Contract No. HY/2012/07

Tuen Mun ¡V Chek Lap Kok Link ¡V Southern Connection Viaduct Section

 

Contract Specific Environmental Monitoring and Audit Manual

 

 

 

Contents

 

1     INTRODUCTION

1.1      Background Information

1.2      Policy

1.3      EM&A Programme Objectives

1.4      Scope of the EM&A  Programme

1.5      Project Organisation

1.6      Terminology

2      PROJECT DESCRIPTION

2.1      Scope of the Project

2.2     Northern Section in Tuen Mun (not applicable)

2.3      Submarine Tunnel (not applicable)

2.4      Southern Section at HKBCF / North Lantau (not applicable)

2.5      Works Areas

2.6      Sewage and Drainage

2.7      Project Programme

2.8      Concurrent Projects

2.9      Traffic Data and Assumptions

3      AIR QUALITY

3.1      Air Quality Parameters

3.2      Monitoring Equipment

3.3      Laboratory Measurement/Analysis

3.4      Monitoring Locations

3.5      Baseline Monitoring

3.6      Impact Monitoring

3.7      Event and Action Plan for Air Quality

3.8      Dust Mitigation Measures

4      NOISE

4.1      Introduction

4.2      Noise Parameters

4.3      Monitoring Equipment

4.4      Monitoring Locations

4.5      Baseline Monitoring

4.6      Construction Phase Impact Monitoring

4.7      Event and Action Plan for Construction Noise

4.8      Noise Mitigation Measures

5      WATER QUALITY

5.1      Introduction

5.2      Mitigation Measures

5.3      Water Quality Parameters

5.4      Monitoring Equipment

5.5      Laboratory Measurement / Analysis

5.6      Monitoring Locations

5.7      Baseline Monitoring for Water Quality

5.8      Efficiency of Silt Curtains (not applicable)

5.9      Impact Monitoring for Water Quality

5.10       Post-construction Monitoring

5.11        Operational Phase Monitoring

5.12       Event and Action Plan

6      ECOLOGY

6.1      Introduction

6.2      Ecology EM&A Procedures

6.3      Design Phase Audit

6.4      Baseline Monitoring

6.5      Construction and Operational Phase EM&A

6.6      Mitigation and Enhancement Measures

7.    LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL ASSESSMENT

7.1     Introduction

7.2     Relevant Legislation

7.3     Methodology and Criteria

7.4     Baseline Monitoring

7.5     Event and Action Plan

7.6     Mitigation Measures

8      WASTE  MANAGEMENT AND CONTAMINATED LAND

8.1      Waste Issues

8.2      Contaminated Land

8.3      Waste EM&A Requirements

9      CULTURAL HERITAGE

9.1      Introduction

10       Landfill Gas Hazard Assessment

10.1       Introduction

11        SITE ENVIRONMENTAL AUDIT

11.1        Site Inspections

11.2        Compliance with Legal and Contractual Requirements

11.3        Environmental Complaints

11.4        Choice of Construction Metho

12       REPORTING

12.1       General

12.2       Documentation

12.3       Design Audit Report

12.4       Baseline Monitoring Report

12.5       EM&A  Reports

12.6       First EM&A Report

12.7       Subsequent EM&A  Reports

12.8       Quarterly EM&A Summary Reports

12.9       Annual/Final EM&A Review Reports

12.10     Data Keeping

12.11     Interim Notifications of Environmental Quality Limit Exceedances

 

 

 

Appendices

 

Appendix A     Environmental Mitigation Implementation Schedules

Appendix B    Environmental Proformas

 

Annexes

Annex A          Silt Curtain Arrangement & Temporary Staging Preliminary Layout

 

Annex B         Figures

 

Figure 1.1        Design Phase EM&A Procedure and Organisation

Figure 1.2        Construction and Operational Phase Procedure and Organisation

Figure 2.1        General Layout of TM-CLKL

Figure 2.2a      Not applicable

Figure 2.2b      Layout Plan of Southern Landfall

Figure 2.3a      Not applicable

Figure 2.3b      Not applicable

Figure 2.3c      Not applicable

Figure 2.4a      Not applicable

Figure 2.4b      Not applicable

Figure 2.4c      General Layout for Southern Viaduct (1)

Figure 2.4d      General Layout for Southern Viaduct (2)

Figure 2.4e      General Layout for Southern Viaduct (3)

Figure 2.4f       General Layout for Southern Viaduct (4)

Figure 2.4g      General Layout for Southern Viaduct (5)

Figure 2.4h      General Layout for Southern Viaduct (6)

Figure 2.4i       General Layout for Southern Viaduct (7)

Figure 2.4j       General Layout for Southern Viaduct (8)

Figure 2.5a      Geological Section (Sheet 1 of 3)

Figure 2.5b      Not applicable

Figure 2.5c      Not applicable

Figure 2.6a      Not applicable

Figure 2.6b      Not applicable

Figure 2.6c      Not applicable

Figure 2.7        Southern Viaduct Connection and Slip Roads

Figure 2.8a      Not applicable

Figure 2.8b      Proposed Works Areas for TM-CLKL (Lantau Side)

Figure 2.9a      Not applicable

Figure 2.9b      Indicative Construction Programme in North Lantau

Figure 2.9c      Not applicable

Figure 2.9d      Portions of Works in North Lantau

Figure 3.1        Data Sheet for TSP Monitoring (at the end of Section 3)

Figure 3.2        Environmental Monitoring Stations

Figure 4.1        Noise Monitoring Field Record Sheet (at the end of Section 4)

Figure 4.2        Not applicable

Figure 5.1        Not applicable

Figure 5.2        Not applicable

Figure 5.3        Not applicable

Figure 5.4        Not applicable

Figure 5.5a      Not applicable

Figure 5.5b      Not applicable

Figure 5.5c      Not applicable

Figure 5.6a      Not applicable

Figure 5.6b      Not applicable

Figure 5.6c      Not applicable

Figure 5.7        Water Quality Monitoring Data Record Sheet

Figure 5.8        Not applicable

Figure 5.9        Not applicable

Figure 5.10      Not applicable

Figure 6.1        Construction Phase Ecological EM&A Procedure

Figure 6.2        Locations of Coral Colonies identified at Tai Ho Wan and Tai Mo To and Location of Alternative Receptor Site

Figure 6.3        Layout of transect lines of Chinese White Dolphin survey in Northeast and Northwest Lantau survey area

Figure 6.4        Location of Stream NL1

Figure 7.1.1.1 Not applicable

Figure 7.1.1.2 Not applicable

Figure 7.1.1.3 Baseline Landscape Resources with Development Proposal Overlaid (Sheet 3 of 5)

Figure 7.1.1.4 Baseline Landscape Resources with Development Proposal Overlaid (Sheet 4 of 5)

Figure 7.1.1.5 Baseline Landscape Resources with Development Proposal Overlaid (Sheet 5 of 5)

Figure 7.2.1.1 Not applicable

Figure 7.2.1.2 Not applicable

Figure 7.2.1.3  Baseline Landscape Character Areas with Development Proposal Overlaid (Sheet 3 of 5)

Figure 7.2.1.4 Baseline Landscape Character Areas with Development Proposal Overlaid (Sheet 4 of 5)

Figure 7.2.1.5  Baseline Landscape Character Areas with Development Proposal Overlaid (Sheet 5 of 5)

Figure 7.3.1.1 Not applicable

Figure 7.3.1.2 Baseline Key VSRs and Viewpoint at Local Level with Development Proposal Overlaid During Construction (Sheet 2 of 2)

Figure 7.3.1.3 Not applicable

Figure 7.3.1.4 Baseline Key VSRs and Viewpoint at Local Level with Development Proposal Overlaid During Operation (Sheet 2 of 2)

Figure 7.3.2.1 Baseline Key VSRs Viewpoints at Strategic and District Level with Development Proposal Overlaid

Figure 9.1        Not applicable

Figure 12.1      Sample Template for Interim Notifications of Environmental Quality Limits Exceedances

 

Annex C         Summary of Change

 

 

Tables

 

Table 1.1

Summary of EM&A Requirements

Table 2.1

Not applicable

Table 2.2

Details of TM-CLKL Proposed Works Areas

Table 2.3

Not applicable

Table 3.1a

Method of Derivation of Action and Limit Levels for Air Quality

Table 3.1b

Action and Limit Levels for Air Quality

Table 3.2

Event / Action Plan for Air Quality

Table 4.1

Action and Limit Levels for Construction Noise

Table 4.2

Event / Action Plan for Construction Noise

Table 5.1

Laboratory Analysis for SS, Nutrient and Heavy Metals

Table 5.2a

Proposed Water Quality Monitoring Stations (Construction and Post-construction Phases)

Table 5.2b

Proposed Water Quality Monitoring Stations (Operation Phase)

Table 5.3

Action and Limit Levels for Water Quality

Table 5.4

Event and Action Plan for Water Quality

Table 6.1

Ecological Design Specifications

Table 6.2

Event / Action Plan for Design Phase

Table 6.3

Audit Schedule for Ecological Contract Works

Table 6.4

Not applicable

Table 6.5

Summary of Dolphin Monitoring Equipment Requirements

Table 6.6

Event / Action Plan for General Ecology

Table 6.7

Not applicable

Table 6.8

Not applicable

Table 6.9a

Action and Limit Level for Dolphin Monitoring

Table 6.9b

Event / Action Plan for During and Post Construction Dolphin Monitoring

Table 7.1

Monitoring Programme

Table 7.2

Event and Action Plan for Landscape and Visual Impact

Table 8.1

Recommended Waste Disposal Sites

Table 8.2

Waste Management Checklist

Table 9.1

Not applicable

Table 9.2

Not applicable

Table 10.1

Not applicable

 

 

 

Note:

 

All information regarding the Mf Related Monitoring are no longer applicable as

recommended in Supporting Document of Variation of EP for TM-CLKL (EP354/2009).

 

 

 

 

 

1                                                                                       INTRODUCTION

 

1.1                    Background Information

 

1.1.1.1             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  (NLH)  will  be operating beyond capacity after 2016 due to the increase in cross boundary traffic, developments in the NWNT, and possible developments in North Lantau, including  the  Airport  developments,  the  Lantau  Logistics  Park  (LLP)  and  the Hong  Kong  ¡V  Zhuhai  ¡V  Macao  Bridge  (HZMB).  In  order  to  cope  with  the anticipated  traffic  demand,  two  new  connections  between  NWNT  and  North Lantau ¡V Tuen Mun ¡V Chek Lap Kok Link (TM-CLKL) and Tuen Mun Western Bypass (TMWB) are proposed.

 

1.1.1.2             The proposed TM-CLKL if combined with the TMWB will provide a direct route linking NWNT and North Lantau, from north to south, the Kong Sham Western Highway  (KSWH),  port  back-up  areas  in  NWNT,  Tuen  Mun  River  Trade Terminal, the existing EcoPark in Tuen Mun Area 38, the Airport, the proposed LLP, HZMB and North Lantau developments. The new connection will significantly reduce the travelling time between the KSWH and the NWNT region at its northern side, and North Lantau at its southern side.

 

1.1.1.3             In 2005, Highways  Department  (HyD) commissioned  an engineering  feasibility study (FS),  namely Tuen Mun Chek Lap  Kok  Link  and  Tuen  Mun  Western Bypass ¡V Feasibility Study (Agreement  No. CE 28/2005 (HY)), to evaluate the technical feasibility and impacts of the Project.  The FS recommended that the TM-CLKL should be a dual 2-lane road with a total length of about 9 km with about 4 km long submarine tunnel and 5 km long elevated structure.

 

1.1.1.4             In order to progress this project, Maunsell Consultants Asia Ltd. were appointed by HyD to carry out the Assignment on Tuen Mun ¡V Chek Lap Kok Link - Investigation under Agreement No. CE 52/2007 (HY).  The Assignment commenced on 19 May 2008 and shall be completed within 24 months, i.e. by mid-May 2010.

 

1.1.1.5             The Feasibility Study initially proposed an alignment of the TM-CLKL comprising a toll plaza island at Tai Mo To and this alignment formed the basis of the EIA Study Brief (ESB 175/2007). However, subsequent to these documents being prepared and based upon the proposed schemes for the Hong Kong-Zhuhai- Macao Bridge (HZMB) and Hong Kong Boundary Crossing Facilities (HKBCF), it was decided to integrate the TM-CLKL southern landfall reclamation with the HKBCF reclamation.  It was considered that this arrangement would also provide a cost-effective connection between the HKBCF and North Lantau. Following a full option assessment, the preferred scheme was selected, as detailed in Section 2 of this EM&A Manual.

 

1.1.1.6             The project is a designated project under Section A.1 of Schedule 2 of the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (EIAO).  As such, the statutory procedures under the EIAO need to be followed and an environmental permit (EP) will be required prior to the commencement of construction.  Thus, as part of this assignment, an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) has been undertaken.

 

1.1.1.7             The EIA for the project has recommended comprehensive Environmental Monitoring and Audit requirements to be undertaken during the design, construction and operational stages of the project.  This Report constitutes the Environmental  Monitoring  and  Audit  (EM&A)  Manual  for  the  proposed  Tuen Mun - Chek Lap Kok Link (TM-CLKL) Project, providing details of the EM&A recommendations.

 

1.1.1.8            The  Hong  Kong  SAR  Government¡¦s  applicable  environmental  regulations  for noise,  air  quality,  ecology,  water  quality,  landscape  and  visual  resources  and waste management  and heritage protection, the Hong Kong Planning Standards and Guidelines and recommendations  in the TM-CLKL EIA Report have served as guidance documents in the preparation of this Manual. This EM&A Manual fulfills the requirements of the Study Agreement and follows the approach recommended in EPD¡¦s Generic EM&A Manual, Annex 21 of the Technical Memorandum on  the  EIA  Process  and  EM&A  Guidelines  for  Development Projects in Hong Kong.

 

1.2                    Policy

1.2.1.1             The Supervising Officer¡¦s Representative (SOR) and the Contractor shall adopt Environmental Policy Statements in accordance with the requirements of this Manual in order to foster a sound EM&A programme to protect the environment.  The following policy statements shall be adopted:

-      establish  a  commitment to  environmental  excellence  in  all  activities arising from the development project;

-      encourage the  adoption of  environmental management principles to prevent potential impacts and minimise adverse impacts; and

-      commit to the recommendations  in the EIA study report and related EIA process requirements.  

 

1.3                    EM&A Programme Objectives

 

1.3.1.1             The broad objective of this EM&A Manual is to define the procedures of the EM&A programme for monitoring the environmental performance of the TM- CLKL project during design, construction and implementation.

 

1.3.1.2             The manual provides details of the environmental monitoring requirements arising from the EIA including air, noise and water quality, as well as audit recommendations for the noise, air, water quality, ecology, landscape and visual, waste and cultural heritage. The purposes of the defined EM&A programme are as follows:

-      to  ensure  the  specified  mitigation  recommendations of  the  EIA  are included in the design of the project;

-      to clarify and identify sources of pollution,  impact and nuisance  arising from the works;

-      to confirm compliance with legal, contract specifications and EIA study recommendations;

-      to provide an early warning system for impact prevention;

-      to provide a database of environmental parameters against which to determine any short term or long term environmental impacts;

-      to propose timely, cost-effective and viable solutions to actual or potential environmental issues;

-      to  monitor  performance  of the  mitigation  measures  and  to  assess  their effectiveness and, whenever necessary, identify any further need for additional measures;

-      to verify the EIA predicted impacts;

-      to collate information and evidence for use in public, District Council and Government consultation; and

-      to audit environmental performance.

 

1.3.1.3             EM&A procedures are required during the design, construction and operational phases of the project implementation and a summary of the requirements for each of the environmental parameters is detailed in Table 1.1 below.

 

Table 1.1                                Summary of EM&A Requirements

 

Parameter

EM&A  Phase

Design

Construction

Phase

Operational Phase

Air Quality

 

Y

 

Noise

 

Y

 

Ecology

Y

Y

Y

Water Quality

 

Y

Y

Landscape and

Visual

Y

Y

Y

Waste/Contaminated

Land

 

Y

 

Cultural Heritage

Not applicable as cultural heritage resource is not identified for the works area of the Contract.

 

1.4                    Scope of the EM&A  Programme

 

1.4.1.1              The scope of the EM&A programme is to undertake the following, which follows the demarcation of monitoring responsibilities set out in Environmental Project Office¡¦s letter dated 29.10.2013:

 

a)               Implement monitoring and audit activities for each environmental parameter as follows:

 

Dust:

i)            Establish  baseline  dust  levels  at  specified locations and review these levels on a regular basis.

 

ii)           Implement construction dust impact monitoring programme.

Noise:

i)            Establish baseline noise, levels at specified locations and review these levels on  a  regular basis.

 

ii)           Implement  construction  noise  impact  monitoring

Ecology:

i)            Implement design phase audit for ecological dolphin protection specifications, ecological translocation specifications and design integrated ecological mitigation measures.

 

ii)           Implement baseline survey to establish existing ecological conditions.

 

iii)         Implement construction phase monitoring and audit requirements for ecology resources.

 

iv)         Implement operational phase monitoring.

Water Quality:

i)            Establish baseline water quality levels at specified locations and review these levels on a regular basis.

 

ii)           Implement construction water quality impact monitoring programme.

 

iii)         Implement operational phase water quality impact monitoring programme.

 

 

        Landscape and

i)            Design detailed landscape specifications.

        Visual:

ii)           Implement baseline survey to establish/confirm existing landscape and visual conditions.

 

iii)         Implement construction phase audit requirements for landscape and visual resources.

 

iv)         Implement operational phase audit  requirements for landscape and visual aspects.

Waste: 

i)            Implement construction phase audit requirements for waste aspects.

Heritage:

i)            Not applicable

 

 

 

b)            Liaison and provision of advice to construction site staff on the purposes and implementation of the EM&A programme.

 

c)            Identify and resolve environmental issues that may arise from the project.

 

d)            Check and quantify the Contractor¡¦s overall performance, implement Event/Action Plans and recommend and implement remedial actions to mitigate adverse environmental effects as identified by the EM&A programme and EIA.

 

e)            Conduct monthly reviews of monitored  impact data during the construction phase and bi-monthly reviews during the operational phase as the basis for assessing compliance with defined criteria and ensuring that necessary mitigation  measures  are identified,  designed  and implemented and to undertake additional ad hoc monitoring and audit as required by particular circumstances.

 

f)              Evaluate and interpret all environmental monitoring data to provide an early indication should any of the environmental control measures or practices fail to achieve the acceptable standards and to verify the environmental impacts predicted in the EIA.

 

g)            Manage and liaise with other individuals or parties concerning any relevant environmental issues.

 

h)            Audit the effectiveness of the Environmental Management System (EMS) practices and procedures and implement any changes as appropriate.

 

i)               Conduct regular site audits of formal or informal nature to assess:

-       the level of the Contractor¡¦s general environmental awareness;

-       the Contractor¡¦s implementation of the recommendations in the EIA;

-       the Contractor¡¦s performance as measured by the EM&A;

-       the need for specific mitigation measures to be implemented or the continued usage of those previously agreed; and

-       to  advise  the  site  staff  of  any  identified  potential  environmental issues.

 

j)               Submit EM&A reports which summarise project monitoring and auditing data, with full interpretation, illustrating the acceptability or otherwise of any environmental impacts and identification or assessment of the implementation status of agreed mitigation measures.

 

1.4.1.2                                                  Thus, this EM&A Manual provides the following information:

 

a)               Description of the project.

 

b)               Identification and recommendations for monitoring requirements for all phases of development, including:

-        identification of sensitive receivers;

-       monitoring locations;

-       monitoring parameters and frequencies;

-       monitoring equipment to be used;

-       programmes for baseline monitoring and impact monitoring; and

-       data management of monitoring results.

 

c)        The organisation management structure, and procedures for auditing of the Project and implementation of mitigation measures that are recommended for the Project.

 

d)         The environmental quality performance limits for compliance auditing for each of the recommended monitoring parameters to ensure compliance with relevant environmental quality objectives, statutory or planning standards.

 

e)        Organisation and management structure, and procedures for reviewing the design submissions, monitoring results and auditing the compliance of the monitoring data with the environmental quality performance limits, contractual and regulatory requirements, and environmental policies and standards.

 

f)          Event and Action plans for impact and compliance procedures.

 

g)                                Complaints handling, liaison and consultation procedures.

 

h)        Interim notification of exceedances,  reporting procedures,  report formats and  reporting  frequency  including  periodical  quarterly summary  reports and annual reviews to cover all construction, post-Project and operational phases of the development.

 

i)         Implementation schedules, summarising all recommended mitigation measures.

 

1.4.1.3             This Manual is considered to be a working document and should be reviewed periodically and revised once substantial changes have been made.

 

1.5                    Project Organisation

 

1.5.1.1             For the purpose of this EM&A Manual, the Highways Department of the Hong Kong SAR Government is referred to as the ¡§Employer¡¨ and the Project ¡§Supervising Officer¡¨ defined as the Supervising Officer¡¦s Representative (SOR), who will be responsible for the supervision of the construction of the Project.

 

1.5.1.2             The mitigation/enhancement measures recommended by the TM-CLKL EIA that will require a design audit or preparation of specifications during the detailed design phase of the project will include:

-      bored piling monitoring programme;

-      pre, during and post construction dolphin monitoring;

-      250m dolphin exclusion zone for use during dredging, reclamation, sheet, bored piling works and temporary staging construction;

-      acoustic  decoupling  methods  for  use  during  reclamation  and  dredging works;

-      marine vessel control specifications;

-      deployment of an artificial reef (Not applicable);

-      installation  of  hoarding  for  the  protection  of  the  pitcher  plants  and surrounding habitat (Not applicable);

-      coral translocation;

-      design of toll plaza for grave G1 set back and protection (Not applicable); and

-      landscape design drawings.

 

1.5.1.3             In respect of the design phase EM&A, the Consultant commissioned to undertake the  Detailed  Design  contract  will  be  required  to  designate  an  auditor(s)  to undertake  the  preparation  of  the  design  specifications  as  detailed  above,  in addition  to  an  environmental  audit  of  the  design  of  the  specified  landscape measures in order to ensure that the recommendations of the EIA have been fully and  properly  specified.  The Consultant shall use suitably qualified staff to undertake the audit requirements to the satisfaction of the EPD and the AFCD as appropriate. A flow chart of the design phase EM&A procedures is shown in Figure 1.1.

 

1.5.1.4             During the construction and operational phases of the project, an Environmental Team (ET) is to be employed by the Contractor. The ET will be headed by an Environmental Team Leader (ETL).  He shall ensure the Contractor¡¦s compliance with the project¡¦s  environmental  performance  requirements  during construction and undertake the post construction EM&A works and his responsibilities will include  field  measurements,  sampling,  analysis  of monitoring  results,  reporting and auditing.  The ETL shall be approved by the SOR and the Director of Environmental Protection (DEP) and shall be competent and shall have at least 7 years relevant environmental monitoring and audit experience  on projects of a similar scale and nature.

 

1.5.1.5             The ET will comprise suitably qualified support staff to carrying out the EM&A programme. The ET shall be independent and shall not be in any way connected to the Contractor¡¦s company.  Due to the specialist nature of some of the EM&A works required for this project, the ET should comprise professionals proficient to undertake the tasks involved.  Thus, the ET should include personnel experienced in noise, dust and water quality monitoring and mitigation, supervision of waste management, compensatory tree planting, coral relocation and dolphin monitoring and supervision.

 

1.5.1.6             Accordingly, a qualified dolphin specialist(s), together with a suitably experienced team of dolphin spotters, and a coral specialist, to the satisfaction of AFCD, will be required as part of the ET to undertake the dolphin abundance monitoring, implement the dolphin exclusion zones and undertake the coral relocation process. In addition, a Registered Landscape Architect, as defined by the Landscape Architect¡¦s Registration Board, will be required on the ET to monitor and audit the landscaping installation works and assist in the audit of the ecological transplantation and restoration works.

 

1.5.1.7                                                   The overall duties of ETL and the team are as follows:

-      Sampling,  analysis  and  statistical  evaluation  of  monitoring  parameters with  reference  to  the  EIA  study recommendations  and  requirements  in respect of noise, dust and water quality.

-      Environmental site surveillance

-      Audit of compliance with environmental protection and pollution prevention and control regulations.

-      Monitor the implementation of environmental mitigation measures.

-      Monitor compliance with   the   environmental protection clauses/specifications in the Contract.

-      Review construction programme and comment as necessary.

-      Review construction methodology and comment as necessary.

-      Complaint investigation, evaluation and identification of corrective measures.

-      Audit  of  the  EMS  and  recommend  and  implement any  changes  as appropriate.

-      Liaison with the Independent Environmental Checker (IEC) on all environmental performance matters.

-      Advice to the Contractor on environmental improvement, awareness, enhancement matter, etc., on site.

-      Timely submission of the designated EM&A reports to the SOR, the IEC, the DEP, the AFCD and the AMO as appropriate.

 

1.5.1.8             In addition to the ETL and ET, an Independent Environmental Checker (IEC) shall be employed to advise the SOR on environmental issues related to the project. The role of the IEC shall be independent from the management of construction works, but the IEC shall be empowered to audit the environmental performance of the construction activities and operational mitigation.  The IEC shall have project management experience in addition to the requirements of the ET specified above and the appointment of the IEC will be subject to the approval of the SOR and the DEP.  The IEC may require specialist support staff in order to properly carry out his duties, which shall include the following:

-            Review and audit all aspects of the EM&A programme.

-            Validate and confirm the accuracy of monitoring results, monitoring equipment, monitoring locations, monitoring procedures and locations of sensitive receivers.

-            Carry  out  random  sample  check  and  audit  on  monitoring  data  and sampling procedures, etc.

-            Conduct random site inspection.

-            Audit the EIA recommendations and requirements against the status of implementation of environmental protection measures on site.

-            Review the effectiveness of environmental mitigation measures and project environmental performance.

-            Audit the Contractor¡¦s construction methodology and agree the least impact alternative in consultation with the ET and the Contractor.

-            Check complaint cases and the effectiveness of corrective measures.

-            Review EM&A report submitted by the ET.

-            Feedback audit results to ET by signing off relevant EM&A proformas.

 

1.5.1.9             An  organisation  chart  showing  the  lines  of  communication  between  the  key parties with respect to the EM&A works is provided on Figure 1.2.  Both the ET and IEC shall be retained for the duration of the EM&A works which will span both the construction phase and one year into the operational phase of the project. The operational EM&A works will be the responsibility of the Contractor and will be undertaken in parallel to the maintenance period after the completion of construction.

 

1.5.1.10           Notwithstanding the above, given that the TM-CLKL, HKBCF and HKLR will be constructed concurrently, an Environmental Protection Office (ENPO) or equivalent to oversee the cumulative construction projects in North Lantau area will be established  by the Project  Proponent. The responsibility of the ENPO would be similar to that of the IEC but should also include:

-            coordination  of the monitoring  and auditing  works for all the on-going projects in the area in order to identify possible sources/causes of exceedances and recommend suitable remedial actions where appropriate;

-            identify and assess cumulative impacts including possible sources/causes of exceedance and recommending suitable remedial actions;

-            undertake liaison with the mainland project teams counterparts to identify and assess any cross-boundary cumulative impacts; and

-            coordinate the assessment and response to complaints/enquires from locals, green groups, district councils or the public at large.

 

1.5.1.11           The exact responsibilities and organisation of the ENPO will be defined during the detailed design stage.

1.6                    Terminology

 

1.6.1.1             To clarify the terminology for impact monitoring and audit, key definitions are specified below and are used throughout this Manual.

 

1.6.1.2             Monitoring refers to the systematic collection of data through a series of repetitive measurements. The stages of monitoring are defined in this document as follows:

 

a)   Baseline  Monitoring  refers  to  the  measurement  of parameters,  such  as noise and air quality impact parameters, during a representative pre-project period for the purpose of determining the nature and ranges of natural variation and to establish, where appropriate, the nature of change.

 

b)   Impact Monitoring involves the measurement of environmental impact parameters, such as noise and air quality, during Project construction and implementation so as to detect changes in these parameters which can be attributed to the Project.

 

1.6.1.3                                                   Audit is a term that infers the verification of a practice and certification of data.

The types of audit are defined below:

 

a)               Compliance audit is defined as follows:

 

-       the process of verification that all or selected parameters measured by a noise or air quality impact monitoring programme or levels of an operation are in compliance with regulatory requirements and internal policies and standards; and

 

-       the determination of  the degree and scope of  any necessary remediation in the event of exceedance of compliance.

 

b)   Post Project Audit is carried out  after  the  implementation  and commissioning of a Project.

 

1.6.1.4                                                   For the purpose of noise, air and water quality impact monitoring and audit, the

Action and Limit Levels are defined as follows:

 

a)        The Action Level is the level defined in which there is an indication of a deteriorating  ambient  level  for  which  a  typical  response  could  be  an increase in the monitoring frequency.

 

b)        The Limit  Level  is the level beyond  the appropriate  remedial  pollution control ordinances, noise and air quality impact objectives or Hong Kong Planning Standards and Guidelines established by the EPD for a particular project,  such  that  the  works  should  not  proceed  without  appropriate remedial action, including a critical review of plant and work methods.


2                       PROJECT DESCRIPTION

 

2.1                    Scope of the Project

 

2.1.1.1             Further  to  the  recommendations of  the  Option  Assessment and  subsequent alignment developm