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 December 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 6 sessions

Noise Monitoring 6 sessions

Water Quality Monitoring 13 sessions

Soft Shore Ecological Monitoring 1 session

Environmental Site Inspection 5 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 difference 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 environmental complaint was received in the reporting period related to smoke 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 January 2021 are mainly associated with dust emission, 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. 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

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 December 2020 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 4426
Civil Engineering and Development Department	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
Environmental Team (ET) (ERM-Hong Kong, Limited)	Deputy ET Leader	Kelvin So	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	Donna Tso	3903 1580
	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
· Ground investigation works · Land DCM works and jet grouting · Placing of sorted public fill · Box culvert construction · Chain link fence erection	· 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 · Provide tarpaulin sheets coverage on stockpiles · 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 · Marine-based instruments monitoring works · Placing of sorted public fill · DCM works · Seawall construction	· 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 maintenance of engines and mechanical equipment

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, 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 17 December 2020; and

Ÿ Environmental toolbox trainings on dust control, chemicals labelling and provision of drip trays, NRMM label on plants, wheel washing of dump truck, dark smoke control, noise mitigation measures and Construction Noise Permit on 2, 4, 9, 11, 16, 18 and 23 December 2020.

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 were 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 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	3, 9, 15, 21, 24 and 30 December 2020	1-hour TSP Dust Meter SIBATA LD-3B (S/N: 436553)
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).

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

3, 9, 15, 21, 24 and 30 December 2020

1-hour TSP Dust Meter

SIBATA LD-3B (S/N: 436553)

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	62	14-99	279	500

The 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.

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 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 L_eq ≥ 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). L_eq, L₁₀and L₉₀would be recorded.	Once per week for 30 mins during the construction period of the Project	3, 9, 15, 21, 24 and 30 December 2020	Sound Level Meter: Rion NL-52 (S/N: 00643039) Acoustic Calibrator: LARSON DAVIS CAL200 (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.

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), L_eq_(30mins)	Range, dB(A), L_eq_(30mins)	Limit Level, dB(A), L_eq_(30mins)
NMS-CA-1A	65.8	64.3-67.5	75
NMS-CA-4	69.0	66.5-70.8	75

Monitoring Station

Average , dB(A),

L_eq_(30mins)

Range, dB(A),

L_eq_(30mins)

Limit Level, dB(A),

L_eq_(30mins)

NMS-CA-1A

65.8

64.3-67.5

NMS-CA-4

69.0

66.5-70.8

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

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

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	Parameters ^(a)
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, 7, 9, 11, 14, 16, 18, 21, 23, 25, 28 and 30 December 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:
		(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, 17H105557, 18A104824); YSI 6920 v2 (S/N: 0001C6A7)
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 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 December 2020		ME	SS	TCE-WQM3A	Action	(a) (b)
4 December 2020		MF	SS	TCE-WQM2a	Action	(a) (b) (c)
4 December 2020		MF	SS	TCE-WQM2b	Action	(a) (b) (c)
11 December 2020		ME	SS	TCE-WQM3A	Limit	(a) (b)
16 December 2020		ME	SS	TCE-WQM1	Action	(a) (b) (d)
		ME	SS	TCE-WQM2a	Action	(a) (b) (d)
		ME	SS	TCE-WQM3A	Action	(a) (b)
		MF	SS	TCE-WQM2b	Action	(a) (b) (c)
18 December 2020		ME	SS	TCE-WQM3A	Action	(a) (b)
		MF	SS	TCE-WQM1	Action	(a) (b) (d)
		MF	SS	TCE-WQM2a	Action
		MF	SS	TCE-WQM2b	Action
		MF	SS	TCE-WQM4	Action
28 December 2020		ME	Turbidity	TCE-WQM3A	Action	(a) (e)
28 December 2020		ME	SS	TCE-WQM3A	Limit	(a) (e)
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 station was located 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 to the water quality monitoring station.
(e)	The exceedance was likely contributed by propeller wash during marine vessel operation.

Based on the investigations conducted for each of the monitoring day with exceedances, the exceedances of Turbidity and SS were 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.

2.4 Soft Shore Ecological Monitoring

2.4.1 Monitoring Requirements

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.

2.4.2 Monitoring Schedule for the Reporting Month

The schedule for soft shore ecological monitoring during the reporting period is provided in Annex H1.

2.4.3 Results and Observations

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
Date and Time ⁽¹⁾	Location	No. of Species	No. of Individuals	No. of Species	Area Coverage (m²)	No. of Other Intertidal Species
7/12/2020 10:00-12:00; 10/12/2020 09:30-13:30	TCB1	0	0	0	0	61
7/12/2020 10:00-12:00 ; 9/12/2020 09:30-13:15	TCB2	0	0	0	0	50
7/12/2020 08:30-09:30 ; 9/12/2020 09:30-13:30	TCB3	1	8	1	24	45
8/12/2020 08:30-11:30	THW	1	28	0	0	49

Note:

(1) For quantitative transect surveys, surveys were conducted on 8 December 2020 at THW, 9 December 2020 at TCB2 and TCB3, and 10 December 2020 at TCB1. For qualitative surveys, surveys were conducted on 7 December 2020 at TCB1, TCB2 and TCB3, and on 8 December 2020 at THW. Two people per survey team were responsible to conduct qualitative walk-through surveys for each site. As there were four people conducting survey for TCB3 to make up with the tide time, therefore the survey time was shorter than other sites to ensure the same survey effort was conducted for TCB3.

For the quantitative transect surveys, a total of 3,137 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 2,989 individuals (relative abundance of 95.3% and density of 199.3 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]), there was no indication of a change in the composition of intertidal communities recorded during the reporting period.

The mudflat surface levels at the four selected monitoring stations in December 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⁾, slight changes with <0.04 mPD of sediment levels are recorded for the monitoring stations. 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 2020 (mPD)	Remarks
TCB1	816068.738	811129.230	1.268	Soft mudflat
TCB2	815812.742	810917.362	1.077	Soft mudflat
TCB3	816027.426	810696.198	1.048	Soft mudflat
THW	817470.885	815849.914	1.038	Soft mudflat

Based on the impact monitoring results, there was no evidence showing any significant difference 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.

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, five (5) site inspections were carried out on 3, 10, 17, 21 and 31 December 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
3 December 2020	Area C1 and Area C2 Ÿ Dust was observed from unpaved area.	Area C1 and Area C2 Ÿ The Contractor was reminded to provide dust suppression.
10 December 2020	Tung Chung East Reclamation Area · Tug boat was observed emitting dark smoke.	Tung Chung East Reclamation Area Ÿ The Contractor was reminded to carry out maintenance and filter replacement.
17 December 2020	Area C1 and Area C2 · Dry exposed area was observed.	Area C1 and Area C2 Ÿ The Contractor was reminded to provide dust suppression.
21 December 2020	Area C1 and Area C2 · Dust was observed. Tung Chung East Reclamation Area · Multiple defects/gaps on silt curtain were observed.	Area C1 and Area C2 Ÿ The Contractor was reminded to enhance watering for dust suppression. Tung Chung East Reclamation Area Ÿ The Contractor was reminded to provide rectification immediately.
31 December 2020	Area B2 Ÿ Accumulated refuse were observed not properly disposed. Ÿ Chemical waste was not sorted nor disposed of at designated chemical waste container. Ÿ Oil leakage from chemical container was observed. Ÿ Spill kit was missing.	Area B2 Ÿ The Contractor was reminded to maintain good housekeeping. Ÿ The Contractor was reminded to sort out the chemical waste and dispose the chemical waste in accordance with Waste Disposal Regulation. Ÿ The Contractor was reminded to place the oil container in drip tray and clean up the oil spill in accordance with Spill Response Plan. Ÿ The Contractor was reminded to provide spill kit in Area B2 where chemicals were placed.

Inspection Date

Environmental Observations

Recommendations/ Remarks

3 December 2020

Area C1 and Area C2

Ÿ Dust was observed from unpaved area.

Area C1 and Area C2

Ÿ The Contractor was reminded to provide dust suppression.

10 December 2020

Tung Chung East Reclamation Area

· Tug boat was observed emitting dark smoke.

Tung Chung East Reclamation Area

Ÿ The Contractor was reminded to carry out maintenance and filter replacement.

17 December 2020

Area C1 and Area C2

· Dry exposed area was observed.

Area C1 and Area C2

Ÿ The Contractor was reminded to provide dust suppression.

21 December 2020

Area C1 and Area C2

· Dust was observed.

Tung Chung East Reclamation Area

· Multiple defects/gaps on silt curtain were observed.

Area C1 and Area C2

Ÿ The Contractor was reminded to enhance watering for dust suppression.

Tung Chung East Reclamation Area

Ÿ The Contractor was reminded to provide rectification immediately.

31 December 2020

Area B2

Ÿ Accumulated refuse were observed not properly disposed.

Ÿ Chemical waste was not sorted nor disposed of at designated chemical waste container.

Ÿ Oil leakage from chemical container was observed.

Ÿ Spill kit was missing.

Area B2

Ÿ The Contractor was reminded to maintain good housekeeping.

Ÿ The Contractor was reminded to sort out the chemical waste and dispose the chemical waste in accordance with Waste Disposal Regulation.

Ÿ The Contractor was reminded to place the oil container in drip tray and clean up the oil spill in accordance with Spill Response Plan.

Ÿ The Contractor was reminded to provide spill kit in Area B2 where chemicals were placed.

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 related to construction dust, construction noise, water quality and waste management 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 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)(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)
Month/ Year	Inert C&D Materials ^(a) (m³)	Imported Fill ^(d)(sand) (m³)	Imported Fill ^(d)(public fill) (m³)	Inert Construction Waste Re-used (m³)	Non-inert Construction Waste ^(b) (m³)	Recyclable Materials ^(c) (kg)
1 to 31 Oct 20	0	189,292	386,569	0	207.0	549,175	3,200
1 to 30 Nov 20	0	264,167	249,575	0	117.0	639,119	3,600
1 to 31 Dec 20	0	294, 341	240,989	0	116.0	140 ^(e)	10,600 ^(f)
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 recycling of sheetpiles in the reporting period. (f) High quantities of liquid waste were collected from marine vessels.

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) and construction noise monitoring complied with the Action/ Limit levels in the reporting period.

Action level and limit level exceedances were recorded for water quality impact monitoring in the reporting period. The investigations on the action level and limit level exceedances were conducted and the results were summarized in Section 2.3.3.

Cumulative statistics on exceedances is provided in Annex I.

2.9 Summary of Complaints, Notification of Summons and Successful Prosecutions

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)

1	Environmental complaint related to smoke from tug boat was received on 9 December 2020.	Based on the information provided by the Contractor, the concerned construction vessel was the tug boat “Keep First 1” working under the Tung Chung New Town Extension (East) project. Ringelmann check and immediate follow up checking were conducted by Contractor and ET. Although no violation of Air Pollution Control (Smoke) Regulations was confirmed by the Ringelmann checking result, the Contractor was reminded to conduct regular Ringelmann checking for dark smoke for construction vessels and ensure any vessels with dark smoke emission observed would be suspended from work activities until maintenance/rectification provided.

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

3 Future Key Issues

3.1 Construction Programme for the Coming Month

Works to be undertaken in the next monitoring period of January 2021 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
· Ground investigation works · Land DCM works and jet grouting · Placing of sorted public fill · Box culvert construction · Chain link fence erection and U-channel 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 · Provide tarpaulin sheets coverage on stockpiles · 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 · Marine-based instruments monitoring works · Placing of sorted public fill · DCM works · Seawall construction	· 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 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.

3.2 Monitoring Schedule for the Coming Month

The tentative schedules for environmental monitoring in January 2021 are provided in Annex J.

4 Conclusion and Recommendation

This EM&A Report presents the findings of the EM&A activities undertaken during the period from 1 to 31 December 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) 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 difference 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 dark smoke 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.

([4]) 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.

([5]) ERM (2018b). Baseline Monitoring Report for Tung Chung New Town Extension (East). Submitted to EPD under EP-519/2016