Expansion of Hong Kong International Airport into a Three-Runway System |
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Chapter Title Page
1.2______ Scope of this Report
1.3______ Project Organisation
1.4______ Summary of Construction Works
1.5______ Summary of EM&A Programme Requirements
2.2______ Monitoring Requirements and Schedule
2.3______ Monitoring Equipment
2.4______ Monitoring Methodology
2.5______ Analysis and Interpretation of Monitoring Results
3.2______ Monitoring Requirements and Schedule
3.3______ Monitoring Equipment
3.4______ Monitoring Methodology
3.5______ Analysis and Interpretation of Monitoring Results
4.1______ Monitoring Requirements
4.2______ Waste Management Status
5.1______ Weekly Environmental Site Inspection
5.2______ Audit of Route Diversion and Speed Control of the SkyPier High Speed Ferries
5.3______ Status of Submissions under Environmental Permits
5.4______ Compliance with Other Statutory Environmental Requirements
6.1______ Construction Programme for the Coming Reporting Period
6.2______ Key Environmental Issues for the Coming Reporting Period
6.3______ Monitoring Schedule for the Coming Reporting Period
6.4______ Other EIA / EM&A Issues
Tables
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.
This is the 6th Construction Phase Monthly EM&A Report for the Project which summarizes the monitoring results and audit findings of the EM&A programme during the reporting period from 1 June 2016 to 30 June 2016.
Key Construction Activities in the Reporting Month
The key construction activities of the Project carried out in the reporting month were related to Contract P560(R) Aviation Fuel Pipeline Diversion Works (Contract P560(R)) which involved installation of horizontal directional drilling (HDD) casing and stockpiling of excavated materials from HDD operation. Dust suppression measures including wheel washing, watering and covering of excavated materials and establishment of site hoarding have been implemented.
No construction work was carried out on Sheung Sha Chau Island during the ardeid’s breeding season in the reporting month in accordance with the Updated EM&A Manual.
EM&A Activities Conducted in the Reporting Period
The monthly EM&A programme was undertaken in accordance with the Updated EM&A Manual of the Project. During the reporting period, the ET conducted thirty-nine sets of air quality measurements, twenty-two sets of construction noise measurements, as well as five environmental site inspections, landscape & visual and waste monitoring for the Project’s construction works.
On the implementation of the SkyPier Plan, the daily movements of all SkyPier HSFs in June 2016 were within the maximum daily cap number. A total of 816 HSF movements under SkyPier Plan were recorded. All HSFs had travelled through the SCZ with prevailing speed under 15 knots (8.2 to 14.3 knots) in compliance with the SkyPier Plan, except one deviation case, where HSF prevailing speed of 15.7 knots was recorded. This case also did not strictly follow the diverted route. HSF captain reported that he had to give way to other vessels for safety reason. Ferry operator was requested to provide further supporting evidence as justification. Follow up action will be taken if valid reasons / supporting evidence cannot be provided. In summary, the ET and IEC have audited the HSF movements against the SkyPier Plan and conducted follow up investigation or actions accordingly.
One skipper training was held on 2 June 2016 as refresher trainings to ferry captains about the requirements of the SkyPier Plan.
Results of Impact Monitoring
All scheduled 1-hour total suspended particulate (TSP), noise and waste monitoring were completed in the reporting period for the relevant construction activities. No exceedance of the Action/ Limit Levels was recorded.
Summary of Upcoming Key Issues
Major site activities anticipated in the next reporting period for the Project will be under Contract P560(R) including:
¡ HDD casing pipe installation;
¡ Pilot hole drilling; and
¡ Stockpiling of excavated materials from HDD operation.
The key environmental issues will be associated with dust and noise generation, surface runoffs and construction waste management. The implementation of required mitigation measures by the Contractor will be monitored by the ET. No construction works will be carried out on Sheung Sha Chau Island during the ardeids’ breeding season between April and July in accordance with the Updated EM&A Manual.
Summary of Other Key Environmental Issues
The progress of other related environmental surveys and baseline monitoring in this reporting month are as follows:
Completed:
¡ Baseline monitoring of Chinese White Dolphin (CWD) by passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) was on-going.
Completed:
¡ Land-based and vessel-based CWD baseline monitoring had been completed in June 2016.
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High Speed Ferries Skipper Training Workshop |
Land-based CWD Baseline Monitoring by Theodolite |
Visual test for wastewater discharge from HDD launching site |
Summary Table
The following table summarizes the key findings of the EM&A programme during the reporting period from 1 to 30 June 2016:
|
Yes |
No |
Details |
Analysis / Recommendation / Remedial Actions |
Breaches of Limit Level^ |
|
ü |
No exceedance of project-related limit level was recorded. |
Nil |
Breaches of Action Level^
|
|
ü |
No exceedance of project-related action level was recorded. |
Nil |
Complaints Received |
|
ü |
No construction activities related complaints were received. |
Nil |
Notification of any summons and status of prosecutions |
|
ü |
Neither notifications of summons nor prosecution were received. |
Nil |
Changes that affect the EM&A |
|
ü |
There were no changes to the construction works that may affect the EM&A |
Nil |
Remarks: ^ only exceedance of action/ limit level related to Project works will be highlighted.
1
Introduction
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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. The Manual is available on the Project’s dedicated website (accessible at: http://env.threerunwaysystem.com/en/index.html). 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 existing 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 land-based construction works of the Contract P560(R) Aviation Fuel Pipeline Diversion Works (Contract P560(R)) commenced on 28 December 2015 on the airport island.
The overall phasing programme of all construction works and the contract information of Contract P560(R) can be referred to Appendix A of the Construction Phase Monthly EM&A Report No. 1. Any changes/ updates of the construction programme and contract information will be reported in the Monthly EM&A report when necessary. Notably, on 29 April 2016, AAHK received the Chief Executive-in-Council’s approval for draft Chek Lap Kok Outline Zoning Plan, as well as the authorization of the reclamation under the Foreshore and Sea-bed (Reclamations) Ordinance for the expansion of HKIA into a 3RS.
This is the 6th Construction Phase Monthly EM&A Report for the Project which summarizes the key findings of the EM&A programme during the reporting period from 1 to 30 June 2016.
The Project’s organization structure remained unchanged during the reporting month. The Project’s organization structure and the contact details of the key personnel can be referred to Appendix B and Table 1.1 respectively of the Construction Phase Monthly EM&A Report No.1.
During the reporting period, key construction activities of the Project were related to the Contract P560(R) Aviation Fuel Pipeline Diversion Works (Contract P560(R)) which involved installation of horizontal directional drilling (HDD) casing pipe at the HDD launching site located at the west part of the airport.
The excavated materials from HDD operation were stockpiled at the stockpile area located near Chun Ming Road adjacent to Tradeport Logistic Centre on the airport island.
The HDD launching site and stockpiling area are around 3 km and 900m away respectively from the nearest air and noise sensitive receivers in Tung Chung and the villages in North Lantau. The locations of the Contract P560(R) works areas are presented in Figure 1.
As presented in the Updated EM&A Manual, the environmental aspects of interest for the Project include air quality, noise, water quality, waste management, land contamination, terrestrial ecology, marine ecology, fisheries, landscape & visual, sewage and sewerage, and hazard to human life.
The status for all environmental aspects is presented in Table 1.1. The EM&A requirements remained unchanged during the reporting period and details can be referred to Table 1.2 of the Construction Phase Monthly EM&A Report No. 1.
Table 1.1: Summary of status for all environmental aspects under the Updated EM&A Manual
Parameters |
Status |
Air Quality |
|
Baseline Monitoring |
The baseline air quality monitoring result has been reported in Baseline Monitoring Report (Version 1) and submitted to EPD on 14 December 2015 under EP Condition 3.4. |
Impact Monitoring |
On-going |
Noise |
|
Baseline Monitoring |
The baseline noise monitoring result has been reported in Baseline Monitoring Report (Version 1) and submitted to EPD on 14 December 2015 under EP Condition 3.4. |
Impact Monitoring |
On-going |
Water Quality |
|
General Baseline Water Quality Monitoring for reclamation, water jetting and field joint works |
The baseline water quality monitoring had been completed in May 2016. The baseline water quality monitoring result will be presented in a separate Baseline Monitoring Report for the marine works. |
General Impact Water Quality Monitoring for reclamation, water jetting and field joint works |
To be commenced with the relevant construction works |
Initial Intensive Deep Cement Mixing (DCM) Water Quality Monitoring |
To be commenced with the relevant construction works |
Regular DCM Water Quality Monitoring |
To be commenced with the relevant construction works |
Waste Management |
|
Waste Monitoring |
On-going |
Land Contamination |
|
Supplementary Contamination Assessment Plan (CAP) |
To be submitted with the relevant construction works |
Contamination Assessment Report (CAR) for Golf Course |
The CAR for Golf Course was submitted to EPD on 17 March 2016. EPD had no adverse comment on the CAR for Golf Course on 6 April 2016. |
Terrestrial Ecology |
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Pre-construction Egretry Survey Egretry Survey Plan |
The revised Egretry Survey Plan was submitted and approved by EPD on 25 April 2016 under EP Condition 2.14. |
Ecological Monitoring |
No construction work was carried out on Sheung Sha Chau Island during the ardeid’s breeding season in the reporting month in accordance with the Updated EM&A Manual. No ecological monitoring was conducted during the reporting month. |
Marine Ecology |
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Pre-Construction Phase Coral Dive Survey |
The Coral Translocation Plan was approved by EPD on 6 June 2016 under EP Condition 2.12. |
Chinese White Dolphins (CWD) |
|
Vessel survey, land-based theodolite track and passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) |
|
Baseline Monitoring |
Baseline monitoring of CWD by passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) was on going. The land-based and vessel-based CWD baseline monitoring had been completed in June 2016. |
Impact Monitoring |
To be commenced with the relevant construction works |
Landscape & Visual |
|
Baseline Monitoring |
The baseline landscape & visual monitoring result has been reported in Baseline Monitoring Report (Version 1) and submitted to EPD on 14 December 2015 under EP Condition 3.4. |
Impact Monitoring |
On-going |
Environmental Auditing |
|
Regular site inspection |
On-going |
SkyPier High Speed Ferries (HSF) implementation measures |
On-going |
Construction and Associated Vessels Implementation measures |
To be commenced with the relevant construction works |
Complaint Hotline and Email channel |
On-going |
Environmental Log Book |
On-going |
Taking into account that the construction works in this reporting month were mainly land-based works of Contract P560(R), the required impact monitoring focused on air quality, noise, waste management and landscape & visual. The EM&A programme also involved weekly site inspections and related auditing conducted by the ET for checking the implementation of the required environmental mitigation measures recommended in the approved EIA Report.
The EM&A programme has been following the recommendations presented in the
approved EIA Report and the Updated EM&A 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 A.
Air quality monitoring was conducted at two representative monitoring stations in the vicinity of air sensitive receivers in Tung Chung and villages in North Lantau in accordance with the Updated EM&A Manual. Table 2.1 describes the details of the monitoring stations. Figure 2 shows the locations of the monitoring stations.
Table 2.1: Locations of Impact Air Quality Monitoring Stations
Monitoring Station |
Location |
AR1A |
Man Tung Road Park |
AR2 |
Village House at Tin Sum |
In accordance with the Updated EM&A Manual, baseline 1-hour total suspended particulate (TSP) levels at the two air quality monitoring stations were established as presented in the Baseline Monitoring Report (Version 1 dated December 2015). Impact 1-hour TSP monitoring was conducted for three times every 6 days. The Action and Limit Levels of the air quality monitoring are provided in Table 2.2. The air quality monitoring schedule involved in the reporting period is provided in Appendix C.
Table 2.2: Action and Limit Levels for 1-hour TSP
Monitoring Station |
Action Level (mg/m3) |
Limit Level (mg/m3) |
AR1A |
306 |
500 |
AR2 |
298 |
Portable direct reading dust meter was used to carry out the 1-hour TSP monitoring. The brand and model of the equipment are given in Table 2.3.
Table 2.3: Air Quality Monitoring Equipment
Equipment |
Brand and Model |
Portable direct reading dust meter (Laser dust monitor) |
SIBTA LD-3B-002 (Serial No. 974350) |
The measurement procedures involved in the impact 1-hr TSP monitoring can be summarised as follows:
a. The portable direct reading dust meter was mounted on a tripod at a height of 1.2 m above the ground.
b. Prior to the measurement, the equipment was set up for 1 minute span check and 6 second background check.
c. The one hour dust measurement was started. Site conditions and dust sources at the nearby area were recorded on a record sheet.
d. When the measurement completed, the “Count” reading per hour was recorded for result calculation.
The portable direct reading dust meter is calibrated every year against high volume sampler (HVS) to check the validity and accuracy of the results measured by direct reading method. The calibration certificates of the portable direct reading dust meter are provided in Appendix B. The corresponding calibration record of the HVS is also given in Appendix B.
The monitoring results for 1-hour TSP are summarized in Table 2.4. Detailed impact monitoring results are presented in Appendix D.
Table 2.4: Summary of 1-hour TSP Monitoring Results
Monitoring Station |
1-hr TSP Concentration Range (mg/m3) |
Action Level (mg/m3) |
Limit Level (mg/m3) |
AR1A |
4- 35 |
306 |
500 |
AR2 |
4- 34 |
298 |
No exceedance of the Action /Limit Level was recorded at all monitoring stations in the reporting period.
General meteorological conditions throughout the impact monitoring period were recorded. Wind data for each monitoring day including wind speed and wind direction was collected from the Chek Lap Kok Wind Station.
Noise monitoring was conducted at five representative monitoring stations in the vicinity of noise sensitive receivers in Tung Chung and villages in North Lantau in accordance with the Updated EM&A Manual. Figure 2 shows the locations of the monitoring stations and these are described in Table 3.1 below. As described in Section 4.3.3 of the Updated EM&A Manual, monitoring at NM2 will commence when the future residential buildings in Tung Chung West Development become occupied.
Table 3.1: Locations of Impact Noise Monitoring Stations
Monitoring Station |
Location |
Type of measurement |
NM1A |
Man Tung Road Park |
Free field |
NM2(1) |
Tung Chung West Development |
To be determined |
NM3A |
Site Office |
Facade |
NM4 |
Ching Chung Hau Po Woon Primary School |
Free field |
NM5 |
Village House in Tin Sum |
Free field |
NM6 |
House No. 1, Sha Lo Wan |
Free field |
Note: (1) As described in Section 4.3.3 of the Updated EM&A Manual, noise monitoring at NM2 will only commence after occupation of the future Tung Chung West Development.
In accordance with the Updated EM&A Manual, baseline noise levels at the noise monitoring stations were established as presented in the Baseline Monitoring Report (Version 1 dated December 2015). Impact noise monitoring was conducted once per week in the form of 30-minute measurements of Leq, L10 and L90 levels recorded at each monitoring station between 0700 and 1900 on normal weekdays. The Action and Limit levels of the noise monitoring are provided in Table 3.2. The construction noise monitoring schedule involved in the reporting period is provided in Appendix C.
Table 3.2: Action and Limit Levels for Construction Noise
Monitoring Stations |
Time Period |
Action Level |
Limit Level, Leq(30mins) dB(A) |
NM1A, NM2, NM3A, NM4, NM5 and NM6 |
0700-1900 hours on normal weekdays |
When one documented complaint is received from any one of the sensitive receivers |
75 dB(A)(i) |
Note: (i) reduce to 70dB(A) for school and 65dB(A) during school examination periods.
Noise monitoring was performed using sound level meter at each designated monitoring station. The sound level meters deployed comply with the International Electrotechnical Commission Publications 651:1979 (Type 1) and 804:1985 (Type 1) specifications. Acoustic calibrator was used to check the sound level meters by a known sound pressure level for field measurement. The brand and model of the equipment are given in Table 3.3.
Table 3.3: Noise Monitoring Equipment
Equipment |
Brand and Model |
Integrated Sound Level Meter |
B&K 2238 (Serial No. 2800932) B&K 2238 (Serial No. 2381580) |
Acoustic Calibrator |
B&K 4231 (Serial No. 3003246) B&K 4231 (Serial No. 3004068) |
The monitoring procedures involved in the noise impact monitoring can be summarised as follows:
a. The sound level meter was set on a tripod at least a height of 1.2 m above the ground for free-field measurements at monitoring stations NM1A, NM4, NM5 and NM6. A correction of +3 dB(A) was applied to the free field measurements.
b. Façade measurements were made at the monitoring station NM3A.
c. Parameters such as frequency weighting, time weighting and measurement time were set.
d. Prior to and after each noise measurement, the meter was calibrated using the acoustic calibrator. If the difference in the calibration level before and after measurement was more than 1 dB(A), the measurement would be considered invalid and repeat of noise measurement would be required after re-calibration or repair of the equipment.
e. During the monitoring period, Leq, L10 and L90 were recorded. In addition, site conditions and noise sources were recorded on a record sheet.
f. Noise measurement results were corrected with reference to the baseline monitoring levels.
g. Observations were recorded when high intrusive noise (e.g. dog barking, helicopter noise) was observed during the monitoring.
The maintenance and calibration procedures are summarised below:
a. The microphone head of the sound level meter was cleaned with soft cloth at regular intervals.
b. The meter and calibrator were sent to the supplier or laboratory accredited under Hong Kong Laboratory Accreditation Scheme (HOKLAS) to check and calibrate at yearly intervals.
Calibration certificates of the sound level meters and acoustic calibrators used in the noise monitoring are provided in Appendix B.
The construction noise monitoring results are summarized in Table 3.4 and the detailed monitoring data are provided in Appendix D.
Table 3.4: Summary of Construction Noise Monitoring Results
Monitoring Station |
Noise Level Range, dB(A) Leq (30 mins) |
Limit Level, dB(A) Leq (30 mins) |
NM1A(i) |
71- 73 |
75 |
NM3A |
61- 63 |
75 |
NM4(i) |
60- 66 |
70(ii) |
NM5(i) |
55- 66 |
75 |
NM6(i) |
66- 71 |
75 |
Note: (i) +3 dB(A) Façade correction included;
(ii) Reduced to 65 dB(A) during school examination periods.
As the construction activities were small in scale during the reporting period and far away from the monitoring stations, major sources of noise dominating the monitoring stations observed during the construction noise impact monitoring were aircraft noise at NM3A and NM5, aircraft noise and helicopter noise at NM6, road traffic noise at NM1A and school activities at NM4 in this reporting month.
No exceedance of the Action/ Limit Level was recorded at all monitoring stations in the reporting period.
In accordance with the Updated EM&A Manual, the waste generated from construction activities was audited once per week to determine if wastes are 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. The Action and Limit levels of the construction waste are provided in Table 4.1.
Table 4.1: 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 |
Weekly monitoring of the Project construction works was carried out by the ET on 1, 8, 13, 22 and 29 June 2016 to check and monitor the implementation of proper waste management practices during the construction phase.
For Contract P560(R) Aviation Fuel Pipeline Diversion Works, recommendations were provided during monitoring including proper plugging of drip tray to avoid any leakage on 1 June 2016, proper segregation and sorting of general refuse on 29 June 2016, and provision of personal protective equipment in the spill kit on sites on 8 and 29 June 2016. The contractor had followed up with implementation of mitigation measures.
The P560(R) Contractor was advised to properly maintain a recording system, maximize the reuse of C&D materials and properly maintain site tidiness.
Based on the updated information, about 87.73 m3 excavated materials were produced from the HDD launching site in June 2016. The generated excavated materials were temporarily stored at storage and stockpiling area at Chun Ming Road adjacent to Tradeport Logistic Centre on the airport island. The excavated material will be reused in the Project.
In addition, 2.23 tonnes of general refuse were disposed of to the West New Territories (WENT) Landfill in June 2016. No Construction and Demolition (C&D) material was disposed off-site during the reporting month. No exceedances of the Action and Limit Levels were recorded in the reporting period.
Weekly site inspection of the construction works was carried out by the ET on 1, 8, 13, 22 and 29 June 2016 to monitor the implementation of proper environmental pollution control and mitigation measures for the Project. The site inspection on 13 June 2016 was an ad- hoc EPD inspection conducted by the EPD’s inspectors. Site inspections were also conducted independently by the Project’s Independent Environmental Checker (IEC) on 10, 13 and 22 June 2016. Observations have been recorded in the site inspection checklists and passed to the Contractor together with the appropriate recommended mitigation measures where necessary.
The key observations from site inspection and associated recommendations were related to the improvement of efficiency of wastewater treatment facilities, proper maintenance of noise barrier and drip tray, proper segregation and sorting of general refuse, and provision of personal protective equipment in the spill kits on sites.
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 A.
The Marine Travel Routes and Management Plan for High Speed Ferries of SkyPier (the SkyPier Plan) has been submitted to the Advisory Council on the Environment (ACE) 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 committed to implementing the mitigation measure of requiring high speed ferries (HSFs) of SkyPier travelling between HKIA and Zhuhai / Macau to start diverting the route with an associated speed control across an area (i.e. Speed Control Zone (SCZ)) with high Chinese White Dolphin (CWD) abundance. The route diversion and speed restriction at the SCZ have been implemented since 28 December 2015.
Key audit findings for the SkyPier HSFs travelling to/from Zhuhai and Macau against the requirements of the SkyPier Plan during the reporting period are summarized in Table 5.1. The daily movements of all SkyPier HSFs in June 2016 were within the maximum daily cap number. Status of compliance with annual daily average of 99 movements will be further reviewed in the annual EM&A Report.
In total, 816 ferry movements between HKIA SkyPier and Zhuhai / Macau were recorded in June 2016 and the data are presented in Appendix G. The time spent for the SkyPier HSFs travelled through the SCZ in June were presented in Figure 5-1. It will take 9.6 minutes to travel through the SCZ when the SkyPier HSFs adopt the maximum allowed speed of 15-knot within the SCZ. Figure 5-1 shows that all the SkyPier HSFs spent more than 9.6 minutes to travel through the SCZ and the SkyPier HSFs had travelled through the SCZ with prevailing speeds ranging from 8.2 to 14.3 knots, except one vessel on 30 June 2016 which spent less than 9.6 minutes with 15.7 knots prevailing speed. The HSF captain reported that he had to give way to other vessels for safety reason. Ferry operator is requested to provide further reasons / supporting evidence for ET justification. Follow up action will be taken if valid reasons / supporting evidence cannot be provided.
Figure 5‑1 Duration of the SkyPier HSFs travelled through the SCZ for June 2016
Five ferry movements were not strictly following the diverted route as recorded on 13, 14, 17, 21 and 30 June 2016. Notices were sent to the ferry operators and the investigation results revealed that they were related to safety / emergency situations presented as follows:
¡ Cases on 13, 14 and 17 June 2016: the HSF captains reported that they had to give way to other vessels for safety reason and were not able to enter the SCZ through the gate access points. Then the HSF returned to the normal route following the SkyPier Plan.
¡ Case on 21 June 2016: This case is under investigation.
¡ Case on 30 June 2016: The HSF captain reported that he had to give way to other vessels for safety reason. Ferry operator was requested to provide further supporting evidence as justification. Follow up action will be taken if valid reasons / supporting evidence cannot be provided.
One skipper workshop was held on 2 June 2016 as refresher trainings to ferry captains about the requirements of the SkyPier Plan.
Table 5.1: Summary of Key Audit Findings against the SkyPier Plan
Requirements in the SkyPier Plan |
1 June to 30 June 2016 |
Total number of ferry movements recorded and audited |
816
|
Use diverted route and enter / leave SCZ through Gate Access Points |
5 deviations (4 deviations related to safety/emergency) 1 deviation is under investigation |
Speed control in speed control zone |
All HSFs were within 15 knots (8.2 knots to 14.3 knots), which complied with the SkyPier Plan, except one deviation case with 15.7 knots prevailing speed. The time used by HSF to travel through SCZ is presented in Figure 5-1. |
Daily Cap (including all SkyPier HSFs)
|
88 to 96 daily movements (within maximum daily cap - 125 daily movements) |
The current status of submissions under the EP up to the reporting period is presented in Table 5.2.
Table 5.2: Status of Submissions under Environmental Permit
EP Condition |
Submission |
Status |
2.1 |
Complaint Management Plan |
Accepted / approved by EPD |
2.4 |
Management Organizations |
|
2.5 |
Construction Works Schedule and Location Plans |
|
2.7 |
Marine Park Proposal |
|
2.8 |
Marine Ecology Conservation Plan |
|
2.9 |
Marine Travel Routes and Management Plan for Construction and Associated Vessels |
|
2.10 |
Marine Travel Routes and Management Plan for High Speed Ferries of SkyPier |
|
2.11 |
Marine Mammal Watching Plan |
|
2.12 |
Coral Translocation Plan |
|
2.13 |
Fisheries Management Plan |
|
2.14 |
Egretry Survey Plan |
|
2.15 |
Silt Curtain Deployment Plan |
Submitted to EPD |
2.17 |
Detailed Plan on Deep Cement Mixing |
|
2.16 |
Spill Response Plan |
Accepted / approved by EPD |
2.19 |
Waste Management Plan |
|
3.1 |
Updated EM&A Manual |
|
3.4 |
Baseline Monitoring Report |
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. The environmental licenses and permits which are valid in the reporting month are presented in Appendix E.
During the reporting period, no construction activities related complaints were received.
During the reporting period, neither notifications of summons nor prosecution were received.
Cumulative statistics on complaints, notifications of
summons and status of prosecutions are summarized in Appendix F.
Major site activities anticipated in the next reporting period for the Project are expected to be associated with the implementation of the P560(R) Contract and these will include:
¡ HDD casing pipe installation;
¡ Pilot hole drilling; and
¡ Stockpiling of excavated materials from HDD operation.
No construction works will be carried out on Sheung Sha Chau Island during the ardeids’ breeding season between April and July in accordance with the Updated EM&A Manual.
The key environmental issues for the Project in the coming reporting period are expected to be associated with the construction activities of the P560(R) Contract and these include:
¡ Generation of dust from construction works;
¡ Noise impact from operating equipment and machinery on-site;
¡ Generation of site surface runoffs and wastewater from activities on-site;
¡ Management of stockpiles;
¡ Sorting, recycling, storage and disposal of general refuse and construction waste; and
¡ Management of chemicals and avoidance of oil spillage on-site.
A tentative schedule of the planned environmental monitoring work in the next reporting period is provided in Appendix C.
Baseline monitoring of CWD by passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) was on-going. Land-based and vessel-based CWD baseline monitoring had been completed in June 2016. The baseline monitoring results will be presented in a separate Baseline Monitoring Report for the marine works.
The key construction activities of the Project carried out in the reporting month were related to the Contract P560 Aviation Fuel Pipeline Diversion Works which involved installation of HDD casing and stockpiling of excavated materials from HDD operation. Dust suppression measures including wheeling washing, watering and covering of excavated materials and establishment of site hoarding have been implemented.
Construction dust, noise and waste monitoring were carried out in the reporting period. No breach of the Action or Limit Levels in relation to the air quality, construction noise and waste monitoring were recorded in the reporting month. All site observations made by the ET were recorded in the site inspection checklists and passed to the Contractor together with the recommended follow-up actions.
On the implementation of the SkyPier Plan, the daily movements of all SkyPier HSFs in June 2016 were within the maximum daily cap number. A total of 816 HSF movements under SkyPier Plan were recorded. All HSFs had travelled through the SCZ with prevailing speed under 15 knots (8.2 to 14.3 knots) in compliance with the SkyPier Plan, except one deviation case, where HSF prevailing speed of 15.7 knots was recorded. This case also did not strictly follow the diverted route. HSF captain reported that he had to give way to other vessels for safety reason. Ferry operator was requested to provide further supporting evidence as justification. Follow up action will be taken if valid reasons / supporting evidence cannot be provided. In summary, the ET and IEC have audited the HSF movements against the SkyPier Plan and conducted follow up investigation or actions accordingly.
One skipper training was held on 2 June 2016 as refresher trainings to ferry captains about the requirements of the SkyPier Plan.