Contents

                        Abbreviations                                                                         

                        Executive Summary                                                              

1                      Introduction                                                                           

1.1                   Background                                                                            

1.2                   Scope of the EM&A Report                                               

1.3                   Organization Structure                                                   

1.4                   Summary of Construction Works                                

1.5                   Summary of EM&A Programme Requirements          

1.6                   Status of Statutory Environmental Compliance with the Environmental Permit                                                        

1.7                   Status of Other Statutory Environmental Requirements    

2                      EM&A Results for Tung Chung East                             

2.1                   Air Quality                                                                               

2.2                   Noise Monitoring                                                                   

2.3                   Water Quality Monitoring                                               

2.4                   Soft Shore Ecological Monitoring                             

2.5                   EM&A Site Inspection                                                           

2.6                   Waste Management Status                                              

2.7                   Implementation Status of Environmental Mitigation Measures   

2.8                   Summary of Exceedances of the Environmental Quality Performance Limit                                                                                             

2.9                   Summary of Complaints, Notification of Summons and Successful Prosecutions                                                                          

3                      Future Key Issues                                                                 

3.1                   Construction Programme for the Coming Month

3.2                   Monitoring Schedule for the Coming Month          

4                      Conclusion and Recommendation                                

 

 

Annexes

Annex A       Project Organisation

Annex B       Environmental Mitigation Implementation Schedule

Annex C       Status of Submissions and Implementation Status of Mitigation Measures under EP

Annex D       Status of Statutory Environmental Requirements

Annex E       Air Quality
Annex E1     Calibration Certificates
Annex E2     Monitoring Schedule
Annex E3     Monitoring Results
Annex E4     Event and Action Plan

Annex F       Noise
Annex F1     Calibration Certificates
Annex F2     Monitoring Schedule
Annex F3     Monitoring Results
Annex F4     Event and Action Plan

Annex G      Water Quality
Annex G1    Calibration Certificates
Annex G2    Monitoring Schedule
Annex G3    Monitoring Results
Annex G4    Event and Action Plan

Annex H       Cumulative Statistics on Exceedances, Environmental Complaints, Notification of Summons and Status of Prosecutions

Annex I        Monitoring Schedule for the Next Reporting Period

 

 

Abbreviations

C&D

Construction and Demolition

CAP

Contamination Assessment Plan

CEDD

Civil Engineering and Development Department

CWD

Chinese White Dolphin

DCM

Deep Cement Mixing

DO

Dissolved Oxygen

EIA

Environmental Impact Assessment

EIAO

Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance

EIS

Ecologically Important Stream

EM&A

Environmental Monitoring and Audit

EP

Environmental Permit

EPD

Environmental Protection Department

ER

Engineer's Representative

ERM

ERM-Hong Kong, Limited

ET

Environmental Team

HVS

High Volume Sampler

IEC

Independent Environmental Checker

PDA

Planned Development Area

PME

Powered Mechanical Equipment 

QPME

Quality Powered Mechanical Equipment 

RAP

Remediation Action Plan

RR

Remediation Report

SS

Suspended Solid

TCB

Tung Chung Bay

TCE

Tung Chung East

TCNTE

Tung Chung New Town Extension

TCW

Tung Chung West

The Project

Tung Chung New Town Extension (East)

THW

Tai Ho Wan

TSP

Total Suspended Particulate

Updated EM&A Manual

Updated Environmental Monitoring and Audit Manual for Tung Chung New Town Extension prepared by ERM under Agreement No. CE 60/2017 (EP) and deposited to EPD under Environmental Permit No. EP-519/2016

 

Executive Summary

Tung Chung New Town Extension (TCNTE) is one of the major initiatives under the Government's multi-pronged approach to increase land supply to meet Hong Kong's medium- to long-term needs for housing, economic and social developments.  The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Report for TCNTE (Register No. AEIAR-196/2016) was approved on 8 April 2016 and the Environmental Permit (EP) No. EP-519/2016, covering the construction and operation of TCNTE, was granted on 9 August 2016. The EIA Report and EP cover both Tung Chung East (TCE) and Tung Chung West (TCW).  ERM-Hong Kong, Limited (ERM) is commissioned to undertake the role of Environmental Team (ET) for the construction and operation of TCE Project (“the Project”) in accordance with the requirements specified in the EP, Updated Environmental Monitoring and Audit (EM&A) Manual, EIA Report of the TCNTE project and other relevant statutory requirements.  The construction of the Project commenced on 9 July 2018.

This is the Monthly EM&A report presenting the EM&A works carried out during the period from 1 to 31 May 2019 for the Project in accordance with the Updated EM&A Manual. 

A summary of monitoring and audit activities conducted in the reporting period is listed below:

Air Quality Monitoring                               5 sessions

Noise Monitoring                                   5 sessions

Water Quality Monitoring                     14 sessions

Environmental Site Inspection               4 sessions

Environmental Management Meeting   1 session

Environmental auditing works, including weekly site inspections of construction works conducted by the ET, audit of works vessels, audit of implementation of Dolphin Watching Plan, Works Vessel Travel Route Plan, Silt Curtain Deployment Plan, Spill Response Plan and Waste Management Plan were conducted in the reporting period.  Based on the audit results and the observation for the reporting period, environmental pollution control and mitigation measures for the Project were properly implemented.

Breaches of Action and Limit Levels for Air Quality

No exceedance of Action and Limit Levels was recorded for construction air quality monitoring in the reporting period.

Breaches of Action and Limit Levels for Noise

No exceedance of Limit Levels was recorded for construction noise monitoring in the reporting period.  However, one (1) Action Level was triggered from one (1) environmental complaint related to noise disturbance in the reporting period.  Investigation was conducted for the exceedance in accordance with the Event and Action Plan.

Breaches of Action and Limit Levels for Water Quality

The water quality monitoring results obtained during the reporting period generally complied with the corresponding Action and Limit Levels stipulated in the Baseline Monitoring Report.  Relevant investigation and follow-up actions were conducted according to the EM&A programme when the water quality in terms of Dissolved Oxygen (DO), Turbidity and Suspended Solids (SS) exceeded the corresponding Action/Limit Levels.  Investigations were conducted for the exceedances during reporting period in accordance with the Event and Action Plan.

Environmental Complaints, Non-compliance & Summons

There was no notification of summons or prosecution recorded in the reporting period.

One (1) environmental complaint related to noise disturbance from Tung Chung East Reclamation Project and one (1) environmental complaint related to dark smoke emission by barge at the sea area between Tung Chung New Development Ferry Pier and Century Link were received during the reporting period.  Investigations were conducted for each of the environmental complaints in accordance with the complaint handling process as stated in the Complaint Management Plan. 

Reporting Change

The updated Silt Curtain Deployment Plan was submitted to EPD during the reporting period.

Key Issues For The Coming Month

Potential environmental impacts arising from the upcoming construction activities in the next reporting period of June 2019 are mainly associated with noise from barge and plant operation during normal working hours and restricted hours, elevation in SS due to sediment loss from sand blanket laying and marine filling works, disturbance to Chinese White Dolphin (CWD) during marine works, handling and storage of C&D materials generated from construction activities, efficiency of wastewater and drainage management, efficiency of flood management for rainy season and dust emission.  The ET will keep track on the construction works to confirm compliance of environmental requirements and the proper implementation of all necessary mitigation measures.  The ET will also recommend to the Contractor about the environmental toolbox topics on the abovementioned key issues for the coming month.

1                                              Introduction

1.1                                        Background

Tung Chung New Town Extension (TCNTE) is one of the major initiatives under the Government's multi-pronged approach to increase land supply to meet Hong Kong's medium- to long-term needs for housing, economic and social developments. The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Report for TCNTE (Register No. AEIAR-196/2016) was approved on 8 April 2016 and the Environmental Permit (EP) No. EP-519/2016, covering the construction and operation of TCNTE, was granted on 9 August 2016. The EIA Report and EP cover both Tung Chung East (TCE) and Tung Chung West (TCW).

ERM-Hong Kong, Limited (ERM) is commissioned to undertake the role of Environmental Team (ET) for the construction and operation of TCE Project (“the Project”) in accordance with the requirements specified in the EP, Updated Environmental Monitoring and Audit (EM&A) Manual ([1]), EIA Report of the TCNTE project ([2]) and other relevant statutory requirements.

The TCE Project (“the Project”) comprises the following elements:

1.       Reclamation of the seabed by a non-dredged method at TCE to form a total of about 130 hectares of land;

2.       Construction of about 4.9 kilometres of seawalls, with an eco-shoreline, three drainage box culvert outfalls, three circulation drains and a seawater intake at TCE;

3.       Construction of a 470-metre (m) long multi-cell drainage box culvert at TCE;

4.       Provision of infrastructure for Tung Chung Area 58, including construction of a single two-lane road with a footpath of about 270 m in length and the associated utility works;

5.       Construction of roads, footbridges, drainage, sewerage, waterworks, sewage and salt water pumping stations, fresh water and salt water service reservoirs, and flood protection measures;

6.       Provision of new cycle tracks connecting to the existing cycle track network;

7.       Landscaping, reprovisioning and ancillary works; and

8.       Implementation of environmental mitigation measures and environmental monitoring and audit works.

The location of the Project, including the associated infrastructure works, is shown in Figure 1.1.  The construction and the reclamation related marine works of the Project commenced on 9 and 13 July 2018, respectively. 

1.2                                        Scope of the EM&A Report

This is the Monthly EM&A Report for the Project which summarises the key findings of the EM&A programme during the reporting period from 1 to 31 May 2019 for the construction works.

1.3                                        Organization Structure

The organization structure of the Project is shown in Annex A.  The key personnel contact names and contact details are summarized in Table 1.1 below.

Table 1.1        Contact Information of Key Personnel

Party

Position

Name

Telephone

Civil Engineering and Development Department

 

Senior Engineer

Lo Siu Keung

2231 4530

Marine Conservation Officer

 

Wo King Tai

3894 9707

Engineer’s Representative

(ER)

(AECOM Asia Company Limited)

 

Principal Resident Engineer

Chief Resident Engineer

Frankie Fan

 

Dennis Leung

3894 9403

 

3894 9404

Senior Resident Engineer

Chris Cheung

3894 9605

Resident Engineer

Vincent Leung

3894 9645

Senior Inspector of Works

 

C K Liu

3894 9733

Environmental Team (ET)

(ERM-Hong Kong, Limited)

 

ET Leader

Jovy Tam

3894 9507

Deputy ET Leader

Raymond Chow

3894 9504

Independent Environmental Checker (IEC)

(Black & Veatch Hong Kong Limited)

 

 

IEC

Manuel Chua

3894 9501

Deputy IEC

 

Ivan Ting

3894 9502

Contractor (Contract No. NL/2017/03 TCNTE – Reclamation and Advance Works)

(Build King – SCT Joint Venture)

 

Site Agent

Keith Tse

9383 6173

Construction Team Leader

Lee Wai Man

9481 6024

Environmental Officer

Edward Tam

9287 8270

24-hour Complaint Hotline

 

-

9862 2910

1.4                                        Summary of Construction Works

As informed by the Contractor, details of the major works carried out in this reporting period are listed below:

Table 1.2        Major Activities in the Reporting Period

Activities

Key Issues

Key Mitigation Measures

Land-based Works

 

 

·         Roads, drainage,  sewerage works and backfilling work at Area 58 (near Man Tung Road)

·         Diversion of existing box culvert

·         Land-based ground investigation works

·         Installation of prefabricated vertical drain

·         Land DCM works

·         Placing of sorted public fill

 

·         Dust emission

·         Handling and storage of C&D materials generated from construction activities

·         Noise from plant operation

·         Emission of dark smoke from PMEs

·         Efficiency of wastewater and drainage management

·         Efficiency of flood management for rainy season

·         Good site practices

·         Regular water spraying on stockpiles, unpaved haul road and land filling area

·         Sorting and reuse of C&D materials as far as practicable

·         Use of QPME and noise barrier/acoustic mat

·         Regular maintenance of PMEs

·         Implementation of wastewater and drainage management

Marine-based Works

 

 

·         Laying of geotextile and sand blanket for reclamation works and DCM works

·         Placing of sorted public fill

·         DCM works

·         Marine ground investigation works

·         Installation of prefabricated vertical drain

 

·         Elevation in impact on Water Quality due to sediment loss from sand blanket laying and marine filling works

·         Potential filling material drop from barges

·         Disturbance to Chinese White Dolphin

·         Noise from marine vessels and plant operation during normal working hours or restricted hours

·         Dust emission during storage and transfer of sand/ sorted public fill

·         Emission of dark smoke from marine vessel

·         Potential surface runoff

·         Provision of perimeter silt curtain

·         Implementation of Dolphin Watching for the marine-based works

·         Provision of a leading seawall of at least 200m before marine filling works

·         Strictly follow requirement under CNP for the use of PMEs and works within restricted period

·         Regular water spraying and provide tarpaulin sheets coverage on stockpiles

·         Regular maintenance of engines and mechanical equipment

·         Use of acoustic mat and other noise mitigation measures when necessary

·         Regular cleaning of accumulated sand/fill materials at the edge of the barges

 

The environmental mitigation implementation schedule is presented in Annex B.

1.5                                        Summary of EM&A Programme Requirements

The status for all environmental aspects are presented in Table 1.3.  The EM&A requirements remained unchanged during the reporting period.

Table 1.3        Summary of Status for the Environmental Aspects under the Updated EM&A Manual

Parameters

Status

Air Quality

Baseline Monitoring

The results of baseline air quality monitoring for TCE were reported in Baseline Monitoring Report and submitted to EPD under EP Condition 3.4

 

Impact Monitoring

On-going for TCE, monitoring conducted three times every six days

 

 

Noise

Baseline Monitoring

The results of baseline noise monitoring for TCE were reported in Baseline Monitoring Report and submitted to EPD under EP Condition 3.4

 

Impact Monitoring

On-going for TCE, monitoring conducted once per week

 

Impact Monitoring for Road Traffic Noise during Operational Phase

 

To be conducted during operational phase

Fixed Noise Commissioning Test

To be implemented by the Contractor before operation of TCNTE

 

 

Water Quality

Baseline Monitoring

The results of baseline water quality monitoring for TCE were reported in Baseline Monitoring Report and submitted to EPD under EP Condition 3.4

 

Impact Monitoring

On-going for TCE, monitoring conducted three times per week

 

 

Waste Management

Waste Monitoring

On-going

 

 

Land Contamination

Contamination Assessment Plan (CAP), Remediation Action Plan (RAP) and Remediation Report (RR)

Pending environmental site investigation and lab testing works for TCW

 

 

Ecology

Monitoring for Compensation Woodland

 

To be conducted when compensation woodland are planted

Monitoring for Emergent Plant inside the future River Park

 

To be conducted in the future River Park

Monitoring for Translocated Amphibians of Conservation Importance

 

To be conducted after translocation

Monitoring for Preserved/Transplanted Plant Species of Conservation Importance

 

To be conducted after preservation/ transplantation

Monitoring for Tung Chung Stream EIS and Wong Lung Hang EIS

 

To be conducted under TCW

Eco-shoreline Monitoring

To be conducted when eco-shoreline at TCE PDA and Road P1 is built

 

Tung Chung Bay and Tai Ho Wan Baseline Monitoring

The results of baseline soft shore ecological monitoring at Tung Chung Bay and Tai Ho Wan were reported in Baseline Monitoring Report and submitted to EPD under EP Condition 3.4

 

Tung Chung Bay and Tai Ho Wan Impact Monitoring

On-going for TCE, monitoring conducted quarterly

 

 

Landscape and Visual

 

Baseline Monitoring

The results of baseline landscape and visual monitoring were reported in Baseline Monitoring Report and submitted to EPD under EP Condition 3.4

 

 

Site Environmental Audit

Regular Site Inspection

 

On-going

Dolphin Watching Plan implementation measures

 

Under implementation by the Contractor

Works Vessel Travel Route Plan implementation measures

 

Under implementation by the Contractor

Silt Curtain Deployment Plan implementation measures

Under implementation by the Contractor

 

 

Spill Response Plan implementation measures

Under implementation by the Contractor

 

 

Waste Management Plan implementation measures

Under implementation by the Contractor

 

 

Complaint Hotline and Email Channel

 

Under implementation by the Contractor

Environmental Log Book

On-going

Taking into account the construction works, impact monitoring of air quality, noise, water quality and waste management were carried out in the reporting period.  The monitoring schedule of air quality, noise and water quality are provided in Annex E2, Annex F2 and Annex G2, respectively.

The EM&A programme also involved environmental site inspections and related auditing conducted by the ET for checking the implementation of the required environmental mitigation measures recommended in the approved EIA Report and relevant EP submissions, including Dolphin Watching Plan, Works Vessel Travel Route Plan, Silt Curtain Deployment Plan, Spill Response Plan and Waste Management Plan.  

To promote the environmental awareness and enhance the environmental performance of the contractors, environmental trainings and regular environmental management meetings were conducted during the reporting period, which are summarized as below:

Ÿ   One (1) environmental management committee meeting was held with the Contractor, ER, ET, IEC and CEDD on 23 May 2019; and

Ÿ   Environmental toolbox trainings on construction noise permit, oil spill procedures, checking on silt curtain, dust control measures, real time tracking and monitoring of marine vessels, prevention of dark smoke emissions and chemicals management on 3, 14, 15, 16, 21, 24 and 31 May 2019.

1.6                                        Status of Statutory Environmental Compliance with the Environmental Permit

The status of statutory environmental compliance with the EP conditions under the EIAO, submission status under the EP and implementation status of mitigation measures are presented in Annex C.  

1.7                                        Status of Other Statutory Environmental Requirements

The environmental licenses and permits, including environmental permit, waste discharge license, registration as chemical waste producer and construction noise permit, which are valid in the reporting period are presented in Annex D.  No non-compliance with environmental statutory requirements was recorded.  

 

2                                              EM&A Results for Tung Chung East

The EM&A programme for the Project required environmental monitoring for air quality, noise, water quality and marine ecology as well as environmental site inspections for air quality, noise, water quality, waste management, marine ecology and landscape and visual impacts.  The EM&A requirements and related findings for each component are summarized in the following sections.

2.1                                        Air Quality

2.1.1                                 Monitoring Requirements and Equipment

According to the Updated EM&A Manual ([3]) of the Project, impact air quality monitoring in terms of 1-hour Total Suspended Particulate (TSP) was conducted three (3) times every six (6) days when the highest dust impact was expected.  The Action and Limit Levels of the air quality monitoring is provided in Table 2.1 below.

Table 2.1        Action and Limit Levels for 1-hour TSP

Location

Action Level, µg/m3

Limit Level, µg/m3

Monitoring station for Tung Chung East

279

500

Portable direct reading dust meters were used to measure 1-hour TSP levels in undertaking the air quality monitoring for the Project.  The proposed use of portable direct reading dust meters was submitted to IEC and obtained agreement from the IEC as stated in Section 5.5 of the Updated EM&A Manual.  With the use of direct reading dust meter, it can allow prompt and direct results for the EM&A reporting and the implementation of the event and action plan.  The portable direct reading dust meter would be calibrated every year against High Volume Sampler (HVS) to check the validity and      accuracy of the results measured by direct reading method.

The monitoring location and equipment used in the impact air quality monitoring programme are summarized in Table 2.2 and illustrated in Figure 2.1.  Copies of the calibration certificates for the equipment are presented in Annex E1, which showed that the portable direct reading dust meter is capable of providing comparable results with that provided by a HVS.

 

 

Table 2.2        Air Quality Monitoring Details

Monitoring Station

Location

Parameter

Frequency and Duration

Monitoring Dates

Equipment

DM-1

Tung Chung Area 56 – Ying Tung Estate

1-hour TSP

Three times per six days during the construction period of the Project

6, 11, 17, 23 and 29 May 2019

1-hour TSP Dust Meter

SIBATA LD-3B (S/N: 235780

Remark:

It should be noted that impact monitoring at other construction dust monitoring locations at TCE as stated in the Updated EM&A Manual will commence after the flat intake (for Monitoring Stations DM-2, DM-3 and DM-4).

2.1.2                                 Monitoring Schedule for the Reporting Month

The schedule for air quality monitoring during the reporting period is provided in Annex E2.

2.1.3                                 Results and Observations

The monitoring results for 1-hour TSP are summarized in Table 2.3.  The monitoring data and the graphical presentation are provided in Annex E3.

Table 2.3        Summary of 1-hour TSP Monitoring Results in the Reporting Period

Monitoring Station

Average (µg/m3)

Range (µg/m3)

Action Level  (µg/m3)

Limit Level  (µg/m3)

DM-1

28

20-48

279

500

The major dust sources in the reporting period included haul road traffic, unloading of sand/fill material, filling works and operation of marine vessels under the Project as well as nearby traffic emissions. 

No exceedance of Action and Limit Levels was recorded for construction air quality monitoring in the reporting period.  No action is thus required to be undertaken in accordance with the Event and Action Plan presented in Annex E4.

2.2                                        Noise Monitoring

2.2.1                                 Monitoring Requirements and Equipment

According to the Updated EM&A Manual ([4]) of the Project, impact noise monitoring was conducted once per week during the construction phase of the Project.  The Action and Limit Level for construction noise of the Project is provided in Table 2.4 below. 

Table 2.4        Action and Limit Levels for Construction Noise

Time Period

Action Level

Limit Level

0700 - 1900 hours on normal weekdays

When one documented complaint is received

75 dB(A) *

Notes:    

Limit level is exceeded when Leq ≥ 75 dB(A).  If works are to be carried out during restricted hours, the conditions stipulated in the construction noise permit issued by the Noise Control Authority have to be followed.

* Reduce to 70 dB (A) for schools and 65 dB (A) during school examination periods.

Noise monitoring was performed using sound level meter at the designated monitoring stations NMS-CA-1A ([5]) ([6]) and NMS-CA-4 (Figure 2.2; Table 2.5) in accordance with the requirements stipulated in the Updated EM&A Manual.  Acoustic calibrator was deployed to check the sound level meters at a known sound pressure level.  Details of the deployed equipment are provided in Table 2.5.  Copies of the calibration certificates for the equipment are presented in Annex F1. 

Table 2.5      Noise Monitoring Details

Monitoring Station (a)

Location

Parameter

Frequency and Duration

Monitoring Dates

Equipment

NMS-CA-1A (b)

Residential premise in Tung Chung East – Century Link/Ying Hong Road (c)

 

30-minute measurement between 0700 and 1900 on normal weekdays (Monday to Saturday). Leq, L10 and L90 would be recorded.

Once per week for 30 mins during the construction period of the Project

6, 11, 17, 23 and 29 May 2019

Sound Level Meter: Rion NL-52 (S/N: 00331805)

 

Acoustic Calibrator: LARSON DAVIS CAL200 (S/N: 11333)

NMS-CA-4

Residential premise in the reclamation area next to Tung Chung East – Ying Tung Estate

 

 

Remarks:

(a)      It should be noted that impact monitoring at other construction noise monitoring locations at TCE as stated in the Updated EM&A Manual will commence after the flat intake of residential premise in TCE (for Monitoring Station NMS-CA-1) and operation of schools (for Monitoring Stations NMS-CA-2 and NMS-CA-3).

(b)      Impact monitoring at monitoring station NMS-CA-1A commenced on 19 September 2018 in view of the close vicinity of the construction works near the residential area at Century Link.

(c)      Due to land handover issue, NMS-CA-1A was relocated to Ying Hong Road which is located 60m away from the original location.  Proposal on the relocation of NMS-CA-1A was approved by IEC on 23 November 2018.  Noise monitoring at the relocated location commenced since 24 November 2018.

2.2.2                                 Monitoring Schedule for the Reporting Month

The schedule for noise monitoring during the reporting period is provided in Annex F2.

2.2.3                                 Results and Observations

Results for noise monitoring are summarized in Table 2.6.  The monitoring data and the graphical presentation are provided in Annex F3.

Table 2.6        Summary of Construction Noise Monitoring Results in the Reporting Period

Monitoring Station

Average , dB(A),

Leq (30mins)

Range, dB(A),

Leq (30mins)

Limit Level, dB(A),

Leq (30mins)

NMS-CA-1A

66.7

65.2-68.1

75

NMS-CA-4

65.8

64.2-67.3

75

Major noise sources during the noise monitoring included noise from barge and plant operation, DCM works, craning, haul road traffic and nearby traffic noise and aircraft noise. 

No Limit Level exceedance was recorded for construction noise monitoring in the reporting period.  However, one (1) Action Level was triggered from one (1) environmental complaint related to noise disturbance received in the reporting period.  Investigation was conducted for the complaint in accordance with the Event and Action Plan (Annex E4) and the details are provided in Section 2.9.

2.3                                        Water Quality Monitoring

2.3.1                                 Monitoring Requirements and Equipment

Impact water quality monitoring was carried out to ensure that any deterioration of water quality was detected, and that timely action was taken to rectify the situation.  Impact water quality monitoring was undertaken three days per week since the commencement of marine works during the reporting period in accordance with the Updated EM&A Manual.  Each impact water quality monitoring was scheduled such that the interval between two impact water quality monitoring was more than 36 hours to record representative water quality data throughout the week during the marine works.

Two (2) replicate in-situ measurements and samples were collected at each monitored water depth of each designated monitoring stations.  Dissolved Oxygen (DO), pH value, salinity, temperature and turbidity were measured in-situ whereas the level of suspended solids (SS) were determined by ALS Technichem (HK) Pty Ltd which is a HOKLAS accredited laboratory.

The Action and Limit Levels of the water quality monitoring are provided in Table 2.7.

Table 2.7        Action and Limit Levels for Water Quality

Parameters

Action Level

Limit Level

DO in mg/L

(Surface, Middle & Bottom)

Surface and Middle

5.9 mg/L [1]

 

Bottom

5.6 mg/L

Surface and Middle

4 mg/L [1]

 

Bottom

2 mg/L

 

SS in mg/L (Depth-averaged)

13.5 mg/L
or
120% of upstream control station at the same tide of the same day, whichever is higher. [2]

 

23.5 mg/L
or
130% of upstream control station at the same tide of the same day, whichever is higher. [2]

Turbidity in NTU (Depth-averaged)

17.1 NTU
or
120% of upstream control station at the same tide of the same day, whichever is higher. [2]

23.5 NTU
or
130% of upstream control station at the same tide of the same day, whichever is higher. [2]

Notes:

(1) For DO, non-compliance occurs when monitoring results is lower than the limits.

(2) For SS and Turbidity, non-compliance occurs when monitoring results is larger than the limits

The locations of the monitoring stations under the Project are shown in Figure 2.3 and Table 2.8.

Table 2.8        Locations of Impact Water Quality Monitoring Stations and the Corresponding Monitoring Requirements

Monitoring Station

Description

Coordinates

Parameters (a)

Frequency

Monitoring Dates

Depth

 

 

Easting

Northing

 

 

 

TCE-WQM1

Near Airport Channel

811838

817341

Ÿ Dissolved Oxygen (DO) (mg/L and % saturation)

Ÿ Temperature (°C)

Ÿ Turbidity (NTU)

Ÿ Salinity (ppt)

Ÿ pH

Ÿ Water depth (m)

Ÿ Suspended Solid (SS) (mg/L)

Impact monitoring: 3 days per week, at mid-flood and mid-ebb tides during the construction period of the Project

 

1, 3, 6, 8, 10, 13, 15, 17, 20, 22, 24, 27, 29 and 31 May 2019

3 water depths: 1m below sea surface, mid-depth and 1m

above seabed.  If the water depth is less than 3m, mid-depth sampling only.  If water depth less than 6m, mid-depth may be omitted

TCE-WQM2a

Marine Park 1

814439

819879

 

TCE-WQM2b

Marine Park 2

814439

821905

 

TCE-WQM3A

Outlet of Tai Ho Wan

814705

817859

 

TCE-WQM4

HKBCF

813344

818849

 

TCE-C1

Control Station - Outside Airport Channel

804247

815620

 

TCE-C2

Control Station - Sunny Bay

819460

821473

 

 

Notes:
(a) In addition to the abovementioned parameters, other relevant data shall also be recorded, including monitoring location / position, time, water depth, tidal stages, weather conditions and any special phenomena or work underway at the construction site.

Table 2.9 summarizes the equipment used in the impact water quality monitoring works.  Copies of the calibration certificates are attached in Annex G1.

Table 2.9      Water Quality Monitoring Equipment

Equipment

Model

Water Sampler

Kahlsico Water Samplers

Multi-parameter Water Quality System (measurement of DO, Temperature, Turbidity, Salinity and pH) (Note 1)

YSI ProDSS ( S/N: 17E100747)

YSI 6920 v2 (S/N: 00019CB2)

 

 

Note 1: One multi-parameter water quality system was used at each monitoring station during each survey day.

2.3.2                                 Monitoring Schedule for the Reporting Month

The schedule for water quality monitoring during the reporting period is provided in Annex G2. 

2.3.3                                 Results and Observations

A total of 14 monitoring events for impact water quality monitoring were conducted at all designated monitoring stations during the reporting period.  Impact water quality monitoring results and graphical presentations are provided in Annex G3. 

Action level exceedances were recorded for water quality impact monitoring in the reporting period and the event and action plan (Annex G4) was undertaken.  Investigations on the action level exceedances were conducted and summarized in Table 2.10 below.  

Table 2.10      Details of Exceedances Recorded for Water Quality Monitoring

 

Based on the preliminary investigation conducted for each of the monitoring day with potential action level exceedances with the Contractor, the ER and the IEC, there is no evidence showing the exceedances were related to the Project.  Nevertheless, the Contractor was reminded to implement all relevant mitigation measures for the marine works, including regular checking of silt curtain integrity, provide periodic maintenance and maintain good site practice.  The ET will keep on checking monitoring data, plant, equipment and Contractor’s working methods.  The ET will also conduct further investigation, with a view to ascertaining the cause of exceedance.

2.4                                        Soft Shore Ecological Monitoring

No impact soft shore ecological monitoring at Tung Chung Bay and Tai Ho Wan was scheduled during the reporting period.  The impact soft shore ecological monitoring at Tung Chung Bay and Tai Ho Wan is scheduled to be conducted in June 2019 in accordance with the Updated EM&A Manual.

2.5                                        EM&A Site Inspection

Site inspections were carried out on a weekly basis with the Contractor and ER to monitor the implementation of proper environmental pollution control and mitigation measures for air quality, noise, water quality, waste management, marine ecology and landscape and visual impacts under the Project.  In the reporting period, four (4) site inspections were carried out on 8, 14, 23 and 30 May 2019.

Key observations during the site inspections are summarized in Table 2.13.

Table 2.13      Key Observations Identified during the Site Inspection in this Reporting Month

Inspection Date

Environmental Observations

Recommendations/ Remarks

8 May 2019

 

Tung Chung East Reclamation Area

Ÿ   Defects observed on silt curtain.

Tung Chung East Reclamation Area

Ÿ   The Contractor was reminded to provide maintenance on the silt curtain.

14 May 2019

 

Site office near Ying Tung Estate

Ÿ   Dust was observed on the unpaved road.

Tung Chung East Reclamation Area

Ÿ   Defects observed on silt curtain.

Site office near Ying Tung Estate

Ÿ   The Contractor was reminded to provide watering on unpaved road for dust suppression.

Tung Chung East Reclamation Area

Ÿ   The Contractor was reminded to provide maintenance on the silt curtain.

23 May 2019

Anchor boat (CXL7)

·         Black smoke was observed from the barge.

Anchor boat (CXL7)

Ÿ   The Contractor was reminded to review the machinery and provide maintenance.  The Contractor advised that the repair of machinery on the concerned work vessel was completed on 26 May 2019.

30 May 2019

 

Site office near Ying Tung Estate

Ÿ   Chemicals were not properly placed.

Site office near Ying Tung Estate

Ÿ   The Contractor was reminded to place chemicals in the drip tray.

The Contractor has rectified all of the observations identified during environmental site inspections in the reporting period.  The Contractor was reminded to implement all relevant mitigation measures outlined in the EIA Report and EM&A Manual.

2.6                                        Waste Management Status

The Contractor has registered as chemical waste producer under the Contract.  Sufficient numbers of receptacles were available for general refuse collection and sorting.

All dump trucks engaged on site was equipped with GPS during the reporting period.  The Surveillance Team of the ET conducted regular site inspection on the dump trucks and their track records.  No illegal dumping and landfilling of C&D materials was found during the reporting period.

Wastes generated during this reporting period include mainly non-inert construction wastes and recyclable materials.  The Project imports fill materials including mainly sand and public fill.  In addition, the Project reuses inert construction materials from other projects which are not generated by the Project for reclamation activities i.e. imported fill (sand) for sand blanket.  Reference has been made to the waste flow table prepared by the Contractor.  The quantities of different types of wastes and imported fill materials are summarised in Table 2.14. 

Table 2.14      Quantities of Different Waste Generated and Imported Fill Materials

Month/

Year

Inert C&D Materials (a)  (m3)

Imported Fill (d) (e) (sand) (m3)

Imported Fill (d) (public fill) (m3)

Inert Construction Waste Re-used

(m3)

Non-inert Construction Waste (b) (m3)

Recyclable Materials (c) (kg)

Chemical Wastes (kg)

 

1 to 31 Mar 19

0

96,846

136,899

3770

67.0

21,515

0

1 to 30 Apr 19

0

130,365

80,926

2810

44.0

104

0

1 to 31 May 19

0

127,752

31,669

13,703

53.0

70

0

Notes:

(a) Inert construction wastes include hard rock and large broken concrete, and materials disposed as public fill.

(b) Non-inert construction wastes include general refuse disposed at landfill.

(c) Recyclable materials include metals, paper, cardboard, plastics and others.

(d) Imported fill materials include sand and public fill.

(e) Imported fill materials (sand) included 37,362 m3 glass cullet in the reporting period.

 

2.7                                        Implementation Status of Environmental Mitigation Measures

A summary of the Environmental Mitigation Implementation Schedule is presented in Annex B.  The necessary mitigation measures were implemented properly for the Project.

2.8                                        Summary of Exceedances of the Environmental Quality Performance Limit

The monitoring results for air quality monitoring (1-hour TSP) complied with the Action/Limit Levels in the reporting period.  One (1) Action level exceedance for construction noise monitoring was recorded from one (1) environmental complaint related to noise disturbance.  The monitoring results for construction noise monitoring complied with the Limit levels in the reporting period.  No Project-related Action/ Limit level exceedances were recorded for water quality after preliminary investigation. 

Cumulative statistics on exceedances is provided in Annex H.

2.9                                        Summary of Complaints, Notification of Summons and Successful Prosecutions

There was no notification of summons or prosecution recorded in the reporting period. 

Two environmental complaints were received in the reporting period.  Investigations conducted for each of the environmental complaints in accordance with the complaint handling process as stated in the Complaint Management Plan. Environmental complaints in the reporting period are summarized below.

 

 

Complaint(s)

Investigation/Follow up action(s)

 

 

 

1

Environmental complaint related to noise disturbance from Tung Chung Reclamation Project was received on 25 May 2019.

 

Based on the information provided by the ER and the Contractor, supplemented results of noise measurement and ad-hoc site inspections, there was no non-compliance observed.  Nevertheless, the Contractor was reminded to further review the work sequence of work vessels.  In addition, the Contractor was also reminded to implement noise mitigation measures outlined in the EIA Report and EM&A Manual (e.g. use of QPME and use of noise barrier).

 

2

Environmental complaint related to dark smoke emission by barge at the sea area between Tung Chung New Development Ferry Pier and Century Link was received on 27 May 2019.

Based on the information provided by the ER and the Contractor, supplemented results of air quality monitoring, no indication of dust generation of particular concern was noticed.  The concerned barge which emitted dark smoke was removed from site.  Nevertheless, the Contractor was reminded to provide adequate mitigation measures (e.g. toolbox training to the workers, regular inspection, replacement of filter) and regular maintenance to all construction vessel to prevent dark smoke emission.  In addition, the Contractor was reminded to review the exhaust treatment system on the barges.

 

 

 

The monitoring results for air quality monitoring (1-hour TSP) complied with the Action/Limit Levels in the reporting period.  One (1) Action level exceedance for construction noise monitoring was recorded from one (1) environmental complaint related to noise disturbance.  The monitoring results for construction noise monitoring complied with the Limit levels in the reporting period.

 

Based on the information provided by the ER and the Contractor, supplemented results of water quality monitoring and ad-hoc site inspection, there was no project-related exceedance recorded for water quality after preliminary investigation.  The Contractor was reminded to implement all relevant mitigation measures outlined in the EIA Report and EP submissions, in particular, the Contractor was reminded to strictly implement the mitigation measures specified in the Silt Curtain Deployment Plan.  In addition, the Contractor was reminded to further review the work sequence during the morning period to avoid starting up of multiple work vessels at the same time that located near resident and implement noise mitigation measures to reduce noise nuisance to the nearby residential area.  The ET will continue to check the implementation status of the mitigation measures.

Statistics on complaints, notifications of summons, successful prosecutions are summarised in Annex H.

3                                              Future Key Issues

3.1                                        Construction Programme for the Coming Month

Works to be undertaken in the next monitoring period of June 2019 are summarized in Table 3.1 below, together with the key issues and the key mitigation measures:

Table 3.1        Major Activities for the Next Reporting Period

Activities

Key Issues

Key Mitigation Measures

Land-based Works

 

 

·         Roads, drainage,  sewerage works and backfilling work at Area 58 (near Man Tung Road)

·         Diversion of existing box culvert

·         Land-based ground investigation works

·         Installation of prefabricated vertical drain

·         Land DCM works

·         Placing of sorted public fill

·         Dust emission

·         Handling and storage of C&D materials generated from construction activities

·         Noise from plant operation

·         Emission of dark smoke from PMEs

·         Efficiency of wastewater and drainage management

·         Efficiency of flood management for rainy season

·         Good site practices

·         Regular water spraying on stockpiles, unpaved haul road and land filling area

·         Sorting and reuse of C&D materials as far as practicable

·         Use of QPME and noise barrier/acoustic mat

·         Regular maintenance of PMEs

·         Implementation of wastewater and drainage management

Marine-based Works

 

 

·         Laying of geotextile and sand blanket for reclamation works and DCM works

·         Placing of sorted public fill

·         DCM works

·         Marine ground investigation works

·         Installation of prefabricated vertical drain

·         Elevation in impact on Water Quality due to sediment loss from sand blanket laying and marine filling works

·         Potential filling material drop from barges

·         Disturbance to Chinese White Dolphin

·         Noise from marine vessels and plant operation during normal working hours or restricted hours

·         Dust emission during storage and transfer of sand/ sorted public fill

·         Emission of dark smoke from marine vessel

·         Potential surface runoff

·         Provision of perimeter silt curtain

·         Implementation of Dolphin Watching for the marine-based works

·         Provision of a leading seawall of at least 200m before marine filling works

·         Strictly follow requirement under CNP for the use of PMEs and works within restricted period

·         Regular water spraying and provide tarpaulin sheets coverage on stockpiles

·         Regular maintenance of engines and mechanical equipment

·         Use of acoustic mat and other noise mitigation measures when necessary

·         Regular cleaning of accumulated sand/fill materials at the edge of the barges

The ET will keep track on the construction works to confirm compliance of environmental requirements and the proper implementation of all necessary mitigation measures.  The ET will also recommend to the Contractor about the environmental toolbox topics on the abovementioned key issues for the next reporting period.

3.2                                        Monitoring Schedule for the Coming Month

The tentative schedules for environmental monitoring in June 2019 are provided in Annex I.

4                                              Conclusion and Recommendation

This EM&A Report presents the findings of the EM&A activities undertaken during the period from 1 to 31 May 2019 in accordance with the Updated EM&A Manual and the requirements of the Environmental Permit (EP-519/2016).

Air quality (1-hour TSP), noise and water quality (DO, turbidity and SS) were carried out in the reporting period. 

The monitoring results for air quality monitoring (1-hour TSP) complied with the Action/ Limit levels in the reporting.  One (1) Action level exceedance for construction noise monitoring was recorded from one (1) environmental complaint related to noise disturbance.  The monitoring results for construction noise monitoring complied with the Limit levels in the reporting period.  No Project-related Action/ Limit level exceedances were recorded for water quality after preliminary investigation. 

Environmental site inspections were carried out during the reporting period.  Recommendations on remedial actions were given to the Contractor for the deficiencies identified during the site inspections.

There was no notification of summons or prosecution recorded in the reporting period.  One environmental complaint related to noise disturbance from Tung Chung East Reclamation Project was received on 25 May 2019 and one environmental complaint related to dark smoke emission by barge at the sea area between Tung Chung New Development Ferry Pier and Century Link was received on 27 May 2019.  Investigations were conducted for the environmental complaint in accordance with the complaint handling process as stated in the Complaint Management Plan. 

The ET will keep track on the construction works to confirm compliance of environmental requirements and the proper implementation of all necessary mitigation measures.

 

 


([1])       ERM (2018a).  Updated Environmental Monitoring and Audit Manual for Tung Chung New Town Extension. Deposited to EPD under EP-519/2016

([2])       Arup (2015).  Environmental Impact Assessment Report for Tung Chung New Town Extension. Deposited to EPD under Register No. AEIAR-196/2016

([3])       ERM (2018a). Op cit.

([4])       ERM (2018a). Op cit.

([5])       Impact monitoring at monitoring station NMS-CA-1A commenced on 19 September 2018 in view of the close vicinity of the construction works near the residential area at Century Link.

([6])       Due to land handover issue, NMS-CA-1A was relocated to Ying Hong Road which is located 60m away from the original location.  Proposal on the relocation of NMS-CA-1A was approved by IEC on 23 November 2018.  Noise monitoring at the relocated location commenced since 24 November 2018.