12 Environmental Monitoring and Auditing Requirements
12.4 Environmental Mitigation Implementation Schedule
12.6 Environmental Management Plan
Appendix 12.1 Environmental
Mitigation Implementation Schedule
12.1.1.1 This section summarises the requirements on environmental monitoring and audits for the construction and operation of the Schedule 2 Designated Project (DP) item, i.e. the construction of pier within an existing marine park, based on the assessment results of various environmental issues. Details of the Environmental Monitoring and Auditing (EM&A) programme can be referred to the separate EM&A Manual.
12.2.1.1 A project organisation consisting of the Engineer’s Representative (ER), Independent Environmental Checker (IEC), Environmental Team (ET), Project Proponent and Contractor should be established to take on the responsibilities for environmental protection for the Project. The IEC will be appointed by the Project Proponent to conduct independent auditing on the overall EM&A programme including environmental and operation monitoring, implementation of mitigation measures, EM&A submissions, and any other submission required under the Environmental Permit (EP). The organisation, responsibilities of respective parties and lines of communication with respect to environmental protection works are given in the EM&A Manual.
12.3.1.1 EM&A is an important aspect in the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process which specifies the timeframe and responsibilities for the implementation of environmental mitigation measures. The requirements on environmental monitoring (including baseline and impact monitoring) are given in the EM&A Manual.
12.3.1.2 A project specific EM&A Manual to the Project has been prepared as a part of the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (EIAO) submission with reference to the latest design information available and Environmental Protection Department (EPD)’s generic EM&A Manual. The project specific EM&A Manual highlights the following issues:
·
Organisation,
hierarchy and responsibilities of the Contractor, the Engineer or ER, ET and
IEC with respect to the EM&A requirements during construction phase of the
Project;
·
Information
on project organisation and programming of construction activities for the Project;
·
Requirements
with respect to the construction schedule and necessary EM&A programme to
track the varying environmental impacts;
·
Full
details of methodologies to be adopted, including all field, laboratory and
analytical procedures, and details on quality assurance;
·
Procedure
for undertaking on-site environmental audits;
·
Definition
of Action and Limit Levels;
·
Establishment
of Event and Action Plans;
·
Requirements
of reviewing pollution sources and working procedures required in the event of
non-compliance of environmental criteria and complaints;
·
Requirements
for reviewing the implementation of mitigation measures, and effectiveness of
environmental protection and pollution control measures adopted; and
·
Presentation
of requirements for EM&A data and appropriate reporting procedures.
12.3.1.3 The Contractor shall be requested to review the mitigation measures and Environmental Mitigation Implementation Schedule (EMIS) with respect to the design developments and construction methodology. Any proposed changes to the mitigation measures shall be certified by the ET Leader and verified by the IEC as conforming to the relevant information and recommendations contained in the EIA Report.
12.4
Environmental
Mitigation Implementation Schedule
12.4.1.1 An EMIS has been prepared alongside the Environmental Monitoring and Audit Manual (EM&A) of this EIA to summarise all the required mitigation measures need to be implemented during the design, the construction and operational phases of the Project. The implementation responsibilities have also been identified in the EMIS, as shown in Appendix 12.1. The EM&A Manual has also presented the requirements for environmental monitoring and audit (e.g. monitoring and audit frequency).
12.4.1.2 The Contractor should review the mitigation measures and EMIS with respect to the design developments and construction methodology. In case the Contractor needs to update the mitigation measures and EMIS, changes to the mitigation measures shall be certified by the ET Leader and verified by the IEC as conforming to the relevant information and recommendations contained in the EIA Report.
12.5.1.1 The Contractor will be requested to implement and operate a monitoring programme throughout the entire construction period of the Project. In case exceedance is found, the Contractor and ET should take immediate actions to implement remediation measures following the procedures specified in the EM&A Manual.
12.5.1.2
Detailed requirements of the
EM&A programme have been described in the EM&A Manual. Measurements and
activities that shall be conducted in accordance with the requirements in the
EM&A Manual are summarised as follows:
·
Baseline
monitoring (water quality)
·
Impact
monitoring (construction dust and water quality etc.);
·
Remedial
actions in accordance with the Event and Action Plans within the timeframe in
case the specified criteria in the EM&A Manual were exceeded;
·
Logging
and keeping records of monitoring results; and
·
Preparation
and submission of Baseline, Monthly and Final EM&A Reports.
12.6
Environmental
Management Plan
12.6.1.1
A
systematic Environmental Management Plan (EMP) shall be set up by the
Contractor to ensure effective implementation of the mitigation measures,
monitoring and remedial requirements presented in the EIA, EM&A and EMIS.
The Project Proponent and IEC will audit the implementation status against the
EMP and advise the necessary remedial actions required. These remedial actions
shall be enforced by the Engineer’s Representative through contractual means.
12.6.1.2
The
EMP will require the Contractor (together with its sub-contractors) to define
in detail how to implement the recommended mitigation measures in order to
achieve the environmental performance defined in the Hong Kong environmental
legislation and the EIA documentation. The EMP would also need to include a
Waste Management Plan to demonstrate the Contractor’s proposal to minimise the
waste generation and maximise the re-use of spoil as far as practicable.
12.6.1.3
The
review of on-site environmental performance shall be undertaken by the Project
Proponent and IEC through a systematic checklist and audit once the project
commences. The environmental performance review programme comprises a regular
assessment on the effectiveness of the EMP.
12.7.1
Air
Quality
Construction Phase
12.7.1.1 The underwater foundation works would not generate significant amount of construction dust. Prefabrication method would be adopted for the construction of the superstructure works as much as practicable. Emissions from Powered Mechanical Equipment (PME) are considered relatively small and adverse cumulative impact is considered unlikely. Adverse air quality impact from marine emissions is not anticipated as the trip frequency of marine transportation for the commuting of site personnel and the delivery of goods per day would be limited. Adverse air quality impact during the construction phase of the Project is therefore not anticipated, air quality mitigation measure and monitoring are not required. Although there is no adverse impact on the identified ASRs, regular audits and site inspections should be carried out to ensure the control measures and good practices as recommended in this EIA Report and the EM&A Manual, such as water spraying on the stockpiles of dusty materials and covering dusty load on the construction barges, are carried out to minimise the potential disturbance to the environment.
Operational Phase
12.7.1.2 As adverse air quality impact during the operational phase of the Project is not anticipated, air quality mitigation measure and monitoring are not required.
12.7.2
Noise
Construction Phase
12.7.2.1 Construction noise impact is anticipated to be limited since no construction work will be carried out during the restricted hours and the prefabrication method for the superstructure construction will be adopted as far as practicable. Although there is no adverse impact on the identified NSRs within 300m Assessment Area (i.e. Tai Tong and Plover Cove (Extension) Country Park), good control measures as recommended in this EIA Report and the EM&A Manual, such as use of quality powered mechanical equipment (QPME) and use of temporary noise barriers, should be implemented to minimise the potential disturbance to the environment. As adverse noise impact is not anticipated during the construction phase, noise mitigation measures and monitoring are not required.
Operational Phase
12.7.2.2 As adverse noise impact is not anticipated during the operational phase, noise mitigation measures and monitoring are not required.
12.7.3
Water
Quality
Construction Phase
12.7.3.1 With the full implementation of mitigation measures, no substantial water quality impact is anticipated from the demolition works, the construction works of piles, the above-water construction works, surface runoff from construction site and sewage generated from construction workforce in construction phase.
12.7.3.2 For any works in the Marine Park, the following good site practices and mitigation measures shall be followed the guidelines stipulated under the Marine Parks Ordinance (Cap. 476) and the Marine Parks and Marine Reserves Regulation (Cap. 476A).
·
The
power-driven vessel shall not exceed a speed of 10 knots at any time inside the
marine park;
·
Restrict
anchor or moor except under and in accordance with a permit or at mooring sites
provided by the Authority;
·
Obstruct
the pollution of the water body or discharge of waste; and
· Restrict the collection of any marine life and resources in or from the marine park.
12.7.3.3 The construction methodology will incorporate all the best practices for the marine works to avoid and minimise water quality impacts. These good practices are summarised below.
· Diver inspection shall be carried out to ascertain no coral colonies will be affected during the legs positioning and drilling works as far as practicable;
·
Pile
casing should be used for the construction of foundations;
· A temporary funnel to avoid spillage of concrete/ excavated materials should be installed at the top of the pile casing prior to excavation;
· Excavation should only be conducted inside pile casing. Only one closed grab should be used for excavation at the same time;
·
The barge receiving the grabbed
materials will be located as close to the pile casing as possible and
underneath the Y-shaped funnel to avoid the grabbed materials from accidentally
dropped into the surrounding water body;
· All vessels deployed should have adequate clearance from the seabed at all tide levels to ensure no undue turbidity is generated from propeller wash;
· There should only 1-2 piles be constructed at the same time;
· Drilling fluid in the pile casing shall be pumped out to the circulation tanks on the barge to avoid drilling fluid overflown from the casing to the sea directly. The circulation tanks shall be provided with adequate capacity to avoid if any overflow of drilling fluid;
· Drilling fluid shall not be discharged on site or within the boundary of Tung Ping Chau Marine Park, Plover Cove (Extension) Country Park or any other identified WSRs; and
· Final discharge of waste water/ effluent shall be discharged offsite with a valid discharge license under the WPCO with the provision of silt removal facilities, or to the facilities of the Contractor.
12.7.3.4
To avoid and minimise any potential water quality impacts arising from
the above-water construction works, the following mitigation measures are
proposed.
·
Prefabrication
methods should be adopted during construction as far as practicable; and
·
If
in-situ concrete casting is required,
formworks should be designed to be water-tight and concrete should be poured
into the formwork slowly and evenly to avoid accidental spillage to water
bodies.
12.7.3.5
Other typical
mitigation measures for water quality are required as follows:
·
Good site
practices in accordance to Practice Note for Professional Persons on
Construction Site Drainage, Environmental Protection Department, 1994 (ProPECC
PN 1/94);
·
Provide
temporary sanitary facilities, e.g. portable chemical toilets and sewage holding tanks with
adequate capacity to collect the
sewage; and
·
Post
notices at conspicuous locations to remind the workers not to discharge any
sewage or wastewater into the surrounding environment during the construction
phase of the Project.
12.7.3.6
To
reduce the potential water quality impact due to accidental spillage of
chemicals, the following mitigation measures should be implemented to avoid
potential adverse water quality impacts.
·
Properly
store and contain the chemicals used during construction, such as fuel, oil,
solvents and lubricants in a designated area with secondary containment to
prevent spillage and contamination of the nearby water environment.
·
Preferably
carry out any maintenance activities and works with chemicals use outside the
Project site given the advantage that machineries located on barges can be
easily re-located.
·
The
Contractor shall register as a chemical waste producer and employ licensed
collector for collection of chemical waste from the construction site. Any
chemical waste generated shall be managed in accordance with the Waste Disposal
(Chemical Waste) (General) Regulation.
· The Contractor shall also prepare an Emergency Spillage Plan to detail the responses in case of spillage.
12.7.3.7 Besides, water quality impact monitoring should be carried out three times per week during the construction phase with marine-based works to ensure that water quality would comply with the relevant criteria. Site inspection by ET and IEC will also be conducted to ensure that the mitigation measures recommended in this EIA Report and EM&A Manual are properly implemented by the Contractor.
Operational Phase
12.7.3.8
As the Project would not
generate or induce any water quality impact during the normal operation of the
pier, monitoring and audit are considered not necessary.
12.7.4
Waste
Management Implications
Construction Phase
12.7.4.1 During construction phase, the Contractor shall manage all the generated wastes in accordance with relevant legislation and guidelines. The recommended mitigation measures which include good site practice, waste reduction measures as well as maintaining record of trip-tickets should be implemented.
12.7.4.2 Regular audits and site inspections should be carried out to ensure proper waste management measures recommended in this EIA Report and EM&A Manual are implemented by the Contractor.
Operational Phase
12.7.4.3 Sufficient number of trash bins and recycling bins have already been provided for the collection of general refuse generated by visitors and pier users along the existing hiking trail of Tung Ping Chau. No bin will be provided as no general refuse is anticipated by the Project during the operational phase. Nevertheless, recycling containers are recommended to be provided at suitable locations to encourage recycling of waste such as aluminium cans and plastics.
12.7.4.4 It is anticipated that there would not be any insurmountable impacts during the operational phase, and thus monitoring and audit are not required.
12.7.5
Land
Contamination
12.7.5.1 Based on the desktop review findings of the aerial photos, the information collected during site surveys as well as the information provided by EPD and FSD, no potential land contamination issue is identified within the boundary of the Project. As no adverse land contamination is anticipated, monitoring and audit are not required.
12.7.6
Ecology
Construction Phase
12.7.6.1 The EIA has predicted the project would lead to some ecological impacts and has recommended a series of measures to avoid, minimize, and mitigate the impacts to an acceptable level. An ecological monitoring and audit programme would be needed to ensure the recommended measures are properly implemented.
12.7.6.2 Given the close proximity to coral communities such as Reef Check sites, water quality monitoring is recommended to be undertaken at the nearby waters prior to the commencement of the construction as well as during the construction phase. Baseline data should be obtained prior to the start of the construction. Regular monitoring should be carried out throughout the whole construction phase to ensure that the water quality complies with the established environmental standards as stated in water quality chapter.
12.7.6.3 It is recommended to translocate the corals within the plan view area of proposed pier extension and temporary pier, to a nearby suitable recipient site where similar condition and healthy coral communities of the similar coral species compositions were recorded. Coral translocation should be carried out during the period (November – April) in order to avoid the coral spawning period (i.e. May to October) (Lam 2000; Storlazzi et al., 2004; and Chui et al. 2014). A detailed coral translocation plan with brief description on pre-translocation coral survey / baseline survey, translocation methodology, identification of suitable coral recipient site and post-translocation monitoring methodology should be prepared during the detailed design stage of the Project. Pre-translocation survey of coral would be focused on identifying and mapping the coral colonies within the final plan view area of the Tung Ping Chau Public Pier extension, and investigating the translocation feasibility of these coral colonies (e.g. health status of coral colony and nature of the attaching substrata). The detailed coral translocation plan and marine ecologists involved in coral translocation should be approved by relevant authorities including AFCD prior to commencement of the translocation exercises.
12.7.6.4
Monitoring on the translocated
corals at the recipient sites should also be included in the coral translocation
plan, in order to evaluate the effectiveness of the translocation task. Information gathered during each
post-translocation monitoring survey should include observations on the
presence, survival, health condition and size of the translocated coral
colonies. These parameters should then
be compared with the baseline results collected from the pre-translocation
survey, in order to evaluate the effectiveness of the translocation task.
12.7.6.5
A control site will be selected
to compare with the identified corals being monitored within the proposed works
area, in order to determine if the proposed works affect the coral colonies. Should the translocation
recipient site recommended in the detailed translocation plan be located in the vicinity of the control site (for example one
of the Reef check sites in Tung Ping Chau), the control site may also serve as
the control for the translocated corals. Otherwise, a separated group of
control corals should be proposed for the translocated corals.
12.7.6.6
A representative number of
coral colonies in the control site should be identified and tagged for
monitoring, to determine if there are any natural fluctuation that affect the
health of corals. Besides, a
representative number of coral colonies in the works area should be selected to
determine if there are any impacts from the proposed works to the corals inside
the works area.
12.7.6.7 The proposed TPC Public Pier extension is a marine-based project, and thus ecological impacts to terrestrial ecology and the Plover Cove (Extension) Country Park are not likely. However, due to the conservation importance of country park, general site inspection within the country park in particular the woodland is recommended to ensure no ecological disturbance within the country park.
Operational Phase
12.7.6.8 Both direct and indirect ecological impacts in operational phase were considered insignificant. Thus, additional ecological mitigation measures, monitoring and audit are not required.
12.7.7
Landscape
and Visual
Construction Phase
12.7.7.1
Mitigation measures such as provision
of site hoarding, minimisation of construction area, minimisation of
construction period and water quality control measures should be adopted during
the construction phase. Regular site inspections should be undertaken regularly
by ET and IEC during the construction period to ensure that the mitigation
measures recommended in this EIA Report and EM&A Manual are properly
implemented by the Contractor.
Operational Phase
12.7.7.2 Mitigation measures to be implemented, such as adopting sensitive design and disposition of the pier structures, during operation should be integrated into the detailed design and built as part of the construction works so that they would be in place on commissioning of the Project. As the impact during operation phases are insubstantial to moderately beneficial, monitoring and audit requirements are not required.
12.7.8
Fisheries
Construction Phase
12.7.8.1 Site inspections according to the water quality chapter during construction phase should be carried out to ensure good practices that maintain water quality of the surrounding such that it may not affect the fisheries resources (i.e. a monitoring and audit programme aims to ensure that the released suspended solids (SS) concentrations from the marine-based construction works). Monitoring and audit should be carried out together with water quality impact monitoring in the construction phase.
Operational Phase
12.7.8.2 It is anticipated that there would be no adverse impacts on fisheries during operational phase, and thus monitoring and audit are not required.
12.7.9
Cultural
Heritage
Construction Phase
12.7.9.1 Based on the results of marine geophysical survey, there is no marine archaeological potential within the Project site. Marine archaeological impact from the construction works is not anticipated. Hence, mitigation measures as well as impact monitoring and audit are not required.
Operational Phase
12.7.9.2
No adverse impacts are
anticipated on marine archaeology during the operational phase, and thus
monitoring and audit are not required.