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 |
5, 12, 18 and 26 Sep 23 |
6, 13, 22 and 27 Sep 23 |
14, 19 and 29 Sep 23 |
7, 13, 21 and 28 Sep 23 |
4, 14, 18 and 26 Sep 23 |
7, 13, 21 and 28 Sep 23 |
15, 19 and 25 Sep 23 |
|
Joint Site Audit with representative of the Supervisor’s Representative, the
Contractor and IEC |
5 and 18 Sep 23 |
22 Sep 23 |
19 Sep 23 |
13 Sep 23 |
14 Sep 23 |
N/A |
19 Sep 23 |
Remarks: Due to adverse weather on 1 September 2023 (Friday) forecasted
by HKO, the scheduled weekly site audits of ND/2019/03 and ND/2019/07 were
rescheduled to late August. The Black Rainstorm Warning Signal was in force on
8 September 2023 (Friday). Due to safety reasons, the scheduled weekly site
audits for ND/2019/03 and ND/2019/07 were cancelled.
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, originally estimated.
10.4
Due to problems
in material deliveries from Mainland China in 2022, the completion date of the
outstanding works would be extended to June 2023 tentatively. However, in June
2023, more defects were found during the handover inspection so the
rectification works will continue for another week or two. In July 2023, all
works have been completed and waiting for the confirmation of the authority.
10.5
The
weekly site inspection and EM&A Reporting for ND/2019/06 will be maintained
until the termination proposal for ND/2019/06 has been endorsed by the IEC, the
Engineer and the Project Proponent followed by approval from EPD in accordance.
The procedure for termination proposal for ND/2019/06 is in accordance with
section 15.4.2 of updated EM&A Manual.
Table 10.2
Observations and Recommendations during Site Audits
|
Parameters |
Date |
Observations
and Recommendations |
Follow-up |
|
Contract No.: ND/2019/01 |
|||
|
Water Quality |
18/09/2023 |
Sandbag barriers along the site boundary at
Portion 2 should be enhanced to prevent surface runoff discharge. |
Improvement/Rectification was
observed during follow-up audit session on 26 Sep 2023. |
|
18/09/2023 |
Temporary ditches should be provided for runoff
discharge into appropriate watercourse. |
Item
remarked as 230926-R02. Follow-up action is needed to be review. |
|
|
26/09/2023 |
Water pump failure causing muddy water overflow
within the site boundary near Pak Shek Au should be fixed immediately. |
Follow-up
action is needed to be reported in the following month. |
|
|
26/09/2023 |
Barricade with geotextile should be installed
surrounding the channels at RC3, enhance the adequacy of water pump usage,
increase the capacity of temporary sedimentation pond, clear the U channel and ensure the sandbag barrier is fully enclosed
at Portion 1B and 1C. |
Follow-up
action is needed to be reported in the following month. |
|
|
Air Quality |
26/09/2023 |
The Contractor was reminded to provide sufficient
water-spraying to enhance dust suppression measures. |
Follow-up
action is needed to be reported in the following month. |
|
Contract No.: ND/2019/02 |
|||
|
Water Quality |
30/08/2023 |
Exposed slope surfaces along the riverside should be covered by
tarpaulin sheets securely and properly as soon as possible before
raining/typhoon. |
Improvement/Rectification
was observed during follow-up audit session on 6 Sep 2023. |
|
27/09/2023 |
Drainage system should be maintained properly along the riverside and
VC, mitigation measures including fully enclosed sand bag barrier should be
implemented. |
Follow-up action is needed to be reported in the
following month. |
|
|
27/09/2023 |
Exposed slope surface should be covered by tarpaulin sheets properly. |
Follow-up action is needed to be reported in the
following month. |
|
|
Ecology |
13/09/2023 |
The silt curtain under the bridge should be maintained properly and
regularly. |
Item remarked as 230922-R03. Follow-up action is needed
to be review. |
|
22/09/2023 |
Item remarked as 230927-R03. Follow-up action is
needed to be review. |
||
|
27/09/2023 |
Follow-up action is needed to be reported in the
following month. |
||
|
Landscape and Visual |
30/08/2023 |
The removed green hoarding along Sheung Yue River due to the
construction works should be replaced and maintained properly as soon as
possible. |
Item remarked as 230906-R01. Follow-up action is
needed to be review. |
|
06/09/2023 |
Item remarked as 230913-R01. Follow-up action is
needed to be review. |
||
|
13/09/2023 |
Item remarked as 230922-R01. Follow-up action is
needed to be review. |
||
|
22/09/2023 |
Item remarked as 230927-R01. Follow-up action is
needed to be review. |
||
|
27/09/2023 |
Follow-up action is needed to be reported in the following
month. |
||
|
30/08/2023 |
Tree protection zone should be maintained properly and regularly. / Construction
works of the VC exceeding site boundary causing damage to trees within 2m
from site boundaries. |
Item remarked as 230906-R02. Follow-up action is
needed to be review. |
|
|
06/09/2023 |
Item remarked as 230913-R02. Follow-up action is
needed to be review. |
||
|
13/09/2023 |
Item remarked as 230922-R02. Follow-up action is
needed to be review. |
||
|
22/09/2023 |
Item remarked as 230927-R02. Follow-up action is
needed to be review. |
||
|
27/09/2023 |
Follow-up action is needed to be reported in the
following month. |
||
|
Contract No.: ND/2019/03 |
|||
|
Air Quality |
31/08/2023 |
Dusty
stockpiles should be covered with tarpaulin sheets. |
Item
remarked as 230914-R01. Follow-up action is needed to be review. |
|
14/09/2023 |
Item
remarked as 230919-R01. Follow-up action is needed to be review. |
||
|
19/09/2023 |
Item
remarked as 230929-R01. Follow-up action is needed to be review. |
||
|
29/09/2023 |
Follow-up
action is needed to be reported in the following month. |
||
|
Water Quality |
31/08/2023 |
Provide
adequate wheel-washing facilities for each vehicle exits. |
Item
remarked as 230914-O01. Follow-up action is needed to be review. |
|
14/09/2023 |
Item
remarked as 230919-O01. Follow-up action is needed to be review. |
||
|
19/09/2023 |
Item
remarked as 230929-O01. Follow-up action is needed to be review. |
||
|
29/09/2023 |
Follow-up
action is needed to be reported in the following month. |
||
|
31/08/2023 |
Provide
sand bags to prevent muddy water discharge. |
Item
remarked as 230914-R02. Follow-up action is needed to be review. |
|
|
14/09/2023 |
Item
remarked as 230919-R02. Follow-up action is needed to be review. |
||
|
19/09/2023 |
Item
remarked as 230929-R02. Follow-up action is needed to be review. |
||
|
29/09/2023 |
Follow-up
action is needed to be reported in the following month. |
||
|
Contract No.: ND/2019/04 |
|||
|
Water Quality |
31/08/2023 |
All vehicles should be cleaned of earth, mud and debris before leaving the site. |
Item remarked as 230907-R01. Follow-up action is
needed to be review. |
|
07/09/2023 |
Item remarked as 230913-R01. Follow-up action is
needed to be review. |
||
|
13/09/2023 |
Item remarked as 230921-R01. Follow-up action is
needed to be review. |
||
|
21/09/2023 |
Item remarked as 230928-R01. Follow-up action is
needed to be review. |
||
|
28/09/2023 |
Follow-up action is needed to be reported in the
following month. |
||
|
31/08/2023 |
Stockpile of dusty materials should be covered
properly and securely during rainstorm. |
Item remarked as 230907-R02. Follow-up action is
needed to be review. |
|
|
07/09/2023 |
Improvement/Rectification
was observed during follow-up audit session on 13 Sep 2023. |
||
|
07/09/2023 |
Earth bunds or sand bag barriers around the
construction site next to Ma Wut River should be provided to prevent surface
runoff through the site boundary. |
Item remarked as 230913-O01. Follow-up action is
needed to be review. |
|
|
13/09/2023 |
Improvement/Rectification
was observed during follow-up audit session on 21 Sep 2023. |
||
|
28/09/2023 |
Water quality mitigation measures along Ng Tung
River should be provided, e.g. sand bag barrier. |
Follow-up action is needed to be reported in the
following month. |
|
|
Ecology |
13/09/2023 |
The silt curtain deployed around platform F02
should be maintained properly. |
Improvement/Rectification
was observed during follow-up audit session on 21 Sep 2023. |
|
28/09/2023 |
Silt curtain at Bridge F should be fully
enclosed. |
Follow-up action is needed to be reported in the
following month. |
|
|
Air Quality |
21/09/2023 |
Stockpile of dusty materials should be covered by
tarpaulin sheets. |
Improvement/Rectification
was observed during follow-up audit session on 28 Sep 2023. |
|
28/09/2023 |
Sufficient water-spraying should be provided
regularly. |
Follow-up action is needed to be reported in the
following month. |
|
|
Noise |
28/09/2023 |
Noise barrier should be maintained properly. |
Follow-up action is needed to be reported in the
following month. |
|
Contract No.: ND/2019/05 |
|||
|
Water Quality |
28/08/2023 |
The
design of the on-site drainage should be enhanced to prevent runoff going
through site surface at On Lok Garden. |
Improvement/Rectification
was observed during follow-up audit session on 04 Sep 2023. |
|
28/08/2023 |
Temporary
ditches should be provided for vehicle washing spaces to avoid wastewater
discharge into inappropriate watercourse. |
Improvement/Rectification
was observed during follow-up audit session on 04 Sep 2023. |
|
|
28/08/2023 |
Blue
hose attached to water pump should be kept away from the riverside. |
Improvement/Rectification
was observed during follow-up audit session on 04 Sep 2023. |
|
|
26/09/2023 |
Blue
hose attached to water pump should be kept away from the riverside. |
Follow-up action is needed to be reported in the following month. |
|
|
Air Quality |
18/09/2023 |
Provide
maintenance for excavator to avoid black smoke emission. |
Improvement/Rectification
was observed during follow-up audit session on 26 Sep 2023. |
|
Contract No.: ND/2019/06 |
|||
|
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
|
Contract No.: ND/2019/07 |
|||
|
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
Implementation Status of Environmental Mitigation Measures
10.6
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 · 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
10.7
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 |
Hard paved exposed
slope surface |
Hydroseeding for
slope area |
|
ND/2019/02 |
Hard paved exposed
haul road |
Hard paved exposed slope surface |
|
ND/2019/03 |
Hard paved exposed
haul road |
Watering the main haul road regularly. |
|
ND/2019/04 |
Hard paved exposed slope surface |
Deployment of silt curtain around works area in Ng Tung River |
|
ND/2019/05 |
Covering dusty
stockpile |
Provision of sand bags around works area |
|
ND/2019/07 |
Covering exposed slope surface with tarpaulin |
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
10.8
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.
10.9
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.
10.10 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 – Creation of Long Valley Nature Park
(LVNP)
10.11
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.
10.12
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.
10.13
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.
10.14
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. The last meeting was held on 18 November 2022 to share
the progress of LVNP with different stakeholders, including CEDD, AFCD, CA,
HKBWS, Contractor, ET, IEC and farmers.
10.15 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 |
A Himantopus
himantopus was recorded |
|
|
Wet agricultural land |
||
