table of Contents

                        executive Summary                                                             

1                      Introduction                                                                          

1.1                   Background                                                                           

1.2                   Scope of Report                                                                   

1.3                   Organization Structure                                                 

1.4                   Summary of Construction Works                              

2                      EM&A Results                                                                         

2.1                   Air quality                                                                               

2.2                   Water Quality Monitoring                                              

2.3                   Dolphin Monitoring                                                            

2.4                   EM&A Site Inspection                                                           

2.5                   Waste Management Status                                             

2.6                   Environmental Licenses and Permits                        

2.7                   Implementation Status of Environmental Mitigation Measures  

2.8                   Summary of Exceedances of the Environmental Quality Performance Limit                                                                                                       

2.9                   Summary of Complaints, Notification of Summons and Successful Prosecutions                                                                         

3                      Future Key Issues                                                                

3.1                   Construction Activities for the Coming Month  

3.2                   Key Issues for the Coming Month                                

3.3                   Monitoring Schedule for the Coming Month        

4                      Conclusions and recommendations                         

4.1                   Conclusions                                                                           

 

Appendix A     Project Organization

Appendix B     Three Months Programme

Appendix C     Environmental Mitigation And Enhancement Measure Implementation Schedules (EMIS)

Appendix D     Action And Limit Levels

Appendix E      Calibration Certificate

Appendix F      Monitoring Schedule

Appendix G     Air Quality Monitoring Results

Appendix H     Meteorological Data

Appendix I       Water Quality Monitoring Results

Appendix J      Impact Dolphin Monitoring

Appendix K     Event And Action Plan

Appendix L      Cumulative Statistics On Exceedance And Complaint

Appendix M     Waste Flow Table

 

 

 

Executive Summary

Under Contract No. HY/2012/08, Dragages ¡V Bouygues Joint Venture (DBJV) is commissioned by the Highways Department (HyD) to undertake the design and construction of the Northern Connection Sub-sea Tunnel Section of the Tuen Mun ¡V Chek Lap Kok Link Project (TM-CLK Link Project) while AECOM Asia Company Limited was appointed by HyD as the Supervising Officer.  For implementation of the environmental monitoring and audit (EM&A) programme under the Contract, ERM-Hong Kong, Limited (ERM) has been appointed as the Environmental Team (ET) in accordance with Environmental Permit No. EP-354/2009/A.  ENVIRON Hong Kong Ltd. was employed by HyD as the Independent Environmental Checker (IEC) and Environmental Project Office (ENPO).  Another application for variation of environmental permit (VEP) (EP-354/2009/B) was granted on 28 January 2014.  

The construction phase of the Project commenced on 1 November 2013 and will tentatively be completed by the end of 2018.  The impact monitoring of the EM&A programme, including air quality, water quality, marine ecological monitoring and environmental site inspections, were commenced on 1 November 2013.

This is the Fifth Monthly EM&A report presenting the EM&A works carried out during the period from 1 to 31 March 2014 for the Contract No. HY/2012/08 Northern Connection Sub-sea Tunnel Section (the ¡§Project¡¨) in accordance with the Updated EM&A Manual of the TM-CLK Link Project.  As informed by the Contractor, major activities in the reporting period included:

Marine-based Works

¡P     Dredging at Portion N-C;

¡P     Filling at Portion N-A;

¡P     Construction of Vertical Seawall and Sloping Seawall at Portion N-B; and,

¡P     Marine Sheet Piling for Box Culvert extension at Portion N-A.

Land-based Works

¡P     WA 18 Site office construction;

¡P     CLP Substation structure works in Portion N6; and,

¡P     CLP Substation E&M works in Portion N6.


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

24-hour TSP Monitoring                       5 sessions

1-hour TSP Monitoring                                   5 sessions

Impact Water Quality Monitoring                   13 sessions

Impact Dolphin Monitoring                             2 sessions

Joint Environmental Site Inspection     4 sessions

Daily marine mammal exclusion zone monitoring was undertaken during the period of dredging works.  No sighting of the Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin Sousa chinensis was recorded in March 2014 during the exclusion zone monitoring.

Summary of Breaches of Action/Limit Levels

Breaches of Action and Limit Levels for Air Quality

Two Action Level exceedances for 1-hr TSP were recorded from the air quality monitoring in this reporting period.  The exceedances were considered to be due to the sporadic events from cumulative anthropogenic activities in this area of Hong Kong and the construction works under this Project were unlikely to be the major cause of the recorded exceedances upon further investigation.

Breaches of Action and Limit Levels for Water Quality

One Action Level exceedance and one Limit Level exceedance for depth-averaged SS were recorded in the water quality monitoring of this reporting month. 

Dolphin Monitoring

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

 

Environmental Complaints, Non-compliance & Summons

No non-compliance with EIA recommendations, EP conditions and other requirements associated with the construction of this Contract was recorded in this reporting period.

No environmental complaint was received in this reporting period.

No environmental summons was received in this reporting period.

Reporting Change

There was no reporting change required in the reporting period.

Upcoming Works for the Next Reporting Month

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

Marine-based Works

¡P     Dredging;

¡P     Filling;

¡P     Vertical Seawall construction;

¡P     Sloping Seawall construction;

¡P     Marine Sheet Piling for Box Culvert extension; and

¡P     Predrilling for Box Culvert Foundation.

Land-based Works

¡P     CLP Substation underground utilities works; and

¡P     CLP Substation Superstructure.

Future Key Issues

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


1                                             Introduction

1.1                                      Background

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

An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of TM-CLKL (the Project) was prepared in accordance with the EIA Study Brief (No. ESB-175/2007) and the Technical Memorandum of the Environmental Impact Assessment Process (EIAO-TM).  The EIA Report was submitted under the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (EIAO) in August 2009.  Subsequent to the approval of the EIA Report (EIAO Register Number AEIAR-145/2009), an Environmental Permit (EP-354/2009) for TM-CLKL was granted by the Director of Environmental Protection (DEP) on 4 November 2009, and EP variation (VEP) (EP-354/2009A) was issued on 8 December 2010.  Another application for VEP (EP-354/2009/B) was granted on 28 January 2014.

Under Contract No. HY/2012/08, Dragages ¡V Bouygues Joint Venture (DBJV) is commissioned by the Highways Department (HyD) to undertake the design and construction of the Northern Connection Sub-sea Tunnel Section of TM-CLKL 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).

Layout of the Contract components is presented in Figure 1.1.

The construction phase of the Contract commenced on 1 November 2013 and will tentatively be completed by 2018.  The impact monitoring phase of the EM&A programme, including air quality, water quality, marine ecological monitoring and environmental site inspections, were commenced on 1 November 2013.

1.2                                      Scope of Report

This is the Fifth Monthly EM&A Report under the Contract No. HY/2012/08 Tuen Mun ¡V Chek Lap Kok Link ¡V Northern Connection Sub-sea Tunnel Section.  This report presents a summary of the environmental monitoring and audit works in March 2014.

1.3                                      Organization Structure

The organization structure of the Contract is shown in Appendix A.  The key personnel contact names and contact details are summarized in Table 1.1 below.

Table 1.1        Contact Information of Key Personnel

Party

Position

Name

Telephone

Fax

SOR

(AECOM Asia Company Limited)

 

Chief Resident Engineer

Edwin Ching

 

Andrew Westmoreland

 

2450 3111

 

2450 3511

2450 3099

 

2450 3099

ENPO / IEC

(ENVIRON Hong Kong Ltd.)

ENPO Leader

 

Y.H. Hui

3465 2888

3465 2899

IEC

 

Tony Cheng

3465 2888

3465 2899

Contractor

(Dragages ¡V Bouygues Joint Venture)

Environmental Manager

 

C.F. Kwong

2293 7322

2670 2798

Environmental Officer

 

24-hour complaint hotline

 

Bryan Lee

 

 

Rachel Lam

2293 7323

 

 

2293 7342

2670 2798

ET (ERM-HK)

ET Leader

Jovy Tam

2271 3113

2723 5660

1.4                                      Summary of Construction Works

The construction phase of this Contract was commenced on 1 November 2013.  The three-month rolling construction programme is shown in Appendix B.

As per DBJV¡¦s information, details of major construction works carried out in this reporting period are summarized in Table 1.2.

The general layout plan of the site showing the detailed works areas is shown in Figure 1.2.  The Environmental Sensitive Receivers in the vicinity of the Project are shown in Figure 1.3.   

The implementation schedule of environmental mitigation measures is presented in Appendix C.

Table 1.2        Summary of Construction Activities Undertaken during the Reporting Period

Construction Activities Undertaken

Marine-based Works

¡P         Dredging at Portion N-C;

¡P         Filling at Portion N-A;

¡P         Construction of Vertical Seawall and Sloping Seawall at Portion N-B; and,

¡P         Marine Sheet Piling for Box Culvert extension at Portion N-A.

Land-based Works

Site WA 18

¡P         Site office construction

Portion N6

¡P         CLP Substation structure works

¡P         CLP Substation E&M works

 

Figure 1.2       Locations of Construction Activities ¡V March 2014

 

2                                             EM&A Results

The EM&A programme required environmental monitoring for air quality, water quality and marine ecology as well as environmental site inspections for air quality, noise, water quality, waste management, marine ecology and landscape and visual impacts.  The EM&A requirements and related findings for each component are summarized in the following sections

2.1                                      Air quality

2.1.1                               Monitoring Requirements and Equipment

In accordance with the Updated EM&A Manual and the Enhanced TSP Monitoring Plan, impact 1-hour TSP monitoring was conducted three (3) times every six (6) days and impact 24-hour TSP monitoring was carried out once every six (6) days when the highest dust impact was expected.  

High volume samplers (HVSs) were used to carry out the 1-hour and 24-hour TSP monitoring on 6, 12, 18, 24 and 28 March 2014 at the five (5) air quality monitoring stations in accordance with the requirements stipulated in the Updated EM&A Manual (Figure 2.1; Table 2.1).  Wind anemometer was installed at the rooftop of ASR5 for logging wind speed and wind direction.  Details of the equipment deployed are provided in Table 2.2.  Copies of the calibration certificates for the equipment are presented in Appendix E.

Table 2.1        Locations of Impact Air Quality Monitoring Stations and Monitoring Dates in this Reporting Period

Monitoring Station

Monitoring Dates

Location

Description

Parameters & Frequency

ASR1

6, 12, 18, 24 and 28 March 2014

Tuen Mun Fireboat Station

 

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

ASR5

 

Pillar Point Fire Station

 

Office

AQMS1

 

Previous River Trade Golf

 

Bare ground

ASR6

 

Butterfly Beach Laundry

 

Office

ASR10

 

Butterfly Beach Park

Recreational uses


Table 2.2        Air Quality Monitoring Equipment

Equipment                     

Brand and Model

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

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

 

Wind Anemometer

MetPak, WindSonic (Wind Direction: WE570; Wind Speed Sensor: 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 Month

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

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.  Detailed impact air quality monitoring results and graphical presentations are presented in Appendix G. 

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

Station

Average (µg/m3)

Range (µg/m3)

Action Level  (µg/m3)

Limit Level  (µg/m3)

ASR1

190

103 ¡V 391

331

500

ASR5

254

156 ¡V 402

340

500

AQMS1

182

102 ¡V 299

335

500

ASR6

170

105 ¡V 318

338

500

ASR10

123

71 ¡V 176

337

500

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

Station

Average (µg/m3)

Range (µg/m3)

Action Level  (µg/m3)

Limit Level  (µg/m3)

ASR1

99

59 ¡V 129

213

260

ASR5

101

84 ¡V 113

238

260

AQMS1

86

69 ¡V 105

213

260

ASR6

83

55 ¡V 107

238

260

ASR10

73

53 ¡V 102

214

260

The weather condition during the monitoring period varied from sunny to cloudy.  The major dust sources in the reporting period include construction activities under the Contract as well as nearby traffic emissions. 

A total of five monitoring events were undertaken in which two Action Level exceedances of 1-hr TSP and no exceedance of 24-hr TSP were recorded in this reporting month.  

Meteorological information collected at the ASR5, including wind speed and wind direction, is provided in Appendix H.

2.2                                      Water Quality Monitoring

2.2.1                               Monitoring Requirements & Equipment

In accordance with the Updated EM&A Manual, impact water quality monitoring was carried out three days per week during the construction period at nine (9) water quality monitoring stations (Figure 2.2; Table 2.5). 

Table 2.5        Locations of Water Quality Monitoring Stations and the Corresponding Monitoring Requirements

Station ID

Type

Coordinates

*Parameters, unit

Depth

Frequency

 

 

Easting

Northing

 

 

 

IS12

Impact Station

813218

823681

Ÿ Temperature(¢XC)

Ÿ pH(pH unit)

Ÿ Turbidity (NTU)

Ÿ Water depth (m)

Ÿ Salinity (ppt)

Ÿ DO (mg/L and % of

saturation)

¡P    SS (mg/L)

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.

IS13

Impact Station

813667

824325

IS14

Impact Station

812592

824172

IS15

Impact Station

813356

825008

CS4

Control / Far Field Station

810025

824004

CS6

Control / Far Field Station

817028

823992

SR8

Sensitive receiver (Gazettal beaches in Tuen Mun)

816306

825715

SR9

Sensitive receiver
(Butterfly Beach)

813601

825858

SR10A

Sensitive receiver
(Ma Wan FCZ)

823741

823495

*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 2.6 summarizes the equipment used in the impact water quality monitoring programme.  Copies of the calibration certificates are attached in Appendix E.


Table 2.6        Water Quality Monitoring Equipment

Equipment

Model

Qty.

Water Sampler

Kahlsico Water-Bottle Model 135DW 150

1

Dissolved Oxygen Meter

YSI Pro 2030

1

pH Meter

HANNA HI 8314

1

Turbidity Meter

HACH 2100Q

1

Monitoring Position Equipment

¡§Magellan¡¨ Handheld GPS Model eXplorist GC

4

DGPS Koden KGP913MK2 (1)

1

2.2.2                               Action & Limit Levels

The Action and Limit levels of water quality impact monitoring are shown in Appendix D.  The Event and Action plan is presented in Appendix K.

2.2.3                               Monitoring Schedule for the Reporting Month

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

2.2.4                               Results and Observations

During this reporting period, major marine works included dredging at Portion N-C and reclamation filling at Portion N-A.  A closed grab dredger was used and silt curtains (cage-type and single floating type) were deployed during dredging works.  The level of dredging activities was within the working rate described in the EP and the approved EIA Report.  In addition, reclamation filling was undertaken between the 200 m of leading seawalls using filling materials specified in the EP and the approved EIA Report with a single layer silt curtain being deployed as a precautionary measure to reduce dispersion of suspended solids.  

Impact water quality monitoring was conducted at all designated monitoring stations in the reporting month.  Detailed impacts water quality monitoring and graphical presentations are presented in Appendix I.  It is useful to note that some adverse weather conditions, including Rainstorm Warning and Thunderstorm Warning, were reported during the monitoring period.  In addition, heavy marine traffic (not associated with the Project) was commonly observed nearby the Project site and its vicinity.  Both weather condition and marine traffic may affect monitoring results.

In this reporting period, a total of thirteen monitoring events were undertaken in which one Action Level exceedance and one Limit Level exceedance for depth-averaged SS were recorded.       

2.3                                      Dolphin Monitoring

2.3.1                               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.

2.3.2                               Monitoring Equipment

Table 2.7 summarises the equipment used for the impact dolphin monitoring.

Table 2.7        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

 

 

 

2.3.3                               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.

2.3.4                               Monitoring Location

The impact dolphin monitoring was carried out in the NEL and NWL along the line transect as depicted in Figure 2.3.  The co-ordinates of all transect lines are shown in Table 2.8 below.


Table 2.8        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

 

 

 

 

2.3.5                               Action & Limit Levels

The Action and Limit levels of impact dolphin monitoring are shown in Appendix D.  The Event and Action plan is presented in Appendix K.


2.3.6                               Monitoring Schedule for the Reporting Month

Dolphin monitoring was carried out on 5, 11, 17 and 25 March 2014.  The dolphin monitoring schedule for the reporting month is shown in Appendix F.

2.3.7                               Results & Observations

A total of 296.83 km of survey effort was collected, with 89.0% of the total survey effort being conducted under favourable weather conditions (ie Beaufort Sea State 3 or below with good visibility) in March 2014.  Amongst the two areas, 117.30 km and 179.53 km of survey effort were collected from NEL and NWL survey areas, respectively.  The total survey effort conducted on primary and secondary lines were 211.71 km and 85.12 km, respectively.  The survey efforts are summarized in Appendix J.

A total of 14 groups of 43 Chinese White Dolphin sightings were recorded during the two sets of surveys in March 2014.  All sightings were made in NWL during the two sets of surveys in March 2014, with no dolphin being sighted in NEL.  All except two sightings were made on primary lines during on-effort search, and none of the dolphin groups was associated with operating fishing vessel.

One of these 14 sightings was made in the vicinity of the TM-CLKL Northern Landfall.  The distribution of dolphin sightings during the reporting month is shown in Figure 2.4.

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 March 2014 with the results present in Tables 2.9 and 2.10.

Table 2.9        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: Mar 5th/11th

0.0

0.0

Set 2: Mar 17th/25th

0.0

0.0

NWL

Set 1: Mar 5th/11th

6.4

23.6

Set 2: Mar 17th/25th

13.2

24.8

Note: Dolphin Encounter Rates are deduced from the Two Sets of Surveys (Two Surveys in Each Set) in March 2014 in Northeast (NEL) and Northwest Lantau (NWL)


Table 2.10      Monthly Average Encounter Rates

 

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

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

Primary   Lines Only

Both Primary and Secondary Lines

Primary   Lines Only

Both Primary and Secondary Lines

Northeast Lantau

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

Northwest Lantau

10.4

8.6

24.3

19.9

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

Table d 4.6

nd limit levels of dolphin impact monitoring are shown in Table  

The average group size of Chinese White Dolphins in March 2014 was 3.07 individuals per group.  Most dolphin groups were composed of only 1 - 3 animals with only one larger group of thirteen animals being sighted.

No unacceptable impact from the construction activities of the TM-CLKL Northern Connection Sub-sea Tunnel Section on Chinese White Dolphins was noticeable from general observations during the dolphin monitoring in this reporting month.

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

2.3.8                               Marine Mammal Exclusion Zone Monitoring

Daily 250 m marine mammal exclusion zone monitoring was undertaken during the period of marine works under this Contract.  No sighting of the Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin Sousa chinensis was recorded in March 2014 during the exclusion zone monitoring.

2.4                                      EM&A Site Inspection

Site inspections were carried out on a weekly basis to monitor the implementation of proper environmental pollution control and mitigation measures under the Contract.  In the reporting month, four (4) site inspections were carried out on 4, 11, 19 and 26 March 2014.

Key observations and recommendations during the site inspections in this reporting period are summarized in Table 2.11.

Table 2.11      Specific Observations and Recommendations during the Weekly Site Inspection in this Reporting Month

Inspection Date

Observations

Remarks

4 March 2014

Dredging Barge - GD2

Ÿ  Sediment outflow was observed outside the cage-type silt curtain.                                                                                                                                                                                                         

Ÿ  Acoustic decoupling measures should be implemented for all generators.

 

Hopper Barge ¡V Wing Go

Ÿ  Excess sandy materials should be regularly cleaned from desks and exposed fittings of the barge.

 

Storage Area - WA23                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

Ÿ  Sandy materials should be regularly cleared to avoid runoff.

 

Dredging Barge - GD2                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

Ÿ  The Contractor was reminded to regularly maintain the cage-type silt curtain to prevent sediment outflow.                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

Ÿ  The Contractor was reminded to check for all generators if the acoustic decoupling measures have been implemented for all generators.  

 

Hopper Barge ¡V Wing Go                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

Ÿ  The Contractor was reminded to regularly clear excess sandy materials from desks and exposed fittings of the barge.                                                                                                                           

 

Storage Area - WA23                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

Ÿ  The Contractor was reminded to clear the sandy materials more often to avoid runoff.

 

11 March 2014

Dredging Barge - GD12

Ÿ  Acoustic decoupling measures should be implemented for all generators.

 

Dredging Barge - GD2                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

Ÿ  Acoustic decoupling measures should be placed underneath all generators.

Ÿ  Oily water and surface runoff was observed on the deck.

Ÿ  Cage-type silt curtain should be maintained regularly throughout the dredging works                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

.

Dredging Barge - GD12                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

Ÿ  The Contractor was reminded to place the proper isolation material underneath all generators. 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

Dredging Barge - GD2

Ÿ  The Contractor was reminded to place the proper isolation material underneath all generators.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

Ÿ  The Contractor was reminded to clean up the oily water as chemical waste immediately and to check for oil spill regularly.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

Ÿ  The Contractor was reminded to fix the cage-type silt curtain before commencement of dredging works.                                                                                                                                         

 

19 March 2014

Barges - CA11 and GD2                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

Ÿ  Excess material should be regularly cleaned from side decks of the barge.                                                                                                                                                                           

Ÿ  Cage-type silt curtain should be maintained regularly throughout the dredging works. 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Portion N6

Ÿ  C&D waste materials sorting area should be set up properly.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

Barges - CA11 and GD2                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

Ÿ  The Contractor was reminded to do regular cleaning of excess materials on the side decks of the barge.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

Ÿ  The Contractor was reminded to perform regular maintenance on the cage-type silt curtain.

 

Portion N6                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

Ÿ  The Contractor was reminded to set up a proper C&D waste materials sorting area.

26 March 2014

Portions N-A & N-B                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

Ÿ  The Contractor was reminded to tie the floating type silt curtain.        

                                                                                                                                                                                                    

Portion N6                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

Ÿ  Stagnant water was observed.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

Ÿ  Water spraying should be applied during ground breaking works to control dust.

Portions N-A & N-B

Ÿ  The Contractor was reminded to regularly check and maintain the floating type silt curtain. 

                                                                                                                                                                                                             

Portion N6                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

Ÿ  The Contractor was reminded to clear the stagnant water.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

Ÿ  The Contractor was reminded to apply water spraying during ground breaking works and provide adequate water spraying throughout the day to avoid dust generation.   

The Contractor has rectified all of the observations as identified during environmental site inspections in the reporting month.  

2.5                                      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 marine sediments (Category L and Category M).  Reference has been made to the waste flow table prepared by the Contractor (Appendix M).  The quantities of different types of wastes are summarized in Table 2.12.

Table 2.12      Quantities of Different Waste Generated in the Reporting Month

Month/Year

Inert Construction Waste (a) (tonnes)

Imported Fill (tonnes)

Inert Construction Waste Re-used

(tonnes)

Non-inert Construction Waste (b) (tonnes)

Recyclable Materials (c)  (kg)

Chemical Wastes (kg)

Marine Sediment (m3)

Category L

Category M

(Mp & Mf)

March 2014

105

248,811

0

36

0

0

37,300

40,450

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.

2.6                                      Environmental Licenses and Permits

The status of environmental licensing and permit is summarized in Table 2.13 below.


Table 2.13      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-354/2009/B

28 January 2014

Throughout the Contract

HyD

Application for VEP on 20 January 2014 to replace EP-354/2009/A

Construction Dust Notification

363510

19 August 2013

Throughout the Contract

DBJV

-

Chemical Waste Registration

5213-422-D2516-01

10 September 2013

Throughout the Contract

DBJV

-

 

Construction Waste Disposal Account

7018108

19 August 2013

Throughout the Contract

DBJV

Waste disposal in Contract No. HY/2012/08

Waste Water Discharge License

WT00017707-2013

18 November 2013

30 November 2018

DBJV

For site WA18

Waste Water Discharge License

WT00018433-2014

6 March 2014

31 March 2019

DBJV

For site Portion N6

Construction Noise Permit

GW-RW0095-14

10 February 2014

9 August 2014

DBJV

For Dredging and Reclamation Works

Construction Noise Permit

GW-RW0822-13

14 November 2013

10 May 2014

DBJV

For site WA18

Construction Noise Permit

GW-RS0814-13

15 November 2013

10 May 2014

DBJV

For site WA23

Construction Noise Permit

GW-RW0077-14

17 February 2014

16 August 2014

DBJV

For Portion N6

Construction Noise Permit

GW-RW0223-14

29 March 2014

28 September 2014

DBJV

For Portion N6

Construction Noise Permit

GW-RW0234-14

29 March 2014

28 September 2014

DBJV

For Pillar Point

Marine Dumping Permit

EP/MD/14-072

1 November 2013

30 April 2014

DBJV

For Type 1

Marine Dumping Permit

EP/MD/14-140

1 March 2014

31 March 2014

DBJV

For Type 1 (Dedicated site) and Type 2

Notes:

HyD = Highways Department

DBJV = Dragages ¡V Bouygues Joint Venture

VEP = Variation of Environmental Permit

2.7                                      Implementation Status of Environmental Mitigation Measures

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 relevant to this Contract were implemented properly.

2.8                                      Summary of Exceedances of the Environmental Quality Performance Limit

Two Action level exceedances of 1-hr TSP and no exceedances of 24-hr TSP for air quality were recorded during the reporting month.  Further to the investigation, the recorded exceedances for air quality monitoring were considered to be sporadic event from the cumulative anthropogenic activities (eg traffic emissions from Lung Mun Road and River Trade Terminal) in this area of Hong Kong, thus the Project works were unlikely to be the major cause of the recorded exceedances.  The investigation findings are detailed in Appendix L.

One Action Level exceedance and one Limit Level exceedance for depth-averaged SS were recorded in the water quality monitoring of this reporting month.  The investigation findings will be presented in the next monthly report. 

2.9                                      Summary of Complaints, Notification of Summons and Successful Prosecutions

The Environmental Complaint Handling Procedure is provided in Figure 2.5.

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

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

3                                             Future Key Issues

3.1                                      Construction Activities for the Coming Month

As informed by the Contractor, the major works for the Project in April 2014 are summarized in Table 3.1.

Table 3.1        Construction Works to Be Undertaken in the Coming Month

Works to be undertaken

Marine-based Works

¡P         Dredging

¡P         Filling

¡P         Vertical Seawall construction

¡P         Sloping Seawall construction

¡P         Marine Sheet Piling for Box Culvert extension

¡P         Predrilling for Box culvert Foundation

Land-based Works

Portion N6

¡P       CLP Substation underground utilities works

¡P       CLP Substation Superstructure

 

3.2                                      Key Issues for the Coming Month

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

3.3                                      Monitoring Schedule for the Coming Month

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

 

4                                             Conclusions and recommendations

4.1                                      Conclusions

This Fifth Monthly EM&A Report presents the findings of the EM&A activities undertaken during the period from 1 to 31 March 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), water quality and dolphin monitoring were carried out in this reporting month.  One (1) Action Level exceedance and one (1) Limit Level exceedance for depth-averaged SS were recorded in the water quality monitoring of this reporting month.  Two (2) Action Level exceedances of 1-hr TSP and no exceedances of 24-hr TSP for air quality monitoring were recorded in the reporting month.  Investigation findings suggested that the Project works were not the major cause of the recorded exceedances for air quality monitoring.  Nevertheless, the Contractor was reminded to ensure all dust mitigation measures are implemented at the construction site and the proper deployment of silt curtains during the period of marine works under this Contract.

A total of 14 groups of 43 Chinese White Dolphin sightings were recorded during the two sets of surveys in March 2014.  All sightings were made in NWL during the two sets of surveys in March, with no dolphin being sighted in NEL.  All except two sightings were made on primary lines during on-effort search, and none of the dolphin groups was associated with operating fishing vessel.  No unacceptable impact from the construction activities of the TM-CLKL Northern Connection Sub-sea Tunnel Section on Chinese White Dolphins was noticeable from general observations during the dolphin monitoring in this reporting month.

Environmental site inspection was carried out four (4) times in March 2014.  Recommendations on remedial actions recommended 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 ET will keep track on the construction works to confirm compliance of environmental requirements and the proper implementation of all necessary mitigation measures.