Table of Contents


executive Summary                                                             

1                      Introduction                                                                          

1.1                   Background                                                                           

1.2                   Scope of Report                                                                   

1.3                   Organization Structure                                                 

1.4                   Summary of Construction Works                              

2                      EM&A Results                                                                         

2.1                   Air quality                                                                               

2.2                   Noise Monitoring                                                                  

2.3                   Water Quality Monitoring                                              

2.4                   Dolphin monitoring                                                            

2.5                   Coral Monitoring                                                                

2.6                   EM&A Site inspection                                                           

2.7                   Waste Management Status                                             

2.8                   Environmental Licenses and Permits                        

2.9                   Implementation Status of Environmental Mitigation Measures  

2.10                 Summary of Exceedances of the Environmental Quality Performance Limit                                                                                                       

2.11                 Summary of Complaints, Notification of Summons and Successful Prosecutions                                                                         

3                      Future Key Issues                                                                

3.1                   Construction Programme for the Coming Months

3.2                   Key Issues for the Coming Month                                

3.3                   Monitoring Schedule for the Coming Month        

4                      Conclusions and recommendations                         

4.1                   Conclusions                                                                           

4.2                   Recommendations                                                                

 

List of Tables

Table 1.1

Contact Information of Key Personnel

Table 2.1

Locations of Impact Air Quality Monitoring Stations

Table 2.2

Air Quality Monitoring Equipment

Table 2.3

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

Table 2.4

Summary of 24-hour TSP Monitoring Results in the Reporting Period

Table 2.5

Location of Impact Noise Monitoring Station

Table 2.6

Noise Monitoring Equipment

Table 2.7

Summary of Construction Noise Monitoring Results in the Reporting Period

Table 2.8

Locations of Impact Water Quality Monitoring Stations and its Corresponding Monitoring Requirements

Table 2.9

Water Quality Monitoring Equipment

Table 2.10

Dolphin Monitoring Equipment

Table 2.11

Impact Dolphin Monitoring Line Transect Co-ordinates

Table 2.12

Individual Survey Event Encounter Rates

Table 2.13

Monthly Average Encounter Rates

Table 2.14

Summary of Environmental Licensing and Permit Status

 

Figures

Figure 1.1

General Project Layout Plan

Figure 1.2

Location Plan and Key Plan

Figure 1.3

General Layout

Figure 1.4

Proposed Ground Investigation Plan (Sheet 1 of 8)

Figure 1.5

Proposed Ground Investigation Plan (Sheet 2 of 8)

Figure 1.6

Proposed Ground Investigation Plan (Sheet 3 of 8)

Figure 1.7

Proposed Ground Investigation Plan (Sheet 4 of 8)

Figure 1.8

Proposed Ground Investigation Plan (Sheet 5 of 8)

Figure 1.9

Proposed Ground Investigation Plan (Sheet 6 of 8)

Figure 1.10

Works Area and Hoarding Plan (Sheet 1 of 2)

Figure 1.11

Works Area and Hoarding Plan (Sheet 2 of 2)

Figure 1.12

Location of Area 4

Figure 2.1

Locations of Impact Air Quality Monitoring Stations

Figure 2.2

Locations of Impact Noise Monitoring Station

Figure 2.3

Locations of Impact Water Quality Stations

Figure 2.4

Line Transects for Impact Dolphin Monitoring Survey

Figure 2.5

Locations of Dolphin Sightings during Impact Dolphin Monitoring Survey

Figure 2.6

Environmental Complaint Handling Procedure

 

List of Appendices

Appendix A

Project Organization for Environmental Works

Appendix B

Three Month Rolling Construction Programmes

Appendix C

Implementation Schedule of Environmental Mitigation Measures (EMIS)

Appendix D

Summary of Action and Limit Levels

Appendix E

Calibration Certificates of Monitoring Equipments

Appendix F

EM&A Monitoring Schedules

Appendix G

Impact Air Quality Monitoring Results and Graphical Presentation

Appendix H

Meteorological Data for the Reporting Month

Appendix I

Impact Noise Monitoring Results and Graphical Presentation

Appendix J

Impact Water Quality Monitoring Results and Graphical Presentation

Appendix K

Impact Dolphin Monitoring Survey Results

Appendix L

Event Action Plan

Appendix M

Monthly Summary of Waste Flow Table

Appendix N

Cumulative Statistics on Exceedances, Complaints, Notifications of Summons and Successful Prosecutions

 

Executive Summary

Under Contract No. HY/2012/07, Gammon Construction Limited (GCL) is commissioned by the Highways Department (HyD) to undertake the design and construction of the Southern Connection Viaduct Section of the Tuen Mun ¡V Chek Lap Kok Link Project (TM-CLK Link Project) while AECOM Asia Company Limited was appointed by HyD as the Supervising Officer.  For implementation of the environmental monitoring and audit (EM&A) programme under the Contract, ERM-Hong Kong, Limited (ERM) has been appointed as the Environmental Team (ET).  ENVIRON Hong Kong Ltd. was employed by the HyD as the Independent Environmental Checker (IEC) and Environmental Project Office (ENPO) in accordance with Environmental Permit No. EP-354/2009/A.   Another application for variation of environmental permit (VEP) (EP-354/2009/B) was granted on 28 January 2014.

The construction phase of the Contract commenced on 31 October 2013 and will be tentatively be completed by 2018.  The impact monitoring of the EM&A programme, including air quality, noise, water quality and marine ecological monitoring as well as environmental site inspections, commenced on 31 October 2013.

This is the third monthly EM&A report presenting the EM&A works carried out during the period from 1 to 31 January 2014 for the Southern Connection Viaduct Section in accordance with the Updated EM&A Manual of the TM-CLK Link Project.  As informed by the Contractor, major activities in the reporting period included:

Marine-based Works

¡P      Survey tower erection;

¡P      Marine piling platform installation;

¡P      Construction of rockfill platform at Viaduct D landing; and

¡P      Additional marine ground investigation (GI) and laboratory testing.

Land-based Works

¡P      SOR¡¦s site offices erection at Area 5;

¡P      Satellite container offices erection along seawall (i.e. CEDD Access Road);

¡P      Fence relocation for Viaducts A, C & D;

¡P      Piling platform installation for Viaduct B;

¡P      Additional land GI, trial pits and laboratory testing; and

¡P      Utility surveys.

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

24-hour TSP monitoring                       6 sessions

1-hour TSP monitoring                                   6 sessions

Noise monitoring                                   6 sessions

Impact Water Quality Monitoring                   13 sessions

Impact dolphin monitoring                     2 sessions

Joint Environmental site inspection      5 sessions

Breaches of Action and Limit Levels for Air Quality

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

Breaches of Action and Limit Levels for Noise

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

Breaches of Action and Limit Levels for Water Quality

No exceedance of Action and Limit Levels was recorded for impact water quality monitoring in the reporting month. 

Impact Dolphin Monitoring

During this month of dolphin monitoring, no unacceptable impact from the construction activities of the TM-CLKL Southern Connection Viaduct Section on Chinese White Dolphins was noticeable from general observations.  Due to monthly variation in dolphin occurrence within the study area, it would be more appropriate to draw conclusion on whether any impacts on dolphins have been detected related to the construction activities of the TM-CLKL Southern Connection Viaduct Section in the quarterly EM&A reports, where comparison on distribution, group size and encounter rates of dolphins between the quarterly impact monitoring period and baseline monitoring period will be made.

Daily marine mammal exclusion zone monitoring was undertaken.  Sighting of the Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin Sousa chinensis was recorded on 23 January 2014 during the exclusion zone monitoring.

Environmental Complaints, Non-compliance & Summons

No complaint, notification of summons and successful prosecution was received in the reporting month.

Reporting Change

There was no reporting change required in the reporting period.

Upcoming Works for the Next Reporting Period

Works to be undertaken in the next monitoring period of February 2014 include the following:

Marine Works

¡P      Marine piling platform installation;

¡P      Survey tower erection;

¡P      Construction of rockfill platform at Viaduct D landing;

¡P      Additional marine ground investigation (GI) and laboratory testing;

¡P      Marine Bored Piling.

 

Land-based Works

¡P      SOR¡¦s site offices erection at Area 5;

¡P      Satellite container offices erection along seawall (i.e. CEDD Access Road);

¡P      Fence relocation for Viaducts A, B, C & D;

¡P      Piling platform installation for Viaduct B & D;

¡P      Additional land GI, trial pits and laboratory testing;

¡P      Utility surveys.

Future Key Issues

Potential environmental impacts arising from the above upcoming construction activities in the next reporting month of February 2014 are mainly associated with dust, noise, marine water quality, marine ecology and waste management issues.


 

 

1                                             Introduction

1.1                                      Background

According to the findings of the Northwest New Territories (NWNT) Traffic and Infrastructure Review conducted by the Transport Department, Tuen Mun Road, Ting Kau Bridge, Lantau Link and North Lantau Highway would be operating beyond capacity after 2016.  This forecast has been based on the estimated increase in cross boundary traffic, developments in the Northwest New Territories (NWNT), and possible developments in North Lantau, including the Airport developments, the Lantau Logistics Park (LLP) and the Hong Kong ¡V Zhuhai ¡V Macao Bridge (HZMB).  In order to cope with the anticipated traffic demand, two new road sections between NWNT and North Lantau ¡V Tuen Mun ¡V Chek Lap Kok Link (TM-CLKL) and Tuen Mun Western Bypass (TMWB) are proposed.

An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of TM-CLKL (the Project) was prepared in accordance with the EIA Study Brief (No. ESB-175/2007) and the Technical Memorandum of the Environmental Impact Assessment Process (EIAO-TM).  The EIA Report was submitted under the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (EIAO) in August 2009.  Subsequent to the approval of the EIA Report (EIAO Register Number AEIAR-145/2009), an Environmental Permit (EP-354/2009) for TM-CLKL was granted by the Director of Environmental Protection (DEP) on 4 November 2009, and EP variation (EP-354/2009A) was issued on 8 December 2010.

Under Contract No. HY/2012/07, Gammon Construction Limited (GCL) is commissioned by the Highways Department (HyD) to undertake the design and construction of the Southern Connection Viaduct Section of TM-CLKL (¡§the Contract¡¨) while AECOM Asia Company Limited was appointed by HyD as the Supervising Officer.  For implementation of the environmental monitoring and audit (EM&A) programme under the Contract, ERM-Hong Kong, Limited (ERM) has been appointed as the Environmental Team (ET).  ENVIRON Hong Kong Ltd. was employed by HyD as the Independent Environmental Checker (IEC) and Environmental Project Office (ENPO) in accordance with Environmental Permit No. EP-354/2009/A.  Another application for variation of environmental permit (VEP) (EP-354/2009/B) was granted on 28 January 2014.

The construction phase of the Contract commenced on 31 October 2013 and will be tentatively be completed by 2018.  The impact monitoring phase of the EM&A programme, including air quality, noise, water quality and marine ecological monitoring as well environmental site inspections, commenced on 31 October 2013.

1.2                                      Scope of Report

This is the third monthly EM&A Report under the Contract No. HY/2012/07 Tuen Mun ¡V Chek Lap Kok Link ¡V Southern Connection Viaduct Section.  This report presents a summary of the environmental monitoring and audit works in January 2014.

1.3                                      Organization Structure

The organization structure of the Contract is shown in Appendix 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

Fax

SOR

(AECOM Asia Company Limited)

 

Chief Resident Engineer

Daniel Ip

3553 3800

2492 2057

ENPO / IEC

(ENVIRON Hong Kong Ltd.)

ENPO Leader

 

Y.H. Hui

3465 2888

3465 2899

IEC

 

Tony Cheng

3465 2888

3465 2899

Contractor

(Gammon Construction Limited)

Environmental Manager

 

Brian Kam

3520 0387

3520 0486

Environmental Officer

 

Roy Leung

3520 0387

3520 0486

 

24-hour Complaint Hotline

 

 

9738 4332

 

ET (ERM-HK)

ET Leader

Jovy Tam

2271 3113

2723 5660

1.4                                      Summary of Construction Works

The construction phase of the Contract commenced on 31 October 2013.  The three-month rolling construction programme is shown in Appendix B.

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

Marine-based Works

¡P      Survey tower erection;

¡P      Marine piling platform installation;

¡P      Construction of rockfill platform at Viaduct D landing; and

¡P      Additional marine ground investigation (GI) and laboratory testing.

Land-based Works

¡P      SOR¡¦s site offices erection at Area 5;

¡P      Satellite container offices erection along seawall (i.e. CEDD Access Road);

¡P      Fence relocation for Viaducts A, C & D;

¡P      Additional land GI, trial pits and laboratory testing; and

¡P      Utility surveys.

The general layout plan of the site showing the detailed works areas is shown in Figures 1.1 to 1.12.

The environmental mitigation measures implementation schedule are presented in Appendix C.

2                                             EM&A Results

The EM&A programme 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

In accordance with the Updated EM&A Manual, impact 1-hour TSP monitoring was conducted three (3) times every six (6) days and impact 24-hour TSP monitoring was carried out once every six (6) days when the highest dust impact was expected.  The Action and Limit Level of the air quality monitoring is provided in Appendix D.

Table 2.1        Locations of Impact Air Quality Monitoring Stations

Monitoring Station

Location

Description

Monitoring Dates

ASR 8

Pak Mong Village Watch Tower

 

Rooftop of the premise

3, 9, 15, 21, 27, 30 January 2014

ASR 8A

Area 4

On ground at the Area 4

High Volume Samplers (HVSs) were used for carrying out 1-hour and 24-hr TSP monitoring on 3, 9, 15, 21, 27, 30 January 2014 at ASR8 (Pak Mong Village Watch Tower) and ASR8A (Area 4) (Figure 2.1; Table 2.1) in accordance with the requirements stipulated in the Updated EM&A Manual.  Wind anemometer was installed at the rooftop of Pak Mong Village Watch Tower for logging wind speed and wind direction.  Details of the equipment deployed are given in Table 2.2.  Copies of the calibration certificates for the equipment are presented in Appendix E.

Table 2.2        Air Quality Monitoring Equipment

Equipment

Brand and Model

High Volume Sampler
(1-hour TSP and 24-hour TSP)

Tisch Environmental Mass Flow Controlled Total Suspended Particulate (TSP) High Volume Sampler (Model No. TE-5170)

 

Wind Sensor

Global Water WE550

 

2.1.2                               Monitoring Schedule for the Reporting Month

The schedule for air quality monitoring in January 2014 is provided in Appendix F.

2.1.3                               Results and Observations

The monitoring results for 1-hour TSP and 24-hour TSP are summarized in Tables 2.3 and 2.4 respectively.  Detailed impact air quality monitoring results are presented in Appendix G.

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

 

Average (µg/m3)

Range (µg/m3)

Action Level  (µg/m3)

Limit Level  (µg/m3)

ASR 8A

137

50 - 221

394

500

ASR 8

164

77 - 291

393

500

 

Table 2.4        Summary of 24-hour TSP Monitoring Results in the Reporting Period

 

Average (µg/m3)

Range (µg/m3)

Action Level  (µg/m3)

Limit Level  (µg/m3)

ASR 8A

88

35 - 164

178

260

ASR 8

93

52 - 152

178

260

The major dust source in the reporting period included construction activities under the Contract as well as nearby traffic emissions.

All 1-hour and 24-hour TSP results were below the Action and Limit level at all monitoring locations in the reporting period.  No action is thus required to be undertaken in accordance with the Event Action Plan presented in Appendix L.

Meteorological information collected from the wind station, including wind speed and wind direction, is provided in Appendix H.

2.2                                      Noise Monitoring

2.2.1                               Monitoring Requirements and Equipment

In accordance with the Updated EM&A Manual, impact noise monitoring was conducted once per week during the construction phase of the Contract.  The Action and Limit level of the noise monitoring is provided in Appendix D.

Noise monitoring was performed on 3, 9, 15, 21, 27 and 30 January 2014 using sound level meter at the designated monitoring station NSR 1 (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 equipment deployed are provided in Table 2.6.  Copies of the calibration certificates for the equipment are presented in Appendix E.

Table 2.5        Location of Impact Noise Monitoring Station

Monitoring Station

Location

Description

Parameter

Frequency and Duration

Monitoring Dates

NSR 1

Pak Mong Village Watch Tower

Rooftop of the premise

30-mins measurement at each monitoring station between 0700 and 1900 on normal weekdays (Monday to Saturday). Leq, L10 and L90 would be recorded.

At least once per week

3, 9, 15, 21, 27 and 30 January 2014

Table 2.6        Noise Monitoring Equipment

Equipment

Brand and Model

Integrated Sound Level Meter

Rion NL-31

Acoustic Calibrator

Rion NC-73

 

2.2.2                               Monitoring Schedule for the Reporting Month

The schedule for construction noise monitoring in the reporting period is provide in Appendix F.

2.2.3                               Monitoring Results

Results for noise monitoring are summarized in Table 2.7 and the monitoring data is provided in Appendix I.

Table 2.7        Summary of Construction Noise Monitoring Results in the Reporting Period

 

Average , dB(A), Leq (30mins)

Range, dB(A), Leq (30mins)

Limit Level, dB(A), Leq (30mins)

NSR 1

59

57 - 60

75

 

No noise Action Level and Limit level exceedance was recorded at all monitoring stations in the reporting month.  No action is thus required to be undertaken in accordance with the Event Action Plan presented in Appendix L.

Major noise sources during the noise monitoring included construction activities, nearby traffic noise and aircraft noise.

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 during the construction period in accordance with the Updated EM&A Manual.  The Action and Limit Level of the water quality monitoring is provided in Appendix D.

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

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

Station ID

Type

Coordinates

*Parameters, unit

Frequency

Depth

 

 

Easting

Northing

 

 

IS(Mf)9

Impact Station (Close to HKBCF construction site)

813273

818850

Ÿ Temperature(¢XC)

Ÿ pH(pH unit)

Ÿ Turbidity (NTU)

Ÿ Water depth (m)

Ÿ Salinity (ppt)

Ÿ DO (mg/L and % of

saturation)

¡P    SS (mg/L)

 

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

 

 

 

             

3 water depths: 1m

below sea surface,

mid-depth and 1m

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

IS(Mf)16

Impact Station (Close to HKBCF construction site)

814328

819497

IS8

Impact Station(Close to HKBCF construction site)

814251

818412

SR4

Sensitive receiver (Tai Ho Inlet)

814760

817867

SR4a

Sensitive receiver

815247

818067

CS(Mf)3

Control Station

809989

821117

CS(Mf)5

Control Station

817990

821129

*Notes:
In addition to the parameters presented monitoring location/position, time, water depth, sampling depth, tidal stages, weather conditions and any special phenomena or works underway nearby were also recorded.

Table 2.9 summarises the equipment used in the impact water quality monitoring programme.  Copies of the calibration certificates are attached in Appendix E.

Table 2.9        Water Quality Monitoring Equipment  

Equipment

Brand and Model

DO, Temperature meter and Salinity

YSI Pro2030

 

 

Turbidimeter

HACH Model 2100Q

 

pH meter   

HANNA HI8314

 

Positioning Equipment

Koden913MK2 with KBG-3 DGPS antenna

 

Water Depth Detector

Speedtech Instrument SM-5

 

Water Sampler

Kemmerer 1520 (1520-C25) 2.2L with messenger

 

2.3.2                               Monitoring Schedule for the Reporting Month

The schedule for water quality monitoring in January 2014 is provided in Appendix F.

2.3.3                               Results and Observations

Impact water quality monitoring was conducted at all designated monitoring stations in the reporting month.  Impact water quality monitoring results and graphical presentations are provided in Appendix J.

No Action and Limit level exceedance was recorded at all monitoring stations for impact water quality monitoring in the reporting month.  No action is thus required to be undertaken in accordance with the Event Action Plan presented in Appendix L.

2.4                                      Dolphin monitoring

2.4.1                               Monitoring Requirements

Impact dolphin monitoring is required to be conducted by a qualified dolphin specialist team to evaluate whether there have been any effects on the dolphins.  In order to fulfil the EM&A requirements and make good use of available resources, the on-going impact line transect dolphin monitoring data collected by HyD¡¦s Contract No. HY/2011/03 Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge. Hong Kong Link Road - Section between Scenic Hill and Hong Kong Boundary Crossing Facilities on the monthly basis is adopted to avoid duplicates of survey effort. 

2.4.2                               Monitoring equipment

Table 2.10 summarises the equipment used for the impact dolphin monitoring.

Table 2.10      Dolphin Monitoring Equipment

Equipment

Model

Global Positioning System (GPS)

 

Camera

 

Laser Binoculars

Marine Binocular

Vessel for Monitoring

 

Garmin 18X-PC

Geo One Phottix

Nikon D90 300m 2.8D fixed focus

Nikon D90 20-300m zoom lens

Infinitor LRF 1000

Bushell 7 x 50 marine binocular with compass and reticules

65 foot single engine motor vessel with viewing platform 4.5m above water level

2.4.3                               Monitoring Parameter, Frequencies and Duration

Dolphin monitoring should cover all transect lines in Northeast Lantau (NEL) and the Northwest Lantau (NWL) survey areas twice per month throughout the entire construction period.  The monitoring data should be compatible with, and should be made available for, long-term studies of small cetacean ecology in Hong Kong.  In order to provide a suitable long-term dataset for comparison, identical methodology and line transects employed in baseline dolphin monitoring was followed in the impact dolphin monitoring.

2.4.4                               Monitoring Location

The impact dolphin monitoring was carried out in the NEL and NWL along the line transect as depicted in Figure 2.4.  The co-ordinates of all transect lines are shown in Table 2.11 below.

Table 2.11      Impact Dolphin Monitoring Line Transect Co-ordinates

Line No.

Easting

Northing

 

Line No.

Easting

Northing

1

Start Point

804671

814577

 

13

Start Point

816506

819480

1

End Point

804671

831404

 

13

End Point

816506

824859

2

Start Point

805475

815457

 

14

Start Point

817537

820220

2

End Point

805477

826654

 

14

End Point

817537

824613

3

Start Point

806464

819435

 

15

Start Point

818568

820735

3

End Point

806464

822911

 

15

End Point

818568

824433

4

Start Point

807518

819771

 

16

Start Point

819532

821420

4

End Point

807518

829230

 

16

End Point

819532

824209

5

Start Point

808504

820220

 

17

Start Point

820451

822125

5

End Point

808504

828602

 

17

End Point

820451

823671

6

Start Point

809490

820466

 

18

Start Point

821504

822371

6

End Point

809490

825352

 

18

End Point

821504

823761

7

Start Point

810499

820690

 

19

Start Point

822513

823268

7

End Point

810499

824613

 

19

End Point

822513

824321

8

Start Point

811508

820847

 

20

Start Point

823477

823402

8

End Point

811508

824254

 

20

End Point

823477

824613

9

Start Point

812516

820892

 

21

Start Point

805476

827081

9

End Point

812516

824254

 

21

End Point

805476

830562

10

Start Point

813525

820872

 

22

Start Point

806464

824033

10

End Point

813525

824657

 

22

End Point

806464

829598

11

Start Point

814556

818449

 

23

Start Point

814559

821739

11

End Point

814556

820992

 

23

End Point

814559

824768

12

Start Point

815542

818807

 

 

 

 

 

12

End Point

815542

824882

 

 

 

 

 

2.4.5                               Action & Limit Levels

The action and limit levels of dolphin impact monitoring are shown in Appendix D.  The Event and Action plan is presented in Appendix L.


2.4.6                               Monitoring Schedule for the Reporting Month

Dolphin monitoring was carried out on 7, 9, 21 and 23 January 2014 (Appendix F).  

2.4.7                               Results and Observations

A total of 294.51 km of survey effort was collected, with 98.6% of the total survey effort being conducted under favourable weather conditions (i.e. Beaufort Sea State 3 or below with good visibility) during the January¡¦s surveys.  Among the two areas, 115.72 km and 178.79 km of survey effort were collected from NEL and NWL survey areas respectively.  The total survey effort conducted on primary and secondary lines were 211.86 km and 82.65 km, respectively.  The survey efforts are summarized in Appendix K.

A total of 19 groups of 78 Chinese White Dolphin sightings were recorded during the two sets of surveys in January 2014.  All except one sighting were made in NWL during the two sets of surveys in January, with another group of nine animals being sighted in NEL.  All except four sightings were made on primary lines during on-effort search, and none of the dolphin groups was associated with an operating fishing vessel.

The majority of these dolphin sightings in January 2014 were made around Lung Kwu Chau and near Black Point, while a lone sighting was made in the Northeast Lantau near Siu Ho Wan along the north shoreline of Lantau.  It is noted that this lone sighting near Siu Ho Wan was located at less than 2 km from TM-CLKL Southern Connection Viaduct Section, which coincides with the dolphin sighting reported by the Marine Mammal Exclusion Zone Monitoring (see Section 2.4.8).  The distribution of dolphin sightings during the reporting month is shown in Figure 2.5.

Encounter rates of Chinese White Dolphins are deduced from the survey effort and on-effort sighting data made under favourable conditions (Beaufort 3 or below with good visibility) in January 2014 with the results presented in Tables 2.12 and 2.13.

Table 2.12      Individual Survey Event Encounter Rates

 

 

Encounter rate (STG)     (no. of on-effort dolphin sightings per 100 km of survey effort)

Encounter rate (ANI)            (no. of dolphins from all on-effort sightings per 100 km of survey effort)

 

 

Primary Lines Only

Primary Lines Only

NEL

Set 1: Jan 7th / 9th  

0.0

0.0

 

Set 2: Jan 21st / 23rd  

0.0

0.0

NWL

Set 1: Jan 7th / 9th  

10.0

40.0

 

Set 2: Jan 21st / 23rd  

11.8

50.3

Table 2.13      Monthly Average Encounter Rates

 

Encounter rate (STG)        (no. of on-effort dolphin sightings per 100 km of survey effort)

Encounter rate (ANI)            (no. of dolphins from all on-effort sightings per 100 km of survey effort)

Primary   Lines Only

Both Primary and Secondary Lines

Primary   Lines Only

Both Primary and Secondary Lines

Northeast Lantau

0.0

0.9

0.0

8.0

Northwest Lantau

10.9

10.1

45.1

38.9

Note: Overall dolphin encounter rates (sightings per 100km of survey effort) from all four surveys are conducted in January 2014  on primary lines only as well as both primary lines and secondary lines in Northeast and Northwest Lantau

The average group size of Chinese White Dolphins in January 2014 was 4.11 individuals per group.  Most dolphin groups were composed of only 1 ¡V 4 animals, while several larger groups sighted around Lung Kwu Chau and near Siu Ho Wan were composed of 9 ¡V 10 animals per group.  Detailed results of dolphin monitoring in this reporting month are presented in Appendix K.

During this month of dolphin monitoring, no unacceptable impact from the construction activities of the TM-CLKL Southern Connection Viaduct Section on Chinese White Dolphins was noticeable from general observations

Due to monthly variation in dolphin occurrence within the Study area, it would be more appropriate to draw conclusion on whether any unacceptable impacts on dolphins have been detected related to the construction activities of the TM-CLKL Southern Connection Viaduct Section in the quarterly EM&A reports, where comparison on distribution, group size and encounter rates of dolphins between the quarterly impact monitoring period and baseline monitoring period will be made.

2.4.8                               Marine Mammal Exclusion Zone Monitoring

Daily 250 m marine mammal exclusion zone monitoring was undertaken during the period of dredging activities being undertaken.  Sighting of the Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin Sousa chinensis within the 250 m marine mammal exclusion zone of the landing platform workfront at TAB D was recorded on 23 January 2014 during the daylight hours and the Dolphin Intrusion Report is provided in Appendix K.

2.5                                      Coral Monitoring

The first quarterly Post-Translocation Monitoring for coral was conducted on 17 January 2014, and the results of the monitoring were provided in the First Quarterly Post-Translocation Monitoring Report.

2.6                                      EM&A Site inspection

Site inspections were carried out on a weekly basis to monitor the implementation of proper environmental pollution control and mitigation measures under the Contract.  In the reporting month, five (5) site inspections were carried out on 2, 9, 15, 22 and 29 January 2014.

Key observations during the site inspections are described below:

Air Quality

No adverse observation was identified in the reporting month.

Noise

No adverse observation was identified in the reporting month.

Water Quality

No adverse observation was identified in the reporting month.

Chemical and Waste Management

Floating trash was observed in the close proximity of dredging barge. 

Sandy excavated materials were observed in the ditch next to the trial pits.  The Contractor was reminded to clear it away.

Landscape and Visual Impact

The existing tree within the Project Area shall not be part of the fencing structure. The Contractor was reminded to avoid the use of trees for fencing purpose. 

Miscellaneous

The Environmental Permit was displayed at the site entrance. 

The Contractor has rectified all observations as identified during environmental site inspection in the reporting month.  Rectifications of remaining identified items are undertaken by the Contractor.  Follow-up inspections on the status on provision of mitigation measures will be conducted to ensure all identified items are mitigated properly.

2.7                                      Waste Management Status

The Contractor had submitted application form for registration as chemical waste producer under the Contract.  Sufficient numbers of receptacles were available for general refuse collection and sorting.

As advised by the Contractor, 138 m3 of inert C&D Materials are generated and disposed of in the reporting period and 30 m3 of inert C&D Materials are disposed of as public fill.  22.38 tonnes of general refuse were generated and disposed of in the reporting period.  Monthly summary of waste flow table is detailed in Appendix M.

The Contractor is advised to properly maintain on site C&D materials and waste collection, sorting and recording system, dispose of C&D materials and wastes at designated ground and maximize reuse/ recycle of C&D materials and wastes.  The Contractor is reminded to properly maintain the site tidiness and dispose of the wastes accumulated on site regularly and properly.

The Contractor is 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 Packaging, Labelling and Storage of Chemical Wastes.

2.8                                      Environmental Licenses and Permits

The status of environmental licensing and permit is summarized in Table 2.14 below.


Table 2.14      Summary of Environmental Licensing and Permit Status

Statutory Reference

License/ Permit

License or Permit No.

Date of Issue

Date of Expiry

License/ Permit Holder

Remarks

EIAO

Environmental Permit

EP-354/2009/A

8 Dec 2010

NA

HyD

Tuen Mun- Chek Lap Kok Link

 

NCO

Construction Dust Notification

361571

5 Jul 2013

NA

GCL

-

NCO

Construction Dust Notification

 

362093

17 Jul 2013

NA

GCL

for Area 23

WDO

Billing Account for Disposal

7017735

10 Jul 2013

End of Project

GCL

-

 

WDO

Chemical Waste Registration

5213-961-G2380-13

10 Oct 2013

NA

GCL

Chemical waste produced in Contract HY/2012/07

 

WDO

Chemical Waste Registration

5213-961-G2380-14

10 Oct 2013

NA

GCL

Chemical waste produced in Contract HY/2012/07

 

WDO

Chemical Waste Registration

5213-974-G2588-03

4 Nov 2013

NA

GCL

Chemical waste produced in Contract HY/2012/07

 

WDO

Construction Waste Disposal Account

7017735

10 Jul 2013

NA

GCL

Waste disposal in Contract HY/2012/07

WPCO

Waste Water Discharge License

Nil

Application Ref. 368337

NA

GCL

Discharge for discharge points for Viaduct A & B

 

NCO

Construction Noise Permit

Nil

Application in process

NA

GCL

For Piling Works

NCO

Construction Noise Permit

GW-RW0660-13

27 Sep 2013

02 Feb 2014

GCL

For night works and works in general holidays

 

NCO

Construction Noise Permit

GW-RS1129-13

31 Oct 2013

30 Apr 2014

GCL

For night works and works in general holidays

 

NCO

Construction Noise Permit

GW-RS1186-13

23 Oct 2013

24 Dec 2013

GCL

For night works and works in general holidays

 

NCO

Construction Noise Permit

GW-RS1187-13

24 Oct 2013

28 Feb 2014

GCL

For night

 

NCO

Construction Noise Permit

GW-RW0925-13

19 Dec 2013

17 Apr 2014

GCL

Renewal of WA5 site office erection

 

NCO

Construction Noise Permit

GW-RS1423-13

11 Dec 2013

30 Apr 2014

GCL

Renewal for marine portion

 

NCO

Construction Noise Permit

GW-RS1413-13

18 Dec 2013

26 Mar 2014

GCL

For loading and unloading on NLH near viaduct A & B

 

NCO

Construction Noise Permit

GW-RS0034-14

14 Jan 2014

29 Mar 2014

GCL

For night works and works in general holiday

 

DASO

Dumping Permit/ Loading Permit (Type 1 ¡V Open Sea Disposal)

(4) in EP/MD/14-075

25 Sep 2013

NA

GCL

-

DASO

Marine Dumping Permit

EP/MD/14-075

28 January 2014

27 July 2014

GCL

 

-


2.9                                      Implementation Status of Environmental Mitigation Measures

In response to the site audit findings, the Contractors carried out corrective actions.

A summary of the Implementation Schedule of Environmental Mitigation Measures (EMIS) is presented in Appendix C.  The necessary mitigation measures were implemented properly for this Contract.

2.10                                   Summary of Exceedances of the Environmental Quality Performance Limit

Results for 1-hour, 24-hour TSP, construction noise monitoring and impact water quality monitoring complied with the Action/ Limit levels in the reporting period.  

Cumulative statistics on exceedances is provided in Appendix N.

2.11                                   Summary of Complaints, Notification of Summons and Successful Prosecutions

The Environmental Complaint Handling Procedure is provided in Figure 2.6.

No complaints, notification of summons and prosecution were received in the reporting period.

Statistics on complaints, notifications of summons and successful prosecutions are summarized in Appendix N.

3                                             Future Key Issues

3.1                                      Construction Programme for the Coming Months

As informed by the Contractor, the major works for the Contract in February 2014 will be:

Marine Works

¡P      Marine piling platform installation;

¡P      Survey tower erection;

¡P      Construction of rockfill platform at Viaduct D landing;

¡P      Additional marine ground investigation (GI) and laboratory testing; and

¡P      Marine bored piling.

 

Land-based Works

¡P      SOR¡¦s site offices erection at Area 5;

¡P      Satellite container offices erection along seawall (i.e. CEDD Access Road);

¡P      Fence relocation for Viaducts A, B, C & D;

¡P      Erect platform for ELS for Viaduct B;

¡P      Piling platform installation for Viaduct B & D;

¡P      Additional land GI, trial pits and laboratory testing; and

¡P      Utility surveys.

3.2                                      Key Issues for the Coming Month

Potential environmental impacts arising from the above upcoming construction activities in the next reporting month of February 2014 are mainly associated with dust, noise, marine water quality, marine ecology and waste management issues.

3.3                                      Monitoring Schedule for the Coming Month

The tentative schedule for environmental monitoring in February 2014 is provided in Appendix F.

Marine bored piling works and the related marine bored piling monitoring programme for dolphins (ie Land-based Theodolite Tracking, Underwater Noise Monitoring and Acoustic Behavioural Monitoring) will tentatively be commenced on 26 February 2014.  The preliminary schedule for the marine bored piling monitoring in the coming reporting month is provide in Appendix F.

 

4                                             Conclusions and recommendations

4.1                                      Conclusions

This third Monthly EM&A Report presents the findings of the EM&A activities undertaken during the period from 1 to 31 January 2014, in accordance with the Updated EM&A Manual and the requirements of EP-354/2009/A.   

Air quality (including 1-hour TSP and 24-hour TSP), noise, water quality and dolphin monitoring were carried out in the reporting period.  Results for noise, 1-hr, 24-hr TSP monitoring and impact water quality monitoring complied with the Action/ Limit levels in the reporting period.

A total of nineteen (19) groups of seventy-eight (78) dolphin sightings were recorded during the two sets of surveys.  All except one sighting were made in NWL during the two sets of surveys in January, with another group of nine animals being sighted in NEL.  A lone sighting of dolphin was recorded near Siu Ho Wan which is located at less than 2 km from TM-CLKL Southern Connection Viaduct Section.  During this reporting period of dolphin monitoring, no unacceptable impact from the construction activities of the TM-CLKL Southern Connection Viaduct Section on Chinese White Dolphins was noticeable from general observations.

Environmental site inspection was carried out five (5) times in January 2014.  Recommendations on remedial actions were given to the Contractor for the deficiencies identified during the site audits.

No environmental complaint, notification of summons and prosecution were received in the reporting month.

4.2                                      Recommendations

According to the environmental site inspections performed in the reporting month, the following recommendations were provided:

Air Quality Impact

¡P      All working plants and vessels on site should be regularly inspected and properly maintained by the Contractor to avoid dark smoke emission.

¡P      Open stockpiles should be properly covered by the Contractor.

¡P      The Contractor should provide water spraying to suppress fugitive dust for any dusty construction activity.

Construction Noise Impact

¡P      Vessels and equipment operating should be checked regularly and properly maintained by the Contractor.

Water Quality Impact

¡P      The Contractor should regularly review and maintain drainage systems to make sure they are functioning effectively.

¡P      Proper drainage channels, bunds and set-up should be provided by the Contractor at the site to collect/ intercept the surface run-off or waste water generated from works area to ensure no direct discharge from site to surrounding water bodies.

Chemical and Waste Management

¡P      All types of wastes should be collected and sorted accordingly and removed timely by the Contractor.  They should be properly stored in designated areas within the works areas temporarily.

¡P      All plants and vehicles on site should be properly maintained by the Contractor and drip trays should be provided where appropriate to prevent oil leakage.

¡P      All drain holes of the drip trays within the works areas should be properly plugged by the Contractor to avoid any oil and chemical waste leakage.

¡P      Oil stains on soil surface should be cleared and disposed of as chemical waste by the Contractor.

¡P      Floating debris and trash observed within the silt curtain and around the working barge should be collected as far as possible to maintain the cleanliness of the surrounding sea.