Executive Summary
1.1 Background
1.2 Scope
of Report
1.3 Organization
Structure
1.4 Summary
of Construction Works
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
3.1 Construction
Activities for the Coming Quarter
3.2 Key
Issues for the Coming Quarter
3.3 Monitoring
Schedule for the Coming Quarter
AppendiX A |
Project Organization
|
AppendiX b |
|
AppendiX c |
Environmental Mitigation And Enhancement Measure
Implementation Schedules (EMIS) |
AppendiX d |
Action And Limit Levels
|
AppendiX e |
|
AppendiX f |
Air Quality Monitoring Results
|
AppendiX g |
|
AppendiX h |
|
AppendiX i |
|
AppendiX j |
|
AppendiX k |
Waste Flow Table
|
Under Contract No. HY/2012/08,
Dragages – 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 – 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). Subsequent
applications for variation of environmental permits (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 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 Sixth Quarterly EM&A report presenting
the EM&A works carried out during the period from 1 March 2015 to 31 May
2015 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, the major activities in the reporting quarter included:
Land-based
Works
· Surcharge
Set Up at Works Area – Portion N-C;
· Surcharge
Removal at Works Area – Portion N-C;
· Land-based
Sheet Piling Works at Works Area – Portion N-A;
· Diaphragm
Wall Construction for Ventilation Shaft at Works Area – Portion N-C;
· Box
Culvert Extension at Works Area – Portion N-A;
· Excavation
for Ventilation Shaft at Works Area – Portion N-C;
· Startup
of TBM at Works Area – Portion N-A;
· TBM
Platform Construction at Works Area – Portion N-A;
· Delivery
& Assembly of TBM at Works Area – Portion N-A and,
· Set
up of Slurry Treatment Plant at Works Area – Portion N-C.
A summary of monitoring and audit activities conducted
in the reporting period is listed below:
24-hour TSP Monitoring 31
sessions
1-hour TSP Monitoring 31
sessions
Impact Water Quality Monitoring 39 sessions
Impact Dolphin Monitoring 6 sessions
Joint Environmental Site Inspection 13 sessions
Implementation
of Marine Mammal Exclusion Zone
There was no dredging, reclamation
or marine sheet piling works in open waters during this reporting period.
Thus, Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM) and the day-time monitoring of Dolphin
Exclusion Zone (DEZ) by dolphin observers were not in effect during the
reporting period.
Summary of Breaches of Action/Limit Levels
Breaches of
Action and Limit Levels for Air Quality
No exceedances were recorded from the air quality
monitoring in this reporting period.
Breaches of
Action and Limit Levels for Water Quality
No exceedances were recorded from the water quality
monitoring in this reporting period.
Dolphin Monitoring
Whilst one Limit Level exceedance was observed for the
quarterly dolphin monitoring data between March 2015 and May 2015, 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 quarter. The exceedance is considered to be the natural variation
of Chinese White Dolphin ranging pattern.
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 Period
Works to be undertaken in the coming quarterly period include
the following:
Land-based
works
· Surcharge
Removal at Works Area – Portion N-C;
· Box
Culvert Extension at Works Area – Portion N-A;
· Excavation
for Ventilation Shaft at Works Area – Portion N-C;
· Startup
of TBM at Works Area – Portion N-A;
· Delivery
& Assembly of TBM at Works Area – Portion N-A and,
· Set
up of Slurry Treatment Plant at Works Area – Portion N-C.
Future Key Issues
Potential environmental impacts arising from the above
upcoming construction activities in the coming quarterly period are expected to
be mainly associated with dust, marine water quality, marine ecology and waste
management.
As informed by the Contractor, Phase I Reclamation
works for the Northern Landfall was substantially completed in December 2014, a
proposal letter was sent to EPD on 21 May 2015 to seek approval for the
temporary suspension of Water Quality Monitoring. Subsequently, a letter from EPD on 5 June
2015 stated that they have no strong objection to the temporary suspension of
the water quality monitoring. Water
Quality Monitoring was suspended from 6 June 2015 effectively and will resume
when Phase II Reclamation commences in the fourth quarter of 2016 tentatively.
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 (VEP) (EP-354/2009A) was issued on 8 December
2010. Subsequent applications for
variation of environmental permits (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/2012/08,
Dragages – 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) in accordance with Environmental Permit No. EP-354/2009/A. Ramboll
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 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 |
Highways
Department |
Engr
16/HZMB |
Kenneth Lee |
2762 4996 |
3188 6614 |
SOR (AECOM Asia
Company Limited) |
Chief
Resident Engineer |
Edwin Ching Andrew
Westmoreland |
2450 3111 2450 3511 |
2450 3099 2450 3099 |
ENPO / IEC (Ramboll Environ Hong Kong Ltd.) |
ENPO Leader |
Y.H. Hui |
3547 2133 |
3465 2899 |
IEC |
F. C. Tsang |
3547 2134 |
3465 2899 |
|
Contractor (Dragages – Bouygues Joint Venture) |
Environmental
Manager |
C.F. Kwong |
2293 7322 |
2293 7499 |
Environmental
Officer 24-hour
complaint hotline |
Bryan Lee Rachel Lam |
2293 7323 2293 7342 |
2293 7499 |
|
ET (ERM-HK) |
ET Leader |
Jovy Tam |
2271 3113 |
2723 5660 |
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.
Table 1.2 Summary of Construction Activities Undertaken during the
Reporting Period
Construction Activities Undertaken |
Land-based Works |
Portion N-A ·
Land-based Sheet Piling Works |
·
TBM Platform Construction ·
Box Culvert Extension ·
Delivery & Assembly of TBM ·
Startup of TBM Portion N-C ·
Surcharge set up ·
Surcharge Removal ·
Excavation for Ventilation Shaft ·
Set up of Slurry Treatment Plant ·
Diaphragm Wall Construction for Ventilation Shaft |
Figure 1.2 Locations of Construction Activities – March 2015 to May 2015
Contract no. HY/2013/12, Toll Plaza at Tuen Mun Area 46 |
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
As per the requirements
under Condition 2.4 of EP-354/2009/D, the Enhanced TSP
Monitoring Plan has been prepared under Contract
No. HY/2012/08. Details of the monitoring plan are presented
in the Enhanced TSP Monitoring Plan ([1]).
In accordance with the Updated EM&A Manual and the
Enhanced
TSP Monitoring Plan, impact 1-hour TSP monitoring was conducted three (3)
times in every six (6) days and impact 24-hour TSP monitoring was carried out once
in every six (6) days when the highest dust impact was expected. 1-hr and 24-hr TSP monitoring frequency was
increased to three times per day every three days and daily every three days
respectively as excavation works for launching shaft commenced on 24 October
2014.
High volume samplers (HVSs) were used to carry out the
1-hour and 24-hour TSP monitoring in the reporting quarter 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.
Table 2.1 Locations of Impact Air Quality Monitoring Stations and
Monitoring Dates in this Reporting Period
Monitoring Station |
Location |
Description |
Parameters
& Frequency |
Monitoring
Dates |
ASR1 |
Tuen Mun Fireboat Station |
Office |
TSP monitoring 1-hour Total Suspended Particulates (1-hour TSP, µg/m3), 3
times in every 6 days 24-hour Total Suspended Particulates (24-hour TSP, µg/m3),
daily for 24-hour in every 6 days Enhanced TSP
monitoring (commenced on 24 October 2014) 1-hour Total Suspended Particulates (1-hour TSP, µg/m3), 3
times in every 3 days 24-hour Total Suspended Particulates (24-hour TSP, µg/m3),
daily for 24-hour in every 3 days |
1, 4, 7, 10, 13,
16, 19, 22, 25, 28 and 31 March 2015; 3, 6, 9, 12, 15,
18, 21, 24, 27 and 30 April 2015; 3, 6, 9, 12, 15,
18, 21, 24, 27 and 30 May 2015 |
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 |
Tisch Environmental Mass Flow Controlled Total Suspended
Particulate (TSP) High Volume Sampler (Model No. TE-5170) |
Wind Meter |
Davis (Model: Weather Wizard III (S/N: WE90911A30) |
Wind Anemometer for calibration |
Lutron (Model No. AM-4201) |
The Action and Limit Levels of the air quality
monitoring is provided in Appendix D. The Event and Action plan is presented in Appendix I.
The schedules for air quality monitoring in the
reporting quarter are provided in Appendix E.
Impact air quality monitoring was conducted at all
designated monitoring stations in the reporting period under favourable weather conditions. The major dust sources in the reporting
period include construction activities under the Contract as well as nearby
traffic emissions.
The monitoring results for 1-hour TSP and 24-hour TSP
are summarized in Tables 2.3 and 2.4, respectively. Monitoring results are presented graphically
in Appendix F and detailed impact air quality monitoring data
were reported in the Seventeenth to Nineteenth Monthly EM&A Report.
Table 2.3 Summary of 1-hour TSP Monitoring Results in this Reporting
Period
Month/Year |
Station |
Average (µg/m3) |
Range (µg/m3) |
Action Level (µg/m3) |
Limit Level (µg/m3) |
March 2015
to May 2015 |
ASR 1 |
126 |
52
– 289 |
331 |
500 |
ASR 5 |
161 |
76
– 301 |
340 |
500 |
|
AQMS1 |
129 |
56
– 301 |
335 |
500 |
|
ASR6 |
124 |
57
– 265 |
338 |
500 |
|
ASR10 |
80 |
44
– 188 |
337 |
500 |
Table 2.4 Summary of 24-hour TSP Monitoring Results in this Reporting
Period
Month/Year |
Station |
Average (µg/m3) |
Range (µg/m3) |
Action Level (µg/m3) |
Limit Level (µg/m3) |
March 2015
to May 2015 |
ASR 1 |
80 |
49
– 128 |
213 |
260 |
ASR 5 |
89 |
51
– 137 |
238 |
260 |
|
AQMS1 |
77 |
51
– 133 |
213 |
260 |
|
ASR6 |
73 |
51
– 133 |
238 |
260 |
|
ASR10 |
63 |
44
– 130 |
214 |
260 |
No Action or Limit Level exceedances for 1-hr TSP were
recorded. No Action or Limit Level
exceedances for 24-hr TSP were recorded.
Summary of Exceedances for Air Quality Impact Monitoring in this
Reporting Quarter is detailed in Table
2.15.
The baseline water quality monitoring undertaken by
the Hong Kong – Zhuhai – Macao Bridge Hong Kong Projects (HKZMB) between 6 and
31 October 2011 has included all monitoring stations for the Project. Thus, the baseline monitoring results and
Action/Limit Levels presented in HKZMB Baseline Monitoring Report ([2])
are adopted for this Project.
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 |
Temperature(°C) pH(pH unit) Turbidity (NTU) Water depth (m) Salinity (ppt) DO (mg/L and % of saturation) · SS (mg/L) |
3 water depths: 1m below sea surface, mid-depth and 1m above sea bed. If the water depth is less than 3m,
mid-depth sampling only. If water
depth less than 6m, mid-depth may be omitted. |
Impact monitoring: 3 days
per week, at mid-flood and mid-ebb tides during the construction period of
the Contract. |
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 |
813601 |
825858 |
|||
SR10A |
Sensitive receiver |
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.
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 |
The Action and Limit Levels of the water quality
monitoring is provided in Appendix D. The Event and Action plan is presented in Appendix I.
The schedules for water quality monitoring in the
reporting period are provided in Appendix E.
As informed by the Contractor, Phase I Reclamation
works for the Northern Landfall was substantially completed in December 2014, a
proposal letter was sent to EPD on 21 May 2015 to seek approval for the
temporary suspension of Water Quality Monitoring. Subsequently, a letter from EPD on 5 June
2015 stated that they have no strong objection to the temporary suspension of
the water quality monitoring. Water
Quality Monitoring was suspended from 6 June 2015 effectively and will resume
when Phase II Reclamation commences in the fourth quarter of 2016 tentatively.
During this reporting period, no marine works was
carried out in this Contract. It is
useful to note that heavy marine traffic (not associated with the Project) was
commonly observed nearby the Project site and its vicinity.
Impact water quality monitoring was conducted at all
designated monitoring stations in the reporting period under favourable weather conditions. Monitoring results are presented graphically
in Appendix G and detailed impact water quality monitoring
data were reported in the Seventeenth
to Nineteenth Monthly EM&A Report.
In this reporting period, a total of thirty-nine monitoring
events were undertaken in which no exceedances were recorded. Summary of Exceedances for Water Quality Impact Monitoring
in this Reporting Quarter is detailed in Table
2.17.
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.
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 |
|
|
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 2.3. 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 |
|
|
|
|
The Action and Limit levels of dolphin impact
monitoring are shown in Appendix D. The Event and Action plan is presented in Appendix I.
The dolphin monitoring schedules for the reporting
period are shown in Appendix E.
A total of 899.81 km of survey effort was conducted,
with 97.7% of the total survey effort being conducted under favourable
weather conditions (ie Beaufort Sea State 3 or below
with good visibility) in this reporting quarter. Amongst the two areas, 344.55 km and 555.26 km
of survey effort were conducted from NEL and NWL survey areas, respectively. The total survey effort conducted on primary
and secondary lines were 655.32 km and 244.49 km, respectively. The survey efforts are summarized in Appendix H.
A total of 7 groups of 25 Chinese White Dolphin
sightings were recorded during the six sets of surveys
in this reporting quarter. Four of the
seven dolphin sightings were made during on-effort search. Two of the four on-effort sightings were made
on primary lines, while the other two were made on secondary lines. None of the dolphin groups was associated with
operating fishing vessel.
During this reporting quarter, all dolphin groups were sighted in NWL, while none of
the dolphin groups were sighted in NEL.
Encounter rates of Chinese White Dolphins are deduced
from the survey effort and on-effort sighting data made under favourable conditions (Beaufort 3 or below with good
visibility) in the reporting quarter with the results and comparison with
baseline 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 4th/11th |
0.0 |
0.0 |
Set 2: Mar 17th/26th |
0.0 |
0.0 |
|
Set 3: Apr 8th/10th |
0.0 |
0.0 |
|
Set 4: Apr 17th
/22nd |
0.0 |
0.0 |
|
Set 5: May 4th/8th |
0.0 |
0.0 |
|
Set 6: May 14th/18th |
0.0 |
0.0 |
|
NWL |
Set 1: Mar 4th/11th |
1.42 |
9.93 |
Set 2: Mar 17th/26th |
0.0 |
0.0 |
|
Set 3: Apr 8th/10th |
1.40 |
4.20 |
|
Set 4: Apr 17th
/22nd |
0.0 |
0.0 |
|
Set 5: May 4th/8th |
0.0 |
0.0 |
|
Set 6: May 14th/18th |
0.0 |
0.0 |
Note: Dolphin Encounter Rates
are deduced from the Two Sets of Surveys (Two Surveys in Each Set) in the
reporting quarter in Northeast (NEL) and Northwest Lantau (NWL)
Table 2.10 Quarterly 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) |
||
March 2015 – May 2015 |
September 2011 – November 2011 |
March 2015 – May 2015 |
September 2011 – November 2011 |
|
Northeast Lantau |
0.0 |
6.00 ± 5.05 |
0.0 |
22.19 ± 26.81 |
Northwest Lantau |
0.47 ± 0.73 |
9.85 ± 5.85 |
2.36 ± 4.07 |
44.66 ± 29.85 |
Note: Encounter rates deduced from
the baseline monitoring period have been recalculated based only on survey
effort and on-effort sighting data made along the primary transect lines under
favourable conditions.
Group size of Chinese White Dolphins ranged from 1
- 3 individuals per group in North Lantau region during March 2015 to May 2015. The average dolphin group sizes from these
three months were compared with the ones deduced from the baseline period in
September to November 2011, as shown in Table
2.11.
Table 2.11 Average Dolphin Group Size
|
Average Dolphin Group Size |
|
March 2015 – May 2015 |
September 2011 – November 2011 |
|
Overall |
3.57 ± 2.82 |
3.72 ± 3.13 |
Northeast Lantau |
0.0 |
3.18 ± 2.16 |
Northwest Lantau |
3.57 ± 2.82 |
3.92 ± 3.40 |
Whilst one Limit Level exceedance was observed for the
quarterly dolphin monitoring data between March 2015 and May 2015, no unacceptable
impact from the construction activities of this Contract was recorded from the general
observations.
Although the dolphins infrequently occurred along the
alignment of TM-CLKL Northern Connection Sub-Sea Tunnel Section in the past and
during the baseline monitoring period, it is apparent that dolphin usage has
been significantly reduced in NEL.
It is critical to monitor the dolphin usage in North
Lantau region in the upcoming quarters to determine whether the dolphins are
continuously affected by the various construction activities in relation to the
HZMB-related works, and whether suitable mitigation measure can be applied to
revert the situation.
There was no dredging,
reclamation or marine sheet piling works in open waters during this reporting
period. Thus, Passive Acoustic
Monitoring (PAM) and the day-time monitoring of Dolphin Exclusion Zone (DEZ) by
dolphin observers were not in effect during the reporting period.
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 4, 11, 18 and 26
March 2015; 1, 9, 15, 22 and 29 April 2015; 6, 13, 20 and 27 May 2015.
Key observations during the site inspections in this
reporting period are summarized in Table 2.12.
Table 2.12 Specific Observations and Recommendations during the Weekly
Site Inspection in this Reporting Period
Inspection Date |
Environmental Observations |
Recommendations/ Remarks |
||
4 March 2015 |
Works
Area - Portion N-B
Accumulated general refuse should be cleared. Works
Area - Portion N-C Chemical
containers should be stored in the chemical storage area. |
Works
Area - Portion N-B
The Contractor was reminded to clear accumulated
general refuse. Works
Area - Portion N-C The
Contractor was reminded to store the chemical containers in the chemical
storage area. |
||
11
March 2015 |
Works
Area - Portion N-A
Oil drum was observed without drip tray.
Silt removal facilities should be maintained more
frequently. Litters were
observed in the water adjacent to the works site. |
Works
Area - Portion N-A
The Contractor was reminded to provide drip tray for
the oil drum.
The Contractor was reminded to check and maintain
adequate capacity of the silt removal facilities. The Contractor was
reminded to clear the litters in the water adjacent to the works site. |
||
18 March
2015 |
Works
Area - Portion N-A
Muddy water was observed near the site entrance. Works
Area - Portion N-B Bunds
should be provided to avoid wash out of excess materials into water adjacent
to the work site. |
Works
Area - Portion N-A
The Contractor was reminded to clear the muddy water
near the site entrance. Works
Area - Portion N-B The
Contractor was reminded to provide bunds or clear the excess materials. |
||
26
March 2015 |
Works
Area - Portion N-A Drip
tray should be provided and proper chemical label should be displayed at the
oil drum. |
Works
Area - Portion N-A The
Contractor was reminded to provide drip tray and chemical label for the oil
drum. |
||
1
April 2015 |
Works
Area - Portion N-A Used
cement bags should be removed. |
Works
Area - Portion N-A The
Contactor was reminded to cover or remove the used cement bags. |
||
9 April 2015 |
Works
Area - Portion N-A Chemical
containers were observed without drip trays and chemical labels. |
Works
Area - Portion N-A The
Contactor was reminded to provide drip trays and chemical labels for the
chemical containers. |
||
15
April 2015 |
Works
Area - Portion N-C Accumulated
general refuse was observed on the ground. Cement
bags should be covered. Sufficient silt
removal facilities should be provided and the deposited silt should be
removed regularly. |
Works
Area - Portion N-C The
Contractor was reminded to provide sufficient trays for the general refuse. The
Contractor was reminded to cover the cement bags. The
Contractor was reminded to provide sufficient silt removal facilities and
clear the deposited silt. |
||
22 April
2015 |
Works
Area - Portion N-C Accumulated
general refuse should be cleared and chemical containers should be stored in
drip tray. Enclosure
should be provided to the cement mixer. |
Works
Area - Portion N-C The
Contractor was reminded to clear the accumulated general refuse and provide
drip tray for the chemical containers. The
Contractor was reminded to provide enclosure to the cement mixer. |
||
29
April 2015 |
Works
Area - Portion N-B Water
spraying on haul road should be applied more frequently during dry
conditions. |
Works
Area - Portion N-B The
Contractor was reminded to apply water spraying on haul road more frequently
during dry conditions. |
||
6 May 2015 |
Works
Area - Portion N-A Chemical
containers should be bunded or provided with drip
trays. Chemical
labels should be provided to the chemical containers. |
Works
Area - Portion N-A The
Contractor was reminded to provide bunds or drip trays to the chemical
containers. The
Contractor was reminded to provide chemical labels to the chemical
containers. |
||
13
May 2015 |
Works
Area - Portion N-B Drainage
system should be maintained more frequently after rainstorm. Excess
muddy water should be cleared to avoid runoff. |
Works
Area - Portion N-B The
Contractor was reminded to clear the muddy materials in the drainage system
more frequently after rainstorm. The
Contractor was reminded to clear the excess muddy water to avoid runoff. |
||
20 May 2015 |
Works
Area - Portion N-A Drip
trays should be provided for the chemical containers. |
Works
Area - Portion N-A The
Contractor was reminded to provide drip trays to the chemical containers. |
||
27
May 2015 |
Works
Area - Portion N-C Excess
materials should be clean up more frequently during wet season. |
Works
Area - Portion N-C The
Contractor was reminded to clean up excess materials more frequently during
wet season. |
||
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) and imported fill. 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 2.13.
Table 2.13 Quantities of Different Waste Generated in the Reporting Period
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 |
|||||||
March 2015 |
36,718 |
0 |
0 |
115 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
April 2015 |
62,847 |
0 |
0 |
91 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
May 2015 |
121,279 |
0 |
0 |
108 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Total |
220844 |
0 |
0 |
314 |
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 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 2.14 below.
Table 2.14 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/D |
13 March 2015 |
Throughout the Contract |
HyD |
Application
for VEP on 3 March 2015 to supersede EP-354/2009/C |
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 HY/2012/08 |
Waste
Water Discharge License |
WT00017707-2013 |
18 November 2013 |
30 November 2018 |
DBJV |
For works in site WA18 |
Waste
Water Discharge License |
WT00018433-2014 |
6 March 2014 |
31 March 2019 |
DBJV |
For works in site Portion N6 |
Construction
Noise Permit |
GW-RW0847-14 |
11
November 2014 |
10
May 2015 |
DBJV |
For
site WA23 |
Construction
Noise Permit |
GW-RW0706-14 |
29
September 2014 |
28
March 2015 |
DBJV |
For
Portion N6 |
Construction
Noise Permit |
GW-RW0140-15 |
29
March 2015 |
28
September 2015 |
DBJV |
For
Portion N6 |
Construction
Noise Permit |
GW-RW0970-14 |
17
December 2014 |
14
May 2015 |
DBJV |
For
Dredging and Reclamation Works |
Construction
Noise Permit |
GW-RW0123-15 |
20
March 2015 |
19
May 2015 |
DBJV |
For
Dredging and Reclamation Works |
Construction Noise Permit |
GW-RW0674-14 |
18 September 2014 |
17 March 2015 |
DBJV |
For GI Works at Southern Landfall |
Construction
Noise Permit |
GW-RW0150-15 |
1
April 2015 |
30
September 2015 |
DBJV |
For
GI Works at Southern Landfall |
Construction
Noise Permit |
GW-RW0204-15 |
11
May 2015 |
10
November 2015 |
DBJV |
For
site WA23 |
Construction
Noise Permit |
GW-RW0216-15 |
20
May 2015 |
19
July 2015 |
DBJV |
For
Dredging and Reclamation Works |
Notes: |
|
|
|
|
|
HyD
= Highways Department DBJV
= Dragages – Bouygues Joint Venture VEP
= Variation of Environmental Permit |
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.
For air quality impact monitoring, a total of thirty-one
monitoring events were undertaken in which no Action Level or Limit Level
exceedances for 1-hr TSP; no Action Level exceedances or Limit Level
exceedances for 24-hr TSP were recorded in this reporting quarter. (Table 2.15).
Table 2.15 Summary of Exceedances for Air Quality Impact Monitoring in
this Reporting Quarter
Station |
Exceedance
Level |
Date of
Exceedances |
Number of
Exceedances |
||
1-hr TSP |
24-hr TSP |
1-hr TSP |
24-hr TSP |
||
AQMS1 |
Action Level |
- |
- |
0 |
0 |
Limit Level |
- |
- |
0 |
0 |
|
ASR1 |
Action Level |
- |
- |
0 |
0 |
Limit Level |
- |
- |
0 |
0 |
|
ASR5 |
Action Level |
- |
- |
0 |
0 |
Limit Level |
- |
- |
0 |
0 |
|
ASR6 |
Action Level |
- |
- |
0 |
0 |
Limit Level |
- |
- |
0 |
0 |
|
ASR10 |
Action Level |
- |
- |
0 |
0 |
Limit Level |
- |
- |
0 |
0 |
|
Total number of Action level Exceedances: |
0 |
0 |
|||
Total number of Limit level Exceedances: |
0 |
0 |
For marine water quality impact monitoring, a total of
thirty-nine monitoring events were undertaken in which no exceedances were
recorded (Table 2.17).
In addition, the construction impact on depth-averaged
SS was assessed to compare the quarterly mean values of depth-averaged SS with
the relevant ambient mean values.
Results showed that the quarterly mean values of depth-averaged SS at
all monitoring stations are well below the ambient mean values (Table 2.16), thus no further action is
required in accordance with the Updated EM&A Manual.
Table 2.16 Comparison between Quarterly Mean and Ambient Mean Values of
Depth-averaged Suspended Solids (mg/L)
Station |
Baseline Mean |
Ambient Mean (a) |
Quarterly
Mean (March 2015 to May 2015) |
|||
Mid-ebb |
Mid-flood |
Mid-ebb |
Mid-flood |
Mid-ebb |
Mid-flood |
|
CS4 |
10.2 |
9.0 |
13.3 |
11.7 |
8.1 |
8.0 |
CS6 |
10.9 |
11.7 |
14.1 |
15.2 |
7.8 |
7.7 |
IS12 |
9.2 |
9.5 |
12.0 |
12.3 |
7.9 |
7.8 |
IS13 |
10.0 |
10.5 |
13.0 |
13.7 |
7.9 |
7.9 |
IS14 |
10.4 |
9.7 |
13.5 |
12.6 |
8.1 |
7.9 |
IS15 |
9.6 |
11.0 |
12.5 |
14.2 |
7.9 |
7.8 |
SR10A |
10.3 |
10.2 |
13.3 |
13.3 |
7.8 |
7.7 |
SR8 |
10.1 |
11.3 |
13.1 |
14.7 |
7.7 |
7.6 |
SR9 |
8.8 |
9.9 |
11.4 |
12.8 |
7.9 |
7.8 |
Mean
value |
10.0 |
10.3 |
13.0 |
13.4 |
7.9 |
7.8 |
Notes: |
||||||
(a) Ambient mean value is defined as a 30%
increase of the baseline mean value |
Table 2.17 Summary of Exceedances for Marine Water Quality Impact
Monitoring in this Reporting Quarter
Station |
Exceedance Level (a) |
DO (Surface
and Middle) |
DO (Bottom) |
Turbidity
(depth-averaged) |
SS
(depth-averaged) |
||||
Mid-ebb |
Mid-flood |
Mid-ebb |
Mid-flood |
Mid-ebb |
Mid-flood |
Mid-ebb |
Mid-flood |
||
CS4 |
AL |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
LL |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
CS6 |
AL |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
LL |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
IS12 |
AL |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
LL |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
IS13 |
AL |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
LL |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
IS14 |
AL |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
LL |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
IS15 |
AL |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
LL |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
SR8 |
AL |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
LL |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
SR9 |
AL |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
LL |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
SR10 |
AL |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
LL |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Total AL Exceedances: |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Total LL Exceedances: |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Notes: |
|||||||||
(a) AL = Action Level; LL = Limit Level |
One Limit Level exceedance of impact dolphin monitoring
was recorded in this reporting quarter. Following
the review of monitoring data and marine works details in accordance with the
procedures stipulated in the Event and Action Plan of the Updated EM&A
Manual, there is no evidence showing that the sources of impact directly
related to the construction works under this Contract that may have affected
the dolphin usage in the NEL region.
Detailed investigation findings are presented in Appendix J.
Cumulative statistics are provided in Appendix J.
The Environmental Complaint Handling Procedure is provided
in Figure 2.4.
No non-compliance event was recorded during the
reporting period.
No environmental complaint was received in the
reporting period.
No summons/ prosecution was
received during the reporting period.
Statistics on complaints, notifications of summons and
successful prosecutions are summarized in Appendix J.
As informed by the Contractor, the major works for the
Project in the coming quarter are summarized in Table 3.1.
Table 3.1 Construction Works to Be Undertaken in the Coming Quarter
Works to be undertaken |
Land-based Works |
·
Surcharge Removal at Works Area – Portion N-C; ·
Box Culvert Extension at Works Area – Portion N-A; ·
Excavation for Ventilation Shaft at Works Area –
Portion N-C; ·
Startup of TBM at Works Area – Portion N-A; ·
Delivery & Assembly of TBM at Works Area –
Portion N-A and, ·
Set up of Slurry Treatment Plant at Works Area –
Portion N-C. |
Potential environmental impacts arising from the above
upcoming construction activities are mainly associated with dust, marine
ecology and waste management issues.
As informed by the Contractor, Phase I Reclamation
works for the Northern Landfall was substantially completed in December 2014, a
proposal letter was sent to EPD on 21 May 2015 to seek approval for the
temporary suspension of Water Quality Monitoring. Subsequently, a letter from EPD on 5 June
2015 stated that they have no strong objection to the temporary suspension of
the water quality monitoring. Water
Quality Monitoring was suspended from 6 June 2015 effectively and will resume
when Phase II Reclamation commences in the fourth quarter of 2016 tentatively.
Impact monitoring for air quality, marine water
quality and marine ecology (include dolphin monitoring) are scheduled to
continue for the next reporting period.
This Sixth Quarterly EM&A Report presents the
findings of the EM&A activities undertaken during the period from 1 March
2015 to 31 May 2015, in accordance with the Updated EM&A Manual and the
requirements of EP-354/2009/D.
Air quality (including 1-hour TSP and 24-hour TSP), marine
water quality and dolphin monitoring were carried out in the reporting period. No Action or Limit Level exceedances for 1-hr
TSP were recorded. No Action or Limit
Level exceedances for 24-hr TSP were record.
No Action Level or Limit Level exceedances were
recorded in marine water quality impact monitoring during the reporting period.
A total of 7 groups of 25 Chinese White Dolphin
sightings were recorded during the six sets of surveys
from March 2015 to May 2015. Whilst one Limit
Level exceedance was recorded for the quarterly dolphin monitoring data between
March 2015 and May 2015, 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. Although the dolphins infrequently occurred along the
alignment of TM-CLKL Northern Connection Sub-Sea Tunnel Section in the past and
during the baseline monitoring period, it is apparent that dolphin usage has
been significantly reduced in NEL. It is
critical to monitor the dolphin usage in North Lantau region in the upcoming
quarters, to determine whether the dolphins are continuously affected by the
various construction activities in relation to the construction works of the
Contract, and whether suitable mitigation measure can be applied to improve the
situation.
Thirteen weekly environmental site inspections were carried
out in the reporting period.
Recommendations on remedial actions provided for the deficiencies
identified during the site audits were properly implemented by the Contractor. No non-compliance event was
recorded during the reporting period.
No environmental complaint was received during the
reporting period.
No summons/ prosecution was
received during the reporting period.
The monitoring programme has
been reviewed and was considered as adequate to cater for the nature of works
in progress. Change to the
monitoring programme was thus not recommended at this stage. The monitoring programme will be evaluated as
appropriate in the next reporting period.
The ET will keep track on the construction works to confirm compliance
of environmental requirements and the proper implementation of all necessary
mitigation measures.