.3
Joss paper burning would be the major potential air quality impact
during the operational phase. With the incorporation of flue gas treatment
system and the implementation of the good operational practices and
administrative mitigation measures, no adverse operational air quality impact
is anticipated.
3.3.1
The noise impact assessment was conducted in accordance with the
requirements set out under Annexes 5 and 13 of the EIAO-TM, and Section 3.4.4
of the EIA Study Brief. Scattered village
house located at approximately 82m to the north of the Project site boundary
are the most affected noise sensitive receivers (NSRs) within 300m assessment
area.
Construction Phase
3.3.2
Potential noise impacts during the construction phase of the Project
would be those from the use of Powered Mechanical Equipment (PME) for various
construction activities, including site formation and construction of
structures for new columbarium.
The construction noise impacts on the representative NSRs were assessed.
The assessment results indicated that the unmitigated noise levels arising from
the construction activities of the Project at the NSRs (58 to 75 dB(A)) would
comply with the EIAO-TM construction noise criteria, and therefore no
mitigation measure is required during the construction phase. Nonetheless, good site practises are proposed
to further minimize the potential construction noise impacts.
Operational Phase
3.3.3
Two water pumps and a joss paper burner would be installed at the
Project Site. The joss paper burner would comprise a water scrubber, an
electrostatic precipitator and an exhaust fan, which would generate noise
during their operation. The total maximum permissible sound power level (Max.
SWL) of the proposed fixed plant items were determined by applying standard
acoustics principles. No adverse
operational noise impact on any of the representative NSRs is anticipated if
the water
pumps and joss paper burner are so designed as to not exceed the total Max. SWL
of 94 dB(A), and free of tonality, impulsiveness and intermittency.
3.4.1
A quantitative risk assessment (QRA) has been carried out since the
proposed development resides in the Consultation Zone (CZ) of Silvermine Bay Water
Treatment Works (SMBWTW), which is a potentially hazardous installation (PHI).
The Hazard to Life assessment was conducted in accordance with the requirements
in Annex 4 of the EIAO-TM and the requirements in Section 3.4.5 of the EIA
Study Brief. The assessment has been conducted to determine the risk associated
with the storage, use and transport of chlorine at SMBWTW.
3.4.2
The level of individual risk posed by SMBWTW was found to comply with
the criterion stipulated in Annex 4 of EIAO-TM. The societal risk level lies in
the “As Low
As Reasonably Practicable” (ALARP) region for the base case, construction case and
operational case scenarios. It was found that the societal
risk level had fallen within the ALARP region owing to the background population instead
of the population induced by the Project. A Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA) was
carried out to
determine if
any cost-effective risk mitigation measures could be
implemented.
Some good practices that could lower the risk for both construction
stage and operation stage were also recommended. After implementing
all the recommended risk mitigation measures, the overall risk is in compliance
with the ALARP principles and Risk Guidelines (Annex 4 of EIAO-TM).
3.5.1
The water quality assessment was conducted in accordance with the
requirements in Annexes 6 and 14 of the EIAO-TM and the requirements in Section
3.4.6 of the EIA Study Brief. Watercourses within the 500 m assessment area of
the Project were identified as the water sensitive receivers of the Project.
Construction Phase
3.5.2
The key water quality issue associated with the construction
activities of the Project would be the potential release of wastewater from
surface works areas and open cut excavation. Minimization of water quality
deterioration could be achieved through the implementation of appropriate
mitigation measures, such as control of site run-off of different general
construction activities. Regular site inspections should be undertaken
routinely to inspect the construction activities and works areas to ensure
proper implementation of the recommended mitigation measures.
Operational Phase
3.5.3
The potential sources of water quality impacts during the operation
of the new columbarium would be the sewage generated from
the staff and visitors as well as the runoff from the Project. It is
anticipated that the water quality impact associated with the operational phase
would be minimal and acceptable if the recommended mitigation measures (such as
provision of sanitary facilities) and best management practices are properly
implemented.
3.6.1
The waste management assessment was conducted based on
the criteria and guidelines in Annexes 7 and 15 of the EIAO-TM and Section
3.4.7 of the EIA Study Brief.
Construction Phase
3.6.2
Construction
and demolition (C&D) materials
would be generated from site clearance, slope excavation works, construction of
site access and retaining walls for the Project construction. In view of the
nature and small scale of the Project, the amount of C&D materials to be
generated would be limited. The total quantity of C&D materials generated
from the works is estimated to be approximately 500 m3, of which
approximately 450 m3 would be inert materials (i.e. public fill) and
approximately 50 m3 would be non-inert materials (C&D waste). No
sediment requiring marine disposal would be generated from the construction of
the Project.
3.6.3
The C&D materials would be sorted on-site. The
inert C&D materials would be re-used on-site as far as possible. It is estimated that approximately 100 m3
of inert C&D materials would be reused on-site as backfill materials. The
estimated quantity of inert C&D materials to be disposed of would be
approximately 350 m3. Final outlets for the inert C&D materials
will be determined according to the availability of public filling reception
facilities (PFRF) and are subject to the agreement with CEDD. Non-inert C&D materials generated would
be reused and recycled as much as possible before disposing to landfills.
3.6.4
Other wastes, including general refuse and chemical
waste would also be generated during the construction phase. Provided that
these identified wastes are handled, transported and disposed of using the
recommended methods and that good site practices are strictly followed, adverse
environmental impacts are not anticipated.
Operational Phase
3.6.5
Ash and non-combustible residues generated from joss
paper burning, and general refuse would be the key types of waste from the
operation of the Project. Given the small size of the proposed joss paper
burner, the amount of such residues would be limited. The quantity of general
refuse generated by visitors and the staff during the daily operation of the
new columbarium is not expected to be substantial. With the
implementation of appropriate waste management measures (e.g. storage of ash
and non-combustible residues in covered refuse containers, provision of
recycling bins), no adverse environmental impact is anticipated.
3.7
Ecological Impact
3.7.1
The ecological assessment was conducted following the criteria and
guidelines for evaluating and assessing ecological impact in Annexes 8 and 16
of the EIAO-TM respectively, and the requirements in Section 3.4.8 of the EIA
Study Brief.
3.7.2
Literature review and a 6-month programme of terrestrial and aquatic
ecological surveys within the 500 m assessment area of the Project were
conducted to establish the ecological baseline of the Project site and its
vicinity. Sites of conservation importance identified within the assessment
area included only the Lantau South Country Park. Six habitats were identified
in the assessment area, including developed area, plantation woodland, natural
woodland, shrubland, inactive agricultural land and stream. The Project site
falls within the Lantau South Country Park and comprises plantation woodland
and natural woodland.
3.7.3
Three flora and four fauna species of conservation importance were
recorded within the assessment area during the surveys, with a flora species of conservation importance
(Aquilaria sinensis) recorded within
the Project site.
Construction Phase
3.7.4
Ecological impacts associated with the Project would include direct
habitat loss of a very small woodland habitat (approximately 0.02ha). An
individual of Aquilaria sinensis was
recorded within the works area. With the implementation of mitigation measures,
such as transplantation, erection of hoarding or fencing, and native tree and
shrub planting as part of the landscaping proposals, the impact would be
minimized.
3.7.5
Indirect impacts during construction phase include human disturbance,
construction dust and noise, and construction site runoff. With proper
implementation of good site practices (e.g. measures to avoid and minimize
construction dust, noise and any pollution entering nearby watercourse), no
significant adverse ecological impact is anticipated.
Operational Phase
3.7.6
During operational phase, the key potential ecological impacts
include increased human activities / disturbance associated
with the operation of the Project and hill fire caused by uncontrolled joss
paper burning activities. With the implementation of the measures, such as
provision of adequate litter bins, a proper joss paper burner,
fire-fighting gears and regular patrol during Ching Ming Festival and Chung
Yeung Festival, no
unacceptable residual impacts is anticipated.
3.8.1
The landscape and visual impact assessment
was conducted in accordance with the criteria and guidelines in Annexes 10 and
18 of the EIAO-TM and EIAO Guidance Note No. 8/2010 on "Preparation of
Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment under the Environmental Impact
Assessment Ordinance". Three landscape resources (LRs), one landscape
character area (LCA) and three visually sensitive receivers (VSRs) were
identified within the assessment area.
Construction Phase
3.8.2
The key impact on existing landscape and
visual sensitive receivers during the construction phase would include
construction of the elevated platform and temporary works for the in-situ
concrete casting, temporary stockpiling etc. With the proposed mitigation
measures, which include the preservation of existing trees, compensatory native
tree and shrub planting, control of night-time lighting glare, erection of
screen hoarding in visually unobtrusive colour, management of construction
activities and facilities, reinstatement of temporarily disturbed landscape
area, the residual impact would only be slight.
Operational Phase
3.8.3
During the operational phase, the key
source of landscape and visual impacts would be limited to the operation of
facilities at the Cemetery Extension. With the implementation of mitigation
measures, including aesthetically pleasing design of above ground structures,
amenity tree and shrub planting and screen planting to soften the structural
columns of the elevated platform, the residual impact on the visitors to Lai
Chi Yuen Cemetery would remain slight in day 1 and year 10 of the operation.
4.
Environmental Monitoring and Audit
4.1.1
Environmental Monitoring and Audit
(EM&A) requirements for air quality, noise, water quality, hazard to life,
waste management, ecology and landscape and visual impacts were identified and
recommended. The EM&A requirements
are specified and detailed in the EM&A Manual. Site inspections/audits were
recommended to check the implementation of the recommended mitigation measures
during the construction and operational phases.
5.1.1
The EIA Report provides information on the nature and extent of the
potential environmental impacts that may arise during the construction and
operation of Mui Wo Lai Chi Yuen Cemetery Extension. Mitigation measures have
been proposed, where necessary and appropriate, to ensure full compliance with
environmental legislation and standards.
5.1.2
The EIA Report has concluded that the Project would be
environmentally acceptable with no unacceptable residual impacts on the nearby
environmentally sensitive receivers and resources with the implementation of
the proposed mitigation measures during its construction and operation. The
schedule of mitigation measures recommended to be implemented has been provided
in the EIA Report and an EM&A programme has been recommended to check the
proper implementation of these measures and monitor environmental compliance of
the Project.