Certified by Environmental Team Leader

 

Verified by Independent Environmental Checker

 

 

Contract No. HY/2013/04 HZMB HKBCF – Infrastructure Works Stage II (Southern Portion)

 

Monthly EM&A Report for May 2020

 

June 2020

 

 

 

China State Construction Engineering (Hong Kong) Limited

 

 

 

Mott MacDonald

3/F International Trade Tower

348 Kwun Tong Road

Kowloon

Hong Kong

 

T +852 2828 5757

F +852 2827 1823

mottmac.hk

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                               

                                                               

 

 

 

 

 


 


 

Information class:

Standard

 

This document is issued for the party which commissioned it and for specific purposes connected with the above-captioned project only. It should not be relied upon by any other party or used for any other purpose.

We accept no responsibility for the consequences of this document being relied upon by any other party, or being used for any other purpose, or containing any error or omission which is due to an error or omission in data supplied to us by other parties.

This document contains confidential information and proprietary intellectual property. It should not be shown to other parties without consent from us and from the party which commissioned it.

This report has been prepared solely for use by the party which commissioned it (the ‘Client’) in connection with the captioned project. It should not be used for any other purpose. No person other than the Client or any party who has expressly agreed terms of reliance with us (the ‘Recipient(s)’) may rely on the content, information or any views expressed in the report. We accept no duty of care, responsibility or liability to any other recipient of this document. This report is confidential and contains proprietary intellectual property.

No representation, warranty or undertaking, express or implied, is made and no responsibility or liability is accepted by us to any party other than the Client or any Recipient(s), as to the accuracy or completeness of the information contained in this report. For the avoidance of doubt this report does not in any way purport to include any legal, insurance or financial advice or opinion.

We disclaim all and any liability whether arising in tort or contract or otherwise which it might otherwise have to any party other than the Client or the Recipient(s), in respect of this report, or any information attributed to it.

We accept no responsibility for any error or omission in the report which is due to an error or omission in data, information or statements supplied to us by other parties including the client (‘Data’). We have not independently verified such Data and have assumed it to be accurate, complete, reliable and current as of the date of such information.

Forecasts presented in this document were prepared using Data and the report is dependent or based on Data. Inevitably, some of the assumptions used to develop the forecasts will not be realised and unanticipated events and circumstances may occur. Consequently Mott MacDonald does not guarantee or warrant the conclusions contained in the report as there are likely to be differences between the forecasts and the actual results and those differences may be material. While we consider that the information and opinions given in this report are sound all parties must rely on their own skill and judgement when making use of it.

Under no circumstances may this report or any extract or summary thereof be used in connection with any public or private securities offering including any related memorandum or prospectus for any securities offering or stock exchange listing or announcement.

 

 

Contents

Executive summary                                                                           1

1      Introduction                                                                                4

1.1   Background                                                                                         4

1.2   Project Description                                                                               4

1.3   Project Organisation                                                                            5

1.4   Construction Programme                                                                      5

1.5   Construction Works undertaken during the Reporting Period                  5

2      Air Quality Monitoring                                                                 6

2.1   Introduction                                                                                         6

2.2   Monitoring Locations                                                                            6

2.3   Monitoring Requirements                                                                     7

2.4   Status of Air Quality Monitoring under this Contract                                7

3      Noise Monitoring                                                                        8

3.1   Introduction                                                                                         8

3.2   Monitoring Locations                                                                            8

3.3   Monitoring Requirements                                                                     8

3.4   Status of Noise Monitoring under this Contract                                      9

4      Water Quality Monitoring                                                          10

4.1   Introduction                                                                                       10

4.2   Monitoring Locations                                                                          10

4.3   Monitoring Parameters, Frequency and Duration                                 11

4.4   Monitoring Action and Limit Levels                                                      11

4.5   Monitoring Schedule for the Reporting Period                                      11

4.6   Monitoring Equipment                                                                        12

4.7   Monitoring Methodology                                                                     12

4.7.1     Instrumentation                                                                     12

4.7.2     Operating/Analytical Procedures                                             12

4.7.3     Maintenance and Calibration                                                  13

4.8   Monitoring Results                                                                             13

4.9   Review of Impact Operational Phase Water Quality Monitoring             13

5      Dolphin Monitoring                                                                   17

5.1   Introduction                                                                                       17

5.2   Monitoring Locations                                                                          17

5.3   Monitoring Requirements                                                                    19

5.4   Monitoring Results                                                                             19

6      Environmental Site and Audit                                                    20

6.1   Site Inspection                                                                                   20

6.2   Advice on the Solid and Liquid Waste Management Status                   20

6.2.1     Disposal of Marine Sediment Extracted from Bored Piling Works                                                                                            20

6.3   Environmental Licenses and Permits                                                   22

6.4   Implementation Status of Environmental Mitigation Measures               22

6.5   Summary of Exceedance of the Environmental Quality Performance Limit                                                                                                         22

6.6   Summary of Complaints, Notification of Summons and Successful Prosecution                                                                                       23

7      Future Key Issues                                                                    24

7.1   Construction Programme for the Coming Months                                 24

7.2   Environmental Site Inspection and Monitoring Schedule for the Coming Month                                                                                               24

8      Conclusions                                                                             25

8.1   Conclusions                                                                                       25

s

 

Figures

Figure 2.1: Location of Air Quality Monitoring Stations

Figure 3.1: Location of Noise Monitoring Stations

Figure 4.1: Location of Water Quality Monitoring Stations

Figure 5.1: Post-Construction Dolphin Monitoring Line Transect Layout Map

Appendices

Appendix A.    Location of Works Areas

Appendix B.    Project Organization for Environmental Works

Appendix C.   Construction Programme

Appendix D.   Event and Action Plan

Appendix E.    Waste Flow Table

Appendix F.    Environmental Licences and Permits

Appendix G.   Implementation Schedule for Environmental Mitigation Measures (EMIS)

Appendix H.   Statistics on Environmental Complaints, Notification of Summons and Successful Prosecutions

Appendix I.     Environmental Site Inspection and Monitoring Schedule

Appendix J.    Calibration Certificates

Appendix K.    Monitoring Data and Graphical Plots (Water Quality) for Reporting Period

Appendix L.    Monitoring Data and Graphical Plots (Water Quality) for 12-month Impact Operational Phase

 

Tables

Table 1.1: Contact Information of Key Personnel 5

Table 2.1: Construction Dust Monitoring Locations  6

Table 3.1: Construction Noise Monitoring Locations  8

Table 4.1: Impact Operational Phase Water Quality Monitoring Stations  10

Table 4.2: Impact Operational Phase Water Quality Monitoring Parameters and Frequency  11

Table 4.3: Action and Limit Levels for Impact Water Quality Monitoring  11

Table 4.4: Water Quality Monitoring Equipment 12

Table 4.5: Laboratory Analysis for Suspended Solids  13

Table 4.6: Impact Water Quality Monitoring Results Summary – Dissolved Oxygen (DO), Surface and Middle Depths  14

Table 4.7: Impact Water Quality Monitoring Results Summary – Dissolved Oxygen (DO), Bottom Depth  14

Table 4.8: Impact Water Quality Monitoring Results Summary – Suspended Solids (SS), Depth-Averaged  15

Table 4.9: Impact Water Quality Monitoring Results Summary – Turbidity, Depth-Averaged  15

Table 5.1: Post-Construction Dolphin Monitoring Line Transect Co-ordinates (Provided by AFCD) 17

Table 5.2: Action and Limit Levels for Chinese White Dolphin Monitoring - Approach to Define Action Level (AL) and Limit Level (LL) 19

Table 5.3: Derived Value of Action Level (AL) and Limit Level (LL) for Chinese White Dolphin Monitoring  19

Table 6.1: Summary of Marine Sediment disposed to Dumping Site via Contract No. HY/2013/03  22

 

 

 


 

Executive summary

This Monthly Environmental Monitoring and Audit (EM&A) Report is prepared for Contract No. HY/2013/04 “Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Hong Kong Boundary Crossing Facilities – Infrastructure Works Stage II (Southern Portion)” (hereafter referred to as “the Contract”) for the Highways Department of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). The Contract was awarded to China State Construction Engineering (Hong Kong) Limited (hereafter referred to as “the Contractor”) and Mott MacDonald Hong Kong Limited (MMHK) was appointed as the Environmental Team (ET) by the Contractor.

The Contract is part of the “Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Hong Kong Boundary Crossing Facilities” (HZMB HKBCF) Project which is a “Designated Project” under Schedule 2 of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Ordinance (Cap. 499) and for which an EIA Report (Register No. AEIAR-145/2009) was prepared and approved. The current Environmental Permit (EP) for HKBCF, namely No. EP-353/2009/K, was issued on 11 April 2016. These documents are available through the EIA Ordinance Register. Commencement of the Contract took place on 13 March 2015 and the construction works commenced on 13 July 2015.

Mott MacDonald Hong Kong Limited has been appointed by the Contractor to implement the Environmental Monitoring & Audit (EM&A) programme for the Contract in accordance with the Updated EM&A Manual for HKBCF (Version 1.0) and will be providing environmental team services for the Contract.

The proposal for termination of the construction phase EM&A programme for this Contract (including weekly site audits, air quality monitoring and noise monitoring) was certified by the ET Leader on 6 March 2020, verified by the IEC on 9 March 2020, approved by EPD on 9 April 2020 and implemented on 20 April 2020. Operational water quality monitoring under the Updated EM&A Manual for HKBCF (Version 1.0) was continued as described below.

This is the 59th Monthly EM&A Report for the Contract which summarises findings of the EM&A works during the reporting period from 1 to 31 May 2020 (the “reporting period”).

Environmental Monitoring and Audit Progress

The monthly EM&A programme was undertaken in accordance with the Updated EM&A Manual for HKBCF (Version 1.0).

Air Quality

The remaining air quality monitoring works at AMS2, AMS3C and AMS7B under this Contract were suspended from 1 February 2020. The ET of Contract No. HY/2019/01 “HZMB HKBCF – Phase 2 and Other Works” is required and continues the full implementation of air quality monitoring commencing on 1 February 2020.

For this reporting period, it should be noted that air quality monitoring stations AMS2, AMS3C and AMS7B are covered by Contract No. HY/2019/01. Another ET of the HZMB project is required to conduct impact air quality monitoring at AMS2, AMS3C and AMS7B as part of EM&A programme if these monitoring stations are no longer covered under Contract No. HY/2019/01. However, this is subject to ENPO’s final decision on which ET should carry out the monitoring work at these stations.

A summary of the air quality monitoring activities conducted by the ET of Contract No. HY/2019/01 during the reporting period is presented in the monthly EM&A Report prepared under Contract No. HY/2019/01.

It should also be noted that the air quality monitoring station AMS6 is covered by Contract No. HY/2011/03 “Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Hong Kong Link Road (HZMB HKLR) – Section between Scenic Hill and HKBCF”. If the impact air quality monitoring at AMS6 is no longer covered under Contract No. HY/2011/03, another ET of the HZMB project is required to continue such monitoring at AMS6 as part of EM&A programme. However, this is subject to ENPO’s final decision on which ET should carry out the monitoring work at these stations. 

Noise

The remaining noise monitoring works at NMS2 and NMS3C under this Contract were suspended from 1 February 2020. The ET of Contract No. HY/2019/01 “HZMB HKBCF – Phase 2 and Other Works” is required and continues the full implementation of noise monitoring commencing on 1 February 2020.

A proposal to terminate impact monitoring for noise at NMS2 and NMS3C was justified by the ET Leader of this Contract and verified by the IEC on 13 August 2019, and approved by EPD on 3 September 2019. Therefore, the last noise monitoring event at NMS2 and NMS3C to be reported under this Contract was conducted on 2 September 2019.

Water Quality

Water quality monitoring works under HZMB HKBCF are covered by this Contract.

Chinese White Dolphin 

The reporting of Chinese White Dolphin monitoring works under this Contract were suspended on 1 March 2020. From 1 March 2020 onwards, the ET of Contract No. HY/2019/01 “HZMB HKBCF – Phase 2 and Other Works” continues the same implementation of post-construction Chinese White Dolphin monitoring.

For this reporting period, it should be noted that dolphin monitoring works are covered by Contract No. HY/2012/08. Another ET of the HZMB project is required to conduct impact dolphin monitoring as part of EM&A programme if such monitoring is no longer covered under Contract No. HY/2012/08. However, this is subject to ENPO’s final decision on which ET should carry out the dolphin monitoring works.

A summary of the dolphin monitoring activities conducted by the ET of Contract No. HY/2019/01 during the reporting period is presented in the monthly EM&A Report prepared under Contract No. HY/2019/01.

Monitoring Activities

A summary of the monitoring activities conducted under this Contract during the reporting period are listed below:

    Water Quality Monitoring: 27 May 2020^

Remarks:

^                Monthly impact operation phase water quality monitoring in accordance with Section 9.9 of the Updated EM&A Manual for HKBCF (Version 1.0) was conducted during the reporting period.

Breaches of Action and Limit Levels

Summary of Action and Limit Level exceedance of 1-hr TSP level and 24-hr TSP level at AMS2, AMS3C and AMS7B shall be referred to the monthly EM&A report prepared by Contract No. HY/2019/01.

Summary of Action and Limit Level exceedance of 1-hr TSP level and 24-hr TSP level at AMS6 shall be referred to the monthly EM&A report prepared by Contract No. HY/2011/03.

Complaint Log

There were no complaints received in relation to the environmental impact during the reporting period.

Notifications of Summons and Successful Prosecutions

There were no notifications of summons or prosecutions received during this reporting period.

Reporting Changes

No construction phase air quality and noise monitoring and environmental site inspection under this Contract was carried out or reported during the reporting period, since the construction phase EM&A programme for this Contract was terminated on 20 April 2020.

The ET of Contract No. HY/2019/01 “HZMB HKBCF – Phase 2 and Other Works” continues the same implementation and reporting of Chinese White Dolphin monitoring during the reporting period.

Future Key Issues

There are no future key issues to be considered for this Contract.

 

 

 

1         Introduction

1.1       Background

On 13 March 2015, Mott MacDonald Hong Kong Limited (MMHK) was commissioned by China State Construction Engineering (Hong Kong) Limited (also referred to as “the Contractor”) to undertake the Environmental Team (ET) services (including environmental monitoring and audit (EM&A)) for Contract No. HY/2013/04 “Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Hong Kong Boundary Crossing Facilities – Infrastructure Works Stage II (Southern Portion)” (“the Contract”) for the Highways Department of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR).

The Contract is part of the “Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Hong Kong Boundary Crossing Facilities” (HZMB HKBCF) Project which is a “Designated Project” under Schedule 2 of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Ordinance (Cap. 499) and for which an EIA Report (Register No. AEIAR-145/2009) was prepared and approved. The current Environmental Permit (EP) for HKBCF, namely No. EP-353/2009/K, was issued on 11 April 2016. These documents are available through the EIA Ordinance Register. Commencement of the Contract took place on 13 March 2015 and the construction works commenced on 13 July 2015. The works areas of the contract are shown in Appendix A.

The termination of the construction phase EM&A programme for this Contract including weekly site audits was certified by the ET Leader on 6 March 2020, verified by the IEC on 9 March 2020, approved by EPD on 9 April 2020 and implemented on 20 April 2020.

This is the 59th Monthly EM&A Report summarising the findings of EM&A activities conducted under the Contract from 1 to 31 May 2020 (the “reporting period”), and is submitted to fulfil Condition 5.4 of the EP.

The Highways Department of HKSAR, the Contractor and MMHK consent to the requirements under the current EP for HZMB HKBCF to submit EM&A reports to the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) for public inspection.

1.2       Project Description

The Proposed works under this Contract comprise the following:

    Construction of vehicular bridge and at-grade roads at the southern portion of Hong Kong Boundary Crossing Facilities;

    Construction of associated street lighting, street furniture, road marking, road signage, box culverts and outfalls, drainage, sewerage, fresh water and flushing water supply, irrigation, landscape, electrical and mechanical (E&M), utilities and services works;

    Provisioning of civil engineering works and power supply for Traffic Control and Surveillance System (TCSS); and

    Other works in accordance with the Contract.

1.3       Project Organisation

The organisation chart and lines of communication with respect to the on-site environmental management structure together with the contact information of the key personnel are shown in Appendix B. The key personnel contact names and numbers are summarized in Table 1.1. 

Table 1.1: Contact Information of Key Personnel

Party

Position

Name

Telephone

Fax

Engineer or Engineer’s Representative

(AECOM Asia Co. Ltd.)

Senior Resident Engineer

Peter Lee

3958 7465

3748 8900

Environmental Project Office / Independent Environmental Checker

(Ramboll Hong Kong Limited)

Environmental Project Office Leader

Y H Hui

3465 2888

3465 2899

Independent Environmental Checker (until 17 May 2020)

Ray Yan

3465 2836 / 5181 8401

3465 2899

 

Independent Environmental Checker (from 18 May 2020)

Manson Yeung

9700 6767

3465 2899

 

Environmental Site Supervisor

K C Chan

6410 0425

3465 2899

Contractor

(China State Construction Engineering (Hong Kong) Limited)

Site Agent

Jason Chung

9127 8369

2459 4336

Environmental Officer

Xavier Lam

9493 2944

2459 4336

Environmental Team

(Mott MacDonald Hong Kong Limited)

Environmental Team Leader

Gary Chow

2828 5874

2827 1823

24-hour Complaint Hotline

-

-

5236 7111

-

1.4       Construction Programme

The Construction Works Programme of the Project is provided in Appendix C.

1.5       Construction Works undertaken during the Reporting Period

A summary of the site activities undertaken during this reporting period is shown below:

    Defect works (Bridges and Drainages) (land-based)

    Temporary hydroseeding and watering on slopes (land-based)

 

 

 

2         Air Quality Monitoring

2.1       Introduction

In accordance with the Contract Specific EM&A Manual, baseline 1-hour and 24-hour Total Suspended Particulates (TSP) levels at air quality monitoring stations AMS6 and AMS7 were established. Also, baseline 1-hour and 24-hour Total Suspended Particulates (TSP) levels at air quality monitoring stations AMS2 and AMS3 were established under other HKBCF contracts. Impact 1-hour TSP monitoring was conducted for at least three times every 6 days, while impact 24-hour TSP monitoring was carried out for at least once every 6 days.

2.2       Monitoring Locations

Monitoring locations AMS2, AMS3, AMS6 and AMS7 were set up at the proposed locations in accordance with the relevant Contract Specific EM&A Manual. For monitoring location AMS3 (Ho Yu College), as proposed in the Contract Specific EM&A Manual, approval for carrying out impact monitoring could not be obtained from the principal of the school. Permission on setting up and carrying out impact monitoring works at nearby sensitive receivers, like Caribbean Coast and Coastal Skyline, was also sought. However, approvals for carrying out impact monitoring works within their premises were not obtained. Impact air quality monitoring was conducted at site boundary of the site office area in Works Area WA2 (AMS3B) before being relocated to Ying Tung Estate Market Rooftop (AMS3C) on 20 August 2018 under this Contract. The same baseline and Action Level for air quality, as derived from the baseline monitoring data recorded at Ho Yu College, was adopted for this alternative air quality location.

It should be noted that, for the reporting period, the air quality monitoring works at AMS2, AMS3C and AMS7B are covered by Contract No. HY/2019/01 “HZMB HKBCF – Phase 2 and Other Works”, and the same monitoring works at AMS6 (Dragonair/CNAC (Group) Building) are covered by Contract No. HY/2011/03 “Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Hong Kong Link Road (HZMB HKLR) – Section between Scenic Hill and HKBCF”.

Another ET of the HZMB project is required to conduct impact air quality monitoring at AMS2, AMS3C and AMS7B as part of EM&A programme if these monitoring stations are no longer covered under Contract No. HY/2019/01.

Another ET of the HZMB project is required to conduct impact air quality monitoring at AMS6 as part of EM&A programme if this air quality monitoring station is no longer covered under Contract No. HY/2011/03.

Table 2.1 describes the details of the monitoring stations and Figure 2.1 shows the locations of air monitoring stations.

Table 2.1: Construction Dust Monitoring Locations

Identification No.

Location Description

AMS2

Tung Chung Development Pier

AMS3C

Ying Tung Estate Market Rooftop

AMS6(1)

Dragonair/CNAC (Group) Building

AMS7B

3RS Site Offices

Remarks:    (1) The ET of this Contract or another ET of the HZMB project is required to conduct impact air quality monitoring at AMS6 as part of EM&A programme according to latest notification from ENPO, if this air quality monitoring station is no longer covered under Contract No. HY/2011/03.

2.3       Monitoring Requirements

The monitoring requirements, monitoring equipment, monitoring parameters, frequency and duration, Action and Limit Levels, monitoring methodology and monitoring schedule are detailed in the monthly EM&A Reports prepared for Contract Nos. HY/2019/01 and HY/2011/03.

2.4       Status of Air Quality Monitoring under this Contract

The proposal for termination of the construction phase EM&A programme for this Contract (including air quality monitoring) was certified by the ET Leader on 6 March 2020, verified by the IEC on 9 March 2020, approved by EPD on 9 April 2020 and implemented on 20 April 2020. Therefore, no air quality monitoring under this Contract was carried out or reported during the reporting period.

 

 

 

3         Noise Monitoring

3.1       Introduction

In accordance with the Contract Specific EM&A Manual, impact noise monitoring was conducted at least once per week for each noise monitoring location during the construction phase of the Contract.

3.2       Monitoring Locations

Approval for carrying out impact monitoring at NMS3 (Ho Yu College), as proposed in the Contract Specific EM&A Manual, could not be obtained from the principal of school. Permission on setting up and carry out impact monitoring works at nearby sensitive receivers, like Caribbean Coast and Coastal Skyline, was also sought. However, approvals for carrying out impact monitoring works within their premises were not obtained. Impact noise monitoring was conducted at site boundary of the site office area in Works Area WA2 (NMS3B) before being relocated to Ying Tung Estate Market Rooftop (NMS3C) on 20 August 2018 under this Contract. The same baseline noise level (as derived from the baseline monitoring data recorded at Ho Yu College) and Limit Level were adopted for this alternative noise monitoring location.

A proposal to terminate impact monitoring for noise at NMS2 and NMS3C was justified by the ET Leader of this Contract and verified by the IEC on 13 August 2019, and approved by EPD on 3 September 2019. Therefore, the last noise monitoring event at NMS2 and NMS3C to be reported under this Contract was conducted on 2 September 2019.  

It should be noted that, for the reporting period, the noise monitoring works at NMS2 and NMS3C are covered by Contract No. HY/2019/01 “HZMB HKBCF – Phase 2 and Other Works”.

Another ET of the HZMB project is required to conduct impact noise monitoring at NMS2 and NMS3C as part of EM&A programme if these monitoring stations are no longer covered under Contract No. HY/2019/01.

Table 3.1 describes the details of the monitoring stations and Figure 3.1 shows the locations of noise monitoring stations.

Table 3.1: Construction Noise Monitoring Locations

Identification No.

Location Description

NMS2

Seaview Crescent

NMS3C(1)

Ying Tung Estate Refuse Collection Point

Remarks:    (1)  The Action and Limit Levels for schools will be applied for this alternative monitoring location.

3.3       Monitoring Requirements

The monitoring requirements, monitoring equipment, monitoring parameters, frequency and duration, Action and Limit Levels, monitoring methodology and monitoring schedule are detailed in the monthly EM&A Reports prepared for Contract No. HY/2019/01.

3.4       Status of Noise Monitoring under this Contract

The proposal for termination of the construction phase EM&A programme for this Contract (including noise monitoring) was certified by the ET Leader on 6 March 2020, verified by the IEC on 9 March 2020, approved by EPD on 9 April 2020 and implemented on 20 April 2020. Therefore, no noise monitoring under this Contract was carried out or reported during the reporting period.

 

 

 

 

 

4         Water Quality Monitoring

4.1       Introduction

Upon completion of all marine-based construction activities, a post-project monitoring exercise on water quality shall be carried out for 4 weeks in the same manner as the Baseline monitoring and was conducted during May 2019. An impact operational phase monitoring exercise on water quality shall also be carried out monthly during the first year of Project operation at all designated monitoring stations including control stations; this was commenced in June 2019. For post-construction and impact operational phase water quality monitoring, measurement was taken in accordance with the Updated EM&A Manual for HKBCF (Version 1.0).

4.2       Monitoring Locations

During the reporting period, the impact operational phase water quality monitoring works were covered by this Contract.  A total of four stations (two Sensitive Receiver Stations and two Control Stations) are covered for impact operational phase monitoring by the current EM&A programme. 

The two Sensitive Receiver Stations (SR) were chosen as they are close to the key sensitive receivers and the two Control Stations (CS) were chosen to facilitate comparison of the water quality of the SR stations with less influence by the Project/ ambient water quality conditions.

During impact construction water quality monitoring, the water quality monitoring station at SR3 was not available for water sampling due to safety reason, thus, monitoring station was changed to SR3(N) (Coordinate: 810689E, 816591N) and was justified by the ET Leader of Contract No. HY/2013/01 on 8 November 2017 and verified by the IEC on 13 November 2017; and submitted to EPD on 29 November 2017 and it was approved by EPD on 22 December 2017. Also, the water quality monitoring station at CS2 (Coordinate: 805849E, 818780N) was occupied by the marine work of a designated project – “Expansion of Hong Kong International Airport into a Three-Runway System” (3RS Project) – thus, monitoring station was changed to CS2(A) (Coordinate: 805232E, 818606N) and was justified by the ET Leader of HZMB HLKR Contract No. HY/2011/09, and verified by the IEC; and submitted to EPD on 12 July 2017 and it was approved by EPD on 28 July 2017 for implementation with effect from 31 July 2017.

Application of the alternative water quality monitoring stations at SR3(N) and CS2(A) to impact operational phase water quality monitoring was justified by the ET Leader of this Contract on 14 May 2019, verified by the IEC on 15 May 2019 and submitted to EPD for record on 15 May 2019 for implementation with effect from June 2019.

Table 4.1 and Figure 4.1 shows the locations of water quality monitoring stations.

Table 4.1: Impact Operational Phase Water Quality Monitoring Stations

Station

Description

East

North

SR2(A)

Sensitive receivers (Sha Lo Wan)

807810

817189

SR3(N)

Sensitive receivers (San Tau SSSI)

810689

816591

CS2(A)

Control Station

805232

818606

CS(Mf)5

Control Station

817990

821129

4.3       Monitoring Parameters, Frequency and Duration

Table 4.2 summarizes the monitoring parameters, frequency and monitoring depths of impact operational phase water quality monitoring in the Updated EM&A Manual for HKBCF (Version 1.0).

Table 4.2: Impact Operational Phase Water Quality Monitoring Parameters and Frequency

Monitoring Stations

Parameter, Unit

Frequency

No. of Depths Measured

Control Stations:

CS2(A), CS(Mf)5

Sensitive Receiver Stations:

SR2(A), SR3(N)

   Depth, m

   Temperature, °C

   Salinity, ppt

   Dissolved Oxygen (DO), mg/L

   DO Saturation, %

   Turbidity, NTU

   pH

   Suspended Solids (SS), mg/L

Once monthly, during mid-ebb and mid-flood tides of the same monitoring day

(within ±1.75 hour of the predicted time)

3

(1m below water surface, mid-depth and 1m above sea bed, except where the water depth is less than 6m, in which case the mid-depth station may be omitted. Should the water depth be less than 3m, only the mid-depth station will be monitored.)

4.4       Monitoring Action and Limit Levels

The Action and Limit Levels for impact water quality monitoring are provided in Table 4.3 for reference.

Table 4.3: Action and Limit Levels for Impact Water Quality Monitoring

Parameters

Action

Limit

DO in mg L-1

(Surface, Middle & Bottom)

Surface and Middle

5.0

Bottom

4.7

Surface and Middle

4.2 (except 5 mg/L for FCZ)

Bottom

3.6

SS in mg L-1

(depth-averaged) at all monitoring stations and control stations

23.5 and 120% of upstream control station's SS at the same tide of the same day*

34.4 and 130% of upstream control station's SS at the same tide of the same day and 10mg/L for WSD Seawater intakes*

Turbidity in NTU

(depth-averaged)

27.5 and 120% of upstream control station's turbidity at the same tide of the same day*

47.0 and 130% of upstream control station's

Remarks:

*  Reference is made to EPD approval of adjustment of water quality assessment criteria issued and became           effective on 18 February 2013.

Notes:

1.      “depth-averaged” is calculated by taking the arithmetic means of reading of all three depths.

2.      For DO, non-compliance of the water quality limits occurs when monitoring result is lower than the limits.

3.      For turbidity, SS, non-compliance of the water quality limits occurs when monitoring result is higher than the limits.

4.      All the figures given in the table are used for reference only and the EPD may amend the figures whenever it is considered as necessary.

5.      The 1%-ile of baseline data for dissolved oxygen (surface and middle) and dissolved oxygen (bottom) are 4.2 mg/L and 3.6 mg/L respectively.

The event and action plan is provided in Appendix D.

4.5       Monitoring Schedule for the Reporting Period

Monthly impact operational phase water quality monitoring in accordance with Section 9.9 of the Updated EM&A Manual for HKBCF (Version 1.0) commenced in June 2019 and was conducted during the reporting period on 27 May 2020.

The schedule for impact operational phase water quality monitoring in the reporting period is presented in Appendix I.

4.6       Monitoring Equipment

Table 4.4 summaries the equipment used in the impact operational phase water quality monitoring programme.

Table 4.4: Water Quality Monitoring Equipment

Equipment

Brand and Model

Serial Number

DO and Temperature Meter, Salinity Meter, Turbidity Meter & pH Meter

YSI ProDSS

16H104234, 17E100747

4.7       Monitoring Methodology

4.7.1       Instrumentation

a.   The in-situ water quality parameters, viz. dissolved oxygen, temperature, salinity, turbidity and pH, were measured by multi-parameter meters and pH meter.

4.7.2       Operating/Analytical Procedures

a.   Digital Differential Global Positioning Systems (DGPS) were used to ensure that the correct location was selected prior to sample collection.

b.   Portable, battery-operated echo sounders were used for the determination of water depth at each designated monitoring station.

c.    All in-situ measurements were taken at 3 water depths, 1m below water surface, mid-depth and 1m above sea bed, except where the water depth was less than 6m, in which case the mid-depth station was omitted. Should the water depth be less than 3m, only the mid-depth station was monitored.

d.   At each measurement/sampling depth, two consecutive in-situ monitoring (DO concentration and saturation, temperature, turbidity, pH, salinity) and water sample for SS. The probes were retrieved out of the water after the first measurement and then re-deployed for the second measurement. Where the difference in the value between the first and second readings of DO or turbidity parameters was more than 25% of the value of the first reading, the reading was discarded and further readings were taken.

e.   Duplicate samples from each independent sampling event were collected for SS measurement. Water samples were collected using the water samplers and the samples were stored in high density polythene bottles. Water samples collected were well-mixed in the water sampler prior to pre-rinsing and transferring to sample bottles. Sample bottles were pre-rinsed with the same water samples. The sample bottles were then be packed in cool-boxes (cooled at 4°C without being frozen), and delivered to ALS Technichem (HK) Pty Ltd. for the analysis of suspended solids concentrations. The laboratory determination work would be started within 24 hours after collection of the water samples. ALS Technichem (HK) Pty Ltd. is a HOKLAS accredited laboratory and has comprehensive quality assurance and quality control programmes. For QA/QC procedures, one duplicate samples of every batch of 20 samples was analyzed.

f.     The analysis method and reporting and detection limit for SS is shown in Table 4.5.

Table 4.5: Laboratory Analysis for Suspended Solids

Parameters

Instrumentation

Analytical Method

Reporting Limit

Detection Limit

Suspended Solids (SS)

Weighting

APHA 2540-D

0.5 mg/L

0.5 mg/L

g.   Other relevant data were recorded, including monitoring location / position, time, water depth, tidal stages, weather conditions and any special phenomena or work underway at the construction site in the field log sheet for information.

4.7.3       Maintenance and Calibration

a.   All in situ monitoring instruments would be calibrated and calibrated by ALS Technichem (HK) Pty Ltd. before use and at 3-monthly intervals throughout all stages of the water quality monitoring programme. Calibration details are provided in Appendix J.

b.   The dissolved oxygen probe of YSI 6820 was calibrated by wet bulb method. Before the calibration routine, the sensor for dissolved oxygen was thermally equilibrated in water-saturated air. Calibration cup is served as a calibration chamber and it was loosened from airtight condition before it is used for the calibration. Calibration at ALS Technichem (HK) Pty Ltd. was carried out once every three months in a water sample with a known concentration of dissolved oxygen. The sensor was immersed in the water and after thermal equilibration, the known mg/L value was keyed in and the calibration was carried out automatically.

c.    The turbidity probe of YSI 6820 is calibrated two times a month. A zero check in distilled water was performed with the turbidity probe of YSI 6820 once per monitoring day. The probe will be calibrated with a solution of known NTU at ALS Technichem (HK) Pty Ltd. once every three months.

4.8       Monitoring Results

Impact operational phase water quality monitoring results and graphical plots for the reporting period are presented in Appendix K.

4.9       Review of Impact Operational Phase Water Quality Monitoring

Impact operational phase water quality monitoring results are presented in Appendix L and summarised below in Table 4.6, Table 4.7, Table 4.8 and Table 4.9, and were compared with the Action and Limit Levels in Table 4.3.

For DO, some monitoring results recorded at the sensitive receiver monitoring stations SR3(N) and SR2(A) during the wet season (i.e. June to September 2019 and May 2020) exceeded the Action or Limit levels. The exceedances were possibly due to localised factors such as natural runoff from heavy rainfall at the natural water courses in the vicinity of these two stations. It is also noted that some construction works from nearby projects were in progress.

For SS, the monitoring result during mid-flood tide recorded at sensitive receiver monitoring station SR3(N) in December 2019 exceeded the Action level. It is noted that the monitoring result at SR2(A) during the same time was also elevated without exceedance. The exceedance was possible due to localised factors at the natural water courses in the vicinity of these two stations. It is also noted that some construction works from nearby projects were in progress.

For turbidity, no exceedance of the Action or Limit Levels were recorded.

Therefore, it was concluded that the exceedances were not caused by the project and that no significant impact from the project during operational phase was identified which is in line with Section 9.11.2.1 of the approved EIA Report. Therefore, the operational phase monitoring was ceased under Section 9.9.1 of the Updated EM&A Manual for HKBCF (Version 1.0).

Table 4.6: Impact Water Quality Monitoring Results Summary – Dissolved Oxygen (DO), Surface and Middle Depths

Tide

Mid-Ebb

Mid-Flood

Monitoring Stations

Control

Sensitive Receiver

Control

Sensitive Receiver

Control

Sensitive Receiver

Control

Sensitive Receiver

(in mg/L)

CS(Mf)5

SR3(N)

CS2(A)

SR2(A)

CS(Mf)5

SR3(N)

CS2(A)

SR2(A)

Jun 2019

4.5

5.4

3.4

3.7

2.6

4.9

2.5

2.2

Jul 2019

4.2

5.7

4.0

4.0

4.2

5.7

3.4

3.4

Aug 2019

4.7

5.5

4.2

4.2

4.3

5.1

3.4

3.4

Sep 2019

4.9

6.0

5.6

5.0

5.0

6.4

5.2

4.9

Oct 2019

5.7

5.9

6.1

5.5

5.1

6.0

6.1

5.5

Nov 2019

7.3

7.8

7.0

7.1

7.1

7.8

7.0

7.4

Dec 2019

6.4

7.0

7.2

7.2

6.3

7.0

7.3

7.2

Jan 2020

7.9

8.4

9.1

8.9

7.9

8.5

8.9

8.8

Feb 2020

7.0

7.4

7.8

7.6

7.4

8.1

8.3

7.7

Mar 2020

6.6

7.0

7.1

7.0

6.5

7.1

6.9

6.9

Apr 2020

9.2

10.7

9.5

8.9

7.3

10.2

7.8

8.0

May 2020

5.0

5.7

5.0

5.1

4.4

5.9

5.5

4.9

Action Level

Surface and Middle

5.0

Limit Level

Surface and Middle

4.2 (except 5 mg/L for FCZ)

Notes:

1.      For DO, non-compliance of the water quality limits occurs when monitoring result is lower than the limits.

2.      All the Action and Limit Level figures given in the table are used for reference only and the EPD may amend the figures whenever it is considered as necessary.

3.      The 1%-ile of baseline data for dissolved oxygen (surface and middle) and dissolved oxygen (bottom) are 4.2 mg/L and 3.6 mg/L respectively.

Table 4.7: Impact Water Quality Monitoring Results Summary – Dissolved Oxygen (DO), Bottom Depth

Tide

Mid-Ebb

Mid-Flood

Monitoring Stations

Control

Sensitive Receiver

Control

Sensitive Receiver

Control

Sensitive Receiver

Control

Sensitive Receiver

(in mg/L)

CS(Mf)5

SR3(N)

CS2(A)

SR2(A)

CS(Mf)5

SR3(N)

CS2(A)

SR2(A)

Jun 2019

2.6

4.9

2.5

2.2

3.5

5.6

2.6

3.3

Jul 2019

4.2

5.7

3.4

3.4

3.6

4.6

3.4

3.6

Aug 2019

4.3

5.1

3.4

3.4

4.3

5.3

4.1

4.9

Sep 2019

5.0

6.4

5.2

4.9

4.6

5.0

4.6

5.0

Oct 2019

5.1

6.0

6.1

5.5

5.8

6.2

5.7

5.8

Nov 2019

7.1

7.8

7.0

7.4

7.2

7.7

7.6

7.7

Dec 2019

6.3

7.0

7.3

7.2

6.5

7.0

7.2

7.1

Jan 2020

7.9

8.5

8.9

8.8

8.0

8.8

8.9

8.8

Feb 2020

7.4

8.1

8.3

7.7

6.8

7.5

7.5

7.5

Mar 2020

6.5

7.1

6.9

6.9

6.5

6.8

7.1

7.1

Apr 2020

7.3

10.2

7.8

8.0

7.1

9.6

7.8

8.2

May 2020

4.4

5.9

5.5

4.9

4.9

6.1

5.1

5.2

Action Level

Bottom

4.7

Limit Level

Bottom

3.6

Notes:

1.      For DO, non-compliance of the water quality limits occurs when monitoring result is lower than the limits.

2.      All the Action and Limit Level figures given in the table are used for reference only and the EPD may amend the figures whenever it is considered as necessary.

3.      The 1%-ile of baseline data for dissolved oxygen (surface and middle) and dissolved oxygen (bottom) are 4.2 mg/L and 3.6 mg/L respectively.

Table 4.8: Impact Water Quality Monitoring Results Summary – Suspended Solids (SS), Depth-Averaged

Tide

Mid-Ebb

Mid-Flood

Monitoring Stations

Control

Sensitive Receiver

Control

Sensitive Receiver

Control

Sensitive Receiver

Control

Sensitive Receiver

(in mg/L)

CS(Mf)5

SR3(N)

CS2(A)

SR2(A)

CS(Mf)5

SR3(N)

CS2(A)

SR2(A)

Jun 2019

1.8

3.4

1.8

3.2

2.3

3.0

3.2

2.9

Jul 2019

5.5

5.9

6.2

7.1

4.1

6.4

6.6

6.0

Aug 2019

5.5

9.2

6.2

12.9

5.4

21.2

15.0

10.4

Sep 2019

7.5

7.3

9.0

9.9

6.2

8.7

8.9

9.5

Oct 2019

6.8

8.4

7.7

7.3

7.8

15.8

12.6

16.2

Nov 2019

2.3

4.8

12.3

5.0

5.2

8.3

6.9

7.4

Dec 2019

5.5

7.5

7.3

5.9

8.5

26.6

9.1

15.6

Jan 2020

3.6

5.7

6.2

7.2

4.4

7.4

7.7

8.0

Feb 2020

7.2

10.4

11.5

22.6

8.2

10.4

10.6

9.9

Mar 2020

8.2

8.3

7.0

10.4

6.8

8.7

5.4

11.2

Apr 2020

5.5

11.4

6.4

12.1

2.9

5.1

6.6

11.2

May 2020

6.5

4.7

7.6

4.1

2.6

5.3

4.5

4.8

Action Level

23.5 and 120% of upstream control station's SS at the same tide of the same day*

Limit Level

34.4 and 130% of upstream control station's SS at the same tide of the same day

and 10mg/L for WSD Seawater intakes*

Remarks:

*  Reference is made to EPD approval of adjustment of water quality assessment criteria issued and became           effective on 18 February 2013.

Notes:

1.      “depth-averaged” is calculated by taking the arithmetic means of reading of all three depths.

2.      For SS, non-compliance of the water quality limits occurs when monitoring result is higher than the limits.

3.      All the Action and Limit Level figures given in the table are used for reference only and the EPD may amend the figures whenever it is considered as necessary.

Table 4.9: Impact Water Quality Monitoring Results Summary – Turbidity, Depth-Averaged

Tide

Mid-Ebb

Mid-Flood

Monitoring Stations

Control

Sensitive Receiver

Control

Sensitive Receiver

Control

Sensitive Receiver

Control

Sensitive Receiver

(in NTU)

CS(Mf)5

SR3(N)

CS2(A)

SR2(A)

CS(Mf)5

SR3(N)

CS2(A)

SR2(A)

Jun 2019

10.3

13.6

12.7

12.1

9.0

10.6

12.9

10.7

Jul 2019

6.4

5.4

8.7

7.3

7.3

12.5

11.6

7.6

Aug 2019

7.5

6.3

8.1

11.0

6.5

10.6

8.7

7.2

Sep 2019

3.7

3.4

8.3

7.6

3.9

6.5

7.8

7.8

Oct 2019

3.6

8.1

10.5

6.6

9.7

11.4

11.2

9.7

Nov 2019

1.6

4.1

13.8

4.4

4.0

9.1

7.7

6.5

Dec 2019

3.4

4.8

3.0

3.7

8.3

9.5

5.7

7.1

Jan 2020

2.1

5.5

3.3

4.0

2.2

3.7

4.6

4.3

Feb 2020

4.1

5.8

9.5

14.1

4.6

5.9

4.3

5.6

Mar 2020

4.1

4.9

5.7

6.4

6.4

5.7

7.1

7.0

Apr 2020

5.5

9.4

8.2

10.6

7.0

6.8

10.5

12.0

May 2020

5.0

5.1

4.6

7.8

1.7

6.3

4.1

7.8

Action Level

27.5 and 120% of upstream control station's turbidity at the same tide of the same day*

Limit Level

47.0 and 130% of upstream control station's turbidity at the same tide of the same day*

Remarks:

*  Reference is made to EPD approval of adjustment of water quality assessment criteria issued and became           effective on 18 February 2013.

Notes:

1.      “depth-averaged” is calculated by taking the arithmetic means of reading of all three depths.

2.      For turbidity, non-compliance of the water quality limits occurs when monitoring result is higher than the limits.

3.      All the Action and Limit Level figures given in the table are used for reference only and the EPD may amend the figures whenever it is considered as necessary.

 

 

 

 

5         Dolphin Monitoring

5.1       Introduction

Vessel based surveys for the Chinese White Dolphin (CWD), Sousa chinensis, are to be conducted by a dedicated team comprising a qualified marine mammal ecologist and experienced marine mammal observers (MMOs). The purpose of the surveys is to evaluate the impact of the HKBCF reclamation and, if deemed detrimental, to take appropriate action as per the EM&A Manual.

The transfer of the role of implementation of dolphin monitoring and collection of monitoring data from the ET of Contract No. HY/2011/03 to the ET of Contract No. HY/2012/08 “Tuen Mun-Chek Lap Kok Link – Northern Connection Sub-sea Tunnel Section” was justified by the ET Leader of Contract No. HY/2011/03 and verified by the IEC during August 2019, and approved by EPD during September 2019 for implementation with effect from October 2019.

The reporting of Chinese White Dolphin monitoring works under this Contract was suspended on 1 March 2020. From 1 March 2020 onwards, the ET of Contract No. HY/2019/01 “HZMB HKBCF – Phase 2 and Other Works” continues the same implementation of Chinese White Dolphin monitoring.

During the reporting period, the ET of Contract No. HY/2012/08 continued the implementation of dolphin monitoring and collection of monitoring data, with the reporting by the ET of Contract No. HY/2019/01 for the entire HZMB HKBCF project from post-construction phase monitoring perspective.

Another ET of the HZMB project is required to conduct impact dolphin monitoring as part of EM&A programme if such monitoring is no longer covered under Contract No. HY/2012/08. However, this is subject to ENPO’s final decision on which ET should carry out the dolphin monitoring works.

5.2       Monitoring Locations

According to the requirement of the updated EM&A Manual, the dolphin monitoring programme should adopt line-transect vessel survey method. The survey follows pre-set and fixed transect lines in the two areas defined by AFCD as: Northeast Lantau (NEL) survey area; and Northwest Lantau (NWL) survey area.

Table 5.1 shows the co-ordinates for the transect lines and layout map. The layout map showing the transect lines have been provided by AFCD and are shown in Figure 5.1.

Table 5.1: Post-Construction Dolphin Monitoring Line Transect Co-ordinates (Provided by AFCD)

Transect

HK Grid System

Long Lat in WGS84

 

X

Y

Long

Lat

1#

804671

815456

113.870287

22.277678

 

804671

831404

113.869975

22.421696

2#^

805476

820800

113.877995

22.325951

 

805476

826654

113.877882

22.378815

3^

806464

821150

114.030267

22.196697

 

806464

822911

114.047344

22.196712

4^

807518

821500

114.033651

22.206219

 

807518

829230

114.108618

22.206267

5^

808504

821850

114.037037

22.215126

 

808504

828602

114.102523

22.215169

6^

809490

822150

114.039938

22.224033

 

809490

825352

114.070995

22.224056

7#^

810499

822000

114.038474

22.233143

 

810499

824613

114.063820

22.233163

8#

811508

821123

113.936539

22.328966

 

811508

824254

113.936486

22.357241

9#

812516

821303

113.946320

22.330606

 

812516

824254

113.946279

22.357255

10*

813525

820827

113.956112

22.326321

 

813525

824657

113.956066

22.360908

11#

814556

818853

113.966155

22.304858

 

814556

820992

113.966125

22.327820

12

815542

818807

113.975726

22.308109

 

815542

824882

113.975647

22.362962

13

816506

819480

113.985072

22.314192

 

816506

824859

113.985005

22.362771

14

817537

820220

113.995070

22.320883

 

817537

824613

113.995018

22.360556

15

818568

820735

114.005071

22.325550

 

818568

824433

114.005030

22.358947

16

819532

821420

114.014420

22.331747

 

819532

824209

114.014390

22.356933

17

820451

822125

114.023333

22.338117

 

820451

823671

114.023317

22.352084

18

821504

822371

114.033556

22.340353

 

821504

823761

114.033544

22.352903

19

822513

823268

114.043340

22.348458

 

822513

824321

114.043331

22.357971

20

823477

823402

114.052695

22.349680

 

823477

824613

114.052686

22.360610

21

805476

827081

113.877878

22.382668

 

805476

830562

113.877811

22.414103

22

806464

824033

113.887520

22.355164

 

806464

829598

113.887416

22.405423

23

814559

821739

113.966142

22.334574

 

814559

824768

113.966101

22.361920

24^

805476

815900

113.979368

22.187721

 

805476

819100

114.010398

22.187756

Remarks:

(a)    *     Due to the presence of deployed silt curtain systems at the site boundaries of the Contract, some of the transect lines shown in Figure 5.1 could not be fully surveyed during the regular survey. Transect 10 is reduced from 6.4km to approximately 3.6km in length due to the HKBCF construction site. Therefore, the total transect length for both NEL and NWL combined is reduced to approximately 108km.

(b)    #     Coordinates for transect lines 1, 2, 7, 8, 9 and 11 have been updated in respect to the Proposal for Alteration of Transect Line for Dolphin Monitoring approved by EPD on 19 August 2015.

(c)    ^     Due to marine works of the Expansion of Hong Kong International Airport into a Three-Runway System (3RS Project), the change of transect lines 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 and new transect line 24 were justified and verified by the ET Leader for Contract No. HY/2010/02 and the IEC respectively on 24 March 2017 and it was approved by EPD on 12 May 2017.

5.3       Monitoring Requirements

The monitoring requirements, monitoring equipment, monitoring parameters, frequency and duration, monitoring methodology, monitoring schedule, meteorological information are detailed in the monthly EM&A Reports prepared for Contract No. HY/2019/01.

The Action and Limit Levels for Chinese White Dolphin Monitoring are provided in Table 5.2 and Table 5.3, respectively.  

Table 5.2: Action and Limit Levels for Chinese White Dolphin Monitoring - Approach to Define Action Level (AL) and Limit Level (LL)

 

North Lantau Social Cluster

 

NEL

NWL

Action Level

(STG < 70% of baseline) &

(ANI < 70% of baseline)

(STG < 70% of baseline) &

(ANI < 70% of baseline)

Limit Level

[(STG < 40% of baseline) & (ANI < 40% of baseline)] AND

[(STG < 40% of baseline) & (ANI < 40% of baseline)]

Table 5.3: Derived Value of Action Level (AL) and Limit Level (LL) for Chinese White Dolphin Monitoring

 

North Lantau Social Cluster

 

NEL

NWL

Action Level

(STG < 4.2) & (ANI < 15.5)

(STG < 6.9) & (ANI < 31.3)

Limit Level

[(STG < 2.4) & (ANI <8.9)] AND [ (STG < 3.9) & (ANI < 17.9)]

The event and action plan is provided in Appendix D.

If exceedance(s) at these survey transect(s) is/are recorded by the ET of the Contract or referred by the other ET under the HZMB project to the Contract, the ET of the Contract will carry out an investigation and findings will be reported in the monthly EM&A Report.

5.4       Monitoring Results

The monitoring results for dolphin monitoring during the reporting period are reported in the monthly EM&A Report (for the reporting period) prepared for Contract No. HY/2019/01.

 

 

 

6         Environmental Site and Audit

6.1       Site Inspection

Under the updated EM&A Manual, site inspections are required to be carried out on a weekly basis to monitor the implementation of proper environmental pollution control mitigation measures for the project.

The proposal for termination of the construction phase EM&A programme for this Contract (including weekly site audits) was certified by the ET Leader on 6 March 2020, verified by the IEC on 9 March 2020, approved by EPD on 9 April 2020 and implemented on 20 April 2020. Therefore, no environmental inspection was carried out or reported during the reporting period.

6.2       Advice on the Solid and Liquid Waste Management Status

The Contractor registered as a chemical waste producer for the Contract. Sufficient numbers of receptacles were available for general refuse collection and sorting. As a practical means, the disposal operation is managed by a single HKBCF contractor who is also responsible for applying dumping permit and its subsequent extension applications from EPD. Contract No. HY/2013/03 has been assigned to coordinate and arrange for disposal of extracted marine sediment from this Contract.

There was no generation of excavated sediment for treatment during this reporting period. Any treatment of excavated marine sediment will be conducted using cement solidification/ stabilization (Cement S/S) techniques and the treated sediment will be reused onsite for either backfilling or landscaping (e.g. berm material).

The monthly summary of waste flow table is detailed in Appendix E.

The Contractor was reminded that chemical waste containers should be properly treated and stored temporarily in designated chemical waste storage area on site in accordance with the Code of Practice on the Packing, Labelling and Storage of Chemical Waste.

6.2.1       Disposal of Marine Sediment Extracted from Bored Piling Works

6.2.1.1          Background

After the acceptance of the review of the approved Sediment Quality Report (SQR) for this Project under EPD letter dated 19 August 2015, an approval to dispose the marine sediment extracted from bored piling for this Project was then approved under memo from Secretary, Marine Fill Committee of CEDD dated 20 August 2015 for the disposal of marine sediment extracted from bored piling works. The disposal sites allocated to this Project are the Mud Pit CMP2 of the Confined Marine Sediment Disposal Facility to the South of The Brothers (or at the East of Sha Chau). As advised by CEDD in the memo dated 19 February 2016, from 00:00 on 22 March 2016 onward, the disposal space at CMP2 of the South of The Brothers is closed and all disposal of contaminated sediment is to be carried out at CMP Vd to the East of Sha Chau (ESC).

As Contract No. HY/2013/01 has commenced treatment of the extracted marine sediment, treatment will continue and the treated marine sediment will be re-used within the HKBCF Island. On the other hand, Contract Nos. HY/2013/02, HY/2013/03 and HY/2013/04 have not commenced the treatment of extracted marine sediment. Therefore, the marine sediment extracted from these three Contracts will be disposed to the allocated disposal sites directly without treatment. As a practical means, the disposal operation is managed by one contractor who is also responsible for applying dumping permit and its subsequent extension applications from EPD. Contract No. HY/2013/03 has been assigned to coordinate and arrange for disposal of extracted marine sediment from all three Contracts.

The SQR was further reviewed in mid-2016. EPD has no comment to extend the validity of the SQR to August 2017 under letter dated 18 August 2016.

Based on the actual piling operation, the estimated quantity of marine sediment to be extracted has been revised from 85,000 m3 to 126,000 m3 (bulk volume). EPD has no comments on the request as in the letter dated 20 October 2016. The Secretary of Marine Fill Committee, CEDD approved the increasing quantity in the memo dated 10 November 2016.

During the course of reviewing the SQR, it was noted that the contamination level of the marine sediment extracted from the inner part of the HKBCF Island was not identified during the previous sampling and testing. As requested by EPD, sampling and testing are required. The Sediment Sampling and Testing Proposal (SSTP) for the inner area of the HKBCF Island was approved by EPD on 2 June 2016.

As in the agreed SSTP for the inner area of the HKBCF Island, samples were taken from the seventeen batches of stockpiled marine sediments and from five boreholes each in one of the five sampling grids. After conducting chemical tests on samples, six batches of stockpiled samples under Contract No. HY/2013/03 and all eight batches of stockpiled samples under Contract No. HY/20013/04 are classified as Category L sediment. The Secretary of Marine Fill Committee of CEDD allocated disposal sites under memo dated 24 October 2016 and dated 22 November 2016 for disposal of a total of 9,500 m3 in-situ volume of Category L sediment (using a bulk factor of 1.3). The Category L sediment was disposed in December 2016.

One sample from the batch of stockpiled marine sediment under Contract No. HY/2013/03 and samples from all five sampling grids had contamination levels exceeding the Lower Chemical Exceedance Levels (LCEL) and biological screenings were carried out. All samples passed the biological screenings and are classified as Category Mp sediment and to be disposed off site using Type II confined marine disposal method the same method used for marine sediment extracted from other part of the HKBCF Island.

6.2.1.2          Dumping Arrangements

The barge for disposal of marine sediment will morn at the temporary loading and unloading at the east shore of the HKBCF Island, which has been being used by reclamation contractor (Contract No. HY/2010/02) for reclamation activities. In terms of safety consideration, each dumping date will be allocated to one Contract. The quantity of marine sediment disposed on the date is from one Contract.

During dumping, each Contractor is responsible for transporting the marine sediment from his site area to the barge. The estimated quantity of marine sediment in each truck is confirmed by Resident Site Staff of each Contract. The trip tickets for transportation and disposal of marine sediment are collected and checked. Contract No. HY/2013/03 as the dumping permit holder is responsible for reporting to EPD the quantity disposed of as the condition stipulated in the dumping permit.

6.2.1.3          Reporting

AECOM has confirmed that the disposal of excavated marine sediments to allocated dumping site via Contract No. HY/2013/03 has been completed with the last batch disposal on 30 August 2017. The total quantities disposed are presented in the following table (Table 6.1):

Table 6.1: Summary of Marine Sediment disposed to Dumping Site via Contract No. HY/2013/03

 

Type of Sediment and Quantity Disposed (m3)

 

Cat. L (in Type I)

Type II

Total

3,570

39,814

Note:        For monthly breakdown of these quantities, please refer to the waste flow table in Appendix E.

6.3       Environmental Licenses and Permits

The valid environmental licenses and permits during the reporting period are summarized in Appendix F.

6.4       Implementation Status of Environmental Mitigation Measures

Since the construction phase EM&A programme for this Contract has been terminated, no environmental inspection was carried out or reported during the reporting period.

A summary of the Implementation Schedule of Environmental Mitigation Measures (EMIS) is presented in Appendix G.  Most of the necessary mitigation measures were implemented properly.

Implementation status of the Regular Marine Travel Route Plan (RMTRP) was checked by ET. Training of marine travel route for marine vessel operator was given to relevant staff and relevant records were kept properly.

According to the Contractor of HY/2013/04, all marine-based segment deliveries were completed in January 2018 and no marine-based works were conducted under the contract during the reporting period. The localised silt curtains under this Contract were removed on 4 January 2019.

6.5       Summary of Exceedance of the Environmental Quality Performance Limit

Air Quality

Not applicable for the reporting period since the construction phase EM&A programme for this Contract has been terminated.

Noise

Not applicable for the reporting period since the construction phase EM&A programme for this Contract has been terminated.

Water Quality

Monthly impact operational phase water quality monitoring during the first year of Project operation, in accordance with Section 9.9 of the Updated EM&A Manual for HKBCF (Version 1.0), commenced in June 2019 and was conducted during the reporting period on 27 May 2020.

Impact operational phase water quality monitoring results were compared with the Action and Limit Levels in Table 4.3. While some exceedances of the Action or Limit Levels for DO and SS were recorded, it was concluded that the exceedances were not caused by the project and that no significant impact was identified which is in line with Section 9.11.2.1 of the approved EIA Report. Therefore, the operational phase monitoring was ceased under Section 9.9.1 of the Updated EM&A Manual for HKBCF (Version 1.0).

Chinese White Dolphin

Post-construction dolphin monitoring in accordance with Section 10.7 of the Updated EM&A Manual for HKBCF (Version 1.0) commenced in March 2019 and was conducted during the reporting period. Dolphin survey monitoring results shall be referred to the monthly EM&A report prepared for Contract No. HY/2019/01.

6.6       Summary of Complaints, Notification of Summons and Successful Prosecution

Complaints

Not applicable for the reporting period since the construction phase EM&A programme for this Contract has been terminated.

Notification of Summons and Successful Prosecution

Not applicable for the reporting period since the construction phase EM&A programme for this Contract has been terminated.

Statistics on notifications of summons and successful prosecutions are summarized in Appendix H.

 

 

 

7         Future Key Issues

7.1              Construction Programme for the Coming Months

With the construction phase EM&A programme for this Contract being terminated, there are no future key issues to be considered for this Contract in the coming months.

7.2              Environmental Site Inspection and Monitoring Schedule for the Coming Month

The tentative schedule for impact air quality and construction noise monitoring and post-construction Chinese White Dolphin monitoring for June 2020 is provided in the monthly EM&A Report prepared for Contract No. HY/2019/01.

Since the operational phase water quality monitoring during the first year of Project operation was completed in the reporting month, there is no tentative schedule for such monitoring for June 2020.

 

 

                        

8         Conclusions

8.1       Conclusions

General

Commencement of the Contract took place on 13 March 2015 and the construction works of the Contract commenced on 13 July 2015.

The proposal for termination of the construction phase EM&A programme for this Contract (including weekly site audits, air quality monitoring and noise monitoring) was certified by the ET Leader on 6 March 2020, verified by the IEC on 9 March 2020, approved by EPD on 9 April 2020 and implemented on 20 April 2020. No weekly site audits, air quality monitoring and noise monitoring for this Contract were conducted after 20 April 2020.

Air Quality

Not applicable for the reporting period since the construction phase EM&A programme for this Contract has been terminated.

Noise

Not applicable for the reporting period since the construction phase EM&A programme for this Contract has been terminated.

Water Quality

Monthly impact operational phase water quality monitoring during the first year of Project operation, in accordance with Section 9.9 of the Updated EM&A Manual for HKBCF (Version 1.0), commenced in June 2019 and was conducted during the reporting period on 27 May 2020.

Impact operational phase water quality monitoring results were compared with the Action and Limit Levels in Table 4.3. While some exceedances of the Action or Limit Levels for DO and SS were recorded, it was concluded that the exceedances were not caused by the project and that no significant impact was identified which is in line with Section 9.11.2.1 of the approved EIA Report. Therefore, the operational phase monitoring was ceased under Section 9.9.1 of the Updated EM&A Manual for HKBCF (Version 1.0).

Chinese White Dolphin 

Post-construction dolphin monitoring in accordance with Section 10.7 of the Updated EM&A Manual for HKBCF (Version 1.0) commenced in March 2019 and was conducted during the reporting period. Dolphin survey monitoring results shall be referred to the monthly EM&A report prepared by Contract No. HY/2019/01.

Breaches of Action and Limit Levels

Air Quality

Not applicable for the reporting period since the construction phase EM&A programme for this Contract has been terminated.

Noise

Not applicable for the reporting period since the construction phase EM&A programme for this Contract has been terminated.

Water Quality

Monthly impact operational phase water quality monitoring during the first year of Project operation, in accordance with Section 9.9 of the Updated EM&A Manual for HKBCF (Version 1.0), commenced in June 2019 and was conducted during the reporting period on 27 May 2020.

Chinese White Dolphin

Post-construction dolphin monitoring in accordance with Section 10.7 of the Updated EM&A Manual for HKBCF (Version 1.0) commenced in March 2019 and was conducted during the reporting period. Dolphin survey monitoring results shall be referred to the monthly EM&A report prepared by Contract No. HY/2019/01.

Environmental Site Inspections

Since the construction phase EM&A programme for this Contract has been terminated, no environmental inspection was carried out or reported during the reporting period.

Complaints

Not applicable for the reporting period since the construction phase EM&A programme for this Contract has been terminated.

Notifications of Summons and Successful Prosecutions

Not applicable for the reporting period since the construction phase EM&A programme for this Contract has been terminated.

 

 

 

 

 


Figures

 

 

 

Appendix A. Location of Works Areas

 

 

 

Appendix B. Project Organization for Environmental Works

 

 

 

Appendix C. Construction Programme

 

 

 

Appendix D. Event and Action Plan

 

 

 

Appendix E. Waste Flow Table

 

 

 

Appendix F. Environmental Licences and Permits

 

 

 

Appendix G. Implementation Schedule for Environmental Mitigation Measures (EMIS)

 

 

 

 

Appendix H. Statistics on Environmental Complaints, Notification of Summons and Successful Prosecutions

 

 

 

 

Appendix I. Environmental Site Inspection and Monitoring Schedule

 

 

 

 

Appendix J. Calibration Certificates

 

 

 

 

Appendix K. Monitoring Data and Graphical Plots (Water Quality) for Reporting Period

 

 

 

 

Appendix L. Monitoring Data and Graphical Plots (Water Quality) for 12-month Impact Operational Phase