Contents
Abbreviations
Executive Summary
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
3.1
Construction
Programme for the Coming Month
3.2
Monitoring
Schedule for the Coming Month
4
Conclusion and Recommendation
Annexes
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 Soft Shore Ecology
Annex H1 Monitoring Schedule
Annex H2
Monitoring Results
Annex H3
Event and Action Plan
Annex
J Monitoring Schedule for
the Next Reporting Period
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 |
RTTM |
Real
Time Tracking and Monitoring |
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 |
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 March
2020 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
13 sessions
Soft Shore
Ecological Monitoring 1 session
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 Action and Limit Levels
was recorded for construction noise monitoring in the reporting period.
Breaches of Action and Limit Levels for
Water Quality
Turbidity and Suspended Solids (SS)
exceedances were recorded during the reporting period. Relevant
investigations and follow-up actions were conducted according to the EM&A
programme. The exceedances were considered not related to this Project
after investigations.
Soft Shore Ecological Monitoring
Based on the impact monitoring conducted
during the reporting period, there was no evidence showing any significant
change in intertidal communities when compared against the data obtained during
baseline monitoring. The ET will continue to observe the change in
density or the distribution pattern of horseshoe crab, seagrass and
intertidal soft shore communities taking into account natural fluctuation in
respect of the occurrence and distribution pattern.
Environmental Complaints, Non-compliance
& Summons
There was no notification of summons or
prosecution recorded in the reporting period.
One (1) environmental complaint related
to suspended water quality impact during transshipment was received in the
reporting period. Investigation was
conducted for the environmental complaint in accordance with the complaint
handling process as stated in the Complaint Management Plan.
Reporting Change
There was no
reporting change in the reporting period.
Key Issues For The Coming Month
Potential environmental
impacts arising from the upcoming construction activities in the next reporting
period of April 2020 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 laying of sand blanket 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 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.
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.
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 March 2020 for the construction works.
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
4426 |
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 |
3903
1503 |
Construction
Team Leader |
Lee
Wai Man |
3903
1520 |
|
Environmental
Officer |
Ashley
Au |
3903
1559 |
|
24-hour
Complaint Hotline |
- |
9862
2910 |
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 and
drainage works in Phase 1 ·
Land-based
ground investigation works ·
Land DCM
works ·
Placing of
sorted public fill ·
Box culvert construction |
·
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 ·
|
·
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 and jet grouting ·
Seawall construction ·
Box culvert construction ·
Construction of cofferdam |
·
Elevation in impact on
Water Quality due to sediment loss from sand blanket laying and marine
filling works ·
Potential surface runoff ·
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 |
·
Provision of perimeter
silt curtain ·
Provision of a leading
seawall of at least 200m before marine filling works ·
Regular cleaning of accumulated
sand/fill materials at the edge of the barges ·
Implementation of Dolphin
Watching for the marine-based works ·
Strictly follow
requirement under CNP for the use of PMEs and works within restricted period ·
Use of acoustic mat and
other noise mitigation measures when necessary ·
Regular water spraying
and provide tarpaulin sheets coverage on stockpiles ·
Regular maintenance of
engines and mechanical equipment |
The
environmental mitigation implementation schedule is presented in Annex B.
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, soft shore
ecological monitoring and waste management were carried out in the reporting
period. The monitoring schedule of air quality, noise, water quality
monitoring and soft shore ecological monitoring are provided in Annex E2, Annex F2, Annex G2 and Annex H1, 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 19
March 2020; and
Ÿ Environmental toolbox trainings on
chemical waste storage, dust management, Works Vessel Travel Route Plan, NRMM
label, light pollution and noise mitigation measures on 4, 11, 13, 18, 25 and
27 March 2020.
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.
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.
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.
According to the Updated EM&A Manual
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 |
5,
11, 17, 23 and 28 March 2020 |
1-hour
TSP Dust Meter SIBATA
LD-5R (S/N: 831656) |
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). |
The schedule for air quality monitoring during
the reporting period is provided in Annex E2.
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 |
30 |
16-54 |
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.
According to the Updated EM&A Manual
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 ([3]) ([4]) 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 |
5, 11, 17, 23 and 28 March 2020 |
Sound Level Meter: Rion NL-52 (S/N:
00643039) Acoustic Calibrator: LARSON DAVIS
CAL200 (S/N: 11333 and S/N: 16878) |
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. |
The schedule for noise monitoring during
the reporting period is provided in Annex F2.
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 |
65.7 |
65.0-66.9 |
75 |
NMS-CA-4 |
66.4 |
62.4-69.5 |
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
Action and Limit Level exceedance was recorded for construction noise monitoring
in the reporting period.
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 |
23.5 mg/L |
Turbidity in NTU (Depth-averaged) |
17.1 NTU |
23.5 NTU |
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 (b) |
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 |
2,
4, 6, 9, 11, 13, 16, 18, 20, 23, 25, 27 and 30 March 2020 |
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:
|
||||||||
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: 16H104234, 17E100747, 17H105557) YSI
6920 v2 (S/N: 0001C6A7; S/N: 00019CB2) |
Note
1: One multi-parameter water quality system was used at each monitoring
station during each survey day. |
The schedule for water quality monitoring
during the reporting period is provided in Annex G2.
A total of 13 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 and
limit 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 and limit level exceedances were conducted and summarized in Table
2.10 below.
Table
2.10 Details of Exceedances Recorded for Water Quality
Monitoring
Date |
Tide |
Parameter |
Station |
Type |
Justification |
|
2
March 2020 |
MF |
SS |
TCE-WQM4 |
Action |
(b)
(d) |
|
9
March 2020 |
ME |
SS |
TCE-WQM1 |
Action |
(a)
(b) (c) (d) |
|
MF |
SS |
TCE-WQM2b |
Action |
|||
11
March 2020 |
ME |
SS |
TCE-WQM1 |
Limit |
(a)
(b) (c) (d) |
|
MF |
SS |
TCE-WQM2b |
Action |
|||
13
March 2020 |
MF |
SS |
TCE-WQM1 |
Action |
(b)
(d) |
|
MF |
SS |
TCE-WQM2a |
Action |
(b)
(c) (d) |
||
MF |
SS |
TCE-WQM2b |
Action |
|||
MF |
SS |
TCE-WQM4 |
Limit |
(a)
(b) |
||
MF |
Turbidity |
TCE-WQM2b |
Action |
(b)
(c) (d) |
||
MF |
Turbidity |
TCE_WQM4 |
Action |
(a)
(b) |
||
18
March 2020 |
MF |
SS |
TCE-WQM4 |
Action |
(a)
(b) |
|
20
March 2020 |
ME |
SS |
TCE-WQM3A |
Action |
(a)
(b) |
|
27
March 2020 |
ME |
SS |
TCE-WQM1 |
Action |
(a)
(b) (c) (d) |
|
MF |
SS |
TCE-WQM2b |
Action |
(a)
(b) (c) (d) |
||
Remarks: |
||||||
(a) |
The exceedance
was not considered as
caused by the construction of the Project due to areas of
reclamation related marine works undertaken under the Project were surrounded
by silt curtain which were inspected daily by the Contractor and inspected
periodically by ER. The silt curtain nearby the water quality
monitoring stations was observed to be in good condition/well-functioning. |
|||||
(b) |
The exceedance
was not considered as caused
by the construction of the Project due to no sediment
plume was observed nearby the water quality monitoring station during the
sampling in mid-ebb/mid-flood tide. |
|||||
(c) |
The exceedance
was not considered as caused by the construction of the Project due to the
monitoring stations are located upstream/further away from the Project works
area. |
|||||
(d) |
The exceedance
was not considered as
caused by the construction of the Project due to no marine construction
activity under the Project was conducted near the water quality monitoring
station. |
|||||
Based on the investigations conducted for each of the monitoring day
with exceedances, the exceedances of Turbidity and SS are not likely caused by
the work activities 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.
According to the Updated EM&A Manual
of the Project, impact soft shore ecological monitoring has to be conducted
quarterly at each survey location at Tung Chung Bay (TCB) and Tai Ho Wan (THW)
covering wet and dry seasons during the marine construction of the
Project. The soft shore ecological monitoring consisted of qualitative
walk-through surveys, quantitative transect surveys and sedimentation rate
monitoring at the accessible survey locations of TCB and THW.
For qualitative walk-through surveys,
the accessible shoreline of TCB and THW at each of the three shore heights: 2
m, 1.5 m and 1 m above Chart Datum was surveyed, and organisms encountered were recorded and their
relative abundance noted. In particular, active search of horseshoe crabs
and seagrasses were conducted to confirm whether these species are present
along the sites.
For quantitative transect survey, one 50
– 100 m horizontal (belt) transect (actual length subject to the site conditions)
was surveyed at each of the three shore heights: 2 m, 1.5 m and 1 m above Chart
Datum of each survey location. On each transect, five quadrats (50 cm x
50 cm) were placed randomly in each transect to assess the abundance and
distribution of flora and fauna. For each quadrat, surface layer to 5 cm
depth was sieved and microbenthic organisms (e.g. crustaceans) were recorded
and identified. Density of organisms was expressed as individuals / m2.
Areas with seagrass were also recorded and identified and other information,
such as the percentage cover, were also recorded. Sessile animals such as
barnacles and oysters in each quadrat were not counted but estimated as
percentage cover on the rock surface. All species of algae (encrusting,
foliose and filamentous) were also identified and recorded by estimating the
percentage cover on the rock surface. All organisms were identified to
the lowest possible taxonomic level (at least Genus level). Species
encountered outside the quadrat but in the vicinity of survey transect were
also recorded.
For sedimentation rate monitoring, to
avoid disturbance to the mudflat and nuisance to navigation, no fixed
marker/monitoring rod was installed at the monitoring stations. A high
precision Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) real time location fixing
system was used to locate the station in the precision of 1 mm, which is
reasonable under flat mudflat topography with uneven mudflat surface only at
micro level.
Measurements were taken directly on the
mudflat surface. The Real Time Kinematic GNSS (RTK GNSS) surveying
technology was used to measure mudflat surface levels and 3D coordinates of a
survey point. The RTK GNSS survey was calibrated against a reference
station in the field before and after each survey. The reference station
is a survey control point established by the Lands Department of the HKSAR
Government using professional surveying instruments such as total station,
level and geodetic global navigation satellite system. The coordinates
system is in HK1980 GRID system. The reference station was surveyed and
established by traditional land surveying methods using professional surveying
instruments such as total station, level and geodetic GNSS. The accuracy
was down to mm level and higher than the proposed RTK GNSS cm level so that the
reference control station has relatively higher accuracy. As the
reference control station has higher accuracy, it was set as true evaluation
relative to the RTK GNSS measurement. All position and height correction
were adjusted and corrected to the reference control station.
The precision of the measured mudflat
surface level reading (vertical precision setting) was within 10 mm (standard
deviation) after averaging the valid survey records of the XYZ HK1980 GRID
coordinates. Each survey record at each station was computed by averaging
at least three measurements that are within the above specified precision
setting. Both digital data logging and written records were collected in
the field. Field data on station fixing and mudflat surface measurement
were recorded.
The schedule for soft shore ecological
monitoring during the reporting period is provided in Annex H1.
Impact soft
shore ecological monitoring was conducted at three (3) monitoring locations at
Tung Chung Bay (TCB), situated in the eastern side (TCB1), southern side (TCB2)
and western side (TCB3) as well as one (1) monitoring location at Tai Ho Wan
(THW) as shown in Figure 2.4 during the
reporting period. Representative photographs taken during the impact
monitoring are presented in Figure
2.5.
For qualitative walk-through surveys,
horseshoe crabs and intertidal soft shore communities were recorded during the
impact monitoring. The survey results for each monitoring location are
summarized in Table 2.11 below and detailed in Annex H2.
Table 2.11 Summary
of Qualitative Walk-through Surveys
Date and Time (1) |
Location |
Horseshoe Crabs |
Seagrass |
No. of Other Intertidal Species |
||
No. of Species |
No. of Individuals |
No. of Species |
Area Coverage (m2) |
|||
10/3/2020 |
THW |
1 |
17 |
0 |
0 |
50 |
11/3/2020 26/3/2020 |
TCB1 |
1 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
62 |
12/3/2020 25/3/2020 |
TCB2 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
48 |
24/3/2020 25/3/2020 |
TCB3 |
1 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
48 |
Note:
(1)
For qualitative walk-through
surveys, surveys were conducted on
10 March 2020 at THW, 25 March at TCB2 and TCB3 and 26 March 2020 at
TCB1. For quantitative transect surveys, surveys were conducted on 10
March 2020 at THW, 11 March 2020 at TCB1, 12 March at TCB2 and 24 March 2020 at
TCB3.
For the quantitative transect surveys, a
total of 5,745 individuals were recorded from
all transects at monitoring stations TCB1, TCB2, TCB3 and THW. The most
abundant group of intertidal soft shore communities recorded was gastropods,
with a total of 5,551 individuals (relative abundance
of 96.6% and density of 370 individual m-2). The summary of
the top three dominant species at each shore height of each monitoring station
and the complete list of species and density recorded are presented in Annex H2. When
compared with the results obtained during the baseline monitoring as presented
in the Baseline Monitoring Report ([5]),
higher number of intertidal species were recorded at each monitoring location,
though the abundance / density of intertidal communities was observed to be
lowered. Nevertheless, there is no indication of change in composition of
intertidal communities during the reporting period.
The mudflat surface
levels at the four selected monitoring stations in March 2020 and the
corresponding XYZ HK1980 GRID coordinates are presented in Table 2.12.
When compared with the results obtained during the baseline monitoring as
presented in the Baseline Monitoring Report (1), the sediment levels at TCB2 and TCB3
monitoring stations have decreased while the sediment levels at TCB1 and THW
monitoring stations have increased. The ET will continue to observe the
trend of change in sediment levels over time for further comparison and review.
Table 2.12 Results of Sedimentation
Rate Monitoring
Monitoring
Station |
Northing
(m) |
Easting
(m) |
Z
level at December 2019 (mPD) |
Remarks |
TCB1 |
816068.701 |
811129.255 |
1.288 |
Soft
mudflat |
TCB2 |
815812.726 |
810917.344 |
1.094 |
Soft
mudflat |
TCB3 |
816027.393 |
810696.218 |
1.028 |
Soft
mudflat |
THW |
817471.979 |
815850.373 |
1.058 |
Soft
mudflat |
Based on the impact monitoring results,
there was no evidence showing any significant change in intertidal communities
when compared against the data obtained during baseline monitoring. No
action is thus required to be undertaken in accordance with the Event and
Action Plan presented in Annex
H3. The ET will continue to observe the change in density or the
distribution pattern of horseshoe crab, seagrass and intertidal soft shore
communities taking into account natural fluctuation in respect of the
occurrence and distribution pattern.
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 5, 12, 19 and 26 March 2020.
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 |
5
March 2020 |
DCM
barge (YP01) Ÿ
Oil stain was observed on
the barge. Ÿ
Noise barrier was not
installed properly to minimize noise impact caused by machines operation. |
DCM
barge (YP01) Ÿ
The Contractor was
reminded to cleanup the oil stain as stated in the Spill Response Plan. Ÿ
The Contractor was
reminded to install the noise barrier properly to minimize the noise impact
effectively. |
12
March 2020 |
WA1 Ÿ
Dust was observed at WA1. |
WA1 Ÿ
The Contractor was
reminded to maintain haul road in wet condition to avoid dust generation. |
19 March 2020 |
WA1 Ÿ
Augar was not cover up on
land DCM. Ÿ
Dark smoke was observed. Ÿ
Oil stain was observed. Tung
Chung East Reclamation Area Ÿ
Defect on the silt
curtain was observed. |
WA1 Ÿ
The Contractor was
reminded to cover up the augar on land DCM. Ÿ
The Contractor was
reminded to carry out maintenance. Ÿ
The Contractor was
reminded to undertake cleanup procedure as per Spill Response Plan. Tung
Chung East Reclamation Area Ÿ
The Contractor was
reminded to carry out maintenance/replacement. |
26
March 2020 |
WA1 Ÿ
Augar was not cover up on
land DCM. |
WA1 Ÿ
The Contractor was
reminded to cover up the augar on land DCM. |
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.
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 RTTM system 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, chemical waste 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 Jan 20 |
0 |
73,173 |
228,850 |
488.0 (f) |
115.0 |
184,710 |
0 |
1
to 29 Feb 20 |
0 |
88,630 |
316,208 |
390.0 |
80.0 |
1,152,435 |
1,600 |
1
to 31 Mar 20 |
0 |
142,896 |
200,551 |
25.0 |
186.0 |
1,440,575 (f) |
3,200 |
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)
No glass cullet was imported in the reporting period. (f)
1,440,574kg of metals were recycled due to removal of sheet pipe wall. |
|
A summary of the Environmental
Mitigation Implementation Schedule is presented in Annex B. The necessary
mitigation measures were implemented properly for the Project.
The monitoring results for air quality
monitoring (1-hour TSP) and construction noise monitoring complied with the
Action/ Limit levels in the reporting period.
No Project-related Action/ Limit level
exceedances were recorded for water quality after
investigations.
Cumulative statistics on exceedances is
provided in Annex I.
There was no notification of summons or
prosecution recorded in the reporting period.
One (1) environmental complaint was
received in the reporting period. Investigation
was conducted for the environmental complaint in accordance with the complaint
handling process as stated in the Complaint Management Plan. Environmental complaint in the reporting
period are summarized below.
Complaint(s) |
Investigation/Follow
up action(s) |
|
|
Environmental complaint
related to suspended water quality impact during transshipment was received
on 31 March 2020. |
Investigation
is under progress. Investigation
result will be reported in the next monthly EM&A report. |
Statistics on complaints, notifications
of summons, successful prosecutions are summarised in Annex I.
Works to be undertaken in
the next monitoring period of April 2020 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 |
|
|
·
Land-based ground
investigation works ·
Land DCM works and jet
grouting ·
Placing of sorted public
fill ·
Box culvert construction |
·
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 |
·
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 ·
Seawall construction ·
Construction of cofferdam |
·
Elevation in impact on
Water Quality due to sediment loss from sand blanket laying and marine
filling works ·
Potential surface runoff ·
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 |
·
Provision of perimeter
silt curtain ·
Provision of a leading
seawall of at least 200m before marine filling works ·
Regular cleaning of
accumulated sand/fill materials at the edge of the barges ·
Implementation of Dolphin
Watching for the marine-based works ·
Strictly follow
requirement under CNP for the use of PMEs and works within restricted period ·
Use of acoustic mat and
other noise mitigation measures when necessary ·
Regular water spraying
and provide tarpaulin sheets coverage on stockpiles ·
Regular maintenance of
engines and mechanical equipment |
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.
The tentative schedules for
environmental monitoring in April 2020
are provided in Annex J.
This EM&A
Report presents the findings of the EM&A activities undertaken during the
period from 1 to 31 March 2020 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) and soft shore
ecological monitoring were carried out in the reporting period.
The monitoring results for air quality
monitoring (1-hour TSP) and construction noise monitoring complied with the
Action/ Limit levels in the reporting period.
No
Project-related Action/ Limit level exceedances were recorded for water quality
after investigations.
Based on the monitoring results for soft
shore ecological monitoring, there was no evidence showing any significant
change in intertidal communities when compared against the data obtained during
baseline monitoring. The ET will continue to observe the change in
density or the distribution pattern of horseshoe crab, seagrass and
intertidal soft shore communities taking into account natural fluctuation in
respect of the occurrence and distribution pattern.
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 (1) environmental complaint related to suspended water quality
impact during transshipment was received in the reporting period. Investigation was 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]) 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.