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
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 Contract commenced on 1 November 2013 and will tentatively be completed by the end of 2019. 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 Twenty-first Quarterly EM&A report presenting the EM&A works carried out during the period from 1 December 2018 to 28 February 2019 for the Contract No. HY/2012/08 Northern Connection Sub-sea Tunnel Section (the “Contract”) 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
· Construction of Cross Passage Tympanum – TBM tunnel;
· Cross Passage Lining Installation – TBM Tunnel;
· Cross Passage Construction by Pipe Jacking – TBM Tunnel;
· Corbel & OVHD Construction – TBM Tunnel;
· Parapet wall and fireboard Installation – TBM Tunnel;
· RC structure – Portion N-A & S-A;
· Bulk Excavation – Portion N-A; and
· D-wall Construction – Portion S-A
Marine-based Works
· Seawall Modification Works – Portion S-B
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 silt curtain installation in open waters under this Contract. No sighting of the Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin Sousa chinensis (i.e. Chinese White Dolphin) was recorded in the reporting period during the exclusion zone monitoring.
Summary of Breaches of Action/Limit Levels
Breaches of Action and Limit Levels for Air Quality
Eight (8) Action Level exceedance and One (1) Limit Level exceedance of 1-hour TSP was recorded. One (1) Action Level exceedance of 24-hour TSP was recorded. Investigation reports are provided in Appendix J.
Breaches of Action and Limit Levels for Water Quality
No exceedances were recorded in the water quality monitoring of this reporting month.
Dolphin Monitoring
Whilst one (1) Limit Level exceedance was observed for the quarterly dolphin monitoring data between December 2018 and February 2019, 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.
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
· Construction of Cross Passage Tympanum – TBM tunnel;
· Cross Passage Lining Installation – TBM Tunnel;
· Cross Passage Construction by Pipe Jacking – TBM Tunnel;
· Corbel & OVHD Construction – TBM Tunnel;
· RC structure – Portion N-A & S-A; and
· D-wall Construction – Portion N-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 and waste management issues.
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 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) |
Deputy Environmental Manager |
Bryan Lee
|
2293 7323
|
2293 7499 |
|
Senior Environmental Officer
|
Ashley Au
|
52950766 |
|
|
24-hour hotline
|
|
2293 7330 |
|
ET (ERM-HK) |
ET Leader |
Jasmine Ng |
2271 3311 |
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 |
· Construction of Cross Passage Tympanum – TBM tunnel; · Cross Passage Lining Installation – TBM Tunnel; · Cross Passage Construction by Pipe Jacking – TBM Tunnel; · Corbel & OVHD Construction – TBM Tunnel; · Parapet wall and fireboard Installation – TBM Tunnel; · RC structure – Portion N-A & S-A; · Bulk Excavation – Portion N-A; and · D-wall Construction – Portion S-A
Marine-based Works · Seawall Modification Works – Portion S-B
|
Figure 1.2 Locations of Construction Activities – December 2018 to February 2019
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 |
Monitoring Dates |
Location |
Description |
Parameters & Frequency |
ASR1 |
3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27 and 30 December 2018 |
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 |
ASR5 |
2, 5, 8, 11, 14, 17, 20, 23, 26 and 29 January 2019 |
Pillar Point Fire Station
|
Office |
|
AQMS1 |
1, 4, 10, 13, 16, 19, 22, 25 and 28 February 2019 |
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: Vantage Pro 2 (S/N: AS160104014) |
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 H.
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 Sixty- second to Sixty-fourth 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 2018 to February 2019 |
ASR 1 |
167 |
63 - 519 |
331 |
500 |
ASR 5 |
194 |
55 - 399 |
340 |
500 |
|
AQMS1 |
115 |
47 - 221 |
335 |
500 |
|
ASR6 |
139 |
58 - 478 |
338 |
500 |
|
ASR10 |
93 |
25 - 223 |
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 2018 to February 2019 |
ASR 1 |
108 |
59 - 237 |
213 |
260 |
ASR 5 |
120 |
53 - 196 |
238 |
260 |
|
AQMS1 |
72 |
35 - 127 |
213 |
260 |
|
ASR6 |
97 |
48 - 191 |
238 |
260 |
|
ASR10 |
74 |
35 - 137 |
214 |
260 |
Eight (8) Action Level exceedance and One (1) Limit Level exceedance of 1-hour TSP was recorded. One (1) Action Level exceedance of 24-hour TSP was recorded. Investigation reports are provided in Appendix J. Summary of Exceedances for Air Quality Impact Monitoring in this Reporting Quarter is detailed in Table 2.15.
Seawall Modification Works at Portion S-B has commenced on 7 January 2019 and temporarily suspended after January 2019.
Impact marine water quality monitoring was resumed on 2 January 2019 and temporarily suspended after January 2019. Water Quality Monitoring will be resumed prior to the commencement of stage 2 of sloping seawall construction in June 2019.
In accordance with the approved Environmental Review Report dated 21 March 2018 for the Change in Design of Vertical Seawall to Sloping Seawall on Southern Landfall, Updated Impact water quality monitoring programme and water quality monitoring stations IS17, SR7 and IS(Mf)11 specified under the EM&A Manual for HZMB HKBCF project will be adopted. (Figure 2.2; Table 2.5).
Results of water quality monitoring were adopted from the published EM&A data of Contract No. HY/2012/07 Tuen Mun-Chek Lap Kok Link – Southern Connection Viaduct Section .
The Action and Limit Levels of the water quality monitoring were adopted from the EM&A Manual for HZMB HKBCF project. The Action and Limit Levels are provided in Appendix D.
Table 2.5 Locations of Water Quality Monitoring Stations and the Corresponding Monitoring Requirements
Station ID |
Type |
Coordinates |
*Parameters, unit |
Depth |
Frequency |
|
|
|
Easting |
Northing |
|
|
|
IS(Mf)11 |
Impact Station (Close to HKBCF construction site) 8 |
813562 |
820716 |
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. |
IS17 |
Impact Station (Close to HKBCF construction site) |
814539 |
820391 |
|||
SR7 |
Sensitive receivers (Tai Mo Do) |
814293 |
821431 |
|||
*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 17E100747 |
Multi-Parameters |
YSI ProDss 16H104234 |
Multi-Parameters Multi-Parameters |
YSI ProDss 17H105557 YSI ProDss 16H104233 |
Positioning Equipment |
Furuno GP-170 |
Water Depth Detector |
Lowrance Mark 5x / Garmin Striker 4 |
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.
The schedules for water quality monitoring in the reporting quarter are provided in Appendix E.
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 Sixty-third Monthly EM&A Report.
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 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 |
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 |
815456 |
13 |
Start Point |
816506 |
819480 |
1 |
End Point |
804671 |
831404 |
13 |
End Point |
816506 |
824859 |
2 |
Start Point |
805476 |
820800* |
14 |
Start Point |
817537 |
820220 |
2 |
End Point |
805476 |
826654 |
14 |
End Point |
817537 |
824613 |
3 |
Start Point |
806464 |
821150* |
15 |
Start Point |
818568 |
820735 |
3 |
End Point |
806464 |
822911 |
15 |
End Point |
818568 |
824433 |
4 |
Start Point |
807518 |
821500* |
16 |
Start Point |
819532 |
821420 |
4 |
End Point |
807518 |
829230 |
16 |
End Point |
819532 |
824209 |
5 |
Start Point |
808504 |
821850* |
17 |
Start Point |
820451 |
822125 |
5 |
End Point |
808504 |
828602 |
17 |
End Point |
820451 |
823671 |
6 |
Start Point |
809490 |
822150* |
18 |
Start Point |
821504 |
822371 |
6 |
End Point |
809490 |
825352 |
18 |
End Point |
821504 |
823761 |
7 |
Start Point |
810499 |
822000* |
19 |
Start Point |
822513 |
823268 |
7 |
End Point |
810499 |
824613 |
19 |
End Point |
822513 |
824321 |
8 |
Start Point |
811508 |
821123 |
20 |
Start Point |
823477 |
823402 |
8 |
End Point |
811508 |
824254 |
20 |
End Point |
823477 |
824613 |
9 |
Start Point |
812516 |
821303 |
21 |
Start Point |
805476 |
827081 |
9 |
End Point |
812516 |
824254 |
21 |
End Point |
805476 |
830562 |
10 |
Start Point |
813525 |
821176 |
22 |
Start Point |
806464 |
824033 |
10 |
End Point |
813525 |
824657 |
22 |
End Point |
806464 |
829598 |
11 |
Start Point |
814556 |
818853 |
23 |
Start Point |
814559 |
821739 |
11 |
End Point |
814556 |
820992 |
23 |
End Point |
814559 |
824768 |
12 |
Start Point |
815542 |
818807 |
24* |
Start Point |
805476* |
815900* |
12 |
End Point |
815542 |
824882 |
24* |
End Point |
805476* |
819100* |
The Action and Limit levels of dolphin impact monitoring are shown in Appendix D. The Event and Action plan is presented in Appendix I.
The dolphin monitoring schedules for the reporting period are shown in Appendix E.
A total of 801.74 km of survey effort was conducted, with 94.7% 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, 302.10 km and 499.64 km of survey effort were conducted from NEL and NWL survey areas, respectively. The total survey effort conducted on primary and secondary lines were 579.99 km and 221.75 km, respectively. The survey efforts are summarized in Appendix H.
A total of 12 groups of 38 Chinese White Dolphins sightings were recorded during the six sets of surveys in this reporting quarter. Ten of the twelve dolphin sightings were made during on-effort search, and eight of the ten 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 (3 & 5 Dec 2018) |
0.00 |
0.00 |
Set 2 (10 & 12 Dec 2018) |
0.00 |
0.00 |
|
Set 3 (2 & 3 Jan 2019) |
0.00 |
0.00 |
|
Set 4 (7 & 14 Jan 2019) |
0.00 |
0.00 |
|
Set 5 (1 & 14 Feb 2019) |
0.00 |
0.00 |
|
Set 6 (20, 25 & 26 Feb 2019) |
0.00 |
0.00 |
|
NWL |
Set 1 (3 & 5 Dec 2018) |
3.95 |
11.86 |
Set 2 (10 & 12 Dec 2018) |
0.00 |
0.00 |
|
Set 3 (2 & 3 Jan 2019) |
3.32 |
14.94 |
|
Set 4 (7 & 14 Jan 2019) |
0.00 |
0.00 |
|
Set 5 (1 & 14 Feb 2019) |
3.86 |
7.72 |
|
Set 6 (20, 25 & 26 Feb 2019) |
3.29 |
13.16 |
Note: Dolphin Encounter Rates are deduced from the Two Sets of Surveys (Two/Three 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) |
||
September – November 2011 |
December 2018 – February 2019 |
September – November 2011 |
||
Northeast Lantau |
0.0 |
6.00 ± 5.05 |
0.0 |
22.19 ± 26.81 |
Northwest Lantau |
2.40 ± 1.88 |
9.85 ± 5.85 |
7.95 ± 6.60 |
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 – 7 individuals per group in North Lantau region during December 2018 to February 2019. 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 2018 – February 2019 |
September – November 2011 |
|
Overall |
3.17 ± 1.80 (n = 12) |
3.72 ± 3.13 (n = 66) |
Northeast Lantau |
--- |
|
Northwest Lantau |
3.17 ± 1.80 (n = 12) |
3.92 ± 3.40 (n = 49) |
Whilst one limit level exceedance was observed for the quarterly dolphin monitoring data between December 2018 and February 2019, 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.
Daily marine mammal exclusion zone was in effect during the period of silt curtain installation in open waters under this Contract. No sighting of the Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin Sousa chinensis (i.e. Chinese White Dolphin) was recorded in the reporting period during the exclusion zone monitoring.
Site inspections were carried out on a weekly basis to monitor the implementation of proper environmental pollution control and mitigation measures under the Contract. Thirteen (13) site inspections were carried out in the reporting quarter on 5, 12, 19 and 27 December 2018; 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30 January 2019; 8, 13, 20 and 28 February 2019.
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 |
|
5 December 2018 |
Works Area – Portion N-C Chemical label should be provided for oil drums. Works Area – Portion N-A Accumulated waste in the waste skip should be removed. Drip tray and chemical label should be provided for the chemical containers. Works Area – Portion S-B Rubbish in the drainage channel should be cleared. |
Works Area – Portion N-C The Contractor was reminded to provide chemical label for the oil drums. Works Area – Portion N-A The Contractor was reminded to remove accumulated waste in the waste skip. The Contractor was reminded to provide drip tray and chemical label for the chemical containers. Works Area – Portion S-B The Contractor was reminded to clear the rubbish in the drainage channel. |
|
12 December 2018 |
Works Area – Portion S-A Drip tray should be provided for the chemical containers. |
Works Area – Portion S-A The Contractor was reminded to provide drip tray for the chemical containers. |
|
19 December 2018 |
Works Area – Portion S-B Drip tray shoould be provided for the chemical containers. Works Area – Portion N-C Water discharge should be diverted to the drainage system. Works Area – Portion N-A Drip try should be provided for the chemical containers. |
Works Area – Portion S-B The Contractor was reminded to provide drip tray for the chemical containers. Works Area – Portion N-C The Contractor was reminded to divert the water discharge to the drainage system. Works Area – Portion N-A The Contractor was reminded to provide drip tray for the chemical containers. |
|
27 December 2018 |
No Environmental Observation was recorded during the site audit. Reminder from the SOR Works Area - Portion N-A 1. Stagnant water in the drip tray should be removed. Works Area - Portion S-A 2. Stagnant water should be removed. |
No Environmental Observation was recorded during the site audit. Reminder from the SOR Works Area - Portion N-A 1. The Contractor was reminded to remove the stagnant water in the drip tray. Works Area - Portion S-A 2. The Contractor was reminded to remove the stagnant water. |
|
2 January 2019 |
Works Area – Portion S-C The cement bags stock should be covered to prevent dust. Water spraying should be applied to prevent dust when carrying breaking works.
|
Works Area – Portion S-C The Contractor was reminded to cover the cement bags stock to prevent dust. The Contractor was reminded to apply water spraying to prevent dust when carrying breaking works.
|
|
9 January 2019 |
Works Area – Portion N-C The cement bags stock should be covered to prevent dust. Works Area - Portion N-A Chemical label and drip tray should be provided for the chemical drums. Works Area - Portion S-B Housekeeping should be maintained. |
Works Area – Portion N-C The Contractor was reminded to cover the cement bags stock to prevent dust. Works Area - Portion N-A The Contractor was reminded to provide chemical label and drip tray for the chemical drums. Works Area - Portion S-B The Contractor was reminded to maintain the housekeeping. |
|
16 January 2019 |
Works Area – Portion N-C Chemical label and drip tray should be provided for the chemical drums. Works Area – Portion S-A Water spraying should be applied during rock breaking works. Reminder from the SOR Works Area – Portion N-C Stagnant water should be removed for mosquito control. |
Works Area – Portion N-C The Contractor was reminded to provide chemical label and drip tray for the chemical drums. Works Area – Portion S-A The Contractor was reminded to apply water spraying during rock breaking works. Reminder from the SOR Works Area – Portion N-C The Contractor was reminded to remove the stagnant water for mosquito control. |
|
23 January 2019 |
Works Area – Portion N-A Chemical label and drip tray should be provided for the chemical drums. Works Area - Portion S-A Chemical label and drip tray should be provided for the chemical drums.
|
Works Area – Portion N-A The Contractor was reminded to provide chemical label and drip tray for the chemical drums. Works Area - Portion S-A The Contractor was reminded to provide chemical label and drip tray for the chemical drums.
|
|
30 January 2019 |
Works Area – TBM tunnel Cement bags should be covered with tarpaulin sheets. Works Area - Portion S-A Drip tray should be provided for the chemical drums. Drip tray should be provided for the air compressor. Works Area - Portion S-B NRMM label should be displayed on the crawler crane. Oil leakage from the air compressor should be cleared. |
Works Area – TBM tunnel The Contractor was reminded to cover the cement bags with tarpaulin sheets. Works Area - Portion S-A The Contractor was reminded to provide drip tray for the chemical drums. The Contractor was reminded to provide drip tray for the air compressor. Works Area - Portion S-B The Contractor was reminded to display the NRMM label on the crawler crane. The Contractor was reminded to clear the oil leakage from the air compressor. |
|
8 February 2019 |
Works Area – Portion N-A Debris trapped in the surface channel should be removed. |
Works Area – Portion N-A The Contractor was reminded to remove the debris trapped in the surface channel. |
|
13 February 2019 |
Works Area – Portion S-B Chemical labels should be provided for the chemical drums. Reminder from the SOR Works Area – TBM tunnel Stagnant water should be pumped away. |
Works Area – Portion S-B The Contractor was reminded to provide chemical labels for the chemical drums. Reminder from the SOR Works Area – TBM tunnel The Contractor was reminded to pump away the stagnant water. |
|
20 February 2019 |
Works Area – Portion N-A Accumulated waste in the waste skip should be removed. The water pipe should be connected to the wetsep for wastewater treamtment. Works Area – Portion S-A Drip tray should be provided for the chemical drums. Works Area - Portion S-B Spilled oil on the ground should be cleared. Accumulated waste in the waste skip should be removed. Reminder from the SOR Works Area – Portion N-A Stagnant water at the top of the chemical drums should be cleared. Stagnant water trapped inside the concrete bricks containment should be cleared. |
Works Area – Portion N-A The Contractor was reminded to remove the accumulated waste in the waste skip. The Contractor was reminded to connect the water pipe to the wetsep for wastewater treatment. Works Area – Portion S-A The Contractor was reminded to provide drip tray for the chemical drums. Works Area - Portion S-B The Contractor was reminded to clear the spilled oil on the ground. The Contractor was reminded to remove the accumulated waste in the waste skip. Reminder from the SOR Works Area – Portion N-A The Contractor was reminded to clear the stagnant water at the top of the chemical drums. The Contractor was reminded to clear the stagnant water trapped inside the concrete bricks containment. |
|
28 February 2019 |
Works Area – TBM tunnel Exposed cement bags should be covered. Reminder from the SOR Works Area – Portion S-B Stagnant water trapped in the I-beam should be cleared. Stagnant water and rubbish trapped in the tank should be cleared. |
Works Area – TBM tunnel The Contractor was reminded to cover the exposed cement bags. Reminder from the SOR Works Area – Portion S-B The Contractor was reminded to clear the stagnant water trapped in the I-beam. The Contractor was reminded to clear the stagnant water and rubbish trapped in the tank. |
|
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). 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 (Mp & Mf) |
Mixed (L+M) |
|||||||||
December 2018 |
146,997 |
137,101 |
519 |
213,450 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|||
January 2019 |
299,831 |
268,846 |
538 |
394,550 |
0 |
0 |
1,095 |
0 |
|||
February 2019 |
133,335 |
113,728 |
578 |
104,340 |
1,672 |
0 |
1,115 |
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 |
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 |
Construction Waste Disposal Account |
7021715 |
18 October 2018 |
17 January 2019 |
DBJV |
Vessel Disposal |
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 |
WT00031435-2018 |
2 August 2018 |
31 August 2023 |
DBJV |
Southern Landfall |
Marine Dumping Permit |
EP/MD/19-063 |
19 November 2018 |
18 May 2019 |
DBJV |
Type 1 (Open Sea Disposal) |
Marine Dumping Permit |
EP/MD/19-057 |
5 November 2018 |
4 December 2018 |
DBJV |
Type 1 (Dedicated site) and Type 2 (Confined Marine Disposal) |
Marine Dumping Permit |
EP/MD/19-083 |
5 January 2019 |
4 February 2019 |
DBJV |
Type 1 (Dedicated site) and Type 2 (Confined Marine Disposal) |
Marine Dumping Permit |
EP/MD/19-097 |
5 February 2019 |
4 March 2019 |
DBJV |
Type 1 (Dedicated site) and Type 2 (Confined Marine Disposal) |
Marine Dumping Permit |
EP/MD/19-109 |
5 March 2019 |
4 April 2019 |
DBJV |
Type 1 (Dedicated site) and Type 2 (Confined Marine Disposal) |
Marine Dumping Permit |
EP/MD/19-015 |
5 September 2018 |
4 March 2019 |
DBJV |
Catepillar Area |
Construction Noise Permit |
GW-RW0344-18 |
20 August 2018 |
19 February 2019 |
DBJV |
WA23 @ Tsing Yi |
Construction Noise Permit |
GW-RS0598-18 |
15 July 2018 |
14 January 2019 |
DBJV |
Southern Landfall |
Construction Noise Permit |
GW-RW0406-18 |
16 October 2018 |
15 April 2019 |
DBJV |
Urmston Road in front of Pillar Point |
Construction Noise Permit- |
GW-RS0966-18 |
26 October 2018 |
14 April 2019 |
DBJV |
Southern Landfall |
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 twenty-nine monitoring events for both 1-hour TSP and 24-hour TSP were undertaken in which eight (8) Action Level exceedance and one (1) Limit Level exceedance of 1-hour TSP was recorded. One (1) Action Level exceedance of 24-hour TSP was 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 |
2018-12-09 |
- |
1 |
- |
|
2019-12-12 2019-01-11 - |
- - 2019-02-16 |
1 1 - |
- - 1 |
|
Limit Level |
2019-01-17 |
- |
1 |
- |
|
ASR5 |
Action Level |
2019-01-08 2019-01-11 2019-01-17 2019-01-26 |
- - - - |
1 1 1 1 |
- - - - |
Limit Level |
- |
- |
|
- |
|
ASR6 |
Action Level |
2019-12-18 |
- |
1 |
- |
Limit Level |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
ASR10 |
Action Level |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Limit Level |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Total number of Action level Exceedances: |
8 |
1 |
|||
Total number of Limit level Exceedances: |
1 |
0 |
For marine water quality impact monitoring, a total of thirteen monitoring events were undertaken in which no exceedances were recorded in the water quality monitoring of this reporting period. (Table 2.16).
Table 2.16 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 |
||
IS17 |
AL |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
LL |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
IS(Mf)11 |
AL |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
LL |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
SR7 |
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 (1) Limit Level exceedance was observed for the quarterly dolphin monitoring data between December 2018 and February 2019, 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.
The Environmental Complaint Handling Procedure is provided in Figure 2.4.
No environmental complaint was received in this reporting period.
No environmental summons was received in this 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 · Construction of Cross Passage Tympanum – TBM tunnel; · Cross Passage Lining Installation – TBM Tunnel; · Cross Passage Construction by Pipe Jacking – TBM Tunnel; · Corbel & OVHD Construction – TBM Tunnel; · RC structure – Portion N-A & S-A; and · D-wall Construction – Portion N-A |
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 and waste management issues.
Impact monitoring for air quality and marine ecology (include dolphin monitoring) are scheduled to continue for the next reporting period.
This Twenty-first Quarterly EM&A Report presents the findings of the EM&A activities undertaken during the period from 1 December 2018 to 28 February 2019, 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 and dolphin monitoring were carried out in the reporting period. Eight (8) Action Level exceedance and One (1) Limit Level exceedance of 1-hour TSP was recorded. One (1) Action Level exceedance of 24-hour TSP was recorded in the air quality monitoring of this reporting period.
No exceedances were recorded in the water quality monitoring of this reporting month.
A total of 12 groups of 38 Chinese White Dolphins sightings were recorded during the six sets of surveys in this reporting quarter. Ten of the twelve dolphin sightings were made during on-effort search, and eight of the ten on-effort dolphin sightings were made on primary lines. Whilst one limit level exceedance was observed for the quarterly dolphin monitoring data between December 2018 and February 2019, 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.