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
1.5 Summary of EM&A Programme
Requirements
2 EM&A RESULTS
2.1 Air Quality
2.2 Noise Monitoring
2.3 Water Quality Monitoring
2.4 Dolphin Monitoring
2.5 Bored Piling 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 Activities for
the Coming Quarter
3.2 Key Issues for the Coming
Quarter
3.3 Monitoring Schedule for the
Coming Quarter
4 Conclusions and recommendations
List of Appendices
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 – 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 first quarterly EM&A report presenting the EM&A works carried
out during the period from 31 October 2013 to 28 February 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:
October/
November 2013
Marine-based
Works
·
Ground investigation (GI) work at marine piers;
·
Survey towers erection; and
·
Filling platform at seawall.
Land-based
Works
·
Additional GI fieldwork, laboratory testing and
permitting;
·
Application for tree felling and transplanting;
·
Site office relocation;
·
Fence relocation at Viaduct A, C and D;
·
Site offices erection; and
·
Temporary access bridge (TAB).
December 2013
Marine-based
Works
·
Survey tower erection;
·
Marine piling platform installation;
·
Construction of rockfill
platform at Viaduct D landing; and
·
Additional marine GI and laboratory testing.
Land-based
Works
·
SOR’s and Contractor’s site offices erection at Area 5;
·
Satellite container offices erection along seawall;
·
Tree felling at Pak Mong area;
·
Fence relocation for Viaducts A, C & D;
·
Additional land GI, trial pits and laboratory testing;
and
·
Utility surveys.
January 2014
Marine-based
Works
·
Survey tower erection;
·
Marine piling platform installation;
·
Construction of rockfill
platform at Viaduct D landing; and
·
Additional marine GI and laboratory testing.
Land-based
Works
·
SOR’s site offices erection at Area 5;
·
Satellite container offices erection along seawall (ie CEDD Access Road);
·
Fence relocation for Viaducts A, C & D;
·
Land piling at Viaduct B;
·
Additional land GI, trial pits and laboratory testing;
and
·
Utility surveys.
February
2014
Marine-based
Works
·
Marine piling platform installation;
·
Preparation works for marine piling at Viaduct B;
·
Survey tower erection;
·
Construction of rockfill
platform at Viaduct D landing; and
·
Additional marine GI and laboratory testing.
Land-based
Works
·
Satellite container offices erection along seawall;
·
Fence installation and relocation of Area 2, Viaduct
A, B, C & D;
·
Land piling at Viaduct B;
·
Piling platform installation for Viaducts B, D &
E; and
·
Additional land GI, trial pits & laboratory
testing.
A summary of
monitoring and audit activities conducted in the reporting period is listed
below:
24-hour TSP
monitoring 23
sessions
1-hour TSP
monitoring 23
sessions
Noise
monitoring 23
sessions
Water quality monitoring 51
sessions
Dolphin
monitoring 8
sessions
Joint
Environmental site inspection 17
sessions
Daily
marine mammal exclusion zone monitoring was undertaken. One sighting of Indo-Pacific humpback
dolphin Sousa chinensis
was recorded on 23 January 2014 during the exclusion zone monitoring. The dolphin group of three was sighted
within the marine mammal exclusion zone of the workfront
of the landing platform by the marine mammal observer. The marine works was subsequently
suspended for the remaining day since the dolphin group was still present
inside the exclusion zone until the end of the scheduled marine construction
works.
Breaches of Action and Limit Levels for Air Quality
Two Action
Level exceedances for 24-hr TSP were recorded from
the air quality monitoring in this reporting period. The exceedances
were considered to be due to sporadic events from cumulatively anthropogenic
activities in this area of Hong Kong and were unlikely to be due to the
construction works under this Contract.
No Limit Level exceedance for 1-hr nor 24-hr TSP were detected within the reporting period.
Breaches of Action and Limit Levels for Noise
No exceedance of Action and Limit Levels was recorded for
construction noise monitoring in the reporting period.
Breaches of Action and Limit Levels for Water Quality
One (1) exceedance of Action Level in depth-averaged SS was
recorded for impact water quality monitoring in the reporting period. The exceedance
was considered not related to the construction works of this Contract upon
further investigation.
Impact Dolphin Monitoring
Whilst one
Action Level exceedance was observed for the
quarterly dolphin monitoring data between December 2013 and February 2014, no unacceptable
impact from the construction activities of the TM-CLKL Southern Connection Viaduct
Section on Chinese White Dolphins was noticeable from general observations
during the dolphin monitoring in this reporting quarter. The
exceedance is considered to be the natural variation
of Chinese White Dolphin ranging pattern upon further investigation.
Environmental Complaints, Non-compliance & Summons
One (1)
complaint was referred by EPD on 12 November 2013 and was follow-up
timely. The complaint was
considered to be not related to this Contract.
No
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 coming quarter include the following:
Marine
Works
·
Marine piling platform installation;
·
Marine piling at Viaduct B;
·
Survey tower erection;
·
Construction of rockfill
platform at Viaduct D landing; and
·
Additional marine GI and laboratory testing.
Land-based
Works
·
Satellite container offices erection along seawall;
·
Fence installation and relocation of Area 2, Viaducts
A, B, C & D;
·
Land piling at Viaduct B;
·
Piling platform installation for Viaducts B, D &
E;
·
Additional land GI, trial pits & laboratory
testing;
·
Utility surveys; and
·
Soil nail and excavation at slope at 9SE-B/C8.
Future Key Issues
Potential
environmental impacts arising from the above upcoming construction activities
in the coming quarterly period are mainly associated with air quality, noise, marine
water quality, marine ecology and waste management issues.
1
Introduction
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 – Zhuhai – Macao Bridge (HZMB). In order to cope with the anticipated
traffic demand, two new road sections between NWNT and North Lantau – Tuen Mun
– 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. Another application
for variation of environmental permit (VEP) (EP-354/2009/B) was granted on 28 January 2014.
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.
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.
This is the First Quarterly EM&A
Report under the Contract No. HY/2012/07 Tuen Mun – Chek Lap Kok Link – Southern Connection Viaduct Section.
This report presents a summary of the environmental monitoring and audit
works from 31 October 2013 to 28 February 2014.
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
|
|
HyD
(Highway Department)
|
Senior
Engineer
|
Steven Shum
|
2762 4133
|
3188 6614
|
|
|
Project
Coordinator
|
Stanley Chan
|
2762 3406
|
3188 6614
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SOR
(AECOM Asia
Company Limited)
|
Chief
Resident Engineer
|
Daniel Ip
|
3553 3800
|
2492 2057
|
|
|
Resident
Engineer
|
Kingman Chan
|
3691 2950
|
3691 2899
|
|
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
|
The construction
phase of the Contract commenced on 31 October 2013.
The rolling construction programme for the
period of 31 October 2013 to 28 February 2014 is shown in Appendix B.
As informed by the Contractor, details of
the major works carried out in this reporting period are listed below:
November
2013
Marine-based
Works
·
Ground investigation (GI) work at marine piers;
·
Survey towers erection; and
·
Filling platform at seawall.
Land-based
Works
·
Additional GI fieldwork, laboratory testing and
permitting;
·
Application for tree felling and transplanting;
·
Site office relocation;
·
Fence relocation at Viaducts A, C and D;
·
Site offices erection; and
·
Temporary access bridge (TAB).
December 2013
Marine-based
Works
·
Survey tower erection;
·
Marine piling platform installation;
·
Construction of rockfill
platform at Viaduct D landing; and
·
Additional marine GI and laboratory testing.
Land-based
Works
·
SOR’s and Contractor’s site offices erection at Area 5;
·
Satellite container offices erection along seawall;
·
Tree felling at Pak Mong area;
·
Fence relocation for Viaducts A, C & D;
·
Additional land GI, trial pits and laboratory testing;
and
·
Utility surveys.
January 2014
Marine-based
Works
·
Survey tower erection;
·
Marine piling platform installation;
·
Construction of rockfill
platform at Viaduct D landing; and
·
Additional marine GI and laboratory testing.
Land-based
Works
·
SOR’s site offices erection at Area 5;
·
Satellite container offices erection along seawall (ie CEDD Access Road);
·
Fence relocation for Viaducts A, C & D;
·
Piling platform installation for Viaduct B;
·
Additional land GI, trial pits and laboratory testing;
and
·
Utility surveys.
February
2014
Marine-based
Works
·
Marine piling platform installation;
·
Preparation works for marine piling at Viaduct B;
·
Survey tower erection;
·
Construction of rockfill
platform at Viaduct D landing; and
·
Additional marine GI and laboratory testing.
Land-based
Works
·
Satellite container offices erection along seawall;
·
Fence installation and relocation of Area 2, Viaducts
A, B, C & D;
·
Land Piling at Viaduct B;
·
Piling platform installation for Viaducts B, D &
E; and
·
Additional land GI, trial pits & laboratory
testing.
The general layout plan of the site
showing the detailed works areas is shown in Figures 1.1 to 1.12. The
Environmental Sensitive Receivers in the vicinity of the Project are shown in Figure
1.13.
The environmental mitigation measures
implementation schedule are presented in Appendix C.
1.5
Summary of EM&A Programme Requirements
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
described in the following sections, which include:
-
Monitoring parameters;
-
Monitoring schedules for the reporting months and
forthcoming months;
-
Action and Limit levels for all environmental
parameters;
-
Event/ Action Plan;
-
Results and observations;
-
Environmental mitigation measures, as recommended in
the Project EIA reports; and
-
Environmental requirement in contract documents.
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.
The baseline
air quality monitoring undertaken by the Hong Kong – Zhuhai –Macao Bridge Hong
Kong Projects (HKZMB) during October 2011 has included the two monitoring
stations ASR9A and ASR9C for this project.
Thus, the baseline monitoring results and Action/ Limit Level presented
in HKZMB Baseline Monitoring Report () are
adopted for this Project.
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 while the highest dust impact was expected. Impact 24-hour TSP monitoring was carried
out once every six (6) days. The
Action and Limit Level of the air quality monitoring is provided in Appendix D.
Air quality
monitoring stations ASR9A and ASR9C in Siu Ho Wan MTRC Depot were the proposed
locations in accordance with the Updated EM&A Manual. However, authorization of getting access
into Siu Ho Wan MTRC Depot is still being sought for the impact monitoring of
the EM&A programme for the captioned
Contract. Air quality monitoring on 5 and 11 November 2013 was
carried out just outside MTRC Depot at close proximity to the proposed
locations, which was then temporarily relocated to the rooftop of Pak Mong Village Watch Tower (ASR 8) and Area 4 (ASR 8A) since
15 November 2013. A proposal for
setting up alternative air quality monitoring stations at ASR8A (Area 4) and
ASR8 (Rooftop of Pak Mong Village Watch Tower) was
submitted on 13 November 2013 which was subsequently approved. Same baseline and Action Level for air quality, as
derived from the baseline monitoring data recorded at Siu Ho Wan MTRC Depot,
were adopted for these temporary air quality locations (Figure
2.1; Table
2.1).
Portable
direct reading dust meters were used to carry out the 1-hour TSP monitoring on
5, 11 and 15 November 2013. High
Volume Samplers (HVSs) were used for carrying out 1-hour TSP monitoring on 21
and 27 November 2013 and in subsequent months due to the change of monitoring
locations from Siu Ho Wan MTR Depot to Pak Mong
Village Watch Tower and Area 4 where more reliable power supply is available to
power the HVS. 24-hour TSP air
quality monitoring was performed using HVS located at each designated
monitoring station. The HVS meets
all requirements of the Updated EM&A Manual. Brand and model of the equipment is
given in Table 2.2.
Wind data
monitoring equipment was installed at fencing close to ASR9A (Siu Ho Wan MTRC
Depot) since 5 November 2013. It
was then installed at the rooftop of Pak Mong Village
Watch Tower since 15 November 2013 for logging wind speed and wind direction. The wind sensor was setup at location clear
of obstructions or turbulence caused by building. The wind data monitoring equipment is
recalibrated at least once every six months.
Table 2.1 Locations
of Impact Air Quality Monitoring Stations and Monitoring Dates in this
Reporting Period
|
Monitoring Station
|
Monitoring Period
|
Location
|
Description
|
Parameters & Frequency
|
|
ASR9A
(1)
|
5,
11 November 2013
|
Siu
Ho Wan MTRC Depot
|
On
ground near security office
|
Ÿ
1-hour Total Suspended Particulates (1-hour
TSP, µg/m3), 3 times per day every 6 days
Ÿ
24-hour Total Suspended Particulates
(24-hour TSP, µg/m3), daily for 24-hour every 6 days
|
|
ASR9C
(1)
|
5,
11 November 2013
|
Siu
Ho Wan MTRC Depot
|
On
ground near staff canteen
|
|
ASR8A
|
15, 21, 27
November 2013; 3, 9, 13, 19, 24 & 30 December 2013; 3, 9, 15, 21, 27
& 30 January 2014;
5,
8, 12, 18, 24 & 28 February 2014
|
Area
4
|
On
ground at the Area 4
|
|
ASR8
|
15, 21, 27
November 2013; 3, 9, 13, 19, 24 & 30 December 2013; 3, 9, 15, 21, 27
& 30 January 2014;
5,
8, 12, 18, 24 & 28 February 2014
|
Pak
Mong Village Watch Tower
|
Rooftop
of the premise
|
|
Notes:
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) Air
Quality Monitoring Stations ASR9A and ASR9C at Siu Ho Wan MTRC Depot proposed
in accordance with the Updated EM&A were temporarily relocated to ASR 8A
and ASR8, respectively.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Table 2.2 Air
Quality Monitoring Equipment
|
Equipment
|
Brand and Model
|
|
Portable direct reading dust meter
(1-hour TSP)
|
Sibata Digital Dust Monitor
(Model No. LD-3B)
|
|
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
Action & Limit Levels
The Action and
Limit Levels of the air quality monitoring is provided in Appendix D. The Event and Action plan is presented
in Appendix K.
2.1.3
Monitoring Schedule for the Reporting Quarter
The schedules
for air quality monitoring in the reporting quarter is provided in Appendix E.
2.1.4
Results and Observations
The monitoring
results for 1-hour TSP and 24-hour TSP are summarized in Tables 2.3 and 2.4,
respectively. Monitoring results
are presented graphically in Appendix F and
detailed impact air quality monitoring data were reported in the First to Fourth Monthly EM&A Report.
Table 2.3 Summary
of 1-hour TSP Monitoring Results in this Reporting Period
|
Period
|
Station (1)
|
Average (µg/m3)
|
Range (µg/m3)
|
Action Level (µg/m3)
|
Limit Level (µg/m3)
|
|
November
2013 to February 2014
|
ASR 9A/ASR8A
|
122
|
42 - 306
|
394
|
500
|
|
ASR9C/ASR8
|
133
|
42 - 361
|
393
|
500
|
|
Note:
(1) Air
Quality Monitoring Stations ASR9A and ASR9C were temporarily relocated to ASR
8A and ASR8, respectively, since 15 November 2013.
|
Table 2.4 Summary
of 24-hour TSP Monitoring Results in this Reporting Period
|
Period
|
Station (1)
|
Average (µg/m3)
|
Range (µg/m3)
|
Action Level (µg/m3)
|
Limit Level (µg/m3)
|
|
November
2013 to February 2014
|
ASR 9A/ASR8A
|
86
|
29 - 210
|
178
|
500
|
|
ASR9C/ASR8
|
92
|
29 - 205
|
178
|
500
|
|
Note:
(1) Air
Quality Monitoring Stations ASR9A and ASR9C were temporarily relocated to ASR
8A and ASR8, respectively, since 15 November 2013.
|
The major dust
sources in the reporting period include construction activities under the
Contract as well as nearby traffic emissions.
In this
reporting period, a total of twenty-three monitoring events were undertaken
within the reporting period, in which two Action Level exceedances
for 24-hr TSP for air quality were recorded in one monitoring event. Further explanation to the two Action
Level exceedances is presented in Section 2.10.
Meteorological
information collected at Pak Mong Village Watch Tower
within the reporting period, including wind speed and wind direction, is
provided in Appendix G.
The baseline
noise monitoring undertaken by the Hong Kong – Zhuhai – Macao Bridge Hong Kong
Projects (HKZMB) during the period of 18 October to 1 November 2011 has
included the monitoring station NSR1 for this project. Thus, the baseline monitoring results
and Action/ Limit Level presented in HKZMB Baseline Monitoring Report () are
adopted for this Project.
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 at NSR1.
Monitoring
location was set up at NSR 1 in accordance with the Updated EM&A
Manual. Figure 2.2 shows
the location of the monitoring station.
Table 2.5 describes the
details of the monitoring station.
Noise
monitoring was performed using sound level meter at each designated monitoring
station. The sound level meters
deployed comply with the International Electrotechnical
Commission Publications (IEC) 651:1979 (Type 1) and 804:1985 (Type 1)
specifications. Acoustic calibrator
was deployed to check the sound level meters at a known sound pressure
level. Brand and model of the equipment is given in Table 2.6.
Table 2.5 Location
of Impact Noise Monitoring Station and Monitoring Dates in this Reporting
Period
|
Monitoring Station
|
Monitoring Period
|
Location
|
Parameters & Frequency
|
|
NSR 1
|
5, 11, 15,
21 & 27 November 2013; 3, 9, 13, 19, 24 & 30 December 2013; 3, 9, 15,
21, 27 & 30 January 2014;
5, 8, 12,
18, 24 & 28 February 2014
|
Pak Mong Village Watch Tower
|
Ÿ 30-mins
measurement at each monitoring station between 0700 and 1900 on normal
weekdays (Monday to Saturday). Leq, L10
and L90 would be recorded.
Ÿ At
least once a week
|
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
Action and Limit Levels
The Action and
Limit Levels of the noise monitoring is provided in Appendix D. The Event and Action plan is presented
in Appendix K.
2.2.3
Monitoring Schedule for the Reporting Quarter
The schedules
for noise monitoring in the reporting quarter is provided in Appendix E.
2.2.4
Results and Observations
The monitoring
results for noise monitoring are summarized in Table 2.7. Monitoring
results are presented graphically in Appendix H and
detailed impact noise monitoring data are reported in the First to Fourth Monthly
EM&A Report.
Table 2.7 Summary
of Construction Noise Monitoring Results at NSR1 in the Reporting Period
|
Period
|
Average , dB(A), Leq (30mins)
|
Range, dB(A), Leq (30mins)
|
Limit Level, dB(A), Leq (30mins)
|
|
November
2013 to February 2014
|
58
|
56
- 60
|
75
|
A total of twenty-three monitoring events
were undertaken in the reporting period with no Action Level and Limit Level exceedance recorded at all monitoring stations in the
reporting period. No action is thus
required to be undertaken in accordance with the Event Action Plan presented in
Appendix
K.
Major noise sources during the noise
monitoring included construction activities, nearby traffic noise and aircraft
noise.
The baseline
water quality monitoring undertaken by the Hong Kong – Zhuhai – Macao Bridge
Hong Kong Projects (HKZMB) between 6 and 31 October 2011 has included all
monitoring stations except SR4a for the Project. Thus, the baseline monitoring results
except for station SR4a and Action/Limit Level presented in HKZMB Baseline
Monitoring Report () are
adopted for this Project. Baseline
water quality monitoring was conducted at station SR4a from 29 August to 24
September 2013.
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 at seven (7) water quality monitoring stations
in accordance with the Updated EM&A Manual (Figure 2.3; Table 2.8).
Table 2.8 Locations
of Water Quality Monitoring Stations and the Corresponding Monitoring
Requirements
|
Station ID
|
Type
|
Coordinates
|
*Parameters, unit
|
Depth
|
Frequency
|
|
|
|
Easting
|
Northing
|
|
|
|
|
IS(Mf)9
|
Impact
Station (Close to HKBCF construction site)
|
813273
|
818850
|
Ÿ
Temperature(°C)
Ÿ
pH(pH unit)
Ÿ
Turbidity (NTU)
Ÿ
Water depth (m)
Ÿ
Salinity (ppt)
Ÿ
DO (mg/L and % of
saturation)
·
SS (mg/L)
|
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.
|
Impact monitoring: 3 days per week, at mid-flood
and mid-ebb tides during the construction period of the Contract.
|
|
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 summarizes the equipment used in the impact water quality monitoring programme.
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
Action & Limit Levels
The Action and Limit Levels of the water quality
monitoring is provided in Appendix D.
2.3.3
Monitoring Schedule for the Reporting Quarter
The schedules
for water quality monitoring in the reporting quarter are provided in Appendix E.
2.3.4
Results and Observations
Impact water
quality monitoring was conducted at all designated monitoring stations in the
reporting period. Monitoring
results are presented graphically in Appendix I and detailed
impact water quality monitoring results were reported in the First to Fourth Monthly EM&A Report.
In this
reporting period, major marine construction works included marine piling
platform installation, marine piling at Viaduct B and rockfill
platform construction at Viaduct D landing. In a total of fifty-one monitoring
events undertaken in the reporting quarter, one Action Level exceedance for depth-averaged SS was recorded in one
monitoring event on 26 November 2013 which was not due to the construction
works of this Contract. Further
explanation to the Action Level exceedance is
presented in Section 2.10.
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 & 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 K.
2.4.6
Monitoring Schedule for the Reporting Period
The dolphin
monitoring schedules for the reporting period are shown in Appendix E.
2.4.7
Results & Observations
A total
of 1137.92 km of survey effort was collected, with 95.0% of the
total survey effort being conducted under favourable weather conditions (i.e.
Beaufort Sea State 3 or below with good visibility) in this reporting quarter.
Among the two areas, 428.91 km and 709.01 km of survey effort were collected from NEL and NWL survey areas
respectively. The total
survey effort conducted on primary and
secondary lines were 852.63 km and 285.29 km,
respectively. The survey efforts are summarized in Appendix
J.
A total of 59 groups of 249 Chinese
White Dolphin sightings were recorded
during the two sets
of surveys in this reporting quarter.
All except four sightings were made during on-effort search. Fifty on-effort sightings were made on
primary lines, while five other on-effort sightings were made on secondary
lines. During this reporting
quarter, only three groups of 16 dolphins were sighted in NEL, while the other
56 groups of 233 dolphins were sighted in NWL.
For the
detailed comparison of dolphin occurrence and usage of NEL and NWL survey area
between the impact phase and baseline phase monitoring, only the quarterly data
of December 2013 – February 2014 from the impact phase monitoring was used in
the present report to tally with the three-month period of baseline monitoring
(September-November 2011).
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 the reporting quarter
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: Dec
5th / 9th
|
2.68
|
8.05
|
|
|
Set 2: Dec
13th/ 19th
|
0.0
|
0.0
|
|
|
Set 3: Jan 7th/ 9th
|
0.0
|
0.0
|
|
|
Set 4: Jan 21st/ 23rd
|
0.0
|
0.0
|
|
|
Set 5: Feb 6th/ 12th
|
0.0
|
0.0
|
|
|
Set 6: Feb 14th/ 20th
|
0.0
|
0.0
|
|
NWL
|
Set 1: Dec
5th / 9th
|
6.95
|
30.57
|
|
|
Set 2: Dec
13th/ 19th
|
6.82
|
27.27
|
|
|
Set 3: Jan 7th/ 9th
|
10.00
|
39.99
|
|
|
Set 4: Jan 21st/ 23rd
|
11.84
|
50.33
|
|
|
Set 5: Feb
6th / 12th
|
7.44
|
17.86
|
|
|
Set 2: Feb
14th/ 20th
|
6.20
|
29.47
|
Note:
Dolphin Encounter Rates
are deduced from the Two Sets of Surveys (Two Surveys in Each Set) in the
reporting quarter in Northeast (NEL) and Northwest Lantau
(NWL)
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)
|
|
December 2013 – February
2014
|
September 2011 – November
2011
|
December 2013 – February
2014
|
September 2011 – November
2011
|
|
Northeast Lantau
|
0.45 ± 1.10
|
6.00 ± 5.05
|
1.34 ± 3.29
|
22.19 ± 26.81
|
|
Northwest Lantau
|
8.21 ± 2.21
|
9.85 ± 5.85
|
32.58 ± 11.21
|
44.66 ± 29.85
|
Note: Encounter
rates deduced from the baseline monitoring period have been recalculated based
only on survey effort and on-effort sighting data made along the primary
transect lines under favourable conditions.
Group size of Chinese White
Dolphins ranged from 1-12 individuals per group in North Lantau
region during December 2013 to February 2014. The average dolphin group sizes
from these three months were compared with the ones deduced from the baseline
period in September to November 2011, as shown in Table 2.14.
Table 2.14 Average
Dolphin Group Size
|
|
Average Dolphin Group Size
|
|
December 2013 – February 2014
|
September 2011 – November 2011
|
|
Overall
|
0.45 ± 1.10
|
6.00 ± 5.05
|
|
Northeast Lantau
|
8.21 ± 2.21
|
9.85 ± 5.85
|
|
Northwest Lantau
|
0.45 ± 1.10
|
6.00 ± 5.05
|
During this
month of dolphin monitoring, no unacceptable impact from the construction activities
of this Contract was recorded from the general observations.
Although the
dolphins infrequently occurred along the alignment of TMCLKL southern
connection viaduct section in the past and during the baseline monitoring
period, it is apparent that dolphin usage has been significantly reduced in
NEL.
It is critical
to monitor the dolphin usage in North Lantau region
in the upcoming quarters to determine whether the dolphins are continuously
affected by the various construction activities in relation to the HZMB-related
works, and whether suitable mitigation measure can be applied to revert the
situation.
2.4.8
Marine Mammal Exclusion Zone Monitoring
Daily 250 m marine mammal
exclusion zone monitoring was undertaken under this Contract. One 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 by the
marine mammal observer during the daylight hours. The marine construction work was
subsequently suspended. The Dolphin Intrusion Report is presented in
the Appendix K of the Third
Monthly EM&A Report.
Baseline bored
piling monitoring, including land-based theodolite tracking, underwater noise
monitoring and acoustic behavioural monitoring, were
undertaken from September to October 2013 by qualified dolphin specialist. Detailed baseline monitoring results and
Action/ Limit Level are presented in the Baseline Monitoring Report () under
this Contract.
Since marine
bored piling was not carried out in the reporting quarter, no marine bored
piling monitoring was being undertaken.
Site
inspections were carried out on a weekly basis to monitor the implementation of
proper environmental pollution control and mitigation measures under the
Contract. Seventeen (17) site
inspections were carried out in the reporting quarter on 6, 13, 20, 27 November
2013; 4, 11, 18, 27 December 2013; 2, 9, 15, 22, 29 January 2014 and 7, 12, 20,
26 February 2014.
Key
observations during the site inspections in this reporting period are summarized
in Table 2.15.
Table 2.15 Specific
Observations Identified during the Weekly Site Inspection in this Reporting
Period
|
Inspection
Date
|
Aspects
|
Environmental
observations
|
Recommendations/
Remarks
|
|
6, 13, 20, 27
November 2013;
4, 11, 18, 27
December 2013;
2, 9, 15, 22,
29 January 2014;
7, 12, 20, 26
February 2014
|
Air Quality
|
·
Dust
suppression measures should be implemented more frequently in Area 5.
|
·
Dust
suppression measures should be implemented more frequently in Area 5.
|
|
·
Dust emission
from generator in works site.
|
·
Dust emission
from generator in works site.
|
|
|
|
Water Quality
|
·
Part of the
floatation unit in one of the silt curtains was not properly maintained.
|
·
Part of the
floatation unit in one of the silt curtains was not properly maintained.
|
|
·
More
sandbags should be put around any gullies nearby to avoid excavated mud from
construction site from running into it directly.
|
·
More
sandbags should be put around any gullies nearby to avoid excavated mud from
construction site from running into it directly.
|
|
Noise
|
·
No adverse
observation was identified in the reporting period.
|
─
|
|
Marine
Ecology
|
·
Daily 250 m
marine mammal exclusion zone monitoring was implemented under this
Contract.
|
─
|
|
·
The first
quarterly Coral Post-Translocation Monitoring was conducted on 17 January
2014 and the results were provided in the First Quarterly
Post-Translocation Coral Monitoring Report.
|
─
|
|
·
Acoustic
decoupling measures and marine vessel control for dredging works were
implemented.
|
─
|
|
Chemical and
waste management
|
·
Drip tray
stopper was found missing for the generator in Area 5.
|
·
The
Contractor should provide stoppers to all drip trays in use.
|
|
·
Floating
debris and trash were observed within the silt curtain.
|
·
The
Contractor should clear any floating debris and trash found within the silt
curtain.
|
|
·
Stagnant
water was found accumulated in the drip tray.
|
·
The
Contractor should regularly clear any stagnant water accumulated in the drip
tray.
|
|
·
Stockpiles
were not covered properly by tarpaulin sheet.
|
·
Stockpiles
should be covered properly by tarpaulin sheet.
|
|
·
Sandy
excavated materials were observed in the ditch next to the trial pits.
|
·
Appropriate
measures should be done to prevent sandy excavated
materials from entering into any gullies or ditch nearby.
|
|
Landscape and
visual impact
|
·
The existing
tree within the Project Area was observed to be part of the fencing
structure.
|
·
No trees
within the Project Area should be served as a part of the fencing structure.
|
|
Miscellaneous
|
·
The
Environmental Permit should be displayed conspicuously in the site
entrance.
|
·
The
Environmental Permit should be displayed conspicuously in the site
entrance.
|
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.
Wastes
generated during this reporting period include mainly construction wastes
(inert and non-inert), imported fill and recyclable materials. Reference has been made to the waste
flow table prepared by the Contractor (Appendix L). The quantities of different types of
wastes are summarized in Table 2.16.
Table 2.16 Quantities
of Different Waste Generated in the Reporting Period
|
Month/Year
|
Inert Construction Waste (a)
(m3)
|
Imported Fill (m3)
|
Inert Construction Waste
Re-used
(m3)
|
Non-inert Construction Waste (b)
(tonnes)
|
Recyclable Materials (c) (kg)
|
Chemical Wastes (kg)
|
Marine Sediment (m3)
|
|
Category L
|
Category M
|
|
November
2013
|
277
|
0
|
240
|
22.05
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
|
December
2013
|
114
|
0
|
20
|
28.04
|
19
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
|
January 2014
|
138
|
0
|
108
|
22.38
|
10,240
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
|
February
2014
|
2,901
|
2,766
|
124
|
10.67
|
780
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
|
Total
|
3,430
|
2,766
|
492
|
83.14
|
11,039
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
|
Notes:
|
|
(a) Inert
construction wastes include hard rock and large broken concrete, and
materials disposed as public fill.
(b) Non-inert
construction wastes include general refuse disposed at landfill.
(c) Recyclable
materials include metals, paper, cardboard, plastics, timber and others.
|
The Contractor
was 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 was also
reminded to properly maintain the site tidiness and dispose of the wastes
accumulated on site regularly and properly.
For
chemical waste containers, the Contractor was reminded to treat properly and
store 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 2.17 below.
In response to the site audit findings,
the Contractors carried out all 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
For air quality monitoring, a total of
twenty-three monitoring events were undertaken and two Action Level exceedances were recorded in one monitoring event (Table 2.18). Upon further investigation, the recorded exceedances in air quality monitoring were considered to be
sporadic events of cumulative anthropogenic activities in this area of Hong
Kong and the construction works under this Contract were unlikely the major
cause of the recorded exceedances.
For
noise monitoring, a total of twenty-three monitoring events were undertaken in
the reporting quarter and no exceedance of Action and
Limit Levels were recorded.
For
water quality monitoring, a total of fifty-one monitoring events were
undertaken and one Action Level exceedance on
depth-averaged Suspended Solids (SS) was recorded (Table 2.19). Upon further investigation, no
marine works were being carried out during the mid-ebb tide when exceedance was detected, suggesting that the Action Level exceedance was not due to the construction works of this
Contract.
In
addition, the construction impact on depth-averaged SS was assessed to compare
the quarterly mean values of depth-averaged SS with the relevant ambient mean
value. Results showed that the
quarterly mean values of depth-averaged SS are well below the ambient mean
values (Table 2.20). Cumulative
statistics on exceedances is presented in Appendix M.
Table 2.18 Summary
of Exceedances for Impact Air Quality Monitoring
|
Station
|
Exceedance Level
|
1-hr TSP
|
24-hr TSP
|
Number of Exceedances
|
|
1-hr TSP
|
24-hr TSP
|
|
Impact Air
Quality Monitoring
|
|
ASR8A
|
Action Level
|
-
|
2013-12-13
|
0
|
1
|
|
|
Limit Level
|
-
|
-
|
0
|
0
|
|
ASR8
|
Action Level
|
-
|
2013-12-13
|
0
|
1
|
|
|
Limit Level
|
-
|
-
|
0
|
0
|
Table 2.19 Summary
of Exceedances for Impact Water Quality Monitoring
|
Station
|
Exceedance Level (a)
|
DO (Surface and Middle)
|
DO (Bottom)
|
Turbidity (depth-averaged)
|
SS (depth-averaged)
|
|
Mid-ebb
|
Mid-flood
|
Mid-ebb
|
Mid-flood
|
Mid-ebb
|
Mid-flood
|
Mid-ebb
|
Mid-flood
|
|
Impact Water
Quality Monitoring
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
IS(Mf)9
|
AL
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
|
LL
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
IS(Mf)16
|
AL
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
|
LL
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
IS8
|
AL
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
|
LL
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
SR4
|
AL
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
|
LL
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
SR4a
|
AL
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
2013-11-26
|
-
|
|
|
LL
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
CS(Mf)3
|
AL
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
|
LL
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
CS(Mf)5
|
AL
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
|
LL
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
|
Total AL Exceedances
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
1
|
0
|
|
|
Total LL Exceedances
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
|
Note: (a) AL
= Action Level; LL = Limit Level
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Table 2.20 Comparison
between Quarterly Mean and Ambient Mean Values of Depth-averaged Suspended
Solids
|
Station
|
Baseline Mean
|
Ambient Mean (a)
|
Quarterly Mean (October/November 2013 to February 2014)
|
|
|
Mid-ebb
|
Mid-flood
|
Mid-ebb
|
Mid-flood
|
Mid-ebb
|
Mid-flood
|
|
IS(Mf)9
|
10.90
|
14.25
|
14.17
|
18.53
|
6.77
|
6.70
|
|
IS(Mf)16
|
11.40
|
10.33
|
14.82
|
14.43
|
6.59
|
6.14
|
|
IS8
|
11.26
|
13.51
|
14.64
|
17.56
|
6.26
|
6.50
|
|
SR4
|
10.29
|
12.30
|
13.38
|
15.99
|
6.67
|
6.38
|
|
SR4a
|
9.10
|
9.80
|
11.83
|
12.74
|
6.50
|
6.42
|
|
CS(Mf)3
|
9.20
|
12.76
|
11.96
|
16.59
|
6.16
|
6.07
|
|
CS(Mf)5
|
9.17
|
11.47
|
11.92
|
14.91
|
6.16
|
6.13
|
|
Grand Total
|
10.27
|
12.27
|
13.35
|
15.95
|
6.42
|
6.29
|
|
Notes:
|
|
(a)
Ambient mean value is defined as a 30% increase of baseline value
|
The Environmental Complaint Handling Procedure
is provided in Figure 2.5.
One (1) complaint was referred by EPD to
various parties of the HZMB projects on 12 November 2013 regarding the noise
nuisance arising from the operation or towing of barges by tug boats during
restricted hours, particularly during the period from 23:00 to 07:00 of next
day by HZMB Projects in the waters outside Tung Chung New Development Pier and
near the barging point of CEDD’s construction site of Site Formation at Tung
Chung Areas 53 and 54.
With reference to the Contractor’s site
dairy of 12 November 2013, no site activity was undertaken after 18:00 on the
concerned day. Thus, the noise
complaint was considered as non-project related.
No notification of summons and
prosecution was received in the reporting period.
Statistics on complaints, notifications
of summons and successful prosecutions are summarized in Appendix
M.
3
Future
Key Issues
As informed by the Contractor, the major
works for the Contract in the coming quarter are summarized below:
Marine
Works
·
Marine piling platform installation;
·
Marine piling at Viaduct B;
·
Survey tower erection;
·
Construction of rockfill
platform at Viaduct D landing; and
·
Additional marine GI and laboratory testing.
Land-based
Works
·
Satellite container offices erection along seawall;
·
Fence installation and relocation of Area 2, Viaducts
A, B, C & D;
·
Land piling at Viaduct B;
·
Piling platform installation for Viaducts B, D &
E;
·
Additional land GI, trial pits & laboratory
testing;
·
Utility surveys; and
·
Soil nail and excavation at slope 9SE-B/C8.
Potential
environmental impacts arising from the above upcoming construction activities are
mainly associated with air quality, noise, marine water quality, marine ecology
and waste management issues.
Impact
monitoring for air quality, noise, marine water quality and marine ecology
(include dolphin monitoring and post-translocation coral monitoring) are
scheduled to continue for the next reporting period.
The monitoring
programme has been reviewed and was considered as
adequate to cater for the nature of works in progress. Change to the
monitoring programme was thus not considered to be necessary at this
stage. The monitoring programme
will be evaluated as appropriate in the next reporting period.
4
Conclusions
and recommendations
This First
Quarterly EM&A Report presents the findings of the EM&A activities
undertaken during the period from 31 October 2013 to 28 February 2014, in
accordance with the Updated EM&A Manual and the requirements of EP-354/2009/B.
Air quality
(including 1-hour TSP and 24-hour TSP), noise, marine water quality and dolphin
monitoring were carried out in the reporting period. Two Action Level exceedances
for 24-hr TSP were recorded during the reporting period.
One Action Level exceedance for
depth-averaged SS was recorded in marine water quality impact monitoring during
the reporting period. Investigation
findings showed that the Project works were unlikely to be the major cause of
the recorded exceedances in air quality and water
quality monitoring.
A total of 59 groups of 249 Chinese
White Dolphin sightings were recorded
during the two sets
of surveys from November 2013 to February 2014. 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.
Although the dolphins infrequently occurred along the alignment of TMCLKL southern
connection vaiduct section in the past and during the
baseline monitoring period, it is apparent that dolphin usage has been significantly
reduced in NEL. It is critical to
monitor the dolphin usage in North Lantau region in
the upcoming quarters, to determine whether the dolphins are continuously
affected by the various construction activities in relation to the construction
works of the Contract, and whether suitable mitigation measure can be applied
to revert the situation.
Environmental
site inspection was carried out seventeen (17) times in the reporting period. Recommendations on remedial actions provided
for the deficiencies identified during the site audits were properly
implemented by the Contractor. No
non-compliance event was recorded during the reporting period.
No complaint
and summons/ prosecution was received during the
reporting period.
The monitoring
programme has been reviewed and was considered as
adequate to cater for the nature of works in progress. Change to the
monitoring programme was thus not recommended at this stage. The monitoring programme will be
evaluated as appropriate in the next reporting period. The ET will keep track on the
construction works to confirm compliance of environmental requirements and the
proper implementation of all necessary mitigation measures.