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 Quarter

3.2                   Key Issues for the Coming Quarter                             

3.3                   Monitoring Schedule for the Coming Quarter      

4                      Conclusions                                                                            

 

 

Appendix A                         Project Organization

Appendix B                         Construction Programme

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

Appendix D                         Action And Limit Levels

Appendix E                         Monitoring Schedule

Appendix F                         Air Quality Monitoring Results

Appendix G                        Water Quality Monitoring Results

Appendix H                         Impact Dolphin Monitoring

Appendix I                          Event And Action Plan

Appendix J                         Cumulative Statistics On Exceedance And Complaint

Appendix K                         Waste Flow Table

 

 

Executive Summary

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. Ramboll 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 Seventeenth Quarterly EM&A report presenting the EM&A works carried out during the period from 1 December 2017 to 28 February 2018 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

·         Box Culvert Extension at Works Area – Portion N-A;

·         Construction of North Ventilation Building – Portion N-C;

·         Construction of Cross Passage Tympanum – TBM tunnel;

·         Cross Passage Lining Installation – TBM Tunnel;

·         Cross Passage Construction by Pipe Jacking – TBM Tunnel;

·         Excavation of Sub-sea Tunnel – TBM tunnel;

·         Corbel & OVHD Construction – TBM Tunnel;

·         Parapet wall Installation – TBM Tunnel;

·         Bulk Excavation – Portion S-A;

·         CSM treatment, Jet Grouting works and D-wall Construction; and

·         Ground Freezing Works – Portion S-A

 

Marine-based Works

·         Seawall Construction and Filling works – Portion N-A; and

·         Seawall Enhancement works – Portion N-C

 

                                    

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

24-hour TSP Monitoring                         29 sessions

1-hour TSP Monitoring                                     29 sessions

Water Quality Monitoring             13 sessions

Impact Dolphin Monitoring                      6 sessions

Joint Environmental Site Inspection       13 sessions

Implementation of Marine Mammal Exclusion Zone

Daily marine mammal exclusion zone was in effect during the period of dredging, reclamation or marine sheet piling works in open waters under this Contract.  No sighting of the Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin Sousa chinensis (i.e. Chinese White Dolphin) was recorded in December 2017 during the exclusion zone monitoring.

Summary of Breaches of Action/Limit Levels

Breaches of Action and Limit Levels for Air Quality

Fifteen (15) Action Level exceedances of 1-hour TSP were recorded in the air quality monitoring of this reporting period.  Two (2) Action Level and three (3) Limit Level exceedances of 24-hour TSP were recorded.  Investigation report is provided in Appendix J.

Breaches of Action and Limit Levels for Water Quality

Four (4) Action Level exceedances of Suspended Solids (SS) were recorded in the water quality monitoring of this reporting period.  Investigation reports are provided in Appendix J.

Dolphin Monitoring

Whilst two (2) Action Level exceedances were observed for the quarterly dolphin monitoring data between December 2017 and February 2018, 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.

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.

One (1) environmental complaint case regarding air, noise and light pollution at Tuen Mun Pier was referred by IEC on 30 January 2018.

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

·         Box Culvert Extension at Works Area – Portion N-A;

·         Construction of North Ventilation Building – Portion N-C;

·         Construction of Cross Passage Tympanum – TBM tunnel;

·         Cross Passage Lining Installation – TBM Tunnel;

·         Excavation of Sub-sea Tunnel – TBM tunnel;

·         Corbel Construction – TBM Tunnel;

·         Bulk Excavation – Portion S-A;

·         TBM Excavation – Portion S-A;

·         CSM treatment, Jet Grouting works and D-wall Construction; and

·         Ground Freezing Works – Portion S-A

 

Marine-based Works

·         Seawall Modification Works – Portion S-A

 

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 ecology, marine water quality and waste management issues.


1                                          Introduction

1.1                                   Background

According to the findings of the Northwest New Territories (NWNT) Traffic and Infrastructure Review conducted by the Transport Department, Tuen Mun Road, Ting Kau Bridge, Lantau Link and North Lantau Highway would be operating beyond capacity after 2016.  This forecast has been based on the estimated increase in cross boundary traffic, developments in the Northwest New Territories (NWNT), and possible developments in North Lantau, including the Airport developments, the Lantau Logistics Park (LLP) and the Hong Kong – 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-354/2009/A) 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 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 Seventeenth Quarterly EM&A Report under the Contract No. HY/2012/08 Tuen Mun – Chek Lap Kok Link – Northern Connection Sub-sea Tunnel Section.  This report presents a summary of the environmental monitoring and audit works from 1 December 2017 to 28 February 2018.

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

Highways Department

 

Engr 22/HZMB

Chow Man Lung, Andrew

2762 4110

2762 4110

SOR

(AECOM Asia Company Limited)

 

Chief Resident Engineer

Roger Man

 

Andrew Westmoreland

 

2293 6388

 

2293 6360

2293 6300

 

2293 6300

ENPO / IEC

(Ramboll Hong Kong Ltd.)

ENPO Leader

 

Y.H. Hui

3465 2850

3465 2899

IEC

 

Dr. F.C. Tsang

3465 2851

3465 2899

Contractor

(Dragages – Bouygues Joint Venture)

Environmental Officer

 

Bryan Lee

 

 

 

2293 7323

 

 

 

2293 7499

 

24-hour complaint hotline

 

Rachel Lam

2293 7330

 

ET (ERM-HK)

ET Leader

Jasmine Ng

2271 3311

2723 5660

 

1.4                                   Summary of Construction Works

The construction phase of this Contract was commenced on 1 November 2013.  The 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

Land-based Works

·         Box Culvert Extension at Works Area – Portion N-A;

·         Construction of North Ventilation Building – Portion N-C;

·         Construction of Cross Passage Tympanum – TBM tunnel;

·         Cross Passage Lining Installation – TBM Tunnel;

·         Cross Passage Construction by Pipe Jacking – TBM Tunnel;

·         Excavation of Sub-sea Tunnel – TBM tunnel;

·         Corbel & OVHD Construction – TBM Tunnel;

·         Parapet wall Installation – TBM Tunnel;

·         Bulk Excavation – Portion S-A;

·         CSM treatment, Jet Grouting works and D-wall Construction; and

·         Ground Freezing Works – Portion S-A

 

Marine-based Works

·         Seawall Construction and Filling works – Portion N-A; and

·         Seawall Enhancement works – Portion N-C

 

Figure 1.2      Locations of Construction Activities – December 2017 to February 2018

 

 

fig 1

 

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

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]).  

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 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

Monitoring Dates

Location

Description

Parameters & Frequency

ASR1

2, 5, 8, 11, 14, 17, 20, 23, 26 and 29 December 2017

Tuen Mun Fireboat Station

 

Office

TSP monitoring

Ÿ  1-hour Total Suspended Particulates (1-hour TSP, µg/m3), 3 times in every 6 days

Ÿ  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)

Ÿ  1-hour Total Suspended Particulates (1-hour TSP, µg/m3), 3 times in every 3 days

Ÿ  24-hour Total Suspended Particulates (24-hour TSP, µg/m3), daily for 24-hour in every 3 days

ASR5

1, 4, 7, 10, 13, 16, 19, 22, 25, 28 and 31 January 2018

Pillar Point Fire Station

 

Office

AQMS1

3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 21, 24 and 27 February 2018

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 Meter

Davis (Model: Vantage Pro 2 (S/N: AS160104014)

Wind Anemometer for calibration

Lutron (Model No. AM-4201)

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 I.

2.1.3                           Monitoring Schedule for the Reporting Quarter

The schedules for air quality monitoring in the reporting quarter are provided in Appendix E.

2.1.4                           Results and Observations

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 Fiftieth to Fifty-second 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)

December 2017 to February 2018

ASR 1

159

13 - 443

331

500

ASR 5

196

13 - 455

340

500

AQMS1

118

14 - 324

335

500

ASR6

140

13 - 322

338

500

ASR10

113

13 - 333

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)

December 2017 to February 2018

ASR 1

120

21 - 328

213

260

ASR 5

131

23 - 279

238

260

AQMS1

84

16 - 177

213

260

ASR6

101

21 - 178

238

260

ASR10

79

22 - 250

214

260

Fifteen (15) Action Level exceedances of 1-hour TSP were recorded in the air quality monitoring of this reporting period.  Two (2) Action Level and three (3) Limit Level exceedances of 24-hour TSP were recorded.   Summary of Exceedances for Air Quality Impact Monitoring in this Reporting Quarter is detailed in Table 2.15.

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(°C)

Ÿ pH(pH unit)

Ÿ Turbidity (NTU)

Ÿ Water depth (m)

Ÿ Salinity (ppt)

Ÿ DO (mg/L and % of

saturation)

·    SS (mg/L)

3 water depths: 1m

below sea surface,

mid-depth and 1m

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

 

 

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

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. 

 

Table 2.6        Water Quality Monitoring Equipment

Equipment

Model

Multi-Parameters

YSI ProDss 16J101715

Multi-Parameters

YSI ProDss 17E102520

Multi-Parameters

YSI ProDss 16H104234

Multi-Parameters

YSI ProDss 17H105557

Multi-Parameters

YSI 6920 000109DF

Multi-Parameters

YSI 6920V2 00019CB2

Positioning Equipment

Furuno GP-170

Water Depth Detector

Lowrance Mark 5x / Garmin Striker 4

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 I.

2.2.3                           Monitoring Schedule for the Reporting Period

The schedules for water quality monitoring in the reporting quarter are provided in Appendix E.

2.2.4                           Results and Observations

Impact water quality monitoring was conducted at all designated monitoring stations in the reporting quarter.  Results and graphical presentations of impact water quality monitoring are presented in Appendix G.  Detailed water quality monitoring data were reported in the Fiftieth to Fifty-second Monthly EM&A Report.

Since seawall block installation for Phase II reclamation commenced on 1 November 2017, impact water quality monitoring resumed on 1 November 2017.  In this reporting period, a total of thirteen (13) monitoring events were undertaken in which Four (4) Action Level exceedances of Suspended Solids (SS) for impact water quality monitoring were recorded.  Seawall Enhancement Works at Northern Landfall has been completed on 31 December 2017.  Notification of suspension of water quality monitoring has been approved by EPD on 2 March 2018.

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 summarizes 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 2.2.  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

815456

13

Start Point

816506

819480

1

End Point

804671

831404

13

End Point

816506

824859

2

Start Point

805476

820800*

14

Start Point

817537

820220

2

End Point

805476

826654

14

End Point

817537

824613

3

Start Point

806464

821150*

15

Start Point

818568

820735

3

End Point

806464

822911

15

End Point

818568

824433

4

Start Point

807518

821500*

16

Start Point

819532

821420

4

End Point

807518

829230

16

End Point

819532

824209

5

Start Point

808504

821850*

17

Start Point

820451

822125

5

End Point

808504

828602

17

End Point

820451

823671

6

Start Point

809490

822150*

18

Start Point

821504

822371

6

End Point

809490

825352

18

End Point

821504

823761

7

Start Point

810499

822000*

19

Start Point

822513

823268

7

End Point

810499

824613

19

End Point

822513

824321

8

Start Point

811508

821123

20

Start Point

823477

823402

8

End Point

811508

824254

20

End Point

823477

824613

9

Start Point

812516

821303

21

Start Point

805476

827081

9

End Point

812516

824254

21

End Point

805476

830562

10

Start Point

813525

821176

22

Start Point

806464

824033

10

End Point

813525

824657

22

End Point

806464

829598

11

Start Point

814556

818853

23

Start Point

814559

821739

11

End Point

814556

820992

23

End Point

814559

824768

12

Start Point

815542

818807

24*

Start Point

805476*

815900*

12

End Point

815542

824882

24*

End Point

805476*

819100*

Remarks: The coordinates of several starting and ending points have been revised since August 2017 due to the presence of a work zone to the north of the airport platform with intense construction activities in association with the construction of the third runway expansion for the Hong Kong International Airport.  Co-ordinates in red and marked with asterisk are revised co-ordinates of transect line.

 

2.3.5                           Action & Limit Levels

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


2.3.6                           Monitoring Schedule for the Reporting Period

The dolphin monitoring schedules for the reporting period are shown in Appendix E.

2.3.7                           Results & Observations

A total of 797.53 km of survey effort was conducted, with 88.8% 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, 296.70 km and 500.83 km of survey effort were conducted from NEL and NWL survey areas, respectively.  The total survey effort conducted on primary and secondary lines were 582.13 km and 215.40 km, respectively.  The survey efforts are summarized in Appendix H.

A total of 17 groups of 45 Chinese White Dolphins sightings were recorded during the six sets of surveys in this reporting quarter.  Sixteen of the seventeen dolphin sightings were made during on-effort search, and fourteen of the sixteen on-effort dolphin sightings were made on primary lines.  During this reporting quarter, all dolphin groups were sighted in NWL, while no dolphin was 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: Dec 5th/12th

0.00

0.00

Set 2: Dec 15th/20th

0.00

0.00

Set 3: Jan 2nd/8th

0.00

0.00

Set 4: Jan 16th /25th

0.00

0.00

Set 5: Feb 2nd/9th

0.00

0.00

Set 6: Feb 14th/22nd

0.00

0.00

NWL

Set 1: Dec 5th/12th

1.66

8.32

Set 2: Dec 15th/20th

8.39

22.37

Set 3: Jan 2nd/8th

5.68

45.42

Set 4: Jan 16th /25th

3.43

3.43

Set 5: Feb 2nd/9th

4.38

6.56

Set 6: Feb 14th/22nd

4.97

8.29

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)

December 2017 –         February 2018

September – November 2011

December 2017 –         February 2018

September – November 2011

Northeast Lantau

0.0

6.00 ± 5.05

0.0

22.19 ± 26.81

Northwest Lantau

4.75 ± 2.26

9.85 ± 5.85

15.73 ± 15.94

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.

Table d 4.6

nd limit levels of dolphin impact monitoring are shown in Table  

Group size of Chinese White Dolphins ranged from 1 - 8 individuals per group in North Lantau region during December 2017 to February 2018.  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

December 2017 – February 2018

September – November 2011

Overall

2.65 ± 2.50 (n = 17)

3.72 ± 3.13 (n = 66)

Northeast Lantau

---

3.18 ± 2.16 (n = 17)

Northwest Lantau

2.65 ± 2.50 (n = 17)

3.92 ± 3.40 (n = 49)

Whilst two action level exceedances were observed for the quarterly dolphin monitoring data between December 2017 and February 2018, 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.

2.3.8                           Implementation of Marine Mammal Exclusion Zone

Daily marine mammal exclusion zone was in effect during the period of dredging, reclamation or marine sheet piling works in open waters under this Contract.  No sighting of the Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin Sousa chinensis (i.e. Chinese White Dolphin) was recorded in December 2017 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.  Thirteen (13) site inspections were carried out in the reporting quarter on 6, 13, 20 and 27 December 2017; 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31 January 2018; 7, 14, 21 and 28 February 2018.

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

6 December 2017

Works Area – TBM tunnel

Ÿ   Cement bags should be covered with tarpaulin sheets.

Ÿ   Drip tray and proper chemical label should be provided to the chemical containers.

Works Area - Portion S-A

Ÿ   Drip tray and proper chemical label should be provided to the chemical containers.

Works Area – TBM tunnel

Ÿ   The Contractor was reminded to cover the cement bags with tarpaulin sheets.

Ÿ   The Contractor was reminded to provide drip tray and proper chemical label to the chemical containers.

Works Area - Portion S-A

Ÿ   The Contractor was reminded to provide drip tray and proper chemical label to the chemical containers.

13 December 2017

Works Area –Portion S-B

Ÿ   Drip tray and proper chemical label should be provided to the chemical containers.

Works Area - Portion N-C

Ÿ   Drip tray and proper chemical label should be provided to the chemical containers.

Works Area –Portion N-B

Ÿ   Proper NRMM label should be displayed on the soil compacter.

Ÿ   Chemical label should be displayed on the chemical container.

Works Area –Portion S-B

Ÿ   The Contractor was reminded to provide drip tray and proper chemical label to the chemical containers.

Works Area - Portion N-C

Ÿ   The Contractor was reminded to provide drip tray and proper chemical label to the chemical containers.

Works Area –Portion N-B

Ÿ   The Contractor was reminded to display proper NRMM label on the soil compacter.

Ÿ   The Contractor was reminded to display chemical label on the chemical container.

20 December 2017

Works Area – Portion S-B

Ÿ   Chemical waste should be removed or stored in chemical storage area.

Works Area – Portion S-B

Ÿ   The Contractor was reminded to remove or store the chemical waste in chemical storage area.

27 December 2017

Works Area – Portion N-C

Ÿ   Drip tray and proper chemical label should be provided to the oil drums.

Works Area – Portion N-C

Ÿ   The Contractor was reminded to provide drip tray and proper chemical label to the oil drums.

3 January 2018

Works Area – Portion S-A

Ÿ   Accumulated waste in the skip should be removed.

Works Area – Portion S-A

Ÿ   The Contractor was reminded to remove the accumulated waste in the skip.

10 January 2018

Works Area –Portion S-A

Ÿ   Drip tray and proper chemical label should be provided for the chemical container.

Ÿ   Trapped water in the drip tray should be removed.

Works Area –Portion N-A

Ÿ   Trapped water should be pumped off to wastewater treatment facilities.

Ÿ   The slope of the surcharge should be covered entirely by tarpaulin sheets.

Works Area –Portion S-A

Ÿ   The Contractor was reminded to provide drip tray and proper chemical label for the chemical container.

Ÿ   The Contractor was reminded to remove trapped water in the drip tray.

Works Area –Portion N-A

Ÿ   The Contractor was reminded to pump off the trapped water to wastewater treatment facilities.

Ÿ   The Contractor was reminded to cover the slope of the surcharge by tarpaulin sheets entirely.

17 January 2018

Works Area – TBM tunnel

Ÿ   Drip tray and proper chemical label should be provided for the chemical container.

Works Area - Portion S-C

Ÿ   Trapped water in the drip tray should be removed.

Ÿ   Trapped water in the drip tray should be removed.

Works Area – TBM tunnel

Ÿ   The Contractor was reminded to provide drip tray and proper chemical label for the chemical container.

Works Area - Portion S-C

Ÿ   The Contractor was reminded to remove trapped water in the drip tray.

Ÿ   The Contractor was reminded to remove trapped water in the drip tray.

24 January 2018

Works Area – Portion N-C

Ÿ   Chemical container should be placed in proper storage area.

Ÿ   Drip tray and proper chemical label should be provided for the chemical container.

Works Area - Portion S-B

Ÿ   Drip tray should be provided for the chemical container.

Works Area – Portion N-C

Ÿ   The Contractor was reminded to place the chemical container in proper storage area.

Ÿ   The Contractor was reminded to provide drip tray and proper chemical label for the chemical container.

Works Area - Portion S-B

Ÿ   The Contractor was reminded to provide drip tray for the chemical container.

31 January 2018

Works Area – Portion N-C

Ÿ   Accumulated general refuse in the skip should be removed.

Works Area - Portion N-A

Ÿ   Surcharge stockpiles should be entirely covered with tarpaulin sheets.

Works Area - Portion S-B

Ÿ   Cement bags should be entirely covered with tarpaulin sheets.

Works Area – Portion N-C

Ÿ   The Contractor was reminded to remove the accumulated general refuse in the skip.

Works Area - Portion N-A

Ÿ   The Contractor was reminded to cover the surcharge stockpiles entirely with tarpaulin sheets.

Works Area - Portion S-B

Ÿ   The Contractor was reminded to cover the cement bags entirely with tarpaulin sheets.

7 February 2018

Works Area – TBM tunnel

Ÿ   Waste skip should be classified into inert waste type and non-inert waste type.

Works Area –Portion S-B

Ÿ   Drip tray should be provided for the oil drums.

Ÿ   Cement bags should be entirely covered with tarpaulin sheets.

Works Area – TBM tunnel

Ÿ   The Contractor was reminded to classify the waste skip into inert waste type and non-inert waste type.

Works Area –Portion S-B

Ÿ   The Contractor was reminded to provide drip tray for the oil drums.

Ÿ   The Contractor was reminded to cover the cement bags entirely with tarpaulin sheets.

14 February 2018

Works Area –Portion N-C

Ÿ   Accumulated waste in the skip should be removed.

Ÿ   Drip tray should be provided for the chemical containers.

Works Area –Portion S-A

Ÿ   Drip tray should be provided for the chemical containers.

Works Area –Portion N-C

Ÿ   The Contractor was reminded to remove the accumulated waste in the skip.

Ÿ   The Contractor was reminded to provide drip tray for the chemical containers.

Works Area –Portion S-A

Ÿ   The Contractor was reminded to provide drip tray for the chemical containers.

21 February 2018

Works Area – Portion S-B

Ÿ   Water spraying should be applied on site regularly.

Ÿ   Drip tray should be provided for the chemical containers.

Ÿ   The grout mixer should be entirely covered by tarpaulin sheets with 3 sides and the top.

Works Area - TBM tunnel

Ÿ   Drip tray should be provided for the chemical containers.

Ÿ   Drip tray should be provided for the chemical containers.

Works Area – Portion S-B

Ÿ   The Contractor was reminded to apply water spraying on site regularly.

Ÿ   The Contractor was reminded to provide drip tray for the chemical containers.

Ÿ   The Contractor was reminded to cover the grout mixer entirely by tarpaulin sheets with 3 sides and the top.

Works Area - TBM tunnel

Ÿ   The Contractor was reminded to provide drip tray for the chemical containers.

Ÿ   The Contractor was reminded to provide drip tray for the chemical containers.

28 February 2018

Works Area – Portion N-C

Ÿ   Drip tray should be provided for the water proofing material.

Ÿ   Stagnant water in the wheelbarrow should be removed.

Ÿ   Cement bags should be covered with tarpaulin sheeting.

Works Area - Portion S-B

Drip tray should be cleaned up to avoid oil leakage.

Works Area – Portion N-C

Ÿ   The Contractor was reminded to provide drip tray for the water proofing material.

Ÿ   The Contractor was reminded to remove the stagnant water in the wheelbarrow.

Ÿ   The Contractor was reminded to cover the cement bags with tarpaulin sheeting.

Works Area - Portion S-B

The Contractor was reminded to clean up the drip tray to avoid oil leakage.

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

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) and chemical wastes. 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)

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

 

December 2017

3574

0

121

0

0

0

3942

 

January 2018

7,165

0

272

200

2800

0

11,357

 

February 2018

1,762

0

258

200

0

0

2,840

 

Total

12,501

0

651

400

2,800

0

18,139

 

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 2.14 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

Northern Landfall

Construction Dust Notification

 

403620

10 June 2016

Throughout the Contract

DBJV

Southern Landfall

Chemical Waste Registration

5213-422-D2516-02

18 January 2017

Throughout the Contract

DBJV

Northern Landfall

 

Chemical Waste Registration

5213-951-D2591-01

25 May 2016

Throughout the Contract

DBJV

Southern Landfall

Construction Waste Disposal Account

7018108

28 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

WT00019248-2014

5 June 2014

30 June 2019

DBJV

For site Portion N6 and Reclamation Area E

Waste Water Discharge License

WT00018433-2014

6 March 2014

31 March 2019

DBJV

N6 Site

Waste Water Discharge License

WT00025944-2016

15 December 2016

31 December 2021

DBJV

Southern Landfall

Marine Dumping Permit

EP/MD/18-118

21 January 2018

20 February 2018

DBJV

Type 1 (Dedicated site) and Type 2 (Confined Marine Disposal)

Marine Dumping Permit

EP/MD/18-098

21 December 2017

20 January 2018

DBJV

Type 1 (Dedicated site) and Type 2 (Confined Marine Disposal)

Marine Dumping Permit

EP/MD/18-125

21 February 2018

20 March 2018

DBJV

Type 1 (Dedicated site) and Type 2 (Confined Marine Disposal)

Construction Noise Permit

GW-RW0538-17

16 October 2017

15 April 2018

DBJV

For Urmston Road in front of Pillar Point

Construction Noise Permit

GW-RW0641-17

16 December 2017

6 December 2018

DBJV

WA23 @ Tsing Yi

Construction Noise Permit

PP-RS0026-17

1 December 2017

29 March 2018

DBJV

Southern Landfall (Percussive Piling)

Construction Noise Permit

GW-RS0878-17

11 October 2017

2 April 2018

DBJV

Southern Landfall

Construction Noise Permit

GW-RW0060-18

20 February 2018

19 August 2018

DBJV

WA23 @ Tsing Yi

Construction Noise Permit

GW-RS0027-18

22 January 2018

14 July 2018

DBJV

Southern Landfall

Notes:

HyD = Highways Department

DBJV = Dragages – 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

For air quality impact monitoring, a total of twenty-nine monitoring events for both 1-hour TSP and 24-hour TSP were undertaken in which fifteen (15) Action Level exceedances of 1-hour TSP were recorded in the air quality monitoring of this reporting period.  Two (2) Action Level and three (3) Limit Level exceedances of 24-hour TSP were recorded. (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

-

-

-

-

Limit Level

-

-

-

-

ASR1

Action Level

2018-12-08

-

-

-

 

2018-12-11

2018-12-11

2

1

 

2018-12-20

-

1

-

 

2017-12-26

-

1

-

 

2018-02-03

-

1

-

Limit Level

-

2018-12-08

-

1

ASR5

Action Level

2017-12-08

-

1

-

 

2018-12-20

-

1

-

 

2018-12-11

-

1

-

 

2018-01-13

-

1

-

 

2018-01-16

-

3

-

 

2018-01-22

-

2

-

 

2018-02-03

-

1

-

Limit Level

2017-12-08

-

-

1

 

 

2017-12-17

-

-

1

ASR6

Action Level

-

-

-

-

Limit Level

-

-

-

-

ASR10

Action Level

-

2017-12-29-

-

1

Limit Level

-

-

-

-

Total number of Action level Exceedances:

15

2

Total number of Limit level Exceedances:

0

3


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For marine water quality impact monitoring, a total of thirteen monitoring events were undertaken in which Four (4) Action Level exceedances of Suspended Solids (SS) were recorded in the water quality monitoring of this reporting period. (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).  Therefore, 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

Station

Baseline Mean

Ambient Mean (a)

Quarterly Mean (December 2017)

Mid-ebb

Mid-flood

Mid-ebb

Mid-flood

Mid-ebb

Mid-flood

CS4

10.2

9.0

13.3

11.7

7.98

11.13

CS6

10.9

11.7

14.1

15.2

6.17

8.08

IS12

9.2

9.5

12.0

12.3

10.66

9.32

IS13

10.0

10.5

13.0

13.7

10.75

11.28

IS14

10.4

9.7

13.5

12.6

8.30

12.04

IS15

9.6

11.0

12.5

14.2

8.12

12.18

SR10A

10.3

10.2

13.3

13.3

7.04

9.93

SR8

10.1

11.3

13.1

14.7

8.64

9.46

SR9

8.8

9.9

11.4

12.8

7.23

8.78

Grand Total

10.0

10.3

13.0

13.4

8.32

10.24

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

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

2017-12-08

 

LL

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

IS15

AL

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

2017-12-06

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2017-12-08

 

LL

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

SR8

AL

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

LL

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

SR9

AL

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

LL

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

SR10A

AL

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

2017-12-08

 

LL

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

Total AL Exceedances:

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

4

 

Total LL Exceedances:

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

 

Notes:

(a) AL = Action Level; LL = Limit Level

 

 


Two (2) Action Level exceedances were observed for the quarterly dolphin monitoring data between December 2017 and February 2018, whilst 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.

Cumulative statistics are provided in Appendix J.

2.9                                   Summary of Complaints, Notification of Summons and Successful Prosecutions

The Environmental Complaint Handling Procedure is provided in Figure 2.3.

One (1) environmental complaint case regarding air, noise and light pollution at Tuen Mun Pier was referred by IEC on 30 January 2018.

No environmental summons was received in this reporting period.

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

 

 

3                                          Future Key Issues

3.1                                   Construction Activities for the Coming Quarter

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

·         Box Culvert Extension at Works Area – Portion N-A;

·         Construction of North Ventilation Building – Portion N-C;

·         Construction of Cross Passage Tympanum – TBM tunnel;

·         Cross Passage Lining Installation – TBM Tunnel;

·         Excavation of Sub-sea Tunnel – TBM tunnel;

·         Corbel Construction – TBM Tunnel;

·         Bulk Excavation – Portion S-A;

·         TBM Excavation – Portion S-A;

·         CSM treatment, Jet Grouting works and D-wall Construction; and

·         Ground Freezing Works – Portion S-A

 

Marine-based Works

·         Seawall Modification Works – Portion S-A

 

3.2                                   Key Issues for the Coming Quarter

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 issues.

3.3                                   Monitoring Schedule for the Coming Quarter

Impact monitoring for air quality and marine ecology (include dolphin monitoring) are scheduled to continue for the next reporting period.

The monitoring programme has been reviewed and was considered as adequate to cater for the nature of works in progress.  Change to the monitoring programme was thus not considered to be necessary at this stage.  The monitoring programme will be evaluated as appropriate in the next reporting period. 

 

4                                          Conclusions

This Seventeenth Quarterly EM&A Report presents the findings of the EM&A activities undertaken during the period from 1 December 2017 to 28 February 2017, 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), water quality monitoring and dolphin monitoring were carried out in the reporting period.  Fifteen (15) Action Level exceedances of 1-hour TSP were recorded in the air quality monitoring of this reporting period.  Two (2) Action Level and three (3) Limit Level exceedances of 24-hour TSP were recorded.

 
Four (4) Action Level
exceedances of Suspended Solids (SS) were recorded in the water quality monitoring of this reporting period.

A total of 17 groups of 45 Chinese White Dolphins sightings were recorded during the six sets of surveys in this reporting quarter.  Sixteen of the seventeen dolphin sightings were made during on-effort search, and fourteen of the sixteen on-effort dolphin sightings were made on primary lines.  Whilst two action level exceedances were observed for the quarterly dolphin monitoring data between December 2017 and February 2018, 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 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.

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. 



 

 

 



([1])                ERM (2013) Enhanced TSP Monitoring Plan.  Submitted on 28 October 2013 and subsequently approved by EPD on 1 November 2013.