10.1.1
The assessments presented in the preceding sections have predicted that
the implementation of the Project is not expected to give rise to any unacceptable
adverse environmental impacts as long as specific
mitigation measures are in place. A
focused Environmental Monitoring and Audit (EM&A) programme is thus considered
appropriate to ensure that the proposed mitigation measures are effectively implemented and the quality of the surrounding environment
is not prejudiced. This section presents
the scope of these EM&A requirements.
10.1.2
The EM&A programme will cover both the pre-construction, construction
and operation phases of this Project. A
summary of the requirements for each of the key environmental parameters is
detailed in Table 10.1.
Table 10.1 Summary of EM&A Requirements
|
Parameter |
Phases |
||
|
Pre-Construction Phase |
Construction Phase |
Operation |
|
|
Air Quality (Odour) |
M |
M (a) + SI (b) |
- |
|
Noise |
M |
M + SI |
- |
|
Water Quality |
M |
M + SI |
- |
|
Waste |
- |
SI |
- |
|
Landscape and Visual |
SI (c) |
SI |
SI |
|
Notes: (a)
M – Environmental
monitoring (b)
SI - Site
inspection (c)
Prior to construction, photographic record of the Project Site at the
time of the Contractor’s possession should be prepared. |
|||
10.2.1
A detailed EM&A Manual has been prepared for this Project as part of
the EIA study. The following sections
provide a summary of the need for monitoring and auditing of the individual
environmental aspects.
10.2.2
An Implementation Schedule of the environmental mitigation measures
recommended in the EIA study has been prepared in form of a checklist. The Implementation Schedule is presented in Annex 10A
and also attached to the EM&A Manual.
10.3.1
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.
10.3.2
The following sections summarise the recommended EM&A requirements
and further details are provided in the EM&A Manual.
10.4.1 Regular site audits
at the frequency of once a week should be conducted during the construction
phase to ensure that the recommended mitigation measures are properly
implemented to reduce the air quality impacts from the Project.
10.4.2 In addition, odour
patrol is recommended during the pre-construction and construction phases of
the Project. The patrol will be
conducted monthly along Project Site boundary with a total of two times on the
monitoring day, in the morning and afternoon, respectively.
10.4.3 The full details of the EM&A programme for odour patrol is presented
in the EM&A Manual for this Project.
10.5.1
Noise monitoring is recommended during the construction phase to ensure
compliance with the noise criterion at the NSRs. Weekly noise monitoring will be undertaken between
0700-1900 hours during working days at the representative NSRs. The noise monitoring locations are presented
in the EM&A Manual.
10.5.2
Weekly site audits will be conducted to ensure that the recommended
mitigation measures are properly implemented during the construction
stage.
10.5.3 The full details of the EM&A programme for noise is presented in the
EM&A Manual for this Project.
10.6.1
A water quality monitoring programme is proposed during the
construction of the Project.
Construction Phase
10.6.2
Baseline monitoring should be undertaken three times per week
for a period of four weeks before commencement of the construction works to
establish baseline water quality conditions of the area. Impact monitoring should be undertaken three
times per week during the construction period to obtain water quality data of the
area throughout the construction period for comparison with the baseline water
quality data and hence determine any water quality impacts from the
construction activities. Post Project
monitoring should also be undertaken three times per week for four weeks after
the completion of construction works.
10.6.3 Weekly site inspections and
audits will be conducted to ensure that the recommended mitigation measures are
properly implemented during the construction stage.
Operation
Phase
10.6.4
Unacceptable water quality impacts are not expected during
the operation of the Project. Therefore,
environmental monitoring and audit for water quality is not recommended for the
operation phase of the Project.
10.6.5 The full details of the EM&A programme for water quality is
presented in the EM&A Manual for this Project.
Construction Phase
10.7.1 To facilitate monitoring and control over the contractors’ performance on waste management, a waste monitoring and audit programme will be implemented throughout the construction phase and a WMP will be prepared and implemented by the contractor in accordance with ETWB TC(W) No. 19/2005. The aims of the monitoring and audit programme are:
·
To review the WMP, which
will form part of the EMP in accordance with ETWB TC(W) No. 19/2005, including the quantities and types of
C&D materials generated, reused and disposed of off-site; the amount of
fill materials exported from/imported to the site and the quantity of timber
used in temporary works construction for each process/activity;
·
To monitor the
implementation and achievement of the WMP on site to assess its effectiveness;
and
·
To monitor the follow-up
actions on deficiencies identified.
10.7.2 Site inspections will be undertaken every week. Particular attention will be given to the contractor’s provision of sufficient spaces, adequacy of resources and facilities for on-site sorting and temporary storage of C&D materials. The C&D materials to be disposed of from the site will be visually inspected to ensure the absence of non-inert materials (e.g. general refuse, timber, etc). The waste to be disposed of at landfills will as practicable contains no observable inert or reusable/recyclable C&D materials (e.g. soil, broken rock, metal, and paper/cardboard packaging, etc). Any irregularities observed during the site inspections will be raised promptly to the contractor for rectification.
Operation Phase
10.7.3 No monitoring and audit is required during operation of the Project.
10.8.1 With proper implementation of the recommended avoidance/mitigation measures, unacceptable ecological impacts within the Study Area arising from the Project are not expected to occur.
10.8.2 Therefore, ecological monitoring and audit programme is considered not necessary for this Project.
10.9.1 A photographic record of the Project Site at the time of the Contractor’s possession should be prepared by the Contractor and approved by the Engineer Representative (ER).
10.9.2 A specialist Landscape Sub-Contractor should be employed by the Contractor for the implementation of landscape construction works and subsequent maintenance operations during the 12-month establishment period.
10.9.3 All measures undertaken by both the Contractor and the specialist Landscape Sub-Contractor during the construction phase and first year of the operation phase should be audited by a Registered Landscape Architect, as a member of the Environmental Team (ET), on a regular basis to ensure compliance with the intended aims of the measures.
10.9.4 Site audits should be undertaken at least once every two weeks during the construction phase of the Project and once every two months during the operation phase to ensure that the proposed mitigation measures and good site practices proposed to manage and mitigate landscape and visual impacts, are implemented.