EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

ES 1          An Environmental Permit (EP-085/2000/C) was granted to Highways Department by the Environmental Protection Department for the construction of Route 8 Project between Tsing Yi and Cheung Sha Wan.  This EP covers four phases of the Route 8 Project namely Phase 1 – Ngong Shuen Chau Viaduct, Phase 2a – Nam Wan Tunnel and West Tsing Yi Viaduct, Phase 2b – East Tsing Yi Viaduct and Phase 3 – Stonecutters Bridge.

ES 2          This is the 49th monthly Environmental Monitoring and Audit (EM&A) report for “Phase 1 - Route 8 Ngong Shuen Chau Viaduct Contract (HY/2000/21)”.  This report presents the results of the EM&A works conducted during the period between 29th July 2006 and 28th August 2006 in accordance with the EM&A Manual which forms part of the EIA Report (Register No. AEIAR-018/1999).

ES 3          During the monitoring period, some of the major construction activities undertaken during normal hours are highlighted as follows:

i.                     booster pump house construction;

ii.                   excavation;

iii.                  traffic and utilities diversions;

iv.                 pier/portal construction;

v.                   bridge deck construction;

vi.                 viaduct finishing and surfacing,

vii.                drainage system installation;

viii.              segment delivery, erection and fixing; and

ix.                 deck parapet erection and fixing.

 

ES 4          During the monitoring period, the major construction activities undertaken during evening, night time and Public Holidays are highlighted as follows:

i.                     Pier/portal construction;

ii.                   segment delivery, fixing and erection; and

iii.                  deck parapet erection and fixing.

 

ES 5          Monitoring of Total Suspended Particulates (TSP) and Noise were carried out in accordance with the EM&A Manual.  Weekly site inspections were conducted by the ET on 4th, 10th, 18th and 25th August 2006 and the joint IEC monthly audit was conducted on 18th August 2006.  No joint inspections were carried out with EPD during the reporting period.

Air Quality

ES 6          A total of 45 sets of 1-hour TSP and 15 sets of 24-hour TSP measurement were taken during the reporting period at ASR1, ASR2 and ASR3 and the results of all measurements taken were below the Action/Limit (AL) Levels. 

Noise

ES 7          In order to assess the construction noise impact effectively for all noise monitoring locations (NSR1 to NSR3) from this Contract, an adjustment approach was adopted since 1st March 2005 and had been consulted with EPD to audit merely the construction noise levels against the statutory noise limits.  The measured noise levels were adjusted with the corresponding baseline levels in order to facilitate the interpretation of the construction noise levels and this in turn would determine the actual construction noise impact contributed solely by the Phase 1 construction activities.

Daytime Monitoring

ES 8          A total of 12 sets of Leq(30min) measurement were taken in the daytime (i.e. 0700 to 1900 hours on normal weekdays) at all monitoring stations (NSR1, NSR2 and NSR3) during the reporting period and no exceedances were recorded.

Evening-time Monitoring

ES 9          A total of 12 sets of 6 x Leq(5min) measurements were taken in the evening-time (i.e. 1900 to 2300 hours) at all monitoring stations during the reporting period and no exceedances were recorded.

Night-time Monitoring

ES 10       A total of 1 set of 4 x Leq(5min) measurements were taken at night-time (i.e. 2300 to 0700 next day) at all three monitoring stations during the reporting period and no exceedances were recorded.

Public-holiday Monitoring

ES 11       A total of 15 sets of 6 x Leq(5min) measurements were taken in public holidays (i.e. 0700 to 1900 hours during public holiday) at all three monitoring stations and no exceedances were recorded.

Water Quality

ES 12       A total of 3 Effluent Discharge Licenses were granted by EPD.  In accordance with the conditions of the licenses, water sampling at designated discharge points shall be carried out on a monthly basis for area P1-SA1 (Part 1) (Grid 1 to 9) and on a quarterly basis for areas P1-SA1 (Part 2) (Grid 10 to 27, Container Port Road E/B), P1-SA6, P1-SA8 and P1-SA11.

ES 13       Three water samples were taken for P1-SA1 (Part 1, Grid 1 to 9) by CHEC on 30th August 2006 and the results of the water samples will be reported in the next EM&A monthly report.  The next sampling is scheduled for September 2006 for P1-SA1 (Part 1, Grid 1 to 9).

Waste Management

ES 14       A revised Waste Management Plan (Rev. 17) was submitted to EPD for information on 11th May 2006 with the latest information including the most up to date estimation of inert C&D materials and non-inert C&D materials

ES 15       With effect from 6th February 2005, all inert C&D material had been disposed of at Tuen Mun Fill Bank. The trip ticket system has been implemented effectively during the reporting period.

ES 16       A total of 282 no. of trucks (approximately 1,692m3) of inert C&D materials were delivered to Tuen Mun Fill Bank during the reporting period.  Approximate 224 tonnes of C&D waste was produced on-site and were delivered to SENT.  In addition, no chemical waste was disposed of site during the reporting period.

ES 17       On 7th December 2005, approval was granted by PFC, CEDD to import a maximum of 3,000m3 of soft material from “HY2002/26 – Stonecutters Bridge” for re-usage purposes.  A total of 2,004m3 of soft material were delivered from HY2002/26 to Phase 1 Contract since December 2005.

Site Audits / Inspections

ES 18       Weekly site inspections were carried out by the ET and the major findings are presented below:

Item

Findings

Corrective and Preventive measures proposed by CHEC

Effectiveness of measures

1

Silt and standing water was accumulated in the u-channels at areas P1-SA1, P1-SA6 (Bus depot) and P1-SA9; in the sedimentation tanks at areas P1-SA1 (sedimentation tank no. 7) and P1-SA6 (sedimentation tank no. 31 and no. 39).

The mentioned u-channels and sedimentation tanks had been cleared immediately after the site inspections.  In addition, all temporary drainage and runoff control systems have been maintained properly on a weekly basis.

Completed and closed.

(Please refer to Appendix Q, Photo 01 to 04).

 

 

2

Mosquito larvae were found in stagnant water within the steelwork at area P1-SA6 (Bus Depot, near Sol Data's office).

Stagnant water was cleared by CHEC immediately after the site audit. 

In addition, larvicidal oil / temephos had been applied to places where they were not easily accessible at least twice a week to reduce the risk of mosquito breeding on site.

Completed and closed.

(Please refer Appendix Q Photo 05 & 06)

The situation will be monitored by RSS and ET continuously.

 

3

Stagnant water was found at P1-SA1 (Part 1, under segments and along gantry’s rail) and P1-SA1 (Part 2, near the site exit/entrance and under Kinko's container).

All stagnant water had been removed wherever possible after the site inspections. 

Several holes were drilled at appropriate locations along the concrete wall of the gantry in order to improve the drainage system within this particular area.  Regular inspections have been carried out by CHEC to ensure proper anti-mosquito measures have been adopted on site.

Completed and closed.

 (Please refer Appendix Q Photo 07 to 10).

The situation will be monitored by RSS and ET continuously.

 

4

Oil stains on the ground were observed at areas P1-SA1 (Part 1, near generator at Grid 1) and P1-SA1 (Part 2, near Kinko's workshop).

All contaminated material had been cleared as chemical waste.

Completed and closed.

(Please refer Appendix Q Photo 11).

 

5

CHEC was reminded to cover all open stockpiles by impervious sheeting at P1-SA1 (Part 2, Grid 25) to minimize the dust impact generated from construction site.

All open stockpiles (not in operation) have been covered with impervious sheeting.

Completed and closed.

 (Please refer Appendix Q Photo 13).

 

ES 19       The monthly IEC audit was carried out on 18th August 2006, five observations were recorded and they are presented respectively in the table below.

Item

Findings

Corrective and Preventive measures proposed by CHEC

Effectiveness of measures

1

Silt and stagnant water were accumulated at the u-channels at areas P1-SA1 (Part 1, near wheel washing facilities and Grid 10) and P1-SA9 (near car parking area).  CHEC was urged to clean up the mentioned u-channels and replace all damaged geo-textile for the protection of the existing gullies.

The mentioned u-channels had been cleared immediately after the site audit and all temporary drainage and runoff control systems have been maintained properly on a weekly basis. 

In addition, all damaged geo-textile for the protection of existing gullies had been replaced.

Completed and closed.

(Please refer to Appendix Q, Photo 01 to 04 and 12).

 

 

2

Oil stains were observed on the ground at areas P1-SA1 (Part 1, near generator at Grid 1) and P1-SA1 (Part 2, Kinko's workshop).

All contaminated material had been cleared as chemical waste.

Completed and closed.

(Please refer Appendix Q Photo 11).

 

3

Standing water was accumulated on uneven ground near the site exit/entrance and under Kinko's container (site office) at P1-SA1 (Part 2).

All stagnant water had been removed by CHEC wherever possible. Regular inspections have been carried out by CHEC to ensure proper anti-mosquito measures have been carried out.

Completed and closed.  The situation will be monitored by RSS and ET continuously.

(Please refer Appendix Q Photo 09 & 10).

4

CHEC was reminded to cover all open stockpiles by impervious sheeting at P1-SA1 (Part 2, Grid 25) to minimize the dust impact generated from construction site.

 

All open stockpiles (not in operation) have been covered with impervious sheeting.

Completed and closed.

 (Please refer Appendix Q Photo 13).

5

CHEC was urged to provide proper treatment facilities for the wastewater generated from the wheel washing at P1-SA1 (Part 2, at Grid 26).

The site exit had been closed after the site audit. 

Wheel washing facilities together with proper treatment facilities should be provided for all site exits.

Completed and closed.

 (Please refer Appendix Q Photo 14).

 

ES 20       No joint site inspections were carried out with EPD during the reporting period.

ES 21       The following permits / licenses have been granted by EPD for the construction of the Phase 1 Contract and they are:-

i.                     Environmental Permit (EP-085/2000/C)

ii.                   Chemical Waste Producer Registration  (WPN – 5213-269-C3215-01)

iii.                  3 Effluent Discharge Licences (EP482/269/0038/I; EP482/269/0039/I & EP482/269/0040/I)

iv.                 5 Construction Noise Permits.

 

Environmental Complaints

ES 22       No environmental complaints were received during the reporting period.

ES 23       A total of 10 environmental complaints had been received for Route 8 - Phase 1 Ngong Shuen Chau Viaduct contract since the commencement of the construction.

Notifications of Summons and Prosecution

ES 24       Since the commencement of construction, no notifications of summons nor prosecution were received on the environmental performance for this Contract.

Future Key Issues

ES 25       The tentative program of major site activities as well as the impact prediction and control measures for the coming three months, i.e. September 2006 to November 2006 are summarized below:

Construction Works

Major Impact Prediction

Control Measures

Utilities diversions; booster pump house, pier/portal construction, segment erection and bridge deck construction.

Air impact

(dust and machine emission)

i.       Frequent watering of haul road and unpaved/exposed areas;

ii.     Frequent watering or covering stockpiles with tarpaulin or similar means;

iii.    Regular maintenance of onsite machineries and vehicles; and

iv.   Reinstate the worked area by hydro-seed or similar means.

Water quality impact

(muddy run-off)

i.       Collecting and recycling of wastewater produced on-site if possible;

ii.     Perimeter protection such as sandbag barriers and sealing the bottom of concrete barrier to avoid run-off entering the existing storm water drainage system;

iii.    Diverting the collected effluent to de-silting facilities for treatment before discharge to public drains; and

iv.   Covering of exposed slope with tarpaulin or similar means during rainstorm

Noise Impact

i.       Scheduling of noisy construction activities if necessary to avoid persistent noisy operation;

ii.     Controlling the number of plants use on site;

iii.    Regular maintenance of machines; and

iv.   Use of acoustic barriers if necessary.