Executive Summary
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
2.1 Air Quality
2.2 Noise Monitoring
2.3 Water Quality Monitoring
2.4 Dolphin Monitoring
2.5 EM&A Site Inspection
2.6 Waste Management Status
2.7 Environmental Licenses and Permits
2.8 Implementation Status of Environmental Mitigation Measures
2.9 Summary of Exceedances of the Environmental Quality Performance Limit
2.10 Summary of Complaints, Notification of Summons and Successful Prosecutions
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
4.1 Conclusions
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 EM&A Monitoring Schedules
Appendix F Impact Air Quality Monitoring Results and Graphical Presentation
Appendix G Impact Noise Monitoring Results and Graphical Presentation
Appendix H Impact Water Quality Monitoring Results and Graphical Presentation
Appendix I Impact Dolphin Monitoring Survey Results
Appendix K Quarterly Summary of Waste Flow Table
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). Ramboll 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. Further applications for variation of environmental permit (VEP), EP-354/2009/B, EP-354/2009/C and EP-354/2009/D, were granted on 28 January 2014, 10 December 2014 and 13 March 2015, respectively.
The southern landfall of TM-CLK Link lies alongside the Hong Kong - Zhuhai - Macao Bridge Hong Kong Boundary Crossing Facilities (HKBCF) where a reclamation area is constructed by Contract No. HY/2010/02 under Environmental Permit No. EP-353/2009/K and EP-354/2009/D. Upon the agreement and confirmation between the Supervising Officer Representatives and Contractors of HY/2010/02 and HY/2012/07 in September 2015, part of the reclamation area for southern landfall under EP-353/2009/K and EP-354/2009/D was handed-over to Contract No. HY/2012/07. Another part of the southern landfall area under EP-354/2009/D was handed-over to Contract No. HY/2012/07 after completion of reclamation works by Contract No. HY/2010/02 in June 2016.
The construction phase of the Contract commenced on 31 October 2013 and will be tentatively completed by 2019. 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 Twenty-third Quarterly EM&A Report presenting the EM&A works carried out during the period from 1 June to 31 August 2019 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:
June 2019
Marine-based Works
· Reinstatement of seawall at Seafront
Land-based Works
· At-grade works at HKBCF; and
· Landscaping softwork.
July 2019
Land-based Works
· Reinstatement of seawall at Seafront.
August 2019
There are no major works undertaken in August 2019.
A summary of monitoring and audit activities conducted in the reporting period is listed below:
24-hour TSP monitoring 16 sessions
1-hour TSP monitoring 17 sessions
Noise monitoring 17 sessions
Water quality monitoring 36 sessions
Dolphin monitoring 6 sessions
Joint Environmental site inspection 13 sessions
Breaches of Action and Limit Levels for Air Quality
One (1) Limit Level exceedance of 1-hour TSP was recorded for construction air quality monitoring in the reporting period. No exceedance of Action and Limit Levels of 24-hour TSP was recorded in the reporting period.
Breaches of Action and Limit Levels for Noise
No exceedance of Action and Limit Levels was recorded for construction noise monitoring in the reporting period.
Breaches of Action and Limit Levels for Water Quality
A total of thirty one (31) Action Level exceedances and three (3) Limit Level exceedances of bottom-depth dissolved oxygen (DO) and fifteen (15) Action Level exceedance of surface and middle-depth DO were recorded for water quality impact monitoring in the reporting period.
Impact Dolphin Monitoring
One (1) Limit Level exceedance was observed for the quarterly dolphin monitoring data between June to August 2019. No unacceptable impact from the construction activities of the TM-CLKL Southern Connection Viaduct Section on Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin Sousa chinensis (i.e. Chinese White Dolphins) was noticeable from general observations during the dolphin monitoring in this reporting quarter.
Daily marine mammal exclusion zone monitoring was undertaken during the period of marine works under this Contract. Exclusion zone monitoring was undertaken in June 2019 and no sighting of the Chinese White Dolphin was recorded. No marine works were undertaken in July and August 2019, therefore, daily 250m marine mammal exclusion zone monitoring was not undertaken in July and August 2019. No Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM) was implemented as the marine piling works were not carried out outside the daylight hours in this reporting period.
Environmental Complaints, Non-compliance & Summons
There was no environmental complaint, notification of summons or successful prosecution recorded in the reporting period.
Reporting Change
There was no reporting change in this reporting period.
Upcoming Works for the Next Reporting Period
Works to be undertaken in the coming quarter include the following:
September 2019
There are no major works to be undertaken in the next monitoring period of September 2019.
October 2019
There are no major works to be undertaken in the next monitoring period of October 2019.
November 2019
There are no major works to be undertaken in the next monitoring period of November 2019.
Future Key Issues
Potential environmental impacts arising from the above upcoming construction activities in the coming quarterly period are mainly associated with waste management issue.
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-146/2009), 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. Further applications for variation of environmental permit (VEP), EP-354/2009/B, EP-354/2009/C and EP-354/2009/D, were granted on 28 January 2014, 10 December 2014 and 13 March 2015, respectively.
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). Ramboll 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 southern landfall of TM-CLK Link lies alongside the Hong Kong - Zhuhai - Macao Bridge Hong Kong Boundary Crossing Facilities (HKBCF) where a reclamation area is constructed by Contract No. HY/2010/02 under Environmental Permit No. EP-353/2009/K and EP-354/2009/D. Upon the agreement and confirmation between the Supervising Officer Representatives and Contractors of HY/2010/02 and HY/2012/07 in September 2015, part of the reclamation area for southern landfall under EP-353/2009/K and EP-354/2009/D was handed-over to Contract No. HY/2012/07. Another part of the southern landfall area under EP-354/2009/D was handed-over to Contract No. HY/2012/07 after completion of reclamation works by Contract No. HY/2010/02 in June 2016.
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 (Highways Department) |
Project Coordinator |
Stanley Chan |
2762 3406 |
3188 6614 |
|
Senior Engineer |
Steven Shum
|
2762 4133 |
3188 6614 |
SOR (AECOM Asia Company Limited)
|
Chief Resident Engineer |
Daniel Ip |
3553 3800 |
2492 2057 |
|
Resident Engineer
|
Chan Wah Fu |
2293 6434 |
3691 2899 |
|
Resident Engineer |
Ivan Yim |
3691 3950 |
3691 2899 |
|
|
|
|
|
ENPO / IEC (Ramboll Hong Kong Ltd.) |
ENPO Leader
|
Y.H. Hui |
3465 2850 |
3465 2899 |
IEC |
Dr. F.C. Tsang |
3465 2851 |
3465 2899 |
|
Contractor (Gammon Construction Limited) |
Environmental Officer
|
Roy Leung |
3520 0387 |
3520 0486 |
|
24-hour Complaint Hotline
|
|
9738 4332 |
|
ET (ERM-HK) |
ET Leader |
Dr. Jasmine Ng |
2271 3311 |
2723 5660 |
June 2019
Marine-based Works
· Reinstatement of seawall at Seafront
Land-based Works
· At-grade works at HKBCF; and
· Landscaping softwork.
July 2019
Land-based Works
· Reinstatement of seawall at Seafront.
August 2019
There are no major works undertaken in August 2019.
The locations of the construction activities are shown in Figure 1.3. The Environmental Sensitive Receivers in the vicinity of the Project are shown in Figure 1.4.
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 approved EIA Report; and
· Environmental requirement in contract documents.
Figure 1.3 Locations of Construction Activities in the Reporting Period
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 HZMB Projects during October 2011 included the two monitoring stations ASR9A and ASR9C for this Project. Thus, the baseline monitoring results and Action/Limit Level presented in HZMB Baseline Monitoring Report ([1]) are adopted for this Project.
1-hour TSP and 24-hour TSP monitoring were conducted at 2 alternative air quality monitoring stations, ASR8A (Area 4) and ASR9 (entrance of MTR Depot) during the reporting period in accordance with the requirement of the Updated EM&A Manual. The monitoring stations are indicated in Figure 2.1 and details are presented in Table 2.1.
High Volume Samplers (HVSs) were used for carrying out 1-hour and 24-hour TSP monitoring during the reporting period. The HVSs meets all requirements of the Updated EM&A Manual. Brand and model of the equipment are given in Table 2.2.
Wind data monitoring equipment was installed at Area 4 during the reporting period for logging wind speed and wind direction. The wind sensor was setup such that it was 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 (1) |
Monitoring Period (2) |
Location |
Description |
Parameters & Frequency |
ASR8A |
4, 10, 13, 19, 25 and 28 June 2019 4, 10, 16, 22, 25 and 31 July 2019 6, 12, 15, 21 and 27 August 2019 |
Area 4 |
On ground at the works area, Area 4 |
1-hour Total Suspended Particulates (1-hour TSP, µg/m3), 3 times per day every 6 days 24-hour Total Suspended Particulates (24-hour TSP, µg/m3), daily for 24-hour every 6 days |
ASR9 |
4, 10, 13, 19, 25 and 28 June 2019 4, 10 and 16 July 2019 |
MTR Depot |
On the ground nearby MTR Depot entrance |
Note:
(1) Air Quality Monitoring Stations ASR9A and ASR9C at Siu Ho Wan MTRC Depot proposed in accordance with the Updated EM&A were relocated to ASR9 and ASR8A respectively.
(2) Air quality monitoring of 1-hour and 24-hour TSP at ASR9 was cancelled on 22, 25, 31 July and in August due to power shortage while air quality monitoring of 24-hour TSP at ASR8A was cancelled on 31 July 2019 due to adverse weather.
Table 2.2 Air Quality Monitoring Equipment
Equipment |
Brand and Model |
High
Volume Sampler |
Tisch Environmental Mass Flow Controlled Total Suspended Particulate (TSP) High Volume Sampler (Model No. TE-5170)
|
Wind Sensor |
Global Water (Wind Speed Sensor: WE550; Wind Direction Sensor: WE570)
|
Wind Anemometer for calibration |
Lutron (Model No. AM-4201) |
The Action and Limit Levels of the air quality monitoring are provided in Appendix D. The Event and Action plan is presented in Appendix J.
The schedules for air quality monitoring in the reporting quarter are provided in Appendix E. Air quality monitoring of 1-hour and 24-hour TSP at ASR9 was cancelled on 22, 25, 31 July and in August due to power shortage while air quality monitoring of 24-hour TSP at ASR8A was cancelled on 31 July 2019 due to adverse weather. There are no construction works under this Contract starting in August 2019. EPD have approved the temporary suspension of Air Quality Monitoring on 28 August 2019.
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. Detailed impact air quality monitoring results and meteorological information were reported in the Sixty-eighth to Seventieth Monthly EM&A Reports.
Table 2.3 Summary of 1-hour TSP Monitoring Results in this Reporting Period
Month |
Station |
Average (µg/m3) |
Range (µg/m3) |
Action Level (µg/m3) |
Limit Level (µg/m3) |
June 2019 |
ASR 8A |
35 |
14-95 |
394 |
500 |
ASR 9 |
109 |
14-752 |
393 |
500 |
|
July 2019 |
ASR 8A |
48 |
14-138 |
394 |
500 |
ASR 9 |
63 |
15-96 |
393 |
500 |
|
August 2019 |
ASR 8A |
53 |
14-144 |
394 |
500 |
Table 2.4 Summary of 24-hour TSP Monitoring Results in this Reporting Period
Month |
Station |
Average (µg/m3) |
Range (µg/m3) |
Action Level (µg/m3) |
Limit Level (µg/m3) |
June 2019 |
ASR 8A |
25 |
16-39 |
178 |
260 |
ASR 9 |
62 |
22-152 |
178 |
260 |
|
July 2019 |
ASR 8A |
29 |
19-42 |
178 |
260 |
ASR 9 |
41 |
33-48 |
178 |
260 |
|
August 2019 |
ASR 8A |
34 |
26-39 |
178 |
260 |
The major dust sources in the reporting period include construction activities under the Contract as well as nearby traffic emissions.
One (1) Limit Level exceedance of 1-hour TSP was recorded for air quality monitoring in this reporting period. No exceedance of Action and Limit Levels of 24-hour TSP was recorded in the reporting period. The exceedance was considered not related to this Contract upon further investigation and the investigation report is presented in Appendix L. No action is thus required to be undertaken in accordance with the Event Action Plan presented in Appendix J.
The baseline noise monitoring undertaken by the HZMB Projects during the period of 18 October to 1 November 2011 included the monitoring station NSR1 for this Project. Thus, the baseline monitoring results and Action/ Limit Level presented in HZMB Baseline Monitoring Report ([2]) are adopted for this Project.
In accordance with the Updated EM&A Manual, impact noise monitoring should be conducted once per week during the construction phase of the Contract.
Noise monitoring was conducted at the alternative noise monitoring station, NSR1A (Pak Mong Village Pavilion) during the reporting period in accordance with the requirement of 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 the designated monitoring station in the reporting quarter. The deployed sound level meter complies 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 meter 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 |
NSR1A |
4, 10, 13, 19, 25 and 28 June 2019 4, 10, 16, 22, 25 and 31 July 2019 6, 12, 15, 21 and 27 August 2019 |
Pak Mong Village Pavilion |
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 a week |
Note: (1) Noise Monitoring Station NSR1 at Pak Mong Village proposed in accordance with the Updated EM&A Manual was relocated to NSR1A. |
Table 2.6 Noise Monitoring Equipment
The Action and Limit levels of the noise monitoring are provided in Appendix D. The Event and Action plan is presented in Appendix J.
The schedule for construction noise monitoring in the reporting period is provided in Appendix E. EPD have approved the temporary suspension of Impact Noise Monitoring on 28 August 2019.
The monitoring results for noise monitoring are summarized in Table 2.7. Monitoring results are presented graphically in Appendix G and detailed impact noise monitoring results are reported in the Sixty-eighth to Seventieth Monthly EM&A Reports.
Table 2.7 Summary of Construction Noise Monitoring Results at NSR1A in the Reporting Period
Month |
Average , dB(A), Leq (30mins) |
Range, dB(A), Leq (30mins) |
Limit Level, dB(A), Leq (30mins) |
June 2019 |
63 |
62-63 |
75 |
July 2019 |
63 |
62-65 |
75 |
August 2019 |
63 |
62-63 |
75 |
The baseline water quality monitoring undertaken by the HZMB Projects between 6 and 31 October 2011 included all monitoring stations except SR4a for the Project. Thus, the baseline monitoring results except for station SR4a and Action/Limit Level presented in HZMB Baseline Monitoring Report ([3]) are adopted for this Project. Baseline water quality monitoring was conducted at station SR4a from 29 August to 24 September 2013.
Results of water quality monitoring were adopted from the published EM&A data of Contract No. HY/2012/08 Tuen Mun-Chek Lap Kok Link – Northern Connection Sub-sea Tunnel Section ([4]) in July and August 2019.
The locations of the monitoring stations under the Contract are shown in Figure 2.3 and 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 |
Temperature(°C) pH(pH unit) Turbidity (NTU) Water depth (m) Salinity (ppt) Dissolved Oxygen (DO) (mg/L and % of saturation) · Suspended Solid (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 |
|||
IS8 (N) |
Impact Station (Close to HKBCF construction site) |
814413 |
818570 |
|||
SR4(N) |
Sensitive receiver (Tai Ho Inlet) |
814705 |
817859 |
|||
SR4(N2) |
Sensitive receiver (Tai Ho Inlet) |
814688 |
817996 |
|||
SR4a |
Sensitive receiver |
815247 |
818067 |
|||
CS(Mf)3(N)
|
Control Station |
808814 |
822355 |
|||
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. Water Quality Monitoring Station CS(Mf)3 was relocated to CS(Mf)3(N) since 2 May 2017. Water Quality Monitoring Station SR4 was relocated to SR4(N) since 2 March 2018. Water Quality Monitoring Station SR4(N) was relocated to SR4(N2) since 12 June 2019 Water Quality Monitoring Station IS8 was relocated to IS8(N) since 12 June 2019. |
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 |
Multi-parameters (Dissolved Oxygen, Salinity, Turbidity, Temperature, pH) |
YSI ProDSS |
Positioning Equipment |
Furuno GP-170
|
Water Depth Detector |
Lowrance Mark 5x / Garmin Striker 4
|
Water Sampler |
WildCo Vertical Alpha Bottles 1120-2.2L /1120-3.2L Aquatic Research Instrument Vertical/Horizontal Point Water Sampler 2.2L / 3.0L
|
The schedules for water quality monitoring in the reporting quarter are provided in Appendix E. Water quality monitoring on 7 June 2019 was cancelled due to suspension of marine works during holiday. EPD have approved the temporary suspension of Water Quality Monitoring on 30 August 2019 as all marine-based construction activities under this Contract has been completed.
In this reporting period, a total of 36 monitoring events for impact water quality monitoring were conducted at monitoring stations in the reporting period. Monitoring results are presented graphically in Appendix H and detailed impact water quality monitoring results were reported in the Sixty-eighth to Seventieth Monthly EM&A Reports.
A total of thirty one (31) Action Level exceedances and three (3) Limit Level exceedances of bottom-depth dissolved oxygen (DO) and fifteen (15) Action Level exceedance of surface and middle-depth DO were recorded for water quality impact monitoring in the reporting period. The exceedances were considered not related to this Contract upon further investigation and the investigation report is presented in Appendix L. No actions was required to be undertaken in accordance with the Event Action Plan as presented in Appendix J.
Impact dolphin monitoring is required to be conducted by a qualified dolphin specialist team to evaluate whether there have been any effects on the Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin Sousa chinensis (i.e. Chinese White Dolphin) from the Contract. 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.
Table 2.10 summarizes 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 |
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.
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 ([5]).
Table 2.11 Impact Dolphin Monitoring Line Transect Co-ordinates
Line No. |
Easting |
Northing |
Line No. |
Easting |
Northing |
||
1 |
Start Point |
804671 |
815456 |
13 |
Start Point |
816506 |
819480 |
1 |
End Point |
804671 |
831404 |
13 |
End Point |
816506 |
824859 |
2 |
Start Point |
805476 |
820800 |
14 |
Start Point |
817537 |
820220 |
2 |
End Point |
805476 |
826654 |
14 |
End Point |
817537 |
824613 |
3 |
Start Point |
806464 |
821150 |
15 |
Start Point |
818568 |
820735 |
3 |
End Point |
806464 |
822911 |
15 |
End Point |
818568 |
824433 |
4 |
Start Point |
807518 |
821500 |
16 |
Start Point |
819532 |
821420 |
4 |
End Point |
807518 |
829230 |
16 |
End Point |
819532 |
824209 |
5 |
Start Point |
808504 |
821850 |
17 |
Start Point |
820451 |
822125 |
5 |
End Point |
808504 |
828602 |
17 |
End Point |
820451 |
823671 |
6 |
Start Point |
809490 |
822150 |
18 |
Start Point |
821504 |
822371 |
6 |
End Point |
809490 |
825352 |
18 |
End Point |
821504 |
823761 |
7 |
Start Point |
810499 |
822000 |
19 |
Start Point |
822513 |
823268 |
7 |
End Point |
810499 |
824613 |
19 |
End Point |
822513 |
824321 |
8 |
Start Point |
811508 |
821123 |
20 |
Start Point |
823477 |
823402 |
8 |
End Point |
811508 |
824254 |
20 |
End Point |
823477 |
824613 |
9 |
Start Point |
812516 |
821303 |
21 |
Start Point |
805476 |
827081 |
9 |
End Point |
812516 |
824254 |
21 |
End Point |
805476 |
830562 |
10 |
Start Point |
813525 |
821176 |
22 |
Start Point |
806464 |
824033 |
10 |
End Point |
813525 |
824657 |
22 |
End Point |
806464 |
829598 |
11 |
Start Point |
814556 |
818853 |
23 |
Start Point |
814559 |
821739 |
11 |
End Point |
814556 |
820992 |
23 |
End Point |
814559 |
824768 |
12 |
Start Point |
815542 |
818807 |
24 |
Start Point |
805476 |
815900 |
12 |
End Point |
815542 |
824882 |
24 |
End Point |
805476 |
819100 |
The Action and Limit levels of dolphin impact monitoring are shown in Appendix D. The Event and Action plan is presented in Appendix J.
The dolphin monitoring schedules for the reporting period are shown in Appendix E
.
A total of 785.23 km of survey effort was collected, with 96.0% of the total survey effort being conducted under favourable weather conditions (i.e. Beaufort Sea State 3 or below with good visibility). Among the two areas, 287.33 km and 497.90 km of survey effort were conducted in NEL and NWL survey areas respectively. The total survey effort conducted on primary lines was 577.21 km, while the effort on secondary lines was 208.02 km. Survey effort conducted on both primary and secondary lines were considered as on-effort survey data. The survey efforts are summarized in Appendix I.
During the six sets of monitoring surveys in June to August 2019, a total of four (4) groups of eight (8) Chinese White Dolphins were sighted. Three (3) dolphin sightings were made during on-effort and two (2) on-effort dolphin sightings were made on primary lines. In this quarterly period, all dolphin groups were sighted in NWL, no sighting of dolphin was sighted in NEL. Summary table of the dolphin sightings is shown in Appendix II of Appendix I.
Encounter rates of Chinese White Dolphins deduced from the survey effort and on-effort sighting data from the primary transect lines under favourable conditions (Beaufort 3 or below) in the reporting period with the results presented in Tables 2.12 and 2.13.
Table 2.12 Individual Survey Event Encounter Rates
Survey Area |
Survey period |
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: 3rd / 6th Jun 2019 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
Set 2: 10th / 13th Jun 2019 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
|
Set 3: 16th /18th Jul 2019 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
|
Set 4: 22nd/ 24th Jul 2019 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
|
Set 5: 13th / 14th Aug 2019 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
|
Set 6: 20th/ 26th/ 29th Aug 2019 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
|
NWL |
Set 1: 3rd / 6th Jun 2019 |
3.73 |
9.32 |
Set 2: 10th / 13th Jun 2019 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
|
Set 3: 16th /18th Jul 2019 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
|
Set 4: 22nd/ 24th Jul 2019 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
|
Set 5: 13th / 14th Aug 2019 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
|
Set 6: 20th/ 26th/ 29th Aug 2019 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
Note: Dolphin Encounter Rates are deduced from the six sets of surveys (two surveys in each set) in the reporting period in Northeast (NEL) and Northwest Lantau (NWL)
Table 2.13 Quarterly Average Encounter Rates
Survey Area |
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) |
||
June - August 2019 |
September -November 2011 |
June - August 2019 |
September -November 2011 |
|
Northeast Lantau |
0.0 |
6.00 ± 5.05 |
0.0 |
22.19 ± 26.81 |
Northwest Lantau |
0.62 ± 1.52 |
9.85 ± 5.85 |
1.55 ± 3.80 |
44.66 ± 29.85 |
Note: encounter rates deduced from the baseline monitoring period (September – November 2011) have been recalculated based only on survey effort and on-effort sighting data made along the primary transect lines under favourable conditions
Table 2.14 Comparison of Quarterly Average Group Sizes
|
Average Dolphin Group Size |
|
June to August 2019 |
September - November 2011 |
|
Overall |
2.00 ± 1.41 (n = 4) |
3.72 ± 3.13 (n = 66) |
Northeast Lantau |
--- |
3.18 ± 2.16 (n = 17) |
Northwest Lantau |
2.00 ± 1.41 (n = 4) |
3.92 ± 3.40 (n = 49) |
Although the dolphins infrequently occurred along the alignment of TM-CLKL Southern Connection Viaduct in the past and during the baseline monitoring period, it is apparent that dolphin usage has been significantly reduced in both NEL and NWL, and many individuals have shifted away from the important habitat around the Brothers Islands.
Daily marine mammal exclusion zone monitoring was undertaken in June 2019. No sighting of Chinese White Dolphin was recorded in the monitoring period during the exclusion zone monitoring. No marine works were undertaken in July and August 2019, therefore, daily 250 m marine mammal exclusion zone monitoring was not undertaken in July and August 2019.
Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM) was decommissioned in this reporting period as no marine piling works was carried out outside the daylight hours since September 2015. Daytime marine mammal exclusion zone was still in effect to cater for temporary staging installation and uninstallation works.
Site inspections were carried out on a weekly basis to monitor the implementation of proper environmental pollution control and mitigation measures under the Contract. Thirteen (13) site inspections were carried out in the reporting quarter on 5, 12, 18 and 27 June, 4, 10, 17, 25 and 29 July and 7, 15, 22 and 29 August 2019.
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 |
Location & Environmental Observations |
Recommendations/ Remarks |
5 June 2019 |
Viaduct D General refuse was observed. Silt was observed in the U-channel |
Viaduct D The Contractor was reminded to clear general refuse. The Contractor was reminded to clear the silt inside U-channel. |
12 June 2019 |
WA4 Chemical without drip tray.
|
WA4 The Contractor was reminded to place chemicals in drip tray and remove empty chemical container off site. |
18 June 2019 |
Seafront The silt curtain should be properly extended. Viaduct D Accumulated refuse should be cleared. Chemical without drip tray. |
Seafront The Contractor was reminded to properly extend the silt curtain. Viaduct D The Contractor was reminded to clear accumulated refuse. The Contract was reminded to place chemical in drip tray. |
27 June 2019 |
Seafront NRMM label should be displayed on the excavator.
|
Seafront The Contractor was reminded to display the NRMM label on the excavator. |
4 July 2019 |
WA1 Tyre marks were observed at the exit of the works area. Accumulated waste should be cleared. WA2 Rubbish and dirt was observed in the U-channel. |
WA1 The Contractor was reminded to clear the tyre marks at the exit of the works area. The Contractor was reminded to clear the accumulated waste. WA2 The Contractor was reminded to clear the rubbish and dirt in the U-channel. |
10 July 2019 |
No observation. |
No observation. |
17 July 2019 |
Viaduct D General refuse is observed on the ground. |
Viaduct D The Contractor was reminded to clear general refuse on the ground. |
25 July 2019 |
BCF Accumulated general refuse should be cleared or disposed in rubbish bin. |
BCF The Contractor was reminded to clear accumulated general refuse or dispose them in the rubbish bin. |
29 July 2019 |
CEDD Track Soil stockpile should be covered with tarpaulin or removed. |
CEDD Track The Contractor was reminded to cover soil stockpile with tarpaulin or to remove the soil stockpile. |
7 August 2019 |
BCF Accumulated water in the drip tray should be discharged. |
BCF The Contractor was reminded to discharge accumulated water in the drip tray. |
15 August 2019 |
Seafront Chemical container was observed without drip tray. General refuse was observed on the ground.
|
Seafront The Contractor was reminded to place chemical container in drip tray. The Contractor was reminded to place general refuse in capped rubbish bin. |
22 August 2019 |
WA1 Accumulated waste should be cleared. Chemical container should be placed in drip tray.
|
WA1 The Contractor was reminded to clear accumulated refuse. The Contractor was reminded to place chemical container in drip tray. |
29 August 2019 |
BCF Accumulated refuse should be cleared or disposed in capped rubbish bin. |
BCF The Contractor was reminded to clear accumulated refuse or disposed refuse in capped rubbish bin. |
Wastes generated during this reporting period include mainly construction wastes (inert and non-inert), recyclable materials, chemical waste and marine sediment. Reference has been made to the waste flow table prepared by the Contractor (Appendix K). 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 C&D Materials (a) (m3) |
Imported Fill (m3) |
Inert Construction Waste Re-used (m3) |
Non-inert Construction Waste (b) (kg) |
Recyclable Materials (c) (kg) |
Chemical Wastes (kg) |
Marine Sediment (m3) |
||
Category L |
Category M (Mp & Mf) |
Category H |
|||||||
June 2019 |
356 |
0 |
315 |
39,960 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
July 2019 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
17,100 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
August 2019 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
31,050 |
0 |
0 |
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, felled trees 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.
The status of environmental licensing and permit is summarized in Table 2.17 below.
Table 2.17 Summary of Environmental Licensing and Permit Status
License/ Permit |
License or Permit No. |
Date of Issue |
Date of Expiry |
License/ Permit Holder |
Remarks |
Environmental Permit |
EP-353/2009/K |
11-Apr-16 |
N/A |
HyD |
Hong Kong Boundary Crossing Facilities |
Environmental Permit |
EP-354/2009/D |
13-Mar-15 |
N/A |
HyD |
Tuen Mun- Chek Lap Kok Link |
Construction Dust Notification |
361571 |
05-Jul-13 |
N/A |
GCL |
|
Construction Dust Notification |
362093 |
17-Jul-13 |
N/A |
GCL |
For Area 23 |
Chemical Waste Registration |
5213-951-G2380-17 |
12-Jun-14 |
N/A |
GCL |
Viaducts A, B, C, D & E |
Chemical Waste Registration |
5213-961-G2380-13 |
10-Oct-13 |
N/A |
GCL |
Chemical waste produced in Contract No. HY/2012/07 (Area 1 adjacent to Cheng Tung Road, Siu Ho Wan) |
Chemical Waste Registration |
5213-961-G2380-14 |
10-Oct-13 |
N/A |
GCL |
Chemical waste produced in Contract No. HY/2012/07 (Area 2 adjacent to Cheung Tung Road, Pak Mong Village) |
Chemical Waste Registration |
5213-974-G2588-03 |
04-Nov-13 |
N/A |
GCL |
Chemical waste produced in Contract No. HY/2012/07 (WA5 adjacent to Cheung Tung Road, Yam O) |
Construction Waste Disposal Account |
7017735 |
10-Jul-13 |
N/A |
GCL |
- |
Construction Waste Disposal Account |
7019470 |
03-Mar-14 |
N/A |
GCL |
Vessel CHIT Account |
Construction Noise Permit for night works and works in general holidays |
GW-RS0149-19 |
19 February 2019 |
15 July 2019 |
GCL |
Broad Permit for Whole Site Areas |
Construction Noise Permit for night works and works in general holidays |
GW-RS0507-19 |
13 June 2019 |
11 December 2019 |
GCL |
Broad Permit for Whole Site Areas |
Construction Noise Permit for night works and works in general holidays |
GW-RW012-19 |
23 January 2019 |
13 June 2019 |
GCL |
General works at WA5 |
Construction Noise Permit for night works and works in general holidays |
GW-RW0266-19 |
21 June 2019 |
13 December 2019 |
GCL |
General works at WA5 |
Construction Noise Permit for night works and works in general holiday |
GW-RS0728-19 |
16 August 2019 |
25 October 2019 |
GCL |
Defect repairing at under-bridge of Viaduct A, B, C and D |
Equipment |
Brand and Model |
Integrated Sound Level Meter |
Rion NL-52
|
Acoustic Calibrator |
Rion NC-73 |
One (1) Limit Level exceedance of 1-hour TSP was recorded for construction air quality monitoring in the reporting period. No exceedance of Action and Limit Levels of 24-hour TSP was recorded in the reporting period.
No Action or Limit Level exceedance for construction noise monitoring was recorded during the reporting period.
A total of thirty one (31) Action Level exceedances and three (3) Limit Level exceedances of bottom-depth dissolved oxygen (DO) and fifteen (15) Action Level exceedance of surface and middle-depth DO were recorded for water quality impact monitoring in the reporting period.
Table 2.18 Comparison between Quarterly Mean and Ambient Mean Values of Depth-averaged Suspended Solids
Station |
Baseline Mean |
Ambient Mean (a) |
Quarterly Mean (June to August 2019) |
|||
Mid-ebb |
Mid-flood |
Mid-ebb |
Mid-flood |
Mid-ebb |
Mid-flood |
|
CS(Mf)3(N) (b) |
9.2 |
12.8 |
12.0 |
16.6 |
5.6 |
6.5 |
CS(Mf)5 |
9.2 |
11.5 |
11.9 |
14.9 |
5.8 |
5.1 |
SR4(N)/ SR4(N2) (c)(d) |
10.3 |
12.3 |
13.4 |
16.0 |
7.6 |
6.6 |
SR4a |
9.1 |
9.8 |
11.9 |
12.7 |
6.9 |
6.3 |
IS8/ IS8(N) (e) |
11.3 |
13.5 |
14.6 |
17.6 |
7.8 |
6.6 |
IS(Mf)9 |
10.9 |
14.3 |
14.2 |
18.5 |
6.6 |
6.5 |
IS(Mf)16 |
11.4 |
10.3 |
14.8 |
13.4 |
7.8 |
7.1 |
Notes: |
||||||
(a) Ambient mean value is defined as a 30% increase of the baseline mean value (b) Water Quality Monitoring Station CS(Mf)3 was relocated to CS(Mf)3(N) since 2 May 2017. (c) Water Quality Monitoring Station SR4 was relocated to SR4(N) since 2 March 2018. (d) Water Quality Monitoring Station SR4(N) was relocated to SR4(N2) since 12 June 2019. (e) Water Quality Monitoring Station IS8 was relocated to IS8(N) since 12 June 2019. |
One (1) Limit Level exceedance was recorded for impact dolphin monitoring in this reporting quarter. Following the review of the monitoring data and marine works details as per the procedure stipulated in the Event and Action Plan of the Updated EM&A Manual, no unacceptable impact was associated with the construction works under this Contract that may have affected the dolphin usage in the North Lantau region. Investigation findings were detailed in Appendix L.
There was no complaint, notification of summons or successful prosecution recorded in the reporting period.
Statistics on complaint, notification of summons of successful prosecution are summarized in Appendix L.
September 2019
There are no major works to be undertaken in the next monitoring period of September 2019.
October 2019
There are no major works to be undertaken in the next monitoring period of October 2019.
November 2019
There are no major works to be undertaken in the next monitoring period of November 2019.
Potential environmental impacts arising from the above upcoming construction activities are mainly associated with waste management issues.
Impact monitoring for dolphin monitoring is scheduled to continue for the next reporting period.
Impact monitoring for air quality and noise were temporarily suspended. EPD have approved the temporary suspension of Air Quality Monitoring and Impact Noise Monitoring on 28 August 2019.
Impact monitoring for marine water quality was temporarily suspended. EPD have approved the temporary suspension of Water Quality Monitoring on 30 August 2019.
The monitoring programme has been reviewed and was considered as adequate to cater for the nature of works in progress.
The Twenty-third Quarterly EM&A Report presents the findings of the EM&A activities undertaken during the period from 1 June to 31 August 2019, in accordance with the Updated EM&A Manual and the requirements of the Environmental Permits (EP-354/2009/D and EP-353/2009/K).
One (1) Limit Level exceedance of 1-hour TSP was recorded for construction air quality monitoring in the reporting period. No exceedance of Action and Limit Levels of 24-hour TSP was recorded in the reporting period.
No Action or Limit Level exceedance for construction noise monitoring was recorded during the reporting period.
A total of thirty one (31) Action Level exceedances and three (3) Limit Level exceedances of bottom-depth dissolved oxygen (DO) and fifteen (15) Action Level exceedance of surface and middle-depth DO were recorded for water quality impact monitoring in the reporting period.
A total of four (4) groups of eight (8) Chinese White Dolphins were sighted during the six sets of survey from June to August 2019. One (1) Limit Level exceedance was recorded for the quarterly dolphin monitoring data between June to August 2019, no unacceptable impact from the activities of this Contract on Chinese White Dolphins was noticeable from the general observations. 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.
Environmental site inspection was carried out thirteen (13) times in the reporting period. Recommendations on remedial actions were given to the Contractor for the deficiencies identified during the site audits.
There was no complaint, notification of summons or successful prosecution recorded in the reporting period.
([1]) Agreement No. CE 35/2011 (EP) Baseline Environmental Monitoring for Hong Kong - Zhuhai - Macao Bridge Hong Kong Projects - Investigation. Baseline Environmental Monitoring Report (Version C). Submitted on 8 March 2012 and subsequently approved by EPD.
([2]) Agreement No. CE 35/2011 (EP) Baseline Environmental Monitoring for Hong Kong - Zhuhai - Macao Bridge Hong Kong Projects - Investigation. Baseline Environmental Monitoring Report (Version C). Submitted on 8 March 2012 and subsequently approved by EPD.
([3]) Agreement No. CE 35/2011 (EP) Baseline Environmental Monitoring for Hong Kong - Zhuhai - Macao Bridge Hong Kong Projects - Investigation. Baseline Environmental Monitoring Report (Version C). Submitted on 8 March 2012 and subsequently approved by EPD.