Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (Cap. 499) Section 5 (7)

Environmental Impact Assessment Study Brief No. ESB-148/2006

 

Project Title: West Kowloon Reclamation Road D1A(S) and Road D1 between Jordan Road and Road D12; and Road D12 between Canton Road and Lin Cheung Road  (hereinafter known as the “Project”)

 

Name of Applicant: Civil Engineering and Development Department

(hereinafter known as the “Applicant”)

 

 

1.         BACKGROUND

 

                        1.1       An application (No. ESB-148/2006) for an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) study brief under section 5(1) of the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (EIAO) was submitted by the captioned Applicant on 6 April 2006 with a project profile No. PP-287/2006 (the Project Profile).

 

                        1.2       The proposed Project is to construct and operate Roads D1A(S), D1 and D12 in the West Kowloon Reclamation area. The locations of the proposed roads are shown in Appendix A of this study brief and they comprise the following:

 

(i)                  Road D1A(S) – section between Jordan Road and Wui Cheung Road;

(ii)                Road D1 – section between Wui Cheung Road and Road D12; and

(iii)               Road D12 – section between Canton Road and Lin Cheung Road.

                       

1.3       The Project is a designated project under Item A.1 of Part 1 Schedule 2 of the EIAO: “A road which is an expressway, trunk road, primary distributor road or district distributor road including new roads, and major extensions or improvements to existing roads.

 

                        1.4       Pursuant to section 5(7)(a) of the EIAO, the Director of Environmental Protection (the Director) issues this Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) study brief to the Applicant to carry out an EIA study.

 

                        1.5      The purpose of this EIA study is to provide information on the nature and extent of environmental impacts arising from the construction and operation of the Project and related activities taking place concurrently.  This information will contribute to decisions by the Director on:

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

 

2.         OBJECTIVES OF THE EIA STUDY

 

                        2.1       The objectives of the EIA study are as follows:

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

(ii)               to identify and describe elements of community and environment likely to be affected by the Project and/or likely to cause adverse impacts to the Project, including natural and man-made environment and the associated environmental constraints;

(iii)             to provide information on the consideration of alternatives to avoid and minimize potential environmental impacts to sensitive uses; to compare the environmental benefits and dis-benefits of each of different options; to provide reasons for selecting the preferred option(s) and to describe the part environmental factors played in the selection of preferred option(s);

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

(v)              to identify and quantify any potential landscape and visual impacts and to propose measures to mitigate these impacts;

(vi)             to propose the provision of mitigation measures so as to minimize pollution, environmental disturbance and nuisance during construction and operation of the Project;

(vii)           to investigate the feasibility, practicability, effectiveness and implications of the proposed mitigation measures;

(viii)          to identify, predict and evaluate the residual environmental impacts (i.e. after practicable mitigation) and the cumulative effects expected to arise during the construction and operation phases of the Project in relation to the sensitive receivers and potential affected uses;

(ix)             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 environmental impacts and cumulative effects and reduce them to acceptable levels;

(x)              to investigate the extent of the secondary environmental impacts that may arise from the proposed mitigation measures and to identify constraints associated with the mitigation measures recommended in the EIA study, as well as the provision of any necessary modification; and

(xi)             to design and specify environmental monitoring and audit requirements to ensure the effective implementation of the recommended environmental protection and pollution control measures.

 

3.         DETAILED REQUIREMENTS OF THE EIA STUDY

 

3.1              The Purpose

 

The purpose of this study brief is to scope the key issues of the EIA study and to specify the environmental issues that are required to be reviewed and assessed in the EIA report.  The Applicant has to demonstrate in the EIA report that the criteria in the relevant sections of the Technical Memorandum on the Environmental Impact Assessment Process of the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (hereinafter referred to as “the TM”), are fully complied with.

 

3.2              The Scope

 

          The scope of this EIA study shall cover the Project proposed in the Project Profile and the works mentioned in Section 1.2 above. In addition, the EIA study shall cover the cumulative impacts of the adjacent project “West Kowloon Reclamation, Road D1A(N) between Yan Cheung Road and Jordan Road”. The EIA study shall address the key issues described below, together with any other key issues identified during the course of the EIA study and the cumulative environmental impacts of the Project, through interaction or in combination with other existing, committed, planned and known potential developments in the vicinity of the Project.

 

(i)          the potential noise and air quality impacts on sensitive receivers from the construction and operation of the Project, taking into account the cumulative impact from the operation of existing and planned roads and developments in the study area of the Project;

(ii)        potential water quality impact on the relevant water system(s) from the construction and operation of the Project;

(iii)       waste arising as a result of the construction and operation activities of the Project; and

(iv)      potential landscape & visual impacts from construction and operation of the project.

 

3.3           Consideration of Alternatives

 

3.3.1        The Need of the Project

 

                The Applicant shall study and review the need of the Project and provide information to justify the need.  The Applicant shall explain clearly the purpose and objectives of the Project and describe the scenarios with and without the Project.

 

3.3.2        Consideration of Different Alignment Options, Built-forms and Alternative Land use

 

                In addition to the proposed alignment option, the Applicant shall consider other feasible alignment options for the Project, provide justification regarding how the proposed scheme is arrived at, including the descriptions of the environmental factors considered in the option selection.  Alternative built-forms (such as tunnel along part or all of the proposed alignment) and design of the road shall be reviewed and investigated.  A comparison of the environmental benefits and dis-benefits of the possible alignment options and alternative built-forms and design shall be made with a view to recommending the preferred option to avoid/ minimize adverse environmental effects to the maximum practicable extent.  In particular, consideration shall be given to avoid or minimize the operational noise and air quality impacts. Consideration shall also be given to propose alternative land use arrangement(s) in areas significantly affected by adverse environmental impacts as a practicable mitigation measure.

 

3.3.3        Consideration of Alternative Construction Methods and Sequences of Works

 

                Taking into consideration the combined effect with respect to the severity and duration of the construction impacts to the affected sensitive receivers, the EIA study shall explore alternative construction methods and sequences of works for the Project, with a view to avoid prolonged adverse environmental impacts to the maximum practicable extent.  A comparison of the environmental benefits and dis-benefits of applying different construction methods and sequence of works shall be made.

 

3.3.4        Selection of Preferred Scenario

 

                Taking into consideration of the findings in sub-sections 3.3.2 and 3.3.3 above, the Applicant shall recommend/ justify the adoption of the preferred scenario that will avoid or minimize adverse environmental effects arising from the Project, and adequately describe the part that environmental factors played in arriving at the final selection.

 

                        Technical Requirements

 

3.4              The Applicant shall conduct the EIA study to address all environmental aspects of the activities as described in Sections 3.2 and 3.3 above. The assessment shall be based on the best and latest information available during the course of the EIA study.  The Applicant shall assess the cumulative environmental impacts from the Project with other interacting projects.  The Applicant shall include in the EIA report details of the construction programme and methodologies.

 

3.5              The Applicant shall review previously approved studies or EIA reports which are relevant to the Project and extract those relevant information for the purpose of this EIA study.  The following EIA report shall be referred to:

-             West Kowloon Reclamation – Comprehensive Traffic Analysis Review and Environmental Impact Assessment, Final EIA Report

 

3.6              The EIA study shall meet the following technical requirements on specific impacts:

 

3.6.1    Noise Impact

 

3.6.1.1 The Applicant shall follow the criteria and guidelines for evaluating and assessing noise impact as stated in Annexes 5 and 13 of the TM, respectively.

 

3.6.1.2 The noise impact assessment shall include the following:

 

            (i)         Determination of Assessment Area

 

The study area for the noise impact assessment shall generally include all areas within 300m from the Project shown in Annex A or other Project alignments as identified in the EIA.  Subject to the agreement of the Director, the assessment area could be reduced accordingly if the first layer of noise sensitive receivers (NSRs), closer than 300m from the outer Project limit, provides acoustic shielding to those receivers at distances further away from the Project.  Subject to the agreement of the Director, the assessment area shall be expanded to include NSRs at distances over 300m from the Project, which are affected by the construction and operation of the Project.

 

(ii)        Provision of Background Information and Existing Noise Levels

 

            The Applicant shall provide all background information relevant to the Project, e.g. relevant previous or current studies.  Unless required for determining the planning standards, e.g. those for planning of fixed noise sources (such as ventilation systems of traffic noise enclosures), no existing noise levels are particularly required.

 

(iii)       Identification of Noise Sensitive Receivers

 

(a)       The Applicant shall refer to Annex 13 of the TM when identifying the NSRs.  The NSRs shall include all existing NSRs and all planned/ committed noise sensitive developments and uses, including but not limiting to residential developments at the Airport Express Kowloon Station, future developments at the Comprehensive Development Area next to Airport Express Kowloon station, Man Cheong Street residential area, residential developments along Canton Road & Austin Road, future developments above the KCRC’s West Kowloon Station and noise sensitive uses within the West Kowloon Cultural District, as earmarked on the relevant Outline Zoning Plans, Outline Development Plans, Layout Plans and other relevant published land use plans.  Photographs of all existing NSRs shall be appended to the EIA report.

(b)     The Applicant shall select assessment points to represent all identified NSRs for carrying out quantitative noise assessment described below.  The assessment points shall be agreed with the Director prior to the quantitative noise assessment.  A map showing the location and description such as name of building, use, and floor of each and every selected assessment point shall be given.  For planned noise sensitive land uses without committed site layouts, the Applicant can use the relevant planning parameters to work out representative site layouts for operational noise assessment purpose.  However, such assumption together with any site specific constraints identified, such as setback of building, building orientation and extended podium, shall be considered practicable, feasible and agreeable for implementation by relevant parties including the Planning Department and Lands Department as per section 6.3, Annex 13 of EIAO-TM.

 

 

(iv)       Provision of an Emission Inventory of the Noise Sources

 

            The Applicant shall provide an inventory of noise sources including representative construction equipment for construction noise assessment, and traffic flow/ fixed plant equipment (e.g. ventilation systems of traffic noise enclosures), as appropriate, for operational noise assessment.  Confirmation of the validity of the inventory shall be obtained from the relevant government departments/authorities and documented in the EIA report.

                       

(v)                 Construction Noise Assessment

 

(a)            The assessment shall cover the cumulative noise impacts due to the construction works of the Project and other concurrent projects identified during the course of the EIA study.

(b)           The Applicant shall carry out assessment of noise impact from construction (excluding percussive piling) of the Project during daytime, i.e. 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., on weekdays other than general holidays in accordance with the methodology in paragraphs 5.3. and 5.4 of Annex 13 of the TM.  The criteria in Table 1B of Annex 5 of the TM shall be adopted in the assessment.

(c)            To minimize the construction noise impact, alternative construction methods to replace percussive piling shall be proposed as far as practicable.  In case blasting works is involved, it shall be carried out, as far as practicable, outside the sensitive hours of 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. on Monday to Saturday and any time on a general holiday, including Sunday.  For blasting that must be carried out during the above-mentioned sensitive hours, the noise impact from the removal of debris and rocks shall be fully assessed and adequate mitigation measures shall be recommended to reduce the noise impact.

          (d)          If the unmitigated construction noise levels are found exceeding the relevant criteria, the Applicant shall propose practicable direct mitigation measures (including movable barriers, enclosures, quieter alternative methods, re-scheduling and restricting hours of operation of noisy tasks) to minimize the impact.  If the mitigated noise levels still exceed the relevant criteria, the duration of the noise exceedance shall be given.

(e)      The Applicant shall, as far as practicable, formulate a reasonable construction programme so that no work will be required in restricted hours as defined under the Noise Control Ordinance (NCO).  In case the Applicant needs to evaluate whether construction works in restricted hours as defined under the NCO are feasible or not in the context of programming construction works, reference shall be made to relevant technical memoranda issued under the NCO.  Regardless of the results of construction noise impact assessment for restricted hours, the Noise Control Authority will process Construction Noise Permit (CNP) application, if necessary, based on the NCO, the relevant technical memoranda issued under the NCO, and the contemporary conditions/situations.  This aspect shall be explicitly stated in the noise chapter and the conclusions and recommendations chapter in EIA report.

 

(vi)       Operational Noise Assessment

 

(a)  Road Traffic Noise

 

(a1)      Calculation of Noise Levels

 

The Applicant shall analyse the scope of the proposed road alignment(s) to identify road sections within the meaning of Item A.1 of Schedule 2 of EIAO and other road sections for the purpose of traffic noise impact assessment. Figures showing extents of road sections within the meaning of Item A.1 of Schedule 2 of EIAO and other road sections shall be provided in the EIA report. In determining whether the traffic noise impact due to a road improvement project/ work is considered significant, detailed information with respect to factors including change of nature of road, change of alignment and change of traffic capacity or traffic composition etc. shall be assessed.  The traffic noise impact shall be considered significant if the traffic noise level with the road project is greater than that without the road project at the design year by 1.0 dB(A) or more.   

 

The Applicant shall calculate expected road traffic noise using methods described in the U.K. Department of Transport's “Calculation of Road Traffic Noise” (1988).  Calculations of future road traffic noise shall be based on peak hour traffic flow in respect of maximum traffic projection within a 15 years period upon commencement of operation of the Project. The Applicant shall calculate traffic noise levels in respect of each road section and the overall noise levels from combined road sections (road sections within the meaning of Item A.1 of Schedule 2 of EIAO and other road sections ) at NSRs.

 

The EIA report shall contain sample calculations and input parameters for at least 10 assessment points as requested by the Director.  Also, the Applicant shall provide the input data set of the traffic noise model in the format of electronic files in the EIA.  The Applicant shall prepare and provide drawings (i.e., road-plots of the traffic noise model) of appropriate scale to show the road segments, topographic barriers, and assessment points of sensitive receivers input into the traffic noise model.

 

The Applicant shall provide input data sets of traffic noise prediction model adopted in the EIA study as requested by the Director for the following scenarios:

(1)       unmitigated scenario at assessment year;

(2)       mitigated scenario at assessment year; and

(3)       prevailing scenario for indirect technical remedies eligibility assessment;

 

The data shall be in electronic text file (ASCII format) containing road segments, barriers and noise sensitive receivers information.  The data structure of the above file shall be agreed with the Director.  CD-ROM(s) containing the above data shall be attached in the EIA report.

 

(a2)      Presentation of Noise Levels

 

The Applicant shall present the existing and future noise levels in L10 (1 hour) at the NSRs at various representative floor levels in (m P.D.) on tables and plans of suitable scale.

 

A quantitative assessment at the NSRs for road sections within the meaning of Item A.1 of Schedule 2 of EIAO shall be carried out and compared against the criteria set out in Table 1A of Annex 5 of the TM.  The potential noise impact of road sections within the meaning of Item A.1 of Schedule 2 of EIAO shall be quantified by estimating the total number of dwellings, classrooms and other noise sensitive elements that will be exposed to noise levels exceeding the criteria set in Table 1A of Annex 5 in the TM.

 

(a3)      Proposals for Noise Mitigation Measures

 

The Applicant shall propose, in accordance with Section 6 in Annex 13 of the TM, direct technical remedies in all situations where predicted traffic noise level due to the road sections within the meaning of Item A.1 of Schedule 2 of EIAO, exceeds the criteria in Table 1A of Annex 5 in the TM by 1 dB(A) or more, and, under section 4.4.3 of the TM, noise from the road sections within the meaning of Item A.1 of Schedule 2 of EIAO has significant contribution to the cumulative environmental impacts which would exceed the criteria when considered in conjunction with the existing or potential impacts from other projects.  The direct mitigation measures listed under Section 6.1, Annex 13 of the EIAO-TM, including the option of alternative land use arrangement, shall be thoroughly explored and evaluated with a view to reducing the noise level at the NSRs concerned to the level meeting the relevant noise criteria.  Also, the feasibility, practicability, programming and effectiveness of the recommended mitigation measures should be assessed in accordance with section 4.4.2(k) of the EIAO-TM.  Reasons for not adopting certain direct technical remedies in the design to reduce the traffic noise to a level meeting the criteria in the TM or to maximize the protection for NSRs as far as possible shall be clearly and specifically quantified and laid down in the EIA report.

 

Following the guiding principles set out in the Legislative Council Paper (LC Paper no. CB(1)755/02-03(01), copy in Appendix C) prepared by ETWB in January 2003, sections of barriers proposed to protect existing NSRs shall be differentiated clearly from those proposed for the protection of future or planned NSRs as the latter is only required to be constructed before the occupation of the planned NSRs. To facilitate the phased implementation of the barriers under this principle, a barrier inventory showing intended NSRs (i.e. existing NSRs as distinct from planned NSRs) to be protected by different barrier sections to achieve different extent of noise reduction (by how many dB(A)) should be provided.

 

The total number of dwellings, classrooms and other noise sensitive element that will benefit from, and be protected by the provision of direct technical remedies shall be provided.  In order to clearly present the extents/locations of recommended noise mitigation measures, plans prepared from 1:1000 or 1:2000 survey maps showing the mitigation measures (e.g., enclosures/barriers, low noise road surfacing, etc.) shall be included in the EIA report.

 

The total number of dwellings, classrooms and other noise sensitive elements that will still be exposed to noise levels above the criteria with the implementation of all recommended direct technical remedies shall be quantified. 

 

The Applicant shall provide, in the EIA report information of recommended noise mitigation measures (to include as least barrier types, nominal dimensions at different cross-sections, extents/locations, lengths, mPD levels of barriers) in the format as agreed by the Director (including electronic format).

 

In case where a number of NSRs cannot be protected by the recommended direct technical remedies, the Applicant shall identify and estimate the total number of existing dwellings, classrooms and other noise sensitive elements which may qualify for indirect technical remedies under the Executive Council Directive “Equitable Redress for Persons Exposed to Increased Noise Resulting from the Use of New Roads”, the associated costs and any implications for such implementation.  For the purpose of determining eligibility of the affected premises for indirect technical remedies, reference shall be made to the following set of three criteria :

 

(1)      the predicted overall noise level at the NSR from the road sections within the meaning of Item A.1 of Schedule 2 of EIAO together with other traffic noise in the vicinity must be above a specified noise level ( e.g. 70 dB(A) for domestic premises and 65 dB(A) for education institutions, all in L10(1hr) );

(2)           the predicted overall noise level at the NSR is at least 1.0 dB(A) more than the prevailing traffic noise level, i.e. the total traffic noise level existing before the works to construct the road were commenced; and

(3)           the contribution from the road sections within the meaning of Item A.1 of Schedule 2 of EIAO to the increase in predicted overall noise level at the NSR must be at least 1.0dB(A).

 

(b)  Fixed Noise Sources

 

           If the Project will cause any fixed noise sources, such as the ventilation systems of enclosed road sections, if any, the following assessment shall be followed.

 

(b1)      Assessment of Fixed Source Noise Levels

 

The Applicant shall calculate the expected noise using standard acoustics principles.  Calculations for the expected noise shall be based on assumed plant inventories and utilization schedule for the worst-case scenario.  The Applicant shall calculate noise levels taking into account correction of tonality, impulsiveness and intermittency in accordance with Technical Memorandum for the Assessment of Noise from Places other than Domestic Premises, Public Places or Construction Sites issued under the NCO.

 

(b2)      Presentation of Noise Levels

 

The Applicant shall present the existing and future noise levels in Leq (30 min) at the NSRs at various representative floor levels (in m P.D.) on tables and plans of suitable scale.  A quantitative assessment at the NSRs for the proposed fixed noise source(s) shall be carried out and compared against the criteria set out in Table 1A of Annex 5 of the TM.

 

(b3)      Proposals for Noise Mitigation Measures

 

The Applicant shall propose direct technical remedies within the Project limits in all situations where the predicted noise level exceeds the criteria set out in Table 1A of Annex 5 of the TM to protect the affected NSRs.

 

(vii)      Assessment of Side Effects and Constraints

 

      The Applicant shall identify, assess and propose means to minimize any side effects and to resolve any potential constraints due to the inclusion of any recommended direct technical remedies.

 

(viii)      Evaluation of Constraints on Planned Noise Sensitive Developments/ Land uses

 

      For planned noise sensitive uses which will still be affected even with all practicable direct technical remedies in place, the Applicant shall propose, evaluate and confirm the practicability of additional measures including building setback within the planned noise sensitive uses and shall make recommendations on how these noise sensitive uses will be designed for the information of relevant parties.

 

      The Applicant shall take into account agreed environmental requirements / constraints identified by the EIA study to assess the development potential of concerned sites which shall be made known to the relevant parties and/or potential developers.

 

 

3.6.2    Air Quality Impact

 

3.6.2.1 The Applicant shall follow the criteria and guidelines for evaluating and assessing air quality impact as stated in section 1 of Annex 4 and Annex 12 of the TM, respectively.

 

3.6.2.2  The study area for air quality impact assessment shall generally be defined by a distance of 500 metres from the boundary of the Project site, yet it shall be extended to include major emission sources that may have a bearing on the environmental acceptability of the Project.  Such assessment shall be based on the best available information at the time of the assessment.  In particular, the assessment for the operation stage shall take into account the impacts of major emission sources whereas the assessment for the construction stage shall take into account the impacts of major emission sources from other nearby concurrent construction projects, if any.

 

3.6.2.3  The Applicant shall assess the air pollutant concentrations in accordance with the Guidelines for Local-Scale Air Quality Assessment Using Models given in Appendices B1 to B3, or other methodology as agreed by the Director (The Applicant shall note that the “Odour Impact” in sub-section 3.8 of Appendix B-1 is unlikely to be relevant to this Project unless there are major changes in the Project or circumstances during the course of this EIA study).

 

3.6.2.4 The air quality impact assessment shall include the following:

 

(i)     Background and Analysis of Activities

 

(a)    Provide background information relating to air quality issues relevant to the Project, e.g. description of the types of activities of the Project that may affect air quality during both construction and operation stages.

(b)    Give an account, where appropriate, of the consideration/measures that had been taken into consideration in the planning of the Project to abate the air pollution impact. That is, the Applicant shall consider alternative construction methods / phasing programmes and alternative modes of operation to minimize the constructional and operational air quality impact respectively.

(c)    Present the background air quality levels in the assessment area for the purpose of evaluating the cumulative constructional and operational air quality impacts.

 

(ii)    Identification of Air Sensitive Receivers (ASRs) and Examination of Emission/Dispersion Characteristics

 

(a)    Identify and describe representative existing and planned/ committed ASRs that would likely be affected by the Project, including those earmarked on the relevant Outline Zoning Plan(s), Outline Development Plans, Layout Plans and other relevant published land use plans, including plans and drawings published by Lands Department.  The Applicant shall select the assessment points of the identified ASRs such that they represent the worst impact point of these ASRs.  A map showing the location and description including the name of buildings, their uses and height of selected assessment points shall be given.  Separation distances of these ASRs from the nearest emission sources shall also be given.

(b)    Provide an exhaustive list of air pollutant emission sources, including any nearby emission sources which are likely to have impact related to the Project based on the analysis of the constructional and operational activities in sub-section 3.6.2.4(i) above.  Examples of construction stage emission sources include stock piling, blasting, concrete batching, and vehicular movements on unpaved haul roads on site, etc.  Examples of operational stage emission sources include exhaust emissions from vehicles etc.  Confirmation regarding the validity of assumptions and the magnitude of activities (e.g. volume of construction material handled, traffic mix and volume on a road etc.) shall be obtained from the relevant government departments/authorities and documented.

 

(iii)    Construction Phase Air Quality Impact

 

(a)    The Applicant shall follow requirements stipulated under Air Pollution Control (Construction Dust) Regulation to ensure construction dust impacts are controlled within relevant standards stipulated in section 1 of Annex 4 of the TM.  A construction phase monitoring and audit programme shall be devised to verify effectiveness of control measures to ensure proper construction dust control.

(b)    If the Applicant anticipates that the Project will give rise to significant construction dust impacts likely to exceed the recommended limits in the TM at the ASRs despite the incorporation of dust control measures proposed in accordance with sub-section 3.6.2.4(iii)(a) above, a quantitative assessment shall be carried out to evaluate the construction dust impact at identified ASRs.  The Applicant shall follow the methodology set out in sub-section 3.6.2.4(v) below when carrying out the quantitative assessment.

 

(iv)   Operational Phase Air Quality Impact

 

(a)         The Applicant shall calculate the expected air pollutant concentrations at the identified ASRs based on an assumed reasonably worst-case scenario under normal operating condition.  The evaluation shall be based on the strength of the emission sources identified in sub-section 3.6.2.4(ii)(b) above.  The Applicant shall follow sub-section 3.6.2.4(v) below when carrying out the quantitative assessment.

(b)        The air pollution impacts of future road traffic shall be calculated based on the highest emission strength from the road within the next 15 years upon commencement of operation of the Project.  The Applicant shall demonstrate that the selected year of assessment represents the highest emission scenario given the combination of vehicular emission factors and traffic flow for the selected year.  The Fleet Average Emission Factors used in the assessment shall be agreed with the Director. If necessary, the Fleet Average Emission Factors shall be determined by a motor vehicle emission model such as EMFAC-HK model to be agreed with the Director.  All the traffic flow data and assumptions that used in the assessment shall be clearly and properly documented in the EIA report.

(c)         If full enclosures are proposed in the Project, it is the responsibility of the Applicant to ensure that the air quality inside these proposed structures shall comply with EPD's “Practice Note on Control of Air Pollution in Vehicle Tunnels”.  When assessing air quality impact due to emissions from full enclosures, the Applicant shall ensure prior agreement with the relevant ventilation design engineer over the amount and the types/kinds of pollutants emitted from these full enclosures; and such assumptions shall be clearly and properly documented in the EIA report.

 

(v)    Quantitative Assessment Methodology

 

(a)    The Applicant shall conduct the quantitative assessment with reference to relevant sections of the modelling guidelines stated in section 3.6.2.3 or any other methodology as agreed with the Director.  The specific methodology must be documented in such level of details (preferably with tables and diagrams) to allow the readers of the EIA report to grasp how the model has been set up to simulate the situation at hand without referring to the model input files.  Detailed calculation of the pollutant emission rates for input to the model and a map showing all the road links shall be presented in the EIA report.  The Applicant shall ensure consistency between the text description and the model files at every stage of submissions for review.  In case of doubt, prior agreement between the Applicant and the Director on specific modelling details shall be sought.

 

(b)    The Applicant shall identify the key/ representative air pollutant parameters (types of pollutants and the averaging time concentrations) to be evaluated and provide explanation for choosing such parameters for assessing the impact of the Project.

 

(c)    The Applicant shall calculate the cumulative air quality impact at the identified ASRs and compare these results against the criteria set out in section 1 of Annex 4 in the TM.  The predicted air quality impacts (both unmitigated and mitigated) shall be presented in the form of summary table and pollution contours, to be evaluated against the relevant air quality standards and on any effect they may have on the land use implications.  Plans of a suitable scale shall be used to present pollution contour to allow buffer distance requirements to be determined properly.

 

(d)        If there are any direct technical noise remedies recommended in the study, the air quality implication due to these technical remedies shall be assessed.  For instance, if barriers that may affect dispersion of air pollutants are proposed, then the implications of such remedies on air quality impact shall be assessed.  If noise enclosure is proposed, then portal emissions of the enclosed road section and air quality inside the enclosed road section shall also be addressed.  The Applicant shall highlight clearly the locations and types of agreed noise mitigating measures (where applicable), be they noise barriers, road enclosures and their portals, and affected ASR's, on contour maps for easy reference.

 

(vi)   Mitigation Measures for Non-compliance

 

The Applicant shall propose remedies and mitigating measures where the predicted air quality impact exceeds the criteria set in section 1 of Annex 4 in the TM.  These measures and any constraints on future land use planning shall be agreed with the relevant government departments/authorities and documented in the EIA report.  The Applicant shall demonstrate quantitatively that the resultant impacts after incorporation of the proposed mitigating measures will comply with the criteria stipulated in section 1 of Annex 4 in the TM.

 

(vii)   Submission of Model Files

 

All input and output file(s) of the model run(s) shall be submitted to the Director in electronic format.

 

3.6.3    Water Quality Impact

 

3.6.3.1 The Applicant shall follow the criteria and guidelines for evaluating and assessing water pollution as stated in Annexes 6 and 14 of the TM respectively.

 

3.6.3.2  The Study Area shall include all areas within 300m from the Project boundary, and shall cover relevant sensitive receivers that have a bearing on the environmental acceptability of the Project within the Victoria Harbour (Phase 2) Water Control Zone.

 

3.6.3.3  All physical, chemical and biological disruptions of the Victoria Harbour (Phase 2) Water Control Zone and fresh/ storm water or ground water system(s) within the study area arising during the construction and operation of the Project shall be identified.

 

3.6.3.4  The water quality impact assessment shall address the following :

 

General

(i)          Collection and review of background information on the existing water system(s) and sensitive receivers which might be affected by the Project.

(ii)        Characterization of water quality based on existing information or site surveys/tests as appropriate.

(iii)       Identification and analysis of all existing and planned future activities and beneficial uses related to the water system(s) and identification of all water sensitive receivers.

(iv)      Identification of pertinent water quality objectives and establishment of other appropriate water quality criteria or standards for the water system(s) and all the sensitive receivers.

(v)        Review the specific construction methods and configurations, and operation of the Project.  Identification of any alteration of watercourses.

(vi)      Identification, analysis and quantification of all existing and likely future water pollution sources, including point discharges and non-point sources to surface water runoff. Field investigation and laboratory tests shall be conducted as appropriate. Establishment and provision of an emission inventory on the quantities and characteristics of all these pollution sources.

 

Impact Prediction

 

(vii)     Prediction and quantification of the impacts on the water system(s) and the sensitive receivers due to those alterations and changes identified in (v) and the pollution sources identified in (vi). The prediction shall take into account and include likely different stages or sequences, different operation stages.

(viii)   Cumulative impacts due to other projects, activities or pollution sources within a boundary around the Study Area to be agreed by the Director shall also be predicted and quantified.

 

Waste Water and Non-point Sources Pollution

 

(ix)      Analysis on the provision and adequacy of existing and planned future facilities to reduce pollution arising from the non-point sources identified in (vi).

(x)        Proposal of effective and practicable infrastructure upgrading or provision, water pollution prevention and mitigation measures to be implemented during the construction and operation stages so as to reduce the water quality impacts to within acceptable levels of standards.  Requirements to be incorporated in the Project contract document shall also be proposed.

(xi)      Best management practices to reduce storm water and non-point source pollution shall be investigated and proposed as appropriate. Attention shall be made to the water quality control and mitigation measures recommended in ProPECC Note 1/94 on construction site drainage.

(xii)     Evaluation and quantification of residual impacts on the water system(s) and the sensitive receivers with regard to the appropriate water quality criteria, standards or guidelines.

 

 

3.6.4  Waste Management Implications

 

3.6.4.1 The Applicant shall follow the criteria and guidelines for evaluating and assessing waste management implications as stated in Annexes 7 and 15 of the TM respectively.

 

3.6.4.2 The assessment of waste management implications shall cover the following:

 

      (i)         Analysis of Activities and Waste Generation

 

                         The Applicant shall identify the quantity, quality and timing of the waste arising as a result of the construction and operation activities of the Project, based on the sequence and duration of these activities.

 

(ii)        Proposal for Waste Management

 

(a)     Prior to considering the disposal options for various types of wastes, opportunities for reducing waste generation, on-site or off-site re-use and recycling shall be fully evaluated.  Measures which can be taken in the planning and design stages e.g. by modifying the design approach and in the construction stage for maximizing waste reduction shall be separately considered.

(b)    After considering all the opportunities for reducing waste generation and maximizing re-use, the types and quantities of the wastes required to be disposed of as a consequence shall be estimated and the disposal options for each type of waste shall be described in detail. Pre-treatment processes for slurry before disposal shall be addressed in details.  The disposal method recommended for each type of waste shall take into account of the result of the assessment in (c) below.

(c)     The impact caused by handling (including labelling, packaging & storage), collection, and disposal of wastes shall be addressed in detail and appropriate mitigation measures shall be proposed. This assessment shall cover the following areas :

                                    -           potential hazard;

                                    -           air and odour emissions;

                                    -           noise;

                                    -           wastewater discharge; and

                                    -           public transport.

 

(iii)       Land Contamination

 

(a)    The Applicant shall identify all land lots/sites within the Project boundary which, due to their past or present land uses, are potentially contaminated sites.  A detailed account of the present activities and past land use history in relation to possible land contamination shall be provided.

(b)   The list of potential contaminants which are anticipated to be found in these potentially contaminated sites shall be provided and the possible remediation options shall be discussed.

 

3.6.5    Landscape and Visual Impact

 

3.6.5.1 The Applicant shall follow the criteria and guidelines as stated in Annexes 10 and 18 of the TM for evaluating and assessing landscape and visual impacts of any above ground structures, for example noise barrier proposed by the EIA Study, and work areas associated with the Project.

 

3.6.5.2 Study areas for landscape impact assessment shall include all areas within 100m from the Project. Study area for visual impact assessment shall be defined by the visual envelope of the Project. The defined visual envelope must be shown on a plan in the EIA report.

 

3.6.5.3 The Applicant shall review relevant Outline Zoning Plans, Outline Development Plans, Layout Plans, other relevant published land use plans, planning briefs and studies, approved planning applications and rezoning proposals which may identify areas of high landscape value, open space, amenity area and green belt designations.  Any guidelines on landscape strategies, landscape frameworks, urban design concepts, building height profiles, special design areas, landmarks, designated view corridors, open space networks, landscape links that may affect the appreciation of the Project shall also be reviewed.  The aim is to gain an insight to the future outlook of the area so as to assess whether the project can fit into surrounding setting. Any conflict with statutory town plan(s) and any published land use plans shall be highlighted and appropriate follow-up action shall be recommended.

 

3.6.5.4 The Applicant shall assess the visual impacts of the Project, in particular the visual impact of any noise barrier proposed by the EIA Study.  Clear illustrations including mapping of visual impact is required.  The assessment shall include :

 

(i)                identification and plotting of visual envelope of the Project;

(ii)               identification of the key groups of sensitive receivers within the visual envelope with regard to views from both ground level and elevated vantage points;

(iii)             description of the visual compatibility of the Project with the surrounding and the existing and planned setting, and its obstruction and interference with the key views of the adjacent areas;

(iv)             description of the severity of visual impacts in terms of nature, distance and number of sensitive receivers; and

(v)              recommendation of mitigation measures to minimize adverse effects identified, including provision of a landscape design.

 

3.6.5.5 Annotated illustration materials such as coloured perspective drawings, plans and section/elevation diagrams, oblique aerial photographs, photographs taken at vantage points, and computer-generated photomontage shall be adopted to fully illustrate the landscape and visual impacts of the Project.  In particular, the landscape and visual impacts of the Project with and without mitigation measures shall also be properly illustrated in existing and planned setting by computer-generated photomontage so as to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed mitigation measures.  All computer graphics shall be compatible with Microstation DGN file format or as agreed with the Director.  The Applicant shall record the technical details such as system set-up, software, data files and function in preparing the illustration, which may need to be submitted for verification of the accuracy of the illustrations.

 

 

 

3.6.6    Summary of Environmental Outcomes

 

            The EIA report shall contain a summary of the key environmental outcomes arising from the EIA study, including the population and environmentally sensitive areas protected, environmentally friendly designs recommended, key environmental problems avoided, and the environmental benefits of environmental protection measures recommended.

 

4.         ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING & AUDIT (EM&A) REQUIREMENTS

 

                        4.1       The Applicant shall identify in the EIA study whether there is any need for EM&A activities during the construction phase of the project and, if affirmative, to define the scope of the EM&A requirements for the project in the EIA study.

 

4.2       Subject to the confirmation of the EIA study findings, the Applicant shall comply with the requirements as stipulated in Annex 21 of the TM.

 

                        4.3       The Applicant shall prepare a project implementation schedule (in the form of a checklist) containing all the EIA study recommendations and mitigation measures with reference to the implementation programme.

 

5.         DURATION OF VALIDITY

 

5.1       The Applicant shall notify the Director of the commencement of the EIA study.  If the EIA study does not commence within 36 months after the date of issue of this EIA study brief, the Applicant shall apply to the Director for a fresh EIA study brief before commencement of the EIA study.

 

 

6.         REPORT REQUIREMENTS

 

6.1       In preparing the EIA report, the Applicant shall refer to Annex 11 of the TM for the contents of an EIA report. The Applicant shall also refer to Annex 20 of the TM, which stipulates the guidelines for the review of an EIA report.

 

6.2       The Applicant shall supply the Director with the following number of copies of the EIA report and the executive summary:

 

            (i)         40 copies of the EIA report in English and 50 copies of the executive summary (each bilingual in both English and Chinese) as required under section 6(2) of the EIAO to be supplied at the time of application for approval of the EIA report.

 

                                    (ii)        when necessary, addendum to the EIA report and the executive summary submitted in (i) above as required under section 7(1) of the EIAO, to be supplied upon advice by the Director for public inspection.

 

                                    (iii)       20 copies of the EIA report in English and 50 copies of the executive summary (each bilingual in both English and Chinese) with or without Addendum as required under section 7(5) of the EIAO, to be supplied upon advice by the Director for consultation with the Advisory Council on the Environment.

 

6.3       In addition, to facilitate the public inspection of the EIA Report via the EIAO Internet Website, the applicant shall provide electronic copies of both the EIA Report and the Executive Summary Report prepared in HyperText Markup Language (HTML) (version 4.0 or later) and in DynaDoc Format (version 3.0 or later) [for Chinese documents] and in Portable Document Format (PDF version 3.0 or later) [for English documents], unless otherwise agreed by the Director.  For the HTML version, a content page capable of providing hyperlink to each section and sub-section of the EIA Report and the Executive Summary Report shall be included in the beginning of the document, and all graphics in the report shall be in interlaced GIF format.

 

6.4       The electronic copies of the EIA report and the Executive Summary shall be submitted to the Director at the time of application for approval of the EIA Report. 

 

6.5       When the EIA Report and the Executive Summary are made available for public inspection under section 7(1) of the EIA Ordinance, the content of the electronic copies of the EIA Report and the Executive Summary must be the same as the hard copies and the Director shall be provided with the most updated electronic copies.

 

 

7.         OTHER PROCEDURAL REQUIREMENTS

 

                        7.1       During the EIA study, if there is any change in the name of the Applicant for this EIA study brief, the Applicant mentioned in this study brief must notify the Director immediately.

 

                        7.2       If there is any key change in the scope of the project mentioned in Section 1.2 of this EIA study brief and in Project Profile No. PP-287/2006, the Applicant must seek confirmation from the Director in writing on whether or not the scope of issues covered by this EIA study brief can still cover the key changes, and the additional issues, if any, that the EIA study must also address.  If the changes to the project fundamentally alter the key scope of this EIA study brief, the Applicant shall apply to the Director for another EIA study brief afresh.

 

 

 

--- END OF EIA STUDY BRIEF ---

 

 

 

 

 

May 2006

Environmental Assessment Division,

Environmental Protection Department