1.2 Requirements under the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance 1-2

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 Project Background

1.1.1 The Drainage Master Plan Studies for the Yuen Long, Kam Tin, Ngau Tam Mei and Tin Shui Wai Drainage Basin (YLDMP) were completed in 1998 respectively. The majority of the improvement works in Yuen Long and Kam Tin recommended under the YLDMP Study have been completed. Since completion of the DMP Studies, there were changes in developments within the areas and new development proposals and town planning studies were commissioned. In addition, some new flooding complaints were received on the upstream areas of the drainage basins, indicating that further improvement to the drainage systems were required.

1.1.2 Drainage Services Department (DSD) commissioned the “Review of Drainage Master Plans in Yuen Long and North Districts – Feasibility Study” (the DMP Review Study) in 2008 so that the new development scenarios could be incorporated and the effectiveness of the previously recommended works could also be assessed.

1.1.3 The Review Study completed in end 2011 identified that some areas in Yuen Long District could not meet the required flood protection level according to the latest land use changes and future developments taking into account various factors, including sedimentation at the downstream main channels, mangrove growth at river estuaries, updated extreme sea level statistics at Tsim Bei Tsui and projected Climate Change impacts, in the hydraulics analysis. To account for the severity and extent of possible flooding and the works implementation time, the Review Study proposed drainage improvement works in Yuen Long District.

1.1.4 In August 2016, the Development Bureau signed out a Project Definition Statement (PDS) to justify and define the scope of the “Yuen Long Barrage Scheme” (YLBS). The Technical Feasibility Study (TFS) completed by DSD that confirms the feasibility of the Project and was approved by DEVB in September 2016 and the Project was subsequently included in Cat B under PWP Item No. 4178D in October 2017.

1.1.5 Black & Veatch (B&V) was commissioned by DSD to carry out the Investigation, Design and Construction of the Project “Yuen Long Barrage Scheme” in September 2018. The general location plan of the Project is shown in Drawing No. 400171/B&V/LAY/001.

1.2 Requirements under the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance

1.2.1 A Project Profile (No. PP-564/2018) was submitted to the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) on 25 January 2018 for application of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Study Brief under section 5(1)(a) of the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (EIAO) and the EIA Study Brief No. ESB-307/2018 for the Project was issued on 9 March 2018 under the EIAO.

1.2.2 The Project consists of the following designated projects under the following items of Part I, Schedule 2 of the EIAO:

(a) Item C.12(a)(viii) - A dredging operation which is less than 500m from the nearest boundary of an existing conservation area;

(b) Item I.1(b) - A drainage channel or river training and diversion works which discharges or discharge into an area which is less than 300m from the nearest boundary of an existing or planned (i) site of special scientific interest; (ii) site of cultural heritage; (iii) marine park or marine reserve; (iv) fish cultural zone; (v) wild animal protection area; (vi) coastal protection area; or (vii) conservation area; and

(c) Item Q.1 - All projects including new access roads, railways, sewers, sewage treatment facilities, earthworks, dredging works and other building works partly or wholly in an existing or gazetted proposed country park or special area, a conservation area, an existing or gazetted proposed marine park or marine reserve, a site of cultural heritage, and a site of special scientific interest.

1.2.3 The location plan of the proposed work and conservation area and environmental sensitive area is shown in Figure 1.1.

1.3 Purpose of the EIA Study

1.3.1 The purpose of the EIA Study is to provide information on the nature and extent of the environmental impacts arising from construction and operation of the Project and related activities that take place concurrently. This information will contribute to decisions on:

(a) the overall acceptability of any adverse environmental consequences that are likely to arise as a result of the Project;

(b) the conditions and requirements for the detailed design, construction and operation of the Project to mitigate against adverse environmental consequences wherever practicable; and

(c) the acceptability of residual impacts after the proposed mitigation measures are implemented.

1.4 Objectives of the EIA Study

1.4.1 The objectives of the EIA Study described in the EIA Study Brief (No. ESB-307/2018) are listed below:

(i) to describe the Project and associated works together with the requirements and environmental benefits for carrying out the Project;

(ii) to identify & describe elements of 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;

(iii) to identify & quantify emission sources and determine the significance of impacts on sensitive receivers and potential affected uses;

(iv) to identify & quantify contaminated land within any project area for development works, and to propose measures to avoid disposal in the first instance;

(v) to identify & quantify any potential losses or damage to flora, fauna and wildlife habitats;

(vi) to identify any negative impacts on sites of cultural heritage and to propose measures to mitigate these impacts;

(vii) to identify & evaluate any potential landscape and visual impacts and to propose measures to mitigate these impacts;

(viii) to propose the provision of infrastructure or mitigation measures to minimize pollution, environmental disturbance and nuisance during the construction and operation of the Project;

(ix) to investigate the feasibility, effectiveness and implication of the proposed mitigation measures;

(x) 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 potentially affected uses;

(xi) 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;

(xii) to design & specify environmental monitoring & audit requirements; and

(xiii) to identify any additional studies necessary to implement the mitigation measures or monitoring and proposals recommended in the EIA report.

1.5 Structure of the Report

1.5.1 The remainder of this EIA report are organised as follows:

· Section 2 describes the Project including the alternatives considered;

· Section 3 presents the air quality impact assessment;

· Section 4 presents the noise impact assessment;

· Section 5 presents the water quality impact assessment;

· Section 6 presents the waste management implication and land contamination assessment;

· Section 7 presents the ecological impact assessment;

· Section 8 presents the fisheries impact assessment;

· Section 9 presents the cultural heritage impact assessment;

· Section 10 presents the landscape and visual impact assessment;

· Section 11 describes the requirements for environmental monitoring and audit;

· Section 12 summarizes the environmental outcomes associated with the Project; and

· Section 13 summarizes the conclusions of this EIA Study.