10            ENVIRONMENTAL SITE INSPECTION

Site Audits

10.1       Site audits were carried out by ET on a weekly basis to monitor the timely implementation of proper environmental management practices and mitigation measures on the Contract site.  Summary of the site audits are presented in Table 10.1 and Appendix P.

Table 10.1   Summary of Site Audits

Environmental Site Inspection

Works Contracts

ND/2019/01

ND/2019/02

ND/2019/03

ND/2019/04

ND/2019/05

ND/2019/06

ND/2019/07

Weekly site audit with representative of the Supervisor¡¦s Representative and the Contractor

6, 13, 20 and 29 Sep 22

7, 14, 21 and 28 Sep 22

2, 9, 16, 20 and 30 Sep 22

1, 8, 16, 22 and 27 Sep 22

5, 15, 19 and 26 Sep 22

1, 8, 16, 22 and 27 Sep 22

9, 15, 23 and 30 Sep 22

Joint Site Audit with representative of the Supervisor¡¦s Representative, the Contractor and IEC

29 Sep 22

21 Sep 22

20 Sep 22

16 Sep 22

15 Sep 22

N/A

9 Sep 22

 

10.2       During site inspections in the reporting month, no non-conformance was identified. The observations and recommendations made during the audit sessions are summarised in Table 10.2.

10.3       All construction activities with significant environmental impact undertaken by Contract No. ND/2019/06 was substantially completed in March 2022 and the majority of outstanding works were also completed in April 2022 with defect rectification works remained. The outstanding installation works were the short-duration works which would be completed within 2 months during the 1-year defect correction period. ET would record the environmental deficiency, if any, for NDTWM (EP-475/2013/A) during the 1-year defect correction period under Contract ND/2019/04 site inspection and would email weekly those inspection records to the Project Team of Contract ND/2019/06 for information.


 

Table 10.2       Observations and Recommendations during Site Audits

Parameters

Date

Observations and Recommendations

Follow-up

Contract No.: ND/2019/01

 

Waste / Chemical Management

20/09/2022

General refuse should be disposed of regularly and properly.

Improvement/Rectification was observed during follow-up audit session on 29 September 2022.

Contract No.: ND/2019/02

Waste / Chemical Management

21/09/2022

Drip trays should be provided for chemical storages.

Item Remarked as 220928-R01. Follow-up action is needed to be review.

28/09/2022

Drip trays should be provided for chemical containers.

Follow-up action is needed to be reported in the following month.

Air Quality

31/08/2022

Dusty material should be removed or covered entirely.

Improvement/Rectification was observed during follow-up audit session on 7 September 2022.

Water Quality

21/09/2022

To enhance and properly maintain existing water mitigation measures at site boundaries and next to Sheung Yue River to prevent muddy runoff from going out of site boundaries or into the river.

Item Remarked as 220928-R02. Follow-up action is needed to be review.

28/09/2022

Follow-up action is needed to be reported in the following month.

Contract No.: ND/2019/03

Air Quality

26/08/2022

Dusty debris were observed at the site exit of Yin Kong. Contractor was reminded to clear the dusty debris immediately.

Improvement/Rectification was observed during follow-up audit session on 2 September 2022.

02/09/2022

Improvement/Rectification was observed during follow-up audit session on 9 September 2022.

09/09/2022

Improvement/Rectification was observed during follow-up audit session on 16 September 2022.

20/09/2022

Item Remarked as 220930-O01. Follow-up action is needed to be review.

30/09/2022

Follow-up action is needed to be reported in the following month.

09/09/2022

NRMM labels should be displayed properly on excavators.

Item Remarked as 220916-R01. Follow-up action is needed to be review.

16/09/2022

Faded NRMM labels should be replaced.

Item Remarked as 220920-R01. Follow-up action is needed to be review.

20/09/2022

Improvement/Rectification was observed during follow-up audit session on 30 September 2022.

Water Quality

26/08/2022

To clear the wheel-washing bay regularly.

Item Remarked as 220902-R01. Follow-up action is needed to be review.

02/09/2022

Item Remarked as 220909-R01. Follow-up action is needed to be review.

09/09/2022

Improvement/Rectification was observed during follow-up audit session on 16 September 2022.

Waste / Chemical Management

09/09/2022

Drip tray should be provided for chemical storage.

Improvement/Rectification was observed during follow-up audit session on 16 September 2022.

30/09/2022

Oil leakage was observed at the surrounding of the generator. Contractor was reminded to clear the leakage immediately.

Follow-up action is needed to be reported in the following month.

Contract No.: ND/2019/04

Water Quality

24/08/2022

Covering of stockpile is required to minimize the mudding runoff during rainstorm.

Item Remarked as 220901-R01. Follow-up action is needed to be review.

01/09/2022

Item Remarked as 220908-R01. Follow-up action is needed to be review.

08/09/2022

Item Remarked as 220916-R01. Follow-up action is needed to be review.

16/09/2022

Item Remarked as 220922-R01. Follow-up action is needed to be review.

22/09/2022

Item Remarked as 220927-R01. Follow-up action is needed to be review.

27/09/2022

Follow-up action is needed to be reported in the following month.

01/09/2022

Muddy surface runoff and not efficient measure were observed. Efficient measure, e.g. the

use of geotextile, should be provided.

Improvement/Rectification was observed during follow-up audit session on 8 September 2022.

Ecology

01/09/2022

Not well maintained of silt curtains were observed. Contractor was reminded to maintain well and properly.

Improvement/Rectification was observed during follow-up audit session on 8 September 2022.

Air Quality

16/09/2022

Exposed worksite should be watered regularly.

Improvement/Rectification was observed during follow-up audit session on 22 September 2022.

Waste / Chemical Management

22/09/2022

To provide drip tray for chemical storage, and maintain their conditions to ensure proper functioning.

Improvement/Rectification was observed during follow-up audit session on 27 September 2022.

Contract No.: ND/2019/05

Water Quality

29/08/2022

Enhance the mitigation measure to avoid muddy water discharging to public drainage and Ma Wat River. (Portion 9)

Item Remarked as 220905-R01. Follow-up action is needed to be review.

05/09/2022

Improvement/Rectification was observed during follow-up audit session on 15 September 2022.

05/09/2022

Maintain the mitigation measure to avoid muddy water discharging to Ma Wat River. (Portion 1)

Improvement/Rectification was observed during follow-up audit session on 15 September 2022.

Air Quality

19/09/2022

Dusty Stockpile should be covered by impervious sheeting properly. (Kwu Tung)

Improvement/Rectification was observed during follow-up audit session on 26 September 2022.

Contract No.: ND/2019/06

--

--

--

--

Contract No.: ND/2019/07

 

--

--

--

--

Implementation Status of Environmental Mitigation Measures

10.4       According to the EIA Report, EPs and the Updated EM&A Manual, the mitigation measures detailed in the documents are recommended to be implemented during the construction phase. An updated summary of the Environmental Mitigation Implementation Schedule is provided in Appendix Q. The photographic records of measures as stipulated in EPs to mitigate environmental impacts in the reporting month are presented in Table 10.3.

Table 10.3   Photographic Records and Implementation Status of Measures

EP No.

Condition

Photographic Record

Implementation Status

EP-466/2013/A

2.9

20220906_093545  20220809_093352

To minimise adverse impacts on habitats of ecological importance in the vicinity of the Project, 2m high solid dull green site barrier fences shall be erected around all active works areas.

^[1]

EP-467/2013/A

2.9

20220913_094035  20220906_093628

To minimise adverse impacts on habitats of ecological importance in the vicinity of the Project, 2m high solid dull green site barrier fences shall be erected around all active works areas.

^[1]

EP-468/2013/A

2.11

    

To minimise adverse impacts on habitats of ecological importance in the vicinity of the Project, 2m high solid dull green site barrier fences shall be erected around all active works areas.

^[1]

EP-469/2013

2.7

20220907_101318  20220928_100501

To minimise adverse impacts on habitats of ecological importance in the vicinity of the Project, 2m high solid dull green site barrier fences shall be erected around all active works areas.

^[1]

EP-473/2013/A

2.13

P_20220822_142050  P_20220822_144212

To minimise adverse impacts on habitats of ecological importance in the vicinity of the Project, 2m high solid dull green site barrier fences shall be erected around all active works areas.

^[1]

EP-475/2013/A

2.7

20220916_134002  20220916_134120

To minimise adverse impacts on habitats of ecological importance in the vicinity of the Project, 2m high solid dull green site barrier fences shall be erected around all active works areas.

^[1]

Implementation status:

^         Mitigation measure was fully implemented

*         Observation/reminder was made during site audit but improved/rectified by the contractor

#         Observation/reminder was made during site audit but not yet improved/ rectified by the contractor

X        Non-compliance of mitigation measure

¡P         Non-compliance but rectified by the contractor

N/A   Not Applicable at this stage as no such site activities were conducted in the reporting     period

Remark:

 [1]:     Barrier fences might be subjected to change according to the phasing plan designed at detailed design stage

 

Implementation Status of Water Quality Mitigation Measures

10.5       The water quality mitigation measures detailed in the EIA Report and the Updated EM&A Manual are recommended to be implemented during the construction phase. Water quality mitigation measures implemented by the contractors were closely monitored to prevent water pollution, especially during rainy season. An updated summary of the Environmental Mitigation Implementation Schedule is provided in Appendix Q. Specific water quality mitigation measures for major construction works in the reporting month are presented in Table 10.4.

 

Table 10.4       Specific Water Quality Mitigation Measures for Major Construction Works in the Reporting Month

Works Contracts

Photographic Records

ND/2019/01

20220913_094406

Hard paved exposed slope surface

20220929_141423

Hydroseeding for slope area

ND/2019/02

20220907_094100

Hard paved exposed haul road

20220928_095445

Hard paved exposed slope surface

ND/2019/03

Hard paved exposed haul road

Regular clearance of water for wheel washing facility

ND/2019/04

20220916_135807

Hard paved exposed slope surface

589b84f2-ff12-4d6a-931c-c58e2bf64ce8

Deployment of silt curtain around works area in Ng Tung River

ND/2019/05

20220915_095433

Covering dusty stockpile

P_20220905_151624

Provision of sand bags around works area

ND/2019/07

20220909_141454

Covering exposed slope surface with tarpaulin

WhatsApp Image 2022-09-30 at 11

De-silting waste water before discharge

Water quality mitigation measures for site(s) in operation phase, remaining defect works

ND/2019/06

Hard paved exposed haul road

Hard paved exposed haul road

Solid and Liquid Waste Management Status

10.6       Waste generated from Contract Nos. ND/2019/01, ND/2019/02, ND/2019/03, ND/2019/04, ND/2019/05 and ND/2019/07 included inert construction and demolition (C&D) materials and non-inert C&D wastes in the reporting month. The site of ND/2019/06 was handed over to AFCD for operation since 4 April 2022.

10.7       The amount of wastes generated by the construction works of the Contract Nos. ND/2019/01, ND/2019/02, ND/2019/03, ND/2019/04, ND/2019/05 and ND/2019/07 during the reporting month are shown in Appendix R. The site of ND/2019/06 was handed over to AFCD for operation since 4 April 2022.

10.8       The Contractors are advised to minimise the wastes generated through recycling or reusing. All mitigation measures stipulated in the Updated EM&A Manual and waste management plans shall be fully implemented. The status of implementation of waste management and reduction measures are summited in Appendix Q.

Ecological Mitigation Measures ¡V Creation of Long Valley Nature Park (LVNP)

10.9       Based on the findings of the EIA Report, the area of Long Valley has been assessed as of high to very high ecological value and is the largest contiguous area of freshwater wetland habitats in Hong Kong. To safeguard the ecological value of Long Valley, about 37 hectares of land in Long Valley has been proposed to develop into Long Valley Nature Park (LVNP) for conserving and enhancing the ecologically important environment as well as for compensation of the wetland loss due to the NDA development.

10.10    LVNP is developed according to the approved Habitat Creation and Management Plan (HCMP) submitted under EP-468/2013/A. HCMP provides a framework and specifications for development and management of LVNP and guides the development to maintain and enhance the 37 hectares of low-lying wetland habitats.

10.11   Regarding the design, the zoning of land use in LVNP is intended to maintain the existing mosaic pattern of wet and dry agriculture, while controlling the activities that could potentially disturb target habitats and species. LVNP will be divided into three broad zones of land use as below:

       Biodiversity Zone of about 21 hectares largely designated for biodiversity conservation through cultivation of specified crops and habitat management.

       Agricultural Zone of about 11 hectares designated for commercially focuses crop production and eco-friendly agricultural practice for farming.

       Visitor Zone of about 5 hectares designed to accommodate visitors as well as storage and other facilities and for educational purposes.

10.12   The construction of LVNP started in late 2019 and was expected to be completed in 2023. During the construction period, the progress of construction and wetland enhancement works has been under observation by different stakeholders including AFCD and green groups. Close communication between AFCD and CEDD were conducted to exchange views on conservation, restoration and management of habitats as well as on the planning and design of the park. In addition, advices from green groups, Hong Kong Bird Watching Society (HKBWS) and The Conservancy Association (CA), have been taken on habitat management of Long Valley and potential effects on habitat and wildlife of each individual work conducted in Long Valley. A regular meeting was held monthly (on 23 September 2022 in the reporting month) to share the progress of LVNP with different stakeholders, including CEDD, AFCD, CA, HKBWS, Contractor, ET, IEC and farmers.

10.13   Proposals on wetland creation and restoration, dry agricultural land creation, pond creation, water treatment wetland and design of irrigation channel were submitted by the Contractor to achieve the objectives stated in HCMP and accepted by the Engineer with consent from AFCD before implementation. The Contractor would consult the stakeholders for recommendations and suggestions on mitigation measures to minimise the environmental impacts arising from construction works. The progress of works would be arranged to minimise impacts to avifauna and maintain the habitat for avifauna. The photographic records of site activities in LVNP are presented in Table 10.5.


 

Table 10.5       Photographic Records of Site Activities in LVNP

Continuing agricultural practice in existing farmland to maintain habitats in Long Valley

Open water Habitat

Open water Habitat

Creation of wetland with designated habitat for biodiversity conservation

 

Planting of paddy rice to provide foraging ground for Yellow-breasted Bunting

 

Enhancement of irrigation channel to provide reliable water source for farmland in Long Valley

Provision of bird island (hidden area)

Restoring of water flea pond to provide food source to water birds

Construction of storage sheds for farmers

DSCN1133

A Himantopus himantopus was recorded

Wet agricultural land

Adrian001

Provision of noise barrier for noisy works in Long Valley