Expansion of Hong Kong
International Airport into a
Three-Runway System

Construction Phase Quarterly EM&A Report
No.25 (1 January to 31 March 2022)

June 2022

 

 

 

 

 


  

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Contents

Abbreviations  1

Executive summary  3

1       Introduction   6

1.1      Background  6

1.2      Scope of this Report 6

1.3      Project Organisation  6

1.4      Contact information for the Project 10

1.5      Summary of Construction Works  10

1.6      Summary of EM&A Programme Requirements  10

2       Environmental Monitoring and Auditing  14

2.1      Air Quality Monitoring  14

2.1.1         Action and Limit Levels  14

2.1.2         Summary of Monitoring Results  14

2.1.3         Conclusion  15

2.2      Noise Monitoring  15

2.2.1         Action and Limit Levels  15

2.2.2         Summary of Monitoring Results  15

2.2.3         Conclusion  16

2.3      Water Quality Monitoring  16

2.3.1         Action and Limit Levels  18

2.3.2         Summary of Monitoring Results  19

2.3.3         Conclusion  20

2.4      Waste Monitoring  20

2.4.1         Action and Limit Levels  21

2.4.2         Summary of Monitoring Results  21

2.4.3         Marine Sediment Management 22

2.5      Chinese White Dolphin Monitoring  22

2.5.1         Action and Limit Levels  22

2.5.2         Summary of Monitoring Results  23

2.6      Sewage Flow Monitoring  32

2.6.1         Brief Summary of the Agreed Method  32

2.6.2         Desk-Based Monitoring Result 33

2.7      Environmental Site Inspection  33

2.7.1         Landscape and Visual Mitigation Measures  34

2.7.2         Land Contamination Assessment 39

2.8      Audit of SkyPier High Speed Ferries  40

2.9      Audit of Construction and Associated Vessels  40

2.10     Review of the Key Assumptions Adopted in the EIA Report 41

3       Report on Non-compliance, Complaints, Notifications of Summons and Prosecutions  42

3.1      Compliance with Other Statutory Environmental Requirements  42

3.2      Analysis and Interpretation of Complaints, Notification of Summons and Status of Prosecutions  42

3.2.1         Complaints  42

3.2.2         Notifications of Summons or Status of Prosecution  43

3.3      Cumulative Statistics  43

4       Conclusion and Recommendation  44

 

Tables

Table 1.1: Contact Information of Key Personnel 7

Table 1.2: Contact Information of the Project 10

Table 1.3: Summary of Status for All Environmental Aspects under the Updated EM&A Manual 10

Table 2.1: Impact Air Quality Monitoring Stations  14

Table 2.2: Percentage of Air Quality Monitoring Results within Action and Limit Levels  14

Table 2.3: General Meteorological Condition during Impact Air Quality Monitoring  14

Table 2.4: Impact Noise Monitoring Stations  15

Table 2.5: Percentage of Noise Monitoring Results within Action and Limit Levels  15

Table 2.6: General Meteorological Condition during Impact Noise Monitoring  16

Table 2.7: Monitoring Locations and Parameters for Impact Water Quality Monitoring  16

Table 2.8: Action and Limit Levels for General Water Quality Monitoring and Regular DCM Monitoring 18

Table 2.9: The Control and Impact Stations during Flood Tide and Ebb Tide for General Water Quality Monitoring and Regular DCM Monitoring  19

Table 2.10: Percentage of Water Quality Monitoring Results within Action and Limit Levels  19

Table 2.11: General Weather Condition and Sea Condition during Impact Water Quality Monitoring  19

Table 2.12: Summary of SS Compliance Status (Mid-Ebb Tide) 20

Table 2.13: Action and Limit Levels for Construction Waste  21

Table 2.14: Construction Waste Statistics  21

Table 2.15: Land-based Theodolite Tracking Survey Station Details  22

Table 2.16: Derived Values of Action Level and Limit Level for Chinese White Dolphin Monitoring  22

Table 2.17: Summary of Number of CWD Sightings and Number of Dolphins for the Same Quarter Last Year, Previous Quarter, and Current Reporting Period  23

Table 2.18: Summary of Monthly and Running Quarterly STG and ANI of Chinese White Dolphin for the Same Quarter Last Year, Previous Quarter, and Current Reporting Period  25

Table 2.19: Summary of Photo Identification  29

Table 2.20: Summary of Survey Effort and CWD Group of Land-based Theodolite Tracking Survey  30

Table 2.21: Landscape and Visual – Construction Phase Audit Summary  34

Table 2.22: Summary of the Number of Retained, Transplanted and To-be-transplanted Trees in the Reporting Period  35

Table 2.23: Summary of the Transplanted Trees Updated in the Reporting Period  36

Table 2.24: Photos of the Existing Transplanted Trees Inspected in the Reporting Period  38

Table 3.1: Summary of Environmental Complaints  42

Table 3.2: Statistics for Valid Exceedances for the Environmental Monitoring  43

Table 3.3: Statistics for Non-compliance, Complaints, Notifications of Summons and Prosecution  43

 

Figures

Figure 1.1

Locations of Key Construction Activities

Figure 2.1

Locations of Air and Noise Monitoring Stations and Chek Lap Kok Wind Station

Figure 2.2a

Water Quality Monitoring Stations (before 25 January 2022)

Figure 2.2b

Water Quality Monitoring Stations (on and after 25 January 2022)

Figure 2.3

Vessel based Dolphin Monitoring Transects in Construction, Post-Construction, and Operation Phases

Figure 2.4

Land based Dolphin Monitoring Locations in Baseline and Construction Phases

Figure 2.5

Sightings Distribution of Chinese White Dolphins

Figure 2.6

Sighting Locations of Chinese White Dolphins with Different Group Sizes

Figure 2.7

Sighting Locations of Chinese White Dolphins Engaged in Different Behaviours

Figure 2.8

Sighting Locations of Mother-calf Pairs

Figure 2.9

Plots of First Sightings of All CWD Groups from Land-based Stations

Figure 2.10

Location for Passive Acoustic Monitoring

Figure 2.11

Schematic Diagram for Sewerage System Flow Monitoring

Figure 2.12

Sewerage System Collecting Sewage from Airport

Appendices  

Appendix A

Project Organisation Chart

Appendix B

Environmental Mitigation Implementation Schedule (EMIS) for Construction Phase

Appendix C

Monitoring Results

 

 

Abbreviations

3RS

Three-Runway System

AAHK

Airport Authority Hong Kong

AECOM

AECOM Asia Company Limited

AFCD

Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department

AIS

Automatic Information System

ANI

Encounter Rate of Number of Dolphins

APM

Automated People Mover

AW

Airport West

BHS

Baggage Handling System

C&D

Construction and Demolition

CAP

Contamination Assessment Plan

CAR

Contamination Assessment Report

CTCC

Construction Traffic Control Centre

CWD

Chinese White Dolphin

DCM

Deep Cement Mixing

DEZ

Dolphin Exclusion Zone

DO

Dissolved Oxygen

EIA

Environmental Impact Assessment

EM&A

Environmental Monitoring & Audit

EMIS

Environmental Mitigation Implementation Schedule

EP

Environmental Permit

EPD

Environmental Protection Department

EPSS

Emergency Power Supply Systems

ET

Environmental Team

FCZ

Fish Culture Zone

HKBCF

Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Hong Kong Boundary Crossing Facilities

HKIA

Hong Kong International Airport

HSF

High Speed Ferry

IEC

Independent Environmental Checker

LKC

Lung Kwu Chau

MMHK

Mott MacDonald Hong Kong Limited

MMWP

Marine Mammal Watching Plan

MSS

Maritime Surveillance System

MTRMP-CAV

Updated Marine Travel Routes and Management Plan for Construction and Associated Vessel

NEL

Northeast Lantau

NWL

Northwest Lantau

PAM

Passive Acoustic Monitoring

SC

Sha Chau

SCZ

Speed Control Zone

SCLKCMP

Sha Chau and Lung Kwu Chau Marine Park

SS

Suspended Solids

STG

Encounter Rate of Number of Dolphin Sightings

SWL

Southwest Lantau

T2

Terminal 2

The Manual

The Updated EM&A Manual

The Project

The Expansion of Hong Kong International Airport into a Three-Runway System

The SkyPier Plan

Marine Travel Routes and Management Plan for High Speed Ferries of SkyPier

TSP

Total Suspended Particulates

WL

West Lantau

WMP

Waste Management Plan

 

Executive summary

The “Expansion of Hong Kong International Airport into a Three-Runway System” (the Project) serves to meet the future air traffic demands at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA). On 7 November 2014, the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Report (Register No.: AEIAR-185/2014) for the Project was approved and an Environmental Permit (EP) (Permit No.: EP-489/2014) was issued for the construction and operation of the Project.

Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) commissioned Mott MacDonald Hong Kong Limited (MMHK) to undertake the role of Environmental Team (ET) for carrying out the Environmental Monitoring & Audit (EM&A) works during the construction phase of the Project in accordance with the Updated EM&A Manual (the Manual).

This is the 25th Construction Phase Quarterly EM&A Report for the Project which summarises the monitoring results and audit findings of the EM&A programme during the reporting period from 1 January 2021 to 31 March 2022.  

Key Activities in the Reporting Period

The key activities of the Project carried out in the reporting period included reclamation works and land-based works. Works in the reclamation areas included filling, seawall construction and ground improvement works, together with runway, concourse and associated works. Land-based works on existing airport island involved mainly airfield works, Terminal 2 expansion works, modification and tunnel work for Automated People Mover (APM) and Baggage Handling System (BHS), and preparation work for utilities, with activities include road and drainage works, cable ducting, demolition, piling, and excavation works.

EM&A Activities Conducted in the Reporting Period

The EM&A programme was undertaken in accordance with the Manual of the Project. Summary of the monitoring activities during this reporting period is presented as below:

Monitoring Activities

Number of Sessions

1-hour Total Suspended Particulates (TSP) air quality monitoring

96

Noise monitoring

52

Water quality monitoring

39

Vessel line-transect surveys for Chinese White Dolphin (CWD) monitoring

6

Land-based theodolite tracking survey effort for CWD monitoring

6

Environmental auditing works, including weekly site inspections of construction works conducted by the ET and bi-weekly site inspections conducted by the Independent Environmental Checker (IEC), audit of SkyPier High Speed Ferries (HSF), audit of construction and associated vessels, and audit of implementation of Marine Mammal Watching Plan (MMWP) and Dolphin Exclusion Zone (DEZ) Plan, were conducted in the reporting period. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, remote and physical site inspections of construction works to audit the implementation of proper environmental pollution control and mitigation measures for the Project were conducted by ET and IEC in this reporting period on a weekly and bi-weekly basis, respectively. Based on the information including ET’s observations, records of Maritime Surveillance System (MSS), and contractors’ site records, it is noted that environmental pollution control and mitigation measures were properly implemented and construction activities of the Project in the reporting period did not introduce adverse impacts to the sensitive receivers.

In accordance with Section 6.2.1.1 of the Manual, the methodology of annual sewage flow monitoring for the existing gravity sewer from the airport discharge manhole to Tung Chung Sewage Pumping Station (TCSPS) should be prepared and submitted to EPD one year before the scheduled commencement of operation of the proposed third runway. As such, the sewage flow monitoring methodology paper was prepared, submitted and subsequently approved by EPD on 21 June 2021. The annual sewage flow monitoring has also been started since June 2021. According to the daily flow monitoring record of Sewage Pumping Station 1 (SPS-1) located at the Airport from January to March 2022 (see Appendix C), the daily average flow of 11,765 m3/day for January 2022, 10,731 m3/day for February 2022 and 10,610 m3/day for March 2022 were well below 80% of pipe full flow capacity of 53,395.2 m3/day as defined in Section 2.6.3 of the approved sewage flow monitoring methodology paper. For the subsequent sets of sewage flow monitoring data for SPS-1, it will be presented in upcoming Quarterly and Annual EM&A Reports.

Snapshots of Good Environmental Practices in the Reporting Period

Use of automatic wheel wash system for dust suppression purpose

Provision of regular maintenance for wastewater treatment facility

Provision of tool-box talk for site personnel

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Key examples of good site practices implemented in the Project are highlighted as below:

1.     Automatic wheel wash system was installed and implemented within the construction site to ensure no earth, mud, debris, and the like is deposited by vehicles to public areas.

2.     Regular maintenance for wastewater treatment facility was provided by contractor to ensure its proper and efficient operation in particular during rainstorm.

3.     Tool-box talk was provided to workers for proper waste management and marine sediment handling procedures.

Summary Findings of the EM&A Programme

The monitoring works for construction dust, construction noise, water quality, construction waste, landscape & visual, and CWD were conducted during the reporting period in accordance with the Manual.

Monitoring results of construction dust, construction noise and CWD monitoring did not trigger the corresponding Action and Limit Levels in the reporting period.

The water quality monitoring results for all parameters, except suspended solids (SS), obtained during the reporting period were within the corresponding Action and Limit Levels stipulated in the EM&A programme. Relevant investigation and follow-up actions will be conducted according to the EM&A programme if the corresponding Action and Limit Levels are triggered. For SS, some testing results triggered the relevant Action Levels, and the corresponding investigations were conducted accordingly. The investigation findings concluded that the cases were not related to the Project. To conclude, the construction activities in the reporting period did not introduce adverse impact to all water quality sensitive receivers.

For waste management, a complaint regarding general refuse was received in this reporting period. This complaint triggered the relevant Action Level, and the corresponding investigation was subsequently conducted in accordance with the Manual and the Complaint Management Plan of the Project.  To conclude, follow-up actions have been made by ET and the related contractor, and the case was considered closed.

The key findings of the EM&A programme during the reporting period are summarised as below:

 

Yes

No

Details

Analysis / Recommendation / Remedial Actions

Breach of Limit Level^

 

No breach of Limit Level was recorded.

Nil

Breach of Action Level^

For waste management, a complaint regarding general refuse was received in this reporting period. This complaint triggered the relevant Action Level, and the corresponding investigation was subsequently conducted in accordance with the Manual and the Complaint Management Plan of the Project. 

Follow-up actions have been made by ET and the related contractor, and the case was considered closed.

Complaints Received

 

A complaint regarding suspected dump truck for garbage disposal that was not properly covered was received on 18 February 2022.

ET requested the relevant contractor to provide information related to the complaint. No item related to the covering of dump trucks was recorded during regular site inspections. During an ad-hoc inspection, some dump trucks were observed not fully covered when leaving the construction site onto RoRo barges in which ET immediately followed up with the contractor. All 3RS contractors were reminded to ensure the proper covering of dump trucks for garbage disposal and avoid potential blowing away of materials during the process. Hence, the case was considered closed.

 

Two complaints regarding alleged dumping of mud at 3RS construction site area were received on 22 and 24 March 2022.

The complaints were under investigation during the reporting period. Findings would be reported in the next Quarterly EM&A Report.

 

Notification of any summons and status of prosecutions

 

No notification of summons nor prosecution was received. 

Nil

Changes that affect the EM&A

Starting from 25 Jan 2022, 6 water quality impact monitoring stations and 3 sensitive receiver stations were terminated, with the impact monitoring stations relocated back to their original locations and minor adjustment for one of the impact monitoring stations.

Nil

Remarks:

^Only triggering of Action or Limit Level found related to Project works is counted as Breach of Action or Limit Level.

 

1        Introduction

1.1        Background

On 7 November 2014, the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Report (Register No.: AEIAR-185/2014) for the “Expansion of Hong Kong International Airport into a Three-Runway System” (the Project) was approved and an Environmental Permit (EP) (Permit No.: EP-489/2014) was issued for the construction and operation of the Project.

Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) commissioned Mott MacDonald Hong Kong Limited (MMHK) to undertake the role of Environmental Team (ET) for carrying out the Environmental Monitoring & Audit (EM&A) works during the construction phase of the Project in accordance with the Updated EM&A Manual (the Manual) submitted under EP Condition 3.1[1]. AECOM Asia Company Limited (AECOM) was employed by AAHK as the Independent Environmental Checker (IEC) for the Project.

The Project covers the expansion of the existing airport into a three-runway system (3RS) with key project components comprising land formation of about 650 ha and all associated facilities and infrastructure including taxiways, aprons, aircraft stands, a passenger concourse, an expanded Terminal 2, all related airside and landside works and associated ancillary and supporting facilities. The submarine aviation fuel pipelines and submarine power cables also require diversion as part of the works.

Construction of the Project is to proceed in the general order of diversion of the submarine aviation fuel pipelines, diversion of the submarine power cables, land formation, and construction of infrastructure, followed by construction of superstructures.

The summary of construction works programme can be referred to the corresponding Monthly EM&A Reports. Description of relevant contracts in the reporting period was presented in Appendix A of the Construction Phase Monthly EM&A Report No. 71.

1.2        Scope of this Report

This is the 25th Construction Phase Quarterly EM&A Report for the Project which summarises the key findings of the EM&A programme during the reporting period from 1 January 2022 to 31 March 2022.

1.3        Project Organisation

The Project’s organisation structure is provided in Appendix A. Contact details of the key personnel have been updated and provided in Table 1.1.

Table 1.1: Contact Information of Key Personnel

Party

Position

Name

Telephone

Project Manager’s Representative

(Airport Authority Hong Kong)

Principal Manager, Environmental Compliance, Sustainability

Lawrence Tsui

2183 2734

Environmental Team (ET)

(Mott MacDonald Hong Kong Limited)

Environmental Team Leader

Terence Kong

2828 5919

Deputy Environmental Team Leaders

Heidi Yu

2828 5704

Ken Wong

2828 5817

Independent Environmental Checker (IEC)

(AECOM Asia Company Limited)

Independent Environmental Checker

Jackel Law

3922 9376

 

Deputy Independent Environmental Checker

Roy Man

3922 9141

 

 

Reclamation Works:

Party

Position

Name

Telephone

Contract 3206

Main Reclamation Works (ZHEC-CCCC-CDC Joint Venture)

Project Manager

Alan Mong

3763 1352 

 

Environmental Officer

Zhang Bin Wang

3763 1451

 

Airfield Works:

Party

Position

Name

Telephone

Contract 3301

North Runway Crossover Taxiway

(FJT-CHEC-ZHEC Joint Venture)

Deputy Project Director

Kin Hang Chung

9800 0048

Environmental Officer

Joe Wong

6182 0351

Contract 3302

Eastern Vehicular Tunnel Advance Works

(China Road and Bridge Corporation)

Project Manager

Dickey Yau

5699 4503

Environmental Officer

Dennis Ho

5645 0563

Contract 3303

Third Runway and Associated Works

(SAPR Joint Venture)

Project Manager

Andrew Keung

6277 6628

Environmental Officer

Gabriel Wong

6114 9590

Contract 3305

Airfield Ground Lighting System

(ADB Safegate Hong Kong Limited)

Project Manager

Allam Al-Turk

2944 9725

Environmental Officer

Calvin Sze

9205 9277

Contract 3306

Observation Facility Control System Supporting Interim 2RS and 3RS

(Chinney Alliance Engineering Limited)

Project Director

Dennis Yam

9551 9920

Environmental Officer

Richard Liu

9216 8990

Contract 3307

Fire Training Facility

(Paul Y. Construction Company Limited)

Project Manager

Chris Wong

6110 1157

Environmental Officer

 

 

Albert Chan

9700 1083

Contract 3308

Foreign Object Debris Detection System

(DAS Aviation Services Group)

Project Manager

Jeffrey Yau

9873 7422

Contract 3310

North Runway Modification Works

(China State Construction Engineering (Hong Kong) Ltd.)

Project Manager

Kingsley Chiang

9424 8437

Environmental Officer

Federick Wong

9842 2703

 

Third Runway Concourse:

Party

Position

Name

Telephone

Contract 3403 New Integrated Airport Centres Building and Civil Works

(Sun Fook Kong Construction Limited)

Project Manager

Alice Leung

9220 3162

Environmental Officer

Ray Cheung

9785 1566

Contract 3404

Integrated Airport Control System

(Shun Hing Systems Integration Co., Ltd.)

Project Manager

Andy Ng

9102 2739

Environmental Officer

Richard Ng

9802 9577

Contract 3405 Third Runway Concourse Foundation and Substructure Works

(China Road and Bridge Corporation – Bachy Soletanche Group Limited – LT Sambo Co., Ltd. Joint Venture)

Project Manager

Francis Choi

9423 3469

Environmental Officer

Jacky Lai

9028 8975

Contract 3408

Third Runway Concourse and Apron Works

(Beijing Urban Construction Group Company Limited and Chevalier (Construction) Company Limited Joint Venture)

Assistant Project Manager

Qian Zhang

5377 7976

Environmental Officer

Malcolm Leung

7073 7559

 

Terminal 2 (T2) Expansion:

Party

Position

Name

Telephone

Contract 3508 Terminal 2 Expansion Works

(Gammon Engineering & Construction Company Limited)

Project Director

Richard Ellis

6201 5637

Environmental Officer

Fanny Law

6184 4650

 

Automated People Mover (APM) and Baggage Handling System (BHS):

Party

Position

Name

Telephone

Contract 3601 New Automated People Mover System (TRC Line)

(CRRC Puzhen Bombardier Transportation Systems Limited and CRRC Nanjing Puzhen Co., Ltd. Joint Venture)

Project Manager

Hongdan Wei

158 6180 9450

Environmental Officer

 

P L Wong

 

 

 

 

9143 2185

Contract 3602 Existing APM System Modification Works

(Niigata Transys Co., Ltd.)

Project Manager

Kunihiro Tatecho

9755 0351

Project Safety Manager

Jack Chow   

9880 6338

Contract 3603 3RS Baggage Handling System (VISH Consortium)

Project Manager

K C Ho

9272 9626

Environmental Officer

Eric Ha

9215 3432

 

Construction Support (Facilities):

Party

Position

Name

Telephone

Contract 3721 Construction Support Infrastructure Works

(China State Construction Engineering (Hong Kong) Ltd.)

Site Agent

Thomas Lui

9011 5340

Environmental Officer

Gary Yeung

9042 1720

Contract 3723

Eastern Support Area – Construction Support Facilities

(Tapbo Construction Company Limited and Konwo Modular House Ltd. Joint Venture.)

Deputy Project Director

Philip Kong

9337 8700

Environmental Officer

Eddie Suen

 

6338 8862

Contract 3728 Minor Site Works

(Shun Yuen Construction Company Limited)

Contract Manager

C K Liu

9194 8739

Environmental Officer

 

 

 

 

 

Dan Leung

6856 5899

Contract 3733 Emergency Repair Service

(Wing Hing Construction Co., Ltd.)

 

Project Manager

Michael Kan

9206 0550

SHE Manager

Mike Leung

6625 2550  

 

Airport Support Infrastructure:

Party

Position

Name

Telephone

Contract 3801 APM and BHS Tunnels on Existing Airport Island

(China State Construction Engineering (Hong Kong) Ltd.)

Project Manager

Kingsley Chiang

9424 8437

Environmental Officer 

Eunice Kwok

9243 1331

Contract 3802 APM and BHS Tunnels and Related Works

(Gammon Construction Limited)

Project Director

John Adams

6111 6989

Environmental Officer

Phoebe Ng

9869 1105

 

Construction Support (Services / Licences):

Party

Position

Name

Telephone

Contract 3901A Concrete Batching Facility

(K. Wah Concrete Company Limited)

Project Manager

Benedict Wong

9553 2806

Environmental Officer

C P Fung

9874 2872

Contract 3901B Concrete Batching Facility

(Gammon Construction Limited)

Senior Project Manager

Gabriel Chan

2435 3260

Environmental Officer

Rex Wong

2695 6319

1.4         Contact information for the Project

The contact information for the Project is provided in Table 1.2. The public can contact us through the following channels if they have any queries and comments on the environmental monitoring data and project related information.

Table 1.2: Contact Information of the Project

Channels

Contact Information

Hotline

3908 0354

Email

env@3rsproject.com

Fax

3747 6050

Postal Address

Airport Authority Hong Kong

HKIA Tower

1 Sky Plaza Road

Hong Kong International Airport

Lantau

Hong Kong

Attn: Environmental Team Leader Mr Terence Kong

c/o Mr Lawrence Tsui (TRD)

1.5        Summary of Construction Works

The key activities of the Project carried out in the reporting period included reclamation works and land-based works. Works in the reclamation areas included filling, seawall construction and ground improvement works, together with runway, concourse and associated works. Land-based works on existing airport island involved mainly airfield works, Terminal 2 expansion works, modification and tunnel work for APM and BHS systems, and preparation work for utilities, with activities include road and drainage works, cable ducting, demolition, piling, and excavation works. The locations of the key construction activities are presented in Figure 1.1.

1.6        Summary of EM&A Programme Requirements

The status for all environmental aspects is presented in Table 1.3. The EM&A requirements remained unchanged during the reporting period.

Table 1.3: Summary of Status for All Environmental Aspects under the Updated EM&A Manual

Parameters

EM&A Requirements

Status

Air Quality

 

 

Baseline Monitoring

At least 14 consecutive days before commencement of construction work

The baseline air quality monitoring result has been reported in Baseline Monitoring Report and submitted to EPD under EP Condition 3.4.

Impact Monitoring

At least 3 times every 6 days

On-going

Noise

 

 

Baseline Monitoring

Daily for a period of at least two weeks prior to the commencement of construction works

The baseline noise monitoring result has been reported in Baseline Monitoring Report and submitted to EPD under EP Condition 3.4.

Impact Monitoring

Weekly

On-going

Water Quality

 

 

General Baseline Water Quality Monitoring for reclamation, water jetting and field joint works

Three days per week, at mid-flood and mid-ebb tides, for at least four weeks prior to the commencement of marine works.

The baseline water quality monitoring result has been reported in Baseline Water Quality Monitoring Report and submitted to EPD under EP Condition 3.4.

General Impact Water Quality Monitoring for reclamation, water jetting and field joint works

Three days per week, at mid-flood and mid-ebb tides.

On-going for reclamation works. General impact water quality monitoring for water jetting works was completed on 23 May 2017.

Initial Intensive Deep Cement Mixing (DCM) Water Quality Monitoring

At least four weeks

The Initial Intensive DCM Monitoring Report was submitted and approved by EPD in accordance with the Detailed Plan on DCM.

Regular DCM Water Quality Monitoring

Three times per week until completion of DCM works.

On-going (starting from 11 Jan 2022)

Sewerage and Sewage Treatment

Methodology for carrying out annual sewage flow monitoring for concerned gravity sewer

Methodology to be prepared and submitted to EPD one year before the scheduled commencement of operation of the proposed third runway.

The proposed methodology of the annual sewage flow monitoring was approved by EPD. The annual flow monitoring has been started since June 2021.

Details of the routine H2S monitoring system for the sewerage system of 3RS

Details to be prepared and submitted to EPD at least one year before commencement of the operation of 3RS.

The details of the routine H2S monitoring system will be prepared and submitted to EPD at least one year before commencement of operation of 3RS.

Waste Management

 

 

Waste Monitoring

At least weekly

On-going

Land Contamination

 

 

Supplementary Contamination Assessment Plan (CAP)

At least 3 months before commencement of any soil remediation works.

The Supplementary CAP was submitted and approved by EPD under EP condition 2.20.

Contamination Assessment Report (CAR) for Golf Course

CAR to be submitted for golf course

The CAR for Golf Course was submitted and accepted by EPD.

CAR for Terminal 2 Emergency Power Supply System

CAR to be submitted for Terminal 2 Emergency Power Supply Systems

 

The CARs for Terminal 2 Emergency Power Supply Systems were submitted and accepted by EPD.

Terrestrial Ecology

 

 

Pre-construction Egretry Survey Plan

Once per month in the breeding season between April and July, prior to the commencement of HDD drilling works.

The Egretry Survey Plan was submitted and approved by EPD under EP Condition 2.14.

Ecological Monitoring

Monthly monitoring during the HDD construction works period from August to March.

The terrestrial ecological monitoring at Sheung Sha Chau was completed in January 2019.

Marine Ecology

 

 

Pre-Construction Phase Coral Dive Survey

Prior to marine construction works

The Coral Translocation Plan was submitted and approved by EPD under EP Condition 2.12.

Coral Translocation

-

The coral translocation was completed on 5 January 2017.

Post-translocation Monitoring

As per an enhanced monitoring programme based on the Coral Translocation Plan

The post-translocation monitoring programme according to the Coral Translocation Plan was completed in April 2018.

Chinese White Dolphins (CWD)

 

Baseline Monitoring

6 months of baseline surveys before the commencement of land formation related construction works.

Vessel line transect surveys: Two full surveys per month;

Land-based theodolite tracking surveys: Two days per month at the Sha Chau station and two days per month at the Lung Kwu Chau station; and

Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM): For the whole duration of baseline period.

Baseline CWD results were reported in the CWD Baseline Monitoring Report and submitted to EPD in accordance with EP Condition 3.4.

Impact Monitoring

Vessel line transect surveys: Two full surveys per month;

Land-based theodolite tracking surveys: One day per month at the Sha Chau station and one day per month at the Lung Kwu Chau station; and

PAM: For the whole duration for land formation related construction works.

On-going

 

 

 

 

 

 

Landscape and Visual

 

 

Landscape and Visual Plan

At least 3 months before the commencement of construction works on the formed land of the Project.

The Landscape & Visual Plan was submitted and approved by EPD under EP Condition 2.18

Baseline Monitoring

One-off survey within the Project site boundary prior to commencement of any construction works

The baseline landscape & visual monitoring result has been reported in Baseline Monitoring Report and submitted to EPD under EP Condition 3.4.

Impact Monitoring

Weekly

On-going

Environmental Auditing

 

Regular site inspection

Weekly

On-going

Marine Mammal Watching Plan (MMWP) implementation measures

Monitor and check

On-going

Dolphin Exclusion Zone (DEZ) Plan implementation measures

Monitor and check

On-going

SkyPier High Speed Ferries (HSF) implementation measures

Monitor and check

On-going

Construction and Associated Vessels implementation measures

Monitor and check

On-going

Silt Curtain Deployment Plan implementation measures

Monitor and check

On-going

Spill Response Plan implementation measures

Monitor and check

On-going

Complaint Hotline and Email Channel

Construction phase

On-going

Environmental Log Book

Construction phase

On-going

Taking into account the construction works in the reporting period, impact monitoring of air quality, noise, water quality, waste management, landscape & visual, and CWD were carried out in the reporting period.

The EM&A programme also involved weekly site inspections and related auditing conducted by ET for the checking of implementation of required environmental mitigation measures recommended in the approved EIA Report. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, remote and physical site inspections of construction works to audit the implementation of proper environmental pollution control and mitigation measures for the Project were conducted by ET and IEC on a weekly and bi-weekly basis, respectively. To promote the environmental awareness and enhance the environmental performance of the contractors, environmental trainings and regular environmental management meetings were conducted during the reporting period which are summarised as below:

   One skipper training provided by ET; and

   Fifty-four environmental management meetings for EM&A review with works contracts.

The EM&A programme has been following the recommendations presented in the approved EIA Report and the Manual. A summary of implementation status of the environmental mitigation measures for the construction phase of the Project during the reporting period is provided in Appendix B.

 

2        Environmental Monitoring and Auditing

2.1        Air Quality Monitoring

Impact 1-hour Total Suspended Particulates (TSP) monitoring was conducted three times every six days at two representative monitoring stations during the reporting period. The locations of monitoring stations are described in Table 2.1 and presented in Figure 2.1.

2.1.1         Action and Limit Levels

The Action and Limit Levels of the air quality monitoring stipulated in the EM&A programme for triggering the relevant investigation and follow-up procedures under the programme are provided in Table 2.1 for reference.

Table 2.1: Impact Air Quality Monitoring Stations

Monitoring Station

Location

Action Level (mg/m3)

Limit Level (mg/m3)

AR1A

Man Tung Road Park

306

500

AR2

Village House at Tin Sum

298

2.1.2         Summary of Monitoring Results

The air quality monitoring results in the reporting period are summarised in Table 2.2 and the graphical plot is presented in Appendix C.

Table 2.2: Percentage of Air Quality Monitoring Results within Action and Limit Levels

 

AR1A

AR2

Jan 2022

100%

100%

Feb 2022

100%

100%

Mar 2022

100%

100%

Overall

100%

100%

Note: The percentages are calculated by dividing the number of monitoring results within their corresponding Action and Limit Levels by the total number of monitoring results.

All monitoring results were within their corresponding Action and Limit Levels at all monitoring stations in the reporting period.

General meteorological conditions in the last month of the previous quarter and this reporting period were recorded and summarised in Table 2.3.

Table 2.3: General Meteorological Condition during Impact Air Quality Monitoring

 

Weather

Dominant Wind Direction

Dec 2021

Sunny to Overcast

Northwest

Jan 2022

Sunny to Overcast

Northeast

Feb 2022

Sunny to Drizzle

Northwest

Mar 2022

Sunny to Drizzle

Northwest or northeast

2.1.3          Conclusion

No dust emission source was observed at the monitoring stations during the monitoring sessions. As the sensitive receivers were far away from the construction activities, with the implementation of dust control measures, there was no adverse impact at the sensitive receivers attributable to the works of the Project.

2.2        Noise Monitoring

Impact noise monitoring was conducted at four representative monitoring stations once per week during 0700 and 1900 in the reporting period. The locations of monitoring stations are described in Table 2.4 and presented in Figure 2.1.

2.2.1         Action and Limit Levels

The Action and Limit Levels of the noise monitoring stipulated in the EM&A programme for triggering the relevant investigation and follow-up procedures under the programme are provided in Table 2.4 for reference.

Table 2.4: Impact Noise Monitoring Stations

Monitoring Station

Location

Action Level

Limit Level

NM1A

Man Tung Road Park

When one documented complaint is received from any one of the sensitive receivers

75 dB(A)

NM4

Ching Chung Hau Po Woon Primary School

65dB(A) / 70 dB(A) (i)

NM5

Village House in Tin Sum

75 dB(A)

NM6

House No. 1, Sha Lo Wan

75 dB(A)

Note:

 (i) The Limit Level for NM4 is reduced to 70dB(A) for being an educational institution. During school examination period, the Limit Level is further reduced to 65dB(A).


2.2.2
         Summary of Monitoring Results

The noise monitoring results in the reporting period are summarised in Table 2.5 and the graphical plot is presented in Appendix C.

Table 2.5: Percentage of Noise Monitoring Results within Action and Limit Levels  

 

NM1A

NM4

NM5

NM6

Jan 2022

100%

100%

100%

100%

Feb 2022

100%

100%

100%

100%

Mar 2022

100%

100%

100%

100%

Overall

100%

100%

100%

100%

Note: The percentages are calculated by dividing the number of monitoring results within their corresponding Action and Limit Levels by the total number of monitoring results.

No complaints were received from any sensitive receiver that triggered the Action Level.

General meteorological conditions in the last month of the previous quarter and this reporting period were recorded and summarised in Table 2.6.

Table 2.6: General Meteorological Condition during Impact Noise Monitoring

 

Weather

Dec 2021

Sunny to Drizzle

Jan 2022

Sunny to Drizzle

Feb 2022

Sunny to Drizzle

Mar 2022

Sunny to Drizzle

2.2.3         Conclusion

Major sources of noise dominating the monitoring stations observed during the construction noise impact monitoring were traffic noise near NM1A and aircraft noise near NM6. As the sensitive receivers were far away from the construction activities, with the implementation of noise control measures, there was no adverse impact at the sensitive receivers attributable to the works of the Project.

2.3        Water Quality Monitoring

During the reporting period, water quality monitoring was conducted three days per week, at mid-flood and mid-ebb tides. Water quality monitoring was undertaken at a total of 23 water quality monitoring stations, comprising 12 impact (IM) stations, 8 sensitive receiver (SR) stations, and 3 control (C) stations in the vicinity of the water quality sensitive receivers around the existing airport island in accordance with the Manual.

In view of the progress of 3RS land formation with majority of seawall completion, reduction of IM and SR stations for impact water quality monitoring was proposed to EPD and the approval was granted on 22 December 2021. The reduction of IM and SR stations was effective from 25 January 2022, in which the remaining IM stations were relocated back to their original locations, with slight modifications to the location of IM2. Therefore, after 25 January 2022, the water quality monitoring was undertaken at a total of 14 IM stations, 5 SR stations and 3 C stations in the vicinity of the water quality sensitive receivers around the existing airport island in accordance with the Manual. With the resumption of DCM works, the regular DCM monitoring was resumed from 11 January 2022 onwards.

The purpose of water quality monitoring at the IM stations is to promptly capture any potential water quality impacts from the Project before the impacts could become apparent at sensitive receivers (represented by the SR stations). Table 2.7 describes the details of the monitoring stations. Figure 2.2a shows the locations of the monitoring stations before 25 January 2022 (i.e. the date of the reduction of IM and SR stations), and Figure 2.2b shows the locations of the remaining monitoring stations on and after 25 January 2022.

Table 2.7: Monitoring Locations and Parameters for Impact Water Quality Monitoring

Monitoring Station

Description

Coordinates

Parameters

 

 

Easting

Northing

 

 

 

Before 25 Jan 2022

After 25 Jan 2022

Before 25 Jan 2022

After 25 Jan 2022

 

C1

Control Station

804247

804247

815620

815620

General Parameters

DO, pH, Temperature, Salinity, Turbidity, SS

 

DCM Parameters

Total Alkalinity, Heavy Metals(2)

C2

Control Station

806945

806945

825682

825682

C3(3)

Control Station

817803

817803

822109

822109

IM1(8)

Impact Station

807132

806458

817949

818351

IM2(8)

Impact Station

806166

806236

818163

819183

IM3

Impact Station

805594

N/A(7)

818784

N/A(7)

IM4

Impact Station

804607

N/A(7)

819725

N/A(7)

IM5

Impact Station

804867

N/A(7)

820735

N/A(7)

IM6

Impact Station

805828

N/A(7)

821060

N/A(7)

IM7(8)

Impact Station

806835

806835

821349

821349

IM8

Impact Station

808140

N/A(7)

821830

N/A(7)

IM9

Impact Station

808811

N/A(7)

822094

N/A(7)

IM10(8)

Impact Station

809794

809838

822385

822240

IM11(8)

Impact Station

811460

810545

822057

821501

IM12(8)

Impact Station

812046

811519

821459

821162

SR1A(1)

Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Hong Kong Boundary Crossing Facilities (HKBCF) Seawater Intake for cooling

812660

812660

819977

819977

General Parameters

DO, pH, Temperature, Salinity, Turbidity, SS

SR2

Planned marine park / hard corals at The Brothers / Tai Mo To

814166

814166

821463

821463

General Parameters

DO, pH, Temperature, Salinity, Turbidity, SS

DCM Parameters

Total Alkalinity, Heavy Metals(2)(4)

SR3

Sha Chau and Lung Kwu Chau Marine Park / fishing and spawning grounds in North Lantau

807571

807571

822147

822147

General Parameters

DO, pH, Temperature, Salinity, Turbidity, SS

 

SR4A

Sha Lo Wan

807810

807810

817189

817189

SR5A

San Tau Beach SSSI

810696

N/A(7)

816593

N/A(7)

SR6A(5)

Tai Ho Bay, Near Tai Ho Stream SSSI

814739

N/A(7)

817963

N/A(7)

SR7

Ma Wan Fish Culture Zone (FCZ)

823742

N/A(7)

823636

N/A(7)

SR8(6)

Seawater Intake for cooling at Hong Kong International Airport (East)

811623

811623

820390

820390

Notes:

(1)    With the operation of HKBCF, water quality monitoring at SR1A station was commenced on 25 October 2018. To better reflect the water quality in the immediate vicinity of the intake, the monitoring location of SR1A has been shifted closer to the intake starting from 5 January 2019.

(2)    Details of selection criteria for the two heavy metals for regular DCM monitoring refer to the Detailed Plan on Deep Cement Mixing available on the dedicated 3RS website (http://env.threerunwaysystem.com/en/ep-submissions.html).  DCM specific water quality monitoring parameters (total alkalinity and heavy metals) were only conducted at C1 to C3, SR2, and IM1 to IM12.

(3)    According to the Baseline Water Quality Monitoring Report, C3 station is not adequately representative as a control station of impact/ SR stations during the flood tide. The control reference has been changed from C3 to SR2 from 1 September 2016 onwards.

(4)    Total alkalinity and heavy metals results are collected at SR2 as a control station for regular DCM monitoring.

(5)    As the access to SR6 was obstructed by the construction activities and temporary structures for Tung Chung New Town Extension, the monitoring location has been relocated to SR6A starting from 8 August 2019.

(6)    The monitoring location for SR8 is subject to further changes due to silt curtain arrangements and the progressive relocation of this seawater intake.

(7)    In view of the progress of 3RS land formation with majority of seawall completion, these monitoring stations for impact water quality monitoring were terminated from 25 January 2022 onwards.

(8)    With the seawall completion and removal of enhanced open sea silt curtains, these monitoring stations were relocated back to their original locations. For IM2, there was minor adjustment of the monitoring location.

2.3.1         Action and Limit Levels

The Action and Limit Levels for general water quality monitoring stipulated in the EM&A programme for triggering the relevant investigation and follow-up procedures under the programme are presented in Table 2.8. The control and IM stations during flood tide and ebb tide for general water quality monitoring are presented in Table 2.9.

Table 2.8: Action and Limit Levels for General Water Quality Monitoring and Regular DCM Monitoring

Parameters

Action Level (AL)

Limit Level (LL)

Action and Limit Levels for general water quality monitoring and regular DCM monitoring  

(excluding SR1A & SR8)

General Water Quality Monitoring

DO in mg/l (Surface, Middle & Bottom)

Surface and Middle

4.5mg/l

Surface and Middle

4.1mg/l

5mg/l for Fish Culture Zone (SR7) only

Bottom

3.4mg/l

Bottom

2.7mg/l

Suspended Solids (SS) in mg/l

23

or 120% of upstream control station at the same tide of the same day, whichever is higher

37

or 130% of upstream control station at the same tide of the same day, whichever is higher

Turbidity in NTU

22.6

36.1

Regular DCM Monitoring

Total Alkalinity in ppm

95

99

Representative Heavy Metals for regular DCM monitoring (Chromium) in µg/l

0.2

0.2

Representative Heavy Metals for regular DCM monitoring (Nickel) in µg/l

3.2

 

3.6

 

Action and Limit Levels SR1A

 

 

 

SS (mg/l))

33

 

42

 

Action and Limit Levels SR8

 

 

 

 

SS (mg/l)

52

 

60

 

 

Notes:

1. For DO measurement, Action or Limit Level is triggered when monitoring result is lower than the limits.

2. For parameters other than DO, Action or Limit Level of water quality results is triggered when monitoring results is higher than the limits.

3. Depth-averaged results are used unless specified otherwise.

4. Details of selection criteria for the two heavy metals for regular DCM monitoring refer to the Detailed Plan on Deep Cement Mixing available on the dedicated 3RS website (http://env.threerunwaysystem.com/en/ep-submissions.html)

5. The Action and Limit Levels for the two representative heavy metals chosen will be the same as that for the intensive DCM monitoring.

6. In view of the construction programme for marine-based DCM works, regular DCM monitoring was resumed from 11 January 2022 onwards.

Table 2.9: The Control and Impact Stations during Flood Tide and Ebb Tide for General Water Quality Monitoring and Regular DCM Monitoring

Control Station

Impact Stations

Flood Tide

 

C1

IM1, IM2, IM32, IM42, IM52, IM62, IM7, IM82, SR3

SR21

IM7, IM82, IM92, IM10, IM11, IM12, SR1A, SR3, SR4A, SR5A2, SR6A2, SR8

Ebb Tide

 

C1

SR4A, SR5A2, SR6A2

C2

IM1, IM2, IM32, IM42, IM52, IM62, IM7, IM82, IM92, IM10, IM11, IM12, SR1A, SR2, SR3, SR72, SR8

Notes:

1. As per findings of Baseline Water Quality Monitoring Report, the control reference has been changed from C3 to SR2 from 1 Sep 2016 onwards.

2. The general water quality monitoring and regular DCM monitoring at IM3, IM4, IM5, IM6, IM8, IM9, SR5A, SR6A & SR7 were terminated from 25 January 2022 onwards.

 

2.3.2         Summary of Monitoring Results

The summary or results within their corresponding Action and Limit Levels in the reporting period are presented in Table 2.10. The weather and sea conditions in the last month of the previous quarter and this reporting period were recorded and summarised in Table 2.11.

Table 2.10: Percentage of Water Quality Monitoring Results within Action and Limit Levels

General Water Quality Monitoring

Regular DCM Monitoring

DO

(Surface and Middle)

DO

(Bottom)

SS

Turbidity

Alkalinity

Chromium

Nickel

Jan 2022

100%

(418/418)

100%

(418/418)

98.9%

(469/474)

100%

(418/418)

100%

(192/192)

100%

(192/192)

100%

(192/192)

Feb 2022

100%

(187/187)

100%

(187/187)

100%

(231/231)

100%

(187/187)

100%

(132/132)

100%

(132/132)

100%

(132/132)

Mar 2022

100%

(238/238)

100%

(238/238)

100%

(294/294)

100%

(238/238)

100%

(168/168)

100%

(168/168)

100%

(168/168)

Overall

100%

100%

99.5%

100%

100%

100%

100%

Notes:

(1) The percentages are calculated by dividing the number of depth-averaged results complying with their corresponding Action and Limit Levels by the total number of depth-averaged results.

(2) The number in the bracket under the percentage represents the total number of depth-averaged results complying with their corresponding Action and Limit Levels over the total number of depth-averaged results.

Table 2.11: General Weather Condition and Sea Condition during Impact Water Quality Monitoring

 

Weather

Sea Condition

Dec 2021

Sunny to Rainy

Calm to Rough

Jan 2022

Sunny to Cloudy

Calm to Rough

Feb 2022

Sunny to Rainy

Calm to Rough

Mar 2022

Sunny to Rainy

Calm to Rough

The monitoring results for all parameters, except suspended solid (SS), obtained during the reporting period were within their corresponding Action and Limit Levels stipulated in the EM&A programme. The detailed monitoring results are presented in Appendix C. Relevant investigation and follow-up actions will be conducted according to the EM&A programme if the corresponding Action and Limit Levels are triggered.

For SS, some of the testing results triggered the corresponding Action Levels in the reporting period, and investigations were conducted accordingly. Summaries of results triggering Action Levels for SS are presented in Table 2.12.

Details of the investigation findings were presented in Construction Phase Monthly EM&A Report No. 73, which concluded that all results triggering the Action Levels were not related to the Project.

Table 2.12: Summary of SS Compliance Status (Mid-Ebb Tide)

IM1

IM2

IM3

IM4

IM5

IM6

IM7

IM8

IM9

IM10

IM11

IM12

SR1A

SR2

SR3

SR4A

SR5A

SR6A

SR7

SR8

04/01/2022

 

D

D

D

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

08/01/2022

D

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

No. of result triggering Action or Limit Level

1

1

1

1

1

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

 

Note: The monitoring results compiled with their corresponding Action or Limit Levels are presented in Appendix C.

d inLegend:

 

Result within corresponding Action and Limit Levels

 

Result triggered the Action Level at monitoring station located upstream of the Project based on dominant tidal flow

D

Result triggered the Action Level at monitoring station located downstream of the Project based on dominant tidal flow

 

Upstream station with respect to the Project during the respective tide based on dominant tidal flow

 

Downstream station with respect to the Project during the respective tide based on dominant tidal flow

2.3.3         Conclusion

During the reporting period, it is noted that most of the monitoring results were within their corresponding Action and Limit Levels, while some results triggered the corresponding Action Levels, and investigations were conducted accordingly. Based on the findings presented in Construction Phase Monthly EM&A Report No. 73, the cases that triggered the corresponding Action Levels were not related to the Project. Hence, the Project did not introduce adverse impact to all water quality sensitive receivers. All required actions under the Event and Action Plan were followed.

Nevertheless, the non-project related trigger was attended to and initiated corresponding action and measures. As part of the EM&A programme, the construction methods and mitigation measures for water quality will continue to be monitored and opportunities for further enhancement will continue to be explored and implemented where possible, to strive for better protection of water quality and the marine environment.

In the meantime, the contractors were reminded to implement and maintain all mitigation measures during weekly site inspections and regular environmental management meetings. These include maintaining mitigation measures properly for reclamation works including filling, seawall construction and ground improvement works as recommended in the Manual.

2.4        Waste Monitoring

In accordance with the Manual, waste generated from construction activities was audited once per week to determine if wastes were being managed in accordance with the Waste Management Plan (WMP) prepared for the Project, contract-specific WMP, and any statutory and contractual requirements. All aspects of waste management including waste generation, storage, transportation, and disposal were assessed during the audits.

2.4.1         Action and Limit Levels

The Action and Limit Levels of the construction waste are provided in Table 2.13.

Table 2.13: Action and Limit Levels for Construction Waste

Monitoring Stations

Action Level

Limit Level

Construction Area

When one valid documented complaint is received

Non-compliance of the WMP, contract-specific WMPs, any statutory and contractual requirements

2.4.2         Summary of Monitoring Results

Weekly monitoring of the Project construction works was carried out by the ET in the reporting period to check and monitor the implementation of proper waste management practices.

Recommendations made by the ET included provision and maintenance of proper chemical waste storage area, as well as handling, segregation, and regular disposal of general refuse. The contractors had taken actions to implement the recommended measures. Waste management audits were carried out by ET according to the requirement of the Waste Management Plan, Updated EM&A Manual and the implementation schedule of the waste management mitigation measures in Appendix B.

Based on updated contractors’ information, summary of construction waste generated in the reporting period is presented in Table 2.14. ET and IEC have carried out site audits regularly and reviewed the trip ticket system.

The contractors have established the recycling strategy for C&D materials with proper planning and design to maximize recycling and reuse. Dedicated recyclers were employed for different kinds of recyclable materials by the contractors. Dedicated areas for sorting of materials are established on site. Recyclable materials such as steel, reinforcement bar, structural steel, aluminium, copper, other metals, paper, plastics and glass are sorted on-site and transported off-site for recycling during this reporting period.

Table 2.14: Construction Waste Statistics 

 

C&D(1) Material Stockpiled for Reuse or Recycle

(m3)

C&D Material Reused in the Project (m3)

C&D Material Reused in other Projects (m3)

C&D Material Transferred to Public Fill(2)

(m3)

Chemical Waste

(kg)

Chemical Waste

(l)

General Refuse (tonne)

Jan 2022

53,747

13,880

9,741

6,668

400

1,800

4,274

Feb 2022

32,167

55,997

582

3,219

0

0

2,405

Mar 2022

52,788

4,154 

11,193

5,867

0

2,800

1,901

Total

      138,702

74,031

21,516

15,754

400

4,600

8,580

Notes:

1.      C&D refers to Construction and Demolition.

2.      C&D materials not suitable for reuse on-site, including asphalt waste and sediment slurry, were transferred to public fill during the reporting period.

A complaint regarding general refuse was received in this reporting period. This complaint triggered the relevant Action Level, and the corresponding investigation was subsequently conducted in accordance with the Manual and the Complaint Management Plan of the Project.  The summary of this complaint and analysis can be found in Section 3.2.1. On the other hand, there were no non-compliance of the WMP, contract-specific WMPs, statutory and contractual requirements that triggered Action and Limit Levels in this reporting period.

There were no non-compliance of the WMP, contract-specific WMPs, statutory and contractual requirements that triggered Action and Limit Levels in the reporting period.

2.4.3         Marine Sediment Management

Marine sediment is managed according to the EIA Report, Updated EM&A Manual and Waste Management Plan of the Project. The sampling process, storage conditions of the excavated marine sediment, treatment process, final backfilling location as well as associated records were inspected and checked by ET and verified by IEC to ensure they were in compliance with the requirements as stipulated in the Waste Management Plan.

Sampling works and treatment works for marine sediment generated from the reclaimed land area was on-going during the reporting period. The details of the marine sediment sampling, treatment and backfilling will be reported in the Annual EM&A Reports.

2.5        Chinese White Dolphin Monitoring

CWD monitoring was conducted by vessel line transect survey at a frequency of two full surveys per month, supplemented by land-based theodolite tracking survey and PAM. The frequency of the land-based theodolite tracking survey during the construction phase was one day per month at both Sha Chau (SC) and Lung Kwu Chau (LKC) stations, as stipulated in the Manual. The vessel survey transects followed the transect lines proposed in the Manual and are consistent with those used in the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) long-term CWD monitoring programme. The transect locations of CWD monitoring by vessel line transect survey conducted from January to March 2022 are shown in Figure 2.3, whilst the land-based theodolite tracking survey stations are described in Table 2.15 and depicted in Figure 2.4. The location of the PAM device is shown in Figure 2.10.

Table 2.15: Land-based Theodolite Tracking Survey Station Details

Stations

Location

Geographical Coordinates

Station Height (m)

Approximate Tracking Distance (km)

D

Sha Chau (SC)

22° 20’ 43.5” N

113° 53’ 24.66” E

45.66

2

E

Lung Kwu Chau (LKC)

22° 22’ 44.83” N

113° 53’ 0.2” E

70.40

3

2.5.1         Action and Limit Levels

The Action Level and Limit Level for CWD monitoring were formulated by an action response approach using the running quarterly dolphin encounter rates (STG and ANI) derived from baseline monitoring data, as presented in the CWD Baseline Monitoring Report. The derived values of Action and Limit Levels for CWD monitoring are shown in Table 2.16.

Table 2.16: Derived Values of Action Level and Limit Level for Chinese White Dolphin Monitoring 

 

NEL, NWL, AW, WL and SWL as a Whole

Action Level

Running quarterly STG < 1.86 & ANI < 9.35

Limit Level

Two consecutive running quarterly (3-month) STG < 1.86 & ANI < 9.35

2.5.2         Summary of Monitoring Results

2.5.2.1           Vessel Line Transect Survey

Survey Effort

During the January to March 2022 reporting period, a total of six sets of vessel line transect survey covering all transects in Northeast Lantau (NEL), Northwest Lantau (NWL), Airport West (AW), West Lantau (WL) and Southwest Lantau (SWL) survey areas were conducted at a frequency of twice per month, in each survey area. There were two survey days in February 2022 rescheduled to early March due to the impact of COVID-19 pandemic in the second half of February.

A total of around 1,327 km of survey effort was collected from these surveys, with around 95.2% of the total survey effort being conducted under favourable weather condition (i.e. Beaufort Sea State 3 or below with favourable visibility). Details of the survey effort data are presented in Appendix C.

CWD Sighting

From January to March 2022, there were a total of 38 sightings of CWD, with 153 dolphins sighted (Table 2.18). All these sightings were recorded during on-effort searches under favourable weather condition.

When breaking down the sightings by survey areas, seven sightings with 23 dolphins, one sighting with one dolphin, 26 sightings with 117 dolphins and four sightings with 12 dolphins were recorded in NWL, AW, WL and SWL respectively during the current reporting period. No CWD was sighted in NEL survey area.

Compared with the last quarter (i.e. October to December 2021), both the total number of CWD sightings and total number of the dolphins increased by 31% and 68% respectively. These results reflected increases of the dolphin sightings and the number of dolphins in NWL and WL survey areas. The number of sightings and number of dolphins in SWL slightly decrease from last quarter.

Compared with the same quarter of last year (i.e. January to March 2021), there were decreases in both the total number of sightings and the total number of dolphins by 12% and 2% respectively. The most noticeable decrease was reflected from the NWL survey area.

Table 2.17 below shows the comparison of the numbers of sightings and dolphins amongst the current reporting period, last quarter, and the same quarter of last year.

Table 2.17: Summary of Number of CWD Sightings and Number of Dolphins for the Same Quarter Last Year, Previous Quarter, and Current Reporting Period

 

Same Quarter of Last Year

Previous Reporting Period

Current Reporting Period

 

January to March 2021

October to December 2021

January to March 2022

NEL

0 (0) 

0 (0)

0 (0)

NWL

14 (65) 

1 (1)

7 (23)

AW

0 (0) 

0 (0)

1 (1)

WL

23 (82) 

22 (70)

26 (117)

SWL

6 (11) 

6 (20)

4 (12)

Total

43 (156) 

29 (91)

38 (153)

Note: Values in ( ) represent number of dolphins

The distribution of CWD sightings recorded from January to March 2022 is illustrated in Figure 2.5. In NWL, there were CWD sightings recorded within and near SCLKCMP, as well as waters to the west of airport area. In WL, CWD sightings were scattered amongst the entire survey area from North of Tai O to Fan Lau, with relatively more sightings clustered around Peaked Hill. In SWL, CWD sightings were scattered in the northwestern part of the survey area. No CWD sightings were recorded in NEL survey area during the reporting period. Details of the sighting data are presented in Appendix C.

Figure 2.5: Sightings Distribution of Chinese White Dolphins from January to March 2022

Remarks: (1) Please note that there are 38 pink circles on the map indicating the sighting locations of CWD. Some of them were very close to each other and therefore appear overlapped on this sighting distribution map. (2) Marine park excludes land area and the landward boundary generally follows the high water mark along the coastline.

Encounter Rate

The dolphin encounter rates for the number of on-effort dolphin sightings per 100 km survey effort (STG) and for the total on-effort number of dolphins per 100 km survey effort (ANI) in the whole survey area (i.e. NEL, NWL, AW, WL and SWL) for January, February and March 2022 are summarised in Table 2.18.

In this reporting period, both the monthly STG and ANI decreased from January to February 2022 (STG: from 5.28 to 1.69; ANI: from 20.18 to 5.32), but followed by a slight rebound in March 2022 (STG: from 1.69 to 2.08; ANI: from 5.32 to 10.86), causing a similar course in running quarterly STG and ANI. No Action Level for CWD monitoring was triggered during the reporting period.

Compared with the previous reporting period (i.e. October to December 2021), both the running quarterly STG and ANI increased from December 2021 to March 2022 (STG: from 2.46 to 3.01; ANI from 8.11 to 12.12). While comparing with the same quarter of last year (i.e. January to March 2021), both the running quarterly STG and ANI slightly decreased, from 3.45 to 3.01 and from 12.69 to 12.12 respectively. Encounter rates for these periods are summarised in Table 2.18 and graphical presentation is provided in Appendix C

Table 2.18: Summary of Monthly and Running Quarterly STG and ANI of Chinese White Dolphin for the Same Quarter Last Year, Previous Quarter, and Current Reporting Period

 

Same Quarter of Last Year

Previous Reporting Period

Current Reporting Period

 

Jan 21

Feb 21

Mar 21

Oct 21

Nov 21

Dec 21

Jan 22

Feb 22

Mar 22

Monthly STG

4.19

4.17

1.97

3.71

2.16

1.59

5.28

1.69

2.08

Monthly ANI

17.44

15.93

4.42

11.42

8.63

4.51

20.18

5.32

10.86

Running Quarterly STG

3.82

4.12

3.45

2.77

3.15

2.46

3.09

2.90

3.01

Running Quarterly ANI

11.87

13.76

12.69

9.05

10.84

8.11

11.43

10.19

12.12

Note:    For detailed calculations of encounter rates STG and ANI for the current reporting period, please refer to the Construction Phase Monthly EM&A Report Nos. 73, 74, and 75.

Group Size

Between January and March 2022, the group size of CWD sightings ranged from 1 to 13 dolphins. The average group size of CWD was 4.03 dolphins per group, which is larger than that of the last quarter (3.14 dolphins per group). The average group size of CWD in this reporting quarter is also slightly larger than that of the same quarter of last year (3.67 dolphins per group).

In this reporting quarter, more than half of the CWD sightings are with medium group size (i.e. 3-9 dolphins), while the numbers of CWD sightings with small group size (i.e. 1-2 dolphins) was lower. There were three CWD sighting with large group size (i.e. 10 or more dolphins) recorded in this reporting period.

There are no observable differences in the distribution pattern between small-sized and medium-sized dolphin groups in WL and SWL as they all scattered amongst survey areas. In NWL, medium-sized dolphin groups appeared to distribute closer to the Hong Kong boundary. The three large-sized dolphin groups recorded in this reporting period were all encountered in WL survey area. Sighting locations of CWD groups with different group sizes are depicted in Figure 2.6.

Figure 2.6: Sighting Locations of Chinese White Dolphins with Different Group Sizes

Remarks: (1) Please note that there are 38 circles on the map indicating the sighting locations of CWD. Some of them were very close to each other and therefore appear overlapped on this sighting distribution map. (2) Marine park excludes land area and the landward boundary generally follows the high water mark along the coastline.

Activities and Association with Fishing Boats

From January to March 2022, ten sightings of CWD were recorded with feeding activities. Amongst them, five sightings were observed associated with operating gillnetter in NWL and WL survey areas.

The number of sightings with feeding recorded in the current reporting period is lower than that in the previous reporting period (i.e. 14 sightings involved feeding activities between October and December 2021). The number of CWD sightings with feeding activities in this reporting period is higher than that in the same quarter of last year (i.e. seven sightings between January and March 2021).

The sighting locations of CWDs engaged in different behaviours during the current reporting period are illustrated in Figure 2.7.

Figure 2.7: Sighting Locations of Chinese White Dolphins Engaged in Different Behaviours

Remarks: Marine park excludes land area and the landward boundary generally follows the high water mark along the coastline.


Mother-calf Pairs

From January to March 2022, nine sightings of CWD were recorded with the presence of mother-and-unspotted juvenile pairs and/or mother-and-unspotted calf pairs observed, which is slightly higher than that recorded in the previous reporting quarter (i.e. six sightings between October and December 2021). The number of CWD sightings with the presence of mother-calf pairs is similar to that recorded in the same quarter of last year (i.e. ten sightings between January and March 2021). These nine sightings were recorded in WL and NWL survey areas.

The locations of CWD sightings with the presence of mother-calf pairs are shown in Figure 2.8.

Figure 2.8: Sighting Locations of Mother-calf Pairs

Remarks: (1) Please note that there are nine circles on the map indicating the sighting locations of Mother-Calf pair. (2) Marine park excludes land area and the landward boundary generally follows the high water mark along the coastline.

Photo Identification

Between January and March 2022, a total number of 51 different CWD individuals were identified altogether for 89 times. Re-sighting information of CWD individuals provides an initial idea of their range use and apparent connection between different areas of Lantau waters. Amongst these 51 different CWD individuals, twenty-one animals (i.e. SLMM007, SLMM010, SLMM012, SLMM029, SLMM037, SLMM044, SLMM052, SLMM055, SLMM073, WLMM001, WLMM003, WLMM027, WLMM065, WLMM067, WLMM073, WLMM079, WLMM109, WLMM114, WLMM118, WLMM150 and WLMM174) were sighted for more than once.

Seven individuals including SLMM007, SLMM037, WLMM001, WLMM027, WLMM065, WLMM067 and WLMM114 were re-sighted in different survey areas during this reporting period. The most frequently re-sighted individuals in this reporting quarter is SLMM007 which was successfully identified five times. The number of CWD individuals re-sighted more than once and the number of CWD individuals showing cross-area movement in the current reporting period are both higher than those of the previous reporting quarter from October to December 2021 (eight and five individuals respectively).

A summary of photo identification works is presented in Table 2.19. Representative photos of the 51 identified individuals and figures depicting the sighting locations of the aforementioned eight re-sighted individuals recorded in this reporting period are presented in Appendix C.

Table 2.19: Summary of Photo Identification

Individual ID

Date of sighting

Sighting Group No.

Area

 

Individual
ID

Date of sighting

Sighting Group No.

Area

NLMM013

15-Feb-22

1

NWL

 

WLMM003

5-Jan-22

7

WL

NLMM016

3-Jan-22

3

NWL

 

 

 

8

WL

NLMM028

15-Feb-22

1

NWL

 

 

 

13

WL

NLMM063

3-Jan-22

3

NWL

 

WLMM019

15-Feb-22

1

NWL

NLMM082

3-Jan-22

2

NWL

 

WLMM027

3-Jan-22

2

NWL

NLMM083

3-Jan-22

2

NWL

 

 

5-Jan-22

2

WL

NLMM084

8-Mar-22

1

NWL

 

WLMM028

10-Feb-22

1

WL

SLMM002

11-Mar-22

2

WL

 

WLMM056

11-Mar-22

2

WL

SLMM003

11-Mar-22

2

WL

 

WLMM063

11-Mar-22

2

WL

SLMM007

5-Jan-22

10

WL

 

WLMM065

3-Jan-22

3

NWL

 

 

13

WL

 

 

5-Jan-22

5

WL

 

10-Jan-22

3

WL

 

 

 

6

WL

 

19-Jan-22

2

SWL

 

WLMM067

5-Jan-22

11

WL

 

10-Feb-22

1

WL

 

 

19-Jan-22

2

SWL

SLMM010

10-Jan-22

3

WL

 

 

15-Mar-22

1

WL

 

11-Mar-22

2

WL

 

 

 

3

WL

 

15-Mar-22

2

WL

 

WLMM071

8-Mar-22

1

NWL

SLMM012

5-Jan-22

13

WL

 

WLMM073

5-Jan-22

7

WL

 

11-Mar-22

2

WL

 

 

15-Mar-22

3

WL

 

15-Mar-22

5

WL

 

WLMM079

10-Jan-22

2

WL

SLMM025

15-Mar-22

5

WL

 

 

15-Mar-22

3

WL

SLMM027

15-Mar-22

3

WL

 

WLMM095

5-Jan-22

4

WL

SLMM029

10-Jan-22

3

WL

 

WLMM109

10-Feb-22

1

WL

 

15-Mar-22

2

WL

 

 

11-Mar-22

2

WL

SLMM030

5-Jan-22

1

AW

 

 

15-Mar-22

4

WL

SLMM037

5-Jan-22

13

WL

 

WLMM114

13-Jan-22

3

SWL

 

13-Jan-22

3

SWL

 

 

10-Feb-22

1

WL

 

11-Mar-22

2

WL

 

 

11-Mar-22

2

WL

SLMM044

5-Jan-22

8

WL

 

WLMM118

5-Jan-22

7

WL

 

 

13

WL

 

 

 

13

WL

 

15-Mar-22

3

WL

 

WLMM131

3-Jan-22

2

NWL

SLMM049

5-Jan-22

13

WL

 

WLMM141

10-Jan-22

3

WL

SLMM052

5-Jan-22

10

WL

 

WLMM149

8-Mar-22

1

NWL

 

15-Mar-22

1

WL

 

WLMM150

15-Mar-22

1

WL

SLMM055

5-Jan-22

2

WL

 

 

 

3

WL

 

 

5

WL

 

WLMM152

10-Feb-22

1

WL

SLMM060

14-Mar-22

6

SWL

 

WLMM165

5-Jan-22

2

WL

SLMM064

19-Jan-22

2

SWL

 

WLMM168

8-Mar-22

1

NWL

SLMM073

5-Jan-22

10

WL

 

WLMM171

5-Jan-22

13

WL

 

 

13

WL

 

WLMM172

11-Mar-22

1

WL

 

10-Jan-22

3

WL

 

WLMM173

11-Mar-22

2

WL

 

10-Feb-22

1

WL

 

WLMM174

11-Mar-22

2

WL

WLMM001

5-Jan-22

10

WL

 

 

15-Mar-22

4

WL

 

 

13

WL

 

 

 

 

 

 

13-Jan-22

3

SWL

 

 

 

 

 

 

15-Mar-22

5

WL

 

 

 

 

 

2.5.2.2           Land-based Theodolite Tracking Survey

Survey Effort

Between January and March 2022, a total of six days of land-based theodolite tracking survey effort were completed, including three days on Lung Kwu Chau and three days on Sha Chau. In total, one CWD group were tracked from the Lung Kwu Chau station while no CWD groups were tracked from the Sha Chau station, with an overall 0.03 CWD groups sighted per survey hour.

Information on survey effort and CWD groups sighted during land-based theodolite tracking surveys are presented in Table 2.20. Details on the survey effort and CWD groups tracked are presented in Appendix C. The first sighting locations of CWD groups tracked between January and March 2022 are shown in Figure 2.9.

Table 2.20: Summary of Survey Effort and CWD Group of Land-based Theodolite Tracking Survey

Land-based Station

# of Survey Sessions

Survey Effort (hh:mm)

# CWD Groups Sighted

CWD Group Sighting per Survey Hour

January 2022

Lung Kwu Chau

1

06:00

0

0

Sha Chau

1

06:00

0

0

TOTAL

2

12:00

0

0

February 2022

Lung Kwu Chau

1

06:00

0

0

Sha Chau

1

06:00

0

0

TOTAL

2

12:00

0

0

March 2022

Lung Kwu Chau

1

06:00

1

0.17

Sha Chau

1

06:00

0

0

TOTAL

2

12:00

1

0.08

OVERALL

6

36:00

1

0.03

Figure 2.9:       Plots of First Sightings of All CWD Groups from Land-based Stations

Remark: Marine park excludes land area and the landward boundary generally follows the high water mark along the coastline.

2.5.2.3           Progress Update on PAM

PAM device has been deployed and positioned to the south of Sha Chau island inside the SCLKCMP (Figure 2.10), supplement the detection of CWD presence in the south Sha Chau area that are not recorded visually by the land-based theodolite tracking survey and to coincide the theodolite data when there is sighting from the land-based station at Sha Chau. Both C-POD and F-POD are considered as effective PAM devices in detecting CWD occurrence, and F-POD was the main PAM device deployed where feasible. In this reporting period, the F-POD has been retrieved on 10 January 2022 and 8 March 2022 for data collection and was subsequently re-deployed. As the period of data collection and analysis takes more than four months, PAM results could not be reported in quarterly intervals but report for supplementing the annual CWD monitoring analysis.

2.5.2.4           Site Audit for CWD-related Mitigation Measures

During the reporting period, teams of at least two dolphin observers were deployed at 1 to 2 dolphin observation stations by the contractors for continuous monitoring of the DEZ for DCM related works (till end of March 2022) and seawall construction works (up to January 2022) in accordance with the DEZ Plan. Trainings for the proposed dolphin observers on the implementation of MMWP and DEZ monitoring were provided by the ET prior to the aforementioned works, with a cumulative total of 704 individuals being trained and the training records were kept by the ET. From the contractors’ DEZ monitoring records, no dolphin or other marine mammals were observed within or around the DEZ in this reporting period. The contractors’ records were also audited by the ET during site inspection.

Audits of acoustic decoupling for construction vessels were carried out during weekly site inspection and summarised in Section 2.7. Summary of audits of SkyPier HSFs route diversion and speed control and construction vessel management are presented in Section 2.8 and Section 2.9 respectively.

2.6        Sewage Flow Monitoring

In accordance with the approved EIA Report (AEIAR-185/2014) for Expansion of Hong Kong International Airport into a Three-Runway System (3RS), the gravity sewer from the airport discharge manhole to TCSPS was recommended to be upgraded by AAHK to cater for the ultimate design sewage flow from the expanded airport. It was recommended in section 6.2.1.1 of the Manual that AAHK should conduct annual monitoring for the sewage flow build-up of the gravity sewer from the airport discharge manhole to TCSPS one year before the scheduled commencement of operation of the proposed third runway. The annual monitoring results shall inform the timing of commencement of the planning of the sewer upgrading works. The sewage flow monitoring methodology paper (the Paper) was prepared, submitted and subsequently approved by EPD on 21 June 2021.

2.6.1         Brief Summary of the Agreed Method

With reference to the Paper, the existing sewer to be monitored is the section between FMH7042035 (reference point A) and FMH7043286 (reference point C). A schematic diagram of the sewage system between reference point A and C is presented in Figure 2.11. The locations of these reference points are presented in Figure 2.12. To determine if the threshold of 80% of the design capacity is being reached, an approach using the Colebrook-White equation was used.

Two pipe segments between reference points A and C were identified with the lowest flow capacity and therefore selected as the benchmark for comparing the actual sewage flow of the sewers for the flow monitoring:

    Segment 1: for sewage pipelines serving the airport – the critical segment is the 1050mm sewer between manholes FMH7042032 and FMH7042033, where the 80% threshold of full flow capacity is 53,395.2 m3/day; and

    Segment 2: for the sewage pipelines serving the airport and catchment L4 – the critical segment is the 1050mm sewer between manholes FMH7043288 and FMH7043287, where the of 80% threshold of full flow capacity is 57,628.8 m3/day.

According to the Paper, segment 1 would reach its 80% full flow capacity before segment 2. Hence, segment 1 was considered the critical segment within the section between reference points A and C, and it was agreed to conduct sewage flow monitoring for segment 1 only. With the daily flow rate of SPS-1, which collects sewage arising from the Airport, is available from AAHK, desk-based flow monitoring would be conducted by comparing the daily average flow rate of SPS-1 (i.e. Q1) against the threshold of 80% of pipe capacity of segment 1 (i.e. 53,395.2 m3/day) in accordance with the following criteria:

        If Q1 53,395.2 m3/day, planning of sewerage upgrading works can be on hold until results of next annual monitoring; and

        If Q1 > 53,395.2 m3/day, planning of sewerage upgrading works shall be considered to start and annual monitoring shall be discontinued.

Within the monitoring period, if the daily average flow rate of SPS-1 (i.e. Q1) is higher than the threshold of 53,395.2 m3/day, planning of sewerage upgrading works shall be considered to start and the annual monitoring shall be discontinued. The above approach was agreed to be adopted as part of annual monitoring for the sewage flow increment of the concerned gravity sewer in 2021 and 2022.

2.6.2         Desk-Based Monitoring Result

To fulfil the requirements as mentioned in previous section, the annual sewage flow monitoring has been started since June 2021. According to the daily flow monitoring record of SPS-1 from January to March 2022 (see Appendix C), the daily average flow of 11,765 m3/day for January 2022, 10,731 m3/day for February 2022 and 10,610 m3/day for March 2022 were well below the above-mentioned threshold of 53,395.2 m3/day. For the subsequent sets of sewage flow monitoring data for SPS-1, it would be presented in upcoming Quarterly and Annual EM&A Reports.

2.7        Environmental Site Inspection

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, remote and physical site inspections of the construction works to audit the implementation of proper environmental pollution control and mitigation measures for the Project were conducted by ET and IEC on a weekly and bi-weekly basis, respectively. Besides, physical ad-hoc site inspections were also conducted by ET and IEC if environmental problems were identified, or subsequent to receipt of an environmental complaint, or as part of the investigation work. These site inspections provided a direct means to reinforce the specified environmental protection requirements and pollution control measures in construction sites.

During site inspections, environmental situation, status of implementation of pollution control and mitigation measures were observed. Environmental documents and site records, including waste disposal record, maintenance record of environmental equipment, and relevant environmental permit and licences, were also checked on-site. Observations were recorded in the site inspection checklist and passed to the contractor together with the appropriate recommended mitigation measures where necessary in order to advise contractors on environmental improvement, awareness and on-site enhancement measures. The observations were made with reference to the following information during the site inspections:

·         The EIA and EM&A requirements;

·         Relevant environmental protection laws, guidelines, and practice notes;

·         The EP conditions and other submissions under the EP;

·         Monitoring results of EM&A programme;

·         Works progress and programme;

·         Proposal of individual works;

·         Contract specifications on environmental protection; and

·         Previous site inspection results.

Good site practices were implemented in the project to enhance environmental performance. Key examples implemented in the Project are highlighted as below:

1.     Automatic wheel wash system was installed and implemented within the construction site to ensure no earth, mud, debris, and the like is deposited by vehicles to public areas.

2.     Regular maintenance for wastewater treatment facility was provided by contractor to ensure its proper and efficient operation in particular during rainstorm.

3.     Tool-box talk was provided to workers for proper waste management and marine sediment handling procedures.

Use of automatic wheel wash system for dust suppression purpose

Provision of regular maintenance for wastewater treatment facility

Provision of tool-box talk for site personnel

Besides, advice was given when necessary to ensure the construction workforce were familiar with relevant procedures, and to maintain good environmental performance on site. Regular toolbox talks on environmental issues were organised for the construction workforce by the contractors to ensure understanding and proper implementation of environmental protection and pollution control mitigation measures.

A summary of implementation status of the environmental mitigation measures for the construction phase of the Project during the reporting period is provided in Appendix B.

2.7.1         Landscape and Visual Mitigation Measures

Implementation of applicable landscape and visual mitigation measures (reference to the environmental protection measures CM1 – CM10 in Appendix B) is monitored regularly in accordance with the Manual. The implementation status of the environmental protection measures is summarised in Table 2.21. For trees which were managed under the Project during the reporting period, relevant measures have been implemented by Contracts 3302, 3303, 3508, 3602 and 3801. The total number of retained trees, transplanted trees and to-be-transplanted trees under the management of Project are summarized in Table 2.22.

The total number of retained trees of the Project as of March 2022 remained unchanged (i.e. 52) comparing to the previous reporting period. Moreover, the total provisional number of trees under the Project was reduced from 51 to 50 as one tree was found duplicated. Details of the summary of transplanted trees is shown in Table 2.23. Photos of the transplanted trees are presented in Table 2.24.

Table 2.21: Landscape and Visual – Construction Phase Audit Summary

Landscape and Visual Mitigation Measures during Construction

Implementation Status

Implementation Status

Relevant Contract(s) in the Reporting Period

CM1- The construction area and contractor’s temporary works areas shall be minimised to avoid impacts on adjacent landscape.

The implementation of mitigation measures were checked by ET during weekly site inspection and clarified by the Contractors during the monthly Environmental Management Meetings.  Implementation of the measures CM5, CM6 and CM7 by Contractors was observed.

All works contracts

CM2 – Reduction of construction period to practical minimum.

CM3 – Phasing of the construction stage to reduce visual impacts during the construction phase.

CM4 – Construction traffic (land and sea) including construction plants, construction vessels and barges shall be kept to a practical minimum.

CM5 – Erection of decorative mesh screens or construction hoardings around works areas in visually unobtrusive colours.

CM6 – Avoidance of excessive height and bulk of site buildings and structures

CM7 – Control of night-time lighting by hooding all lights and through minimisation of night working periods

CM8 – All existing trees shall be carefully protected during construction.  Detailed Tree Protection Specification shall be provided in the Contract Specification. Under this specification, the Contractor shall be required to submit, for approval, a detailed working method statement for the protection of trees prior to undertaking any works adjacent to all retained trees, including trees in contractor’s works areas

Tree Protection Specifications have been provided in the relevant Contract Specifications respectively for implementation by the Contractors under the Project. 

 

The Contractors’ performance on the implementation of the trees maintenance and protection measures were observed and checked by the ET weekly during construction period.

3302, 3508, 3602, 3801

 

 

CM9 – Trees unavoidably affected by the works shall be transplanted where practical.  A detailed Tree Transplanting Specification shall be provided in the Contract Specification, if applicable. Sufficient time for necessary tree root and crown preparation periods shall be allowed in the project programme

Tree Transplanting Specifications have been provided in the relevant Contract Specifications respectively for implementation by the Contractors under the Project where trees will unavoidably be affected by the construction works. 

 

The Contractors were required to submit Method Statements for tree transplanting prior to the transplanting works. Tree inspections were conducted by ET to check the tree transplanting works implemented by the Contractors on site.

 

The Contractors’ performance on the implementation of trees maintenance and protection measures on transplanted trees were observed and checked by the ET bi-monthly during the 12-month establishment period after the completion of each batch of transplanting works.

Long term management of the transplanted trees were currently monitored by ET annually.  

3508, 3801

CM 10 – Land formation works shall be followed with advanced hydroseeding around taxiways and runways as soon as practical

To be implemented around taxiways and runways as soon as practicable.

3303

Table 2.22: Summary of the Number of Retained, Transplanted and To-be-transplanted Trees in the Reporting Period

Existing

 

 

 

Contract

Retain (nos.)

Transplanted (nos.)

To-be-transplanted (nos.)

Establishment Period

Maintenance Period

3302

9

0

0

0

3503

0

0

9

0

3508(1)

24

12

0

0

3602

2

0

0

0

3801

17

0

   5 (2)

0

Sub-total

52

12

14

0

Provisional

 

 

 

Contract

Retain (nos.)

Transplanted (nos.)

To-be-transplanted (nos.)

3508(1)

50

0

10

Sub-total

50

0

10

Grand Total

102

26

10

 Notes:

(1)    As some of the site areas have been handed over to Contract 3508, existing trees to be managed by Contract 3508 is subject to change after initial tree surveys for each batch of handed over site areas have been conducted by the Contractor.

(2)    Three transplanted trees (CT1194, CT1794 and CT1795) were subsequently fell after transplantation. Please refer to Table 2.23 for details.

Table 2.23: Summary of the Transplanted Trees Updated in the Reporting Period

Tree ID

Transplant Date

Management Stage

Management Agency

Remarks

CT276

3 May 2018

Long Term Management period

Jun 2019 – May 2028

Southern Landside Petrol Filling Station

Establishment Period was completed. Next inspection will be conducted in February 2023. Photos of the last inspection in February 2022 were shown in Table 2.24.

CT1253

4 May 2018

Long Term Management period

Jun 2019 – May 2028

Southern Landside Petrol Filling Station

T835

22 Jan 2020

Long Term Management period

Feb 2021 – Jan 2030

AAHK

 

Establishment Period was completed. Next inspection will be conducted in February 2023. Photos of the last inspection in February 2022 were shown in Table 2.24.

T836

13 Dec 2019

Long Term Management period

Feb 2021 – Jan 2030

AAHK

T838

22 Jan 2020

Long Term Management period

Feb 2021 – Jan 2030

AAHK

T812

21 Dec 2020

Long Term Management period

Jan 2022 – Dec 2031

AAHK

 

Establishment Period was completed. Next inspection will be conducted in December 2022. Photos of the last inspection in December 2021 can be referred to Table 7.7 of the Construction Phase Monthly EM&A Report No.72.

T814

20 Dec 2020

Long Term Management period

Jan 2022 – Dec 2031

AAHK

T815

15 Dec 2020

Long Term Management period

Jan 2022 – Dec 2031

AAHK

T829

18 Dec 2020

Long Term Management period

Jan 2022 – Dec 2031

AAHK

T830

14 Dec 2020

Long Term Management period

Jan 2022 – Dec 2031

AAHK

T831

19 Dec 2020

Long Term Management period

Jan 2022 – Dec 2031

AAHK

T1493

6 Jul 2021

Establishment period

7 Jul 2021 – Jul 2022

Contract 3508

 

Next inspection will be conducted in May 2022. Photos of the last inspection in March 2022 were shown in Table 2.24.

T1494

6 Jul 2021

Establishment period

7 Jul 2021 – Jul 2022

Contract 3508

 

T1495

10 Jul 2021

Establishment period

11 Jul 2021 – Jul 2022

Contract 3508

 

T1496

5 Jul 2021

Establishment period

6 Jul 2021 – Jul 2022

Contract 3508

 

T1497

5 Jul 2021

Establishment period

6 Jul 2021 – Jul 2022

Contract 3508

 

T1498

29 Jun 2021

Establishment period

30 Jun 2021 – Jul 2022

Contract 3508

 

T1499

29 Jun 2021

Establishment period

30 Jun 2021 – Jul 2022

Contract 3508

T1500

30 Jun 2021

Establishment period

1 Jul 2021 – Jul 2022

Contract 3508

T1501

30 Jun 2021

Establishment period

1 Jul 2021 – Jul 2022

Contract 3508

T1502

5 Jul 2021

Establishment period

6 Jul 2021 – Jul 2022

Contract 3508

 

T1503

6 Jul 2021

Establishment period

7 Jul 2021 – Jul 2022

Contract 3508

 

T1504

24 Jun 2021

Establishment period

25 Jun 2021 – Jul 2022

Contract 3508

CT1194

4 May 2018

Long Term Management period

Jun 2019 – May 2028

Southern Landside Petrol Filling Station

Uprooted and collapsed due to Typhoon Higos on 18 August 2020. Tree removal was conducted as recommended by tree specialist of the contractor of Southern Landside Petrol Filing Station.

CT1794

3 May 2018

Long Term Management period

Jun 2019 – May 2028

AsiaWorld-Expo

The tree within the land parcel was acquired by the government for construction of emergency hospital to handle COVID19 pandemic at AsiaWorld-Expo. The tree was felled in late 2020.

CT1795

3 May 2018

Long Term Management period

Jun 2019 – May 2028

AsiaWorld-Expo

The tree within the land parcel was acquired by the government for construction of emergency hospital to handle COVID19 pandemic at AsiaWorld-Expo. The tree was felled in late 2020.

 

Table 2.24: Photos of the Existing Transplanted Trees Inspected in the Reporting Period

Under 12-month Establishment Period:

T1493

T1494

T1495

T1496

T1497

T1498

T1499

T1500

T1501

T1502

T1503

T1504

Under 10-year Long-term Management:

CT276

CT1253

T835

 

T836

T838

 

2.7.2         Land Contamination Assessment

The Supplementary CAP was submitted to EPD pursuant to EP Condition 2.20. The CARs for Golf Course and T2 Emergency Power Supply Systems (EPSS) were submitted to EPD in accordance with EP Condition 1.9 and the Supplementary CAP in which no land contamination issues were identified. EPD has issued no further comment for aforesaid CARs.  No leakage was found after the removal of underground fuel pipelines and all required additional photos have been submitted to EPD.

According to the approved supplementary CAP, there are 3 remaining locations where site re-appraisal / additional site investigation are proposed. Based on the latest construction information, which has been presented in Appendix A Implementation Schedule of the approved CARs for T2 EPSS, there is no development programme for these locations at this stage. As such, the status of site re-appraisal/ additional site investigation will be further updated upon latest development programme is available.

2.8        Audit of SkyPier High Speed Ferries

The Marine Travel Routes and Management Plan for High Speed Ferries of SkyPier (the SkyPier Plan) was submitted to the Advisory Council on the Environment for comment and subsequently submitted to and approved by EPD in November 2015 under EP Condition 2.10. The approved SkyPier Plan is available on the dedicated website of the Project. In the SkyPier Plan, AAHK has committed to implement the mitigation measure of requiring HSFs of SkyPier travelling between HKIA and Zhuhai / Macau to start diverting the route with associated speed control across the area, i.e. Speed Control Zone (SCZ), with high CWD abundance. The route diversion and speed restriction at the SCZ have been implemented since 28 December 2015.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all SkyPier HSF services to/from Zhuhai and Macau have been suspended from 25 March 2020 until further notice. Limited HSF services from other destination, which does not require the use of the diverted route, were provided starting from 28 October 2020.

No ferry movement between HKIA SkyPier to/from Zhuhai and Macau was recorded in the reporting period. The daily movements of all SkyPier HSFs in the reporting period, including those not using the diverted route, ranged between 2 and 4, which fell within the maximum daily cap number of 125.

As updated by CLP Power, the construction works of the Hong Kong Offshore LNG Terminal Project may affect the route diversion operation of the SkyPier HSFs from Q1 to Q2 2022. The captains were informed on the issue and ET will continue to closely monitor the implementation of the SkyPier Plan in the period.

2.9        Audit of Construction and Associated Vessels

On the implementation of the updated Marine Travel Routes and Management Plan for Construction and Associated Vessels (MTRMP-CAV), the Maritime Surveillance System (MSS) automatically recorded deviation cases such as speeding, entering no entry zone, and not traveling through the designated gates. ET conducted bi-weekly audit of relevant information including AIS data, vessel tracks and other relevant records to ensure sufficient information were provided by the system and the contractors complied with the requirements of the MTRMP-CAV. The contactors submitted 3-month rolling vessel plans for construction vessel activities to AAHK in order to help maintain the number of construction vessels to a practicable minimum. The IEC also performed audit on the compliance of the requirements as part of the EM&A programme.

During the reporting period, deviations including speeding within the works area, entry from non-designated gates, and entering no-entry zones were identified. After investigation by the contractor’s Construction Traffic Control Centre (CTCC) representatives, all the concerned captains were reminded to comply with the requirements of the MTRMP-CAV. 

Based on updated record, only one skipper training workshop was held by ET during the reporting period and a concerned captain of construction vessels associated with the 3RS contracts was trained to familiarise him with the predefined routes, general education on local cetaceans, guidelines for avoiding adverse water quality impact, the required environmental practices / measures while operating construction and associated vessels under the Project, and guidelines for operating vessels safely in the presence of CWDs. Another 9 skipper training workshops were held with 9 captains by contractors’ Environmental Officers and competency tests were conducted subsequently with the trained captains by ET.

2.10     Review of the Key Assumptions Adopted in the EIA Report

With reference to Appendix E of the Manual, it is noted that the key assumptions adopted in approved EIA report for the construction phase are still valid and no major changes are involved. The environmental mitigation measures recommended in the approved EIA Report remain applicable and shall be implemented in undertaking construction works for the Project.

 

3        Report on Non-compliance, Complaints, Notifications of Summons and Prosecutions

3.1        Compliance with Other Statutory Environmental Requirements

During the reporting period, environmental related licenses and permits required for the construction activities were checked. No non-compliance with environmental statutory requirements was recorded.

3.2        Analysis and Interpretation of Complaints, Notification of Summons and Status of Prosecutions

3.2.1         Complaints

Three environmental complaints were received during the reporting period. All were attended to and investigations were conducted by the ET in accordance with the Manual and the Complaint Management Plan. A summary of the complaints and analyses is presented in Table 3.1.

Table 3.1: Summary of Environmental Complaints

Date of Complaint Received

Details

Analysis/ Remedial Actions

Status

18 February 2022

A complaint regarding suspected dump truck for garbage disposal that was not properly covered was received.

A complaint regarding suspected dump truck for garbage disposal that was not properly covered and leaving the 3RS construction site area to landfill was received on 18 February 2022. The case was investigated by ET in accordance with the Manual and the Complaint Management Plan of the Project. The ET identified a related contractor and requested them to provide information.

 

According to the reply, the contractor reported they had dump trucks for the disposal of garbage going to landfill by marine route during the period of investigation, stating their dump trucks were covered entirely and checked by site supervisors before leaving the construction site and that refresher trainings on the proper covering of dump trucks were provided to their dump truck drivers, site foremen and frontline workers. Based on the ET’s weekly site inspections, no item related to the covering of dump trucks was recorded. Having said that, during an ad-hoc inspection by EPD, ET, IEC, and AAHK, some dump trucks were observed not fully covered when leaving the construction site onto RoRo barges. To follow up, ET reminded the related contractor to ensure their garbage is placed properly inside the skip of dump trucks and not to overfill the skips. The related contractor conducted their own checking of each dump truck to ensure all dump trucks were covered properly. ET would continue to monitor contractor’s performance and reminded all 3RS contractors to ensure the proper covering of dump trucks for garbage disposal and avoid the potential blowing away of waste materials from their dump trucks. Hence, the case was considered closed.

Closed

22 and 24 March 2022

Two complaints regarding alleged dumping of mud at 3RS construction site area were received.

The complaints were under investigation during the reporting period. Findings would be reported in the next Quarterly EM&A Report.

 

 

3.2.2         Notifications of Summons or Status of Prosecution

Neither notification of summons nor prosecution was received during the reporting period.

3.3        Cumulative Statistics

Cumulative statistics on valid exceedance, non-compliance, complaints, notifications of summons and status of prosecutions are summarised in Table 3.2 and Table 3.3.

Table 3.2: Statistics for Valid Exceedances for the Environmental Monitoring

 

 

Total No. Recorded in the Reporting Period

Total No. Recorded since the Project Commenced

1-hr TSP

Action Level

0

0

 

Limit Level

0

0

Noise

Action Level

0

0

 

Limit Level

0

0

Waste

Action Level

1

1

 

Limit Level

0

0

Water

Action Level

0

0

 

Limit Level

0

0

CWD

Action Level

0

0

 

Limit Level

0

0

Remark: Non-project related triggers of Action or Limit Level are not shown in this table.

Table 3.3: Statistics for Non-compliance, Complaints, Notifications of Summons and Prosecution

Reporting Period

Cumulative Statistics

 

Non-compliance

Complaints

Notifications of Summons

Prosecutions

This reporting period

0

3

0

0

From 28 December 2015 to end of the reporting period

0

50

2

2

 

4        Conclusion and Recommendation

In the first quarter of 2022, the EM&A programme has been implemented as planned, including 96 sets of air quality measurements, 52 sets of construction noise measurements, 39 sets of water quality measurements, 6 complete sets of vessel line transect surveys and 6 days of land-based theodolite tracking survey effort for CWD monitoring, as well as environmental site inspections and waste monitoring for the Project’s construction works.

The key activities of the Project carried out in the reporting period included reclamation works and land-based works. Works in the reclamation areas included filling, seawall construction and ground improvement works, together with runway, concourse and associated works. Land-based works on existing airport island mainly involved airfield works, Terminal 2 expansion works, modification and tunnel work for APM and BHS, and preparation work for utilities, with activities include road and drainage works, cable ducting, demolition, piling, and excavation works.

Monitoring results of construction dust, construction noise, and CWD monitoring did not trigger the corresponding Action and Limit Levels during the reporting period.

For waste management, a complaint regarding to general refuse was received in this reporting period. This complaint triggered the relevant Action Level, and the corresponding investigation was subsequently conducted in accordance with the Manual and the Complaint Management Plan of the Project.  To conclude, follow-up actions have been made by ET and the related contractor and the case was considered closed.

For water quality, the water quality monitoring results for all parameters, except SS, obtained during the reporting period were within the corresponding Action and Limit Levels stipulated in the EM&A programme. Relevant investigation and follow-up actions will be conducted according to the EM&A programme if the corresponding Action and Limit Levels are triggered. For SS, some testing results triggered the relevant Action Levels, and the corresponding investigations were conducted accordingly. The investigation findings concluded that the cases were not related to the Project. In summary, the construction activities undertaken during the reporting period did not introduce adverse impact to all water quality sensitive receivers.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, remote and physical site inspections of the construction works to audit the implementation of proper environmental pollution control and mitigation measures for the Project were conducted by ET and IEC on a weekly and bi-weekly basis, respectively. Site inspection findings were recorded in the site inspection checklists and provided to the contractors to follow up.

No HSF movement between HKIA SkyPier to/from Zhuhai and Macau was recorded during the reporting period. Therefore, no deviation was recorded in the HSF monitoring during the reporting period. 

During the reporting period, ET conducted bi-weekly audit of the MSS to ensure the system recorded all deviation cases accurately and the contractors fully complied with the requirements of the MTRMP-CAV. Only one skipper training workshop was held by ET and 9 skipper training workshops were held by contractors’ Environmental Officers during the reporting period and competency tests were conducted subsequently with the trained skippers by ET.  

On the implementation of MMWP and DEZ Plan, dolphin observers were deployed by the contractors in accordance with the plans. No dolphin or other marine mammals were observed within or around the DEZ in this reporting period. Audits of contractors’ implementation and records, and also acoustic decoupling for construction vessels were carried out by the ET during site inspection.

The recommended environmental mitigation measures, as included in the EM&A programme, were effectively implemented during the reporting period. Also, the EM&A programme implemented by the ET has effectively monitored the construction activities and ensured the proper implementation of mitigation measures.

 


[1] The Manual is available on the Project’s dedicated website (accessible at: http://env.threerunwaysystem.com/en/index.html)