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

Construction Phase Monthly EM&A 
Report No. 75
(For March 2022)

April 2022

 

 


  

 


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Contents

Abbreviations

Executive summary

1       Introduction

1.1      Background

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       Air Quality Monitoring

2.1      Action and Limit Levels

2.2      Monitoring Equipment

2.3      Monitoring Methodology

2.3.1         Measuring Procedure

2.3.2         Maintenance and Calibration

2.4      Summary of Monitoring Results

2.5      Conclusion

3       Noise Monitoring

3.1      Action and Limit Levels

3.2      Monitoring Equipment

3.3      Monitoring Methodology

3.3.1         Monitoring Procedure

3.3.2         Maintenance and Calibration

3.4      Summary of Monitoring Results

3.5      Conclusion

4       Water Quality Monitoring

4.1      Action and Limit Levels

4.2      Monitoring Equipment

4.3      Monitoring Methodology

4.3.1         Measuring Procedure

4.3.2         Maintenance and Calibration

4.3.3         Laboratory Measurement / Analysis

4.4      Summary of Monitoring Results

4.5      Conclusion

5       Waste Management

5.1      Action and Limit Levels

5.2      Waste Management Status

5.3      Marine Sediment Management

6       Chinese White Dolphin Monitoring

6.1      Action and Limit Levels

6.2      CWD Monitoring Transects and Stations

6.2.1         Small Vessel Line-transect Survey

6.2.2         Land-based Theodolite Tracking Survey

6.3      CWD Monitoring Methodology

6.3.1         Small Vessel Line-transect Survey

6.3.2         Photo Identification

6.3.3         Land-based Theodolite Tracking Survey

6.4      Monitoring Results and Observations

6.4.1         Small Vessel Line-transect Survey

6.4.2         Photo Identification

6.4.3         Land-based Theodolite Tracking Survey

6.5      Progress Update on Passive Acoustic Monitoring

6.6      Site Audit for CWD-related Mitigation Measures

6.7      Timing of reporting CWD Monitoring Results

6.8      Summary of CWD Monitoring

7       Environmental Site Inspection and Audit

7.1      Environmental Site Inspection

7.2      Landscape and Visual Mitigation Measures

7.3      Land Contamination Assessment

7.4      Audit of SkyPier High Speed Ferries

7.5      Audit of Construction and Associated Vessels

7.6      Implementation of Dolphin Exclusion Zone

7.7      Status of Submissions under Environmental Permits

7.8      Compliance with Other Statutory Environmental Requirements

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

7.9.1         Complaints

7.9.2         Notifications of Summons or Status of Prosecution

7.9.3         Cumulative Statistics

8       Future Key Issues and Other EIA & EM&A Issues

8.1      Construction Programme for the Coming Reporting Period

8.2      Key Environmental Issues for the Coming Reporting Period

8.3      Monitoring Schedule for the Coming Reporting Period

8.4      Review of the Key Assumptions Adopted in the EIA Report

9       Conclusion and Recommendation

 

Tables

Table 1.1: Contact Information of Key Personnel 9

Table 1.2: Summary of Status of All Environmental Aspects under the Updated EM&A Manual 12

Table 2.1: Locations of Impact Air Quality Monitoring Stations  16

Table 2.2: Action and Limit Levels of Air Quality Monitoring  16

Table 2.3: Air Quality Monitoring Equipment 16

Table 2.4: Summary of Air Quality Monitoring Results  17

Table 3.1: Locations of Impact Noise Monitoring Stations  18

Table 3.2: Action and Limit Levels for Noise Monitoring  18

Table 3.3: Noise Monitoring Equipment 19

Table 3.4: Summary of Construction Noise Monitoring Results  20

Table 4.1: Monitoring Locations of Impact Water Quality Monitoring  21

Table 4.2: Action and Limit Levels for General Water Quality Monitoring and Regular DCM Monitoring  22

Table 4.3: The Control and Impact Stations during Flood Tide and Ebb Tide for General Water Quality Monitoring and Regular DCM Monitoring  23

Table 4.4: Water Quality Monitoring Equipment 23

Table 4.5: Other Monitoring Equipment 23

Table 4.6: Laboratory Measurement/ Analysis of SS and Heavy Metals  24

Table 5.1: Action and Limit Levels for Construction Waste  26

Table 5.2: Construction Waste Statistics  26

Table 6.1: Derived Values of Action and Limit Levels for Chinese White Dolphin Monitoring  28

Table 6.2: Coordinates of Transect Lines in NEL, NWL, AW, WL and SWL Survey Areas  29

Table 6.3: Land-based Theodolite Survey Station Details  30

Table 6.4: Comparison of CWD Encounter Rates of the Whole Survey Area with Action Levels  34

Table 6.5: Summary of Photo Identification  35

Table 6.6: Summary of Survey Effort and CWD Group of Land-based Theodolite Tracking  35

Table 7.1: Landscape and Visual – Construction Phase Audit Summary  38

Table 7.2: Examples of Landscape and Visual Mitigation Measures in the Reporting Period  39

Table 7.3: Monitoring Programme for Landscape and Visual 40

Table 7.4: Event and Action Plan for Landscape and Visual 40

Table 7.5: Summary of the Number of Retained, Transplanted and To-be-transplanted Trees in the Reporting Period  41

Table 7.6: Summary of the Transplanted Trees Updated in the Reporting Period  42

Table 7.7: Photos of the Existing Transplanted Trees Inspected in this Reporting Month  44

Table 7.8: Summary of Key Audit Findings against the SkyPier Plan  46

Table 7.9: Status of Submissions under Environmental Permit 47

 

 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 4.1

Water Quality Monitoring Stations

Figure 6.1

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

Figure 6.2

Land based Dolphin Monitoring in Baseline and Construction Phases

Figure 6.3

Sightings Distribution of Chinese White Dolphins

Figure 6.4

Location for Autonomous Passive Acoustic Monitoring

 

Appendices

Appendix A

Environmental Mitigation Implementation Schedule (EMIS) for Construction Phase

Appendix B

Monitoring Schedule

Appendix C

Monitoring Results

Appendix D

Calibration Certificates  

Appendix E

Status of Environmental Permits and Licences

Appendix F

 

Cumulative Statistics on Exceedances, Environmental Complaints, Notification of Summons and Status of Prosecutions

 


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

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

HOKLAS

Hong Kong Laboratory Accreditation Scheme

HSF

High Speed Ferry

HVS

High Volume Sampler

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

Marine Travel Routes and Management Plan for Construction and Associated Vessel

NEL

Northeast Lantau

NWL

Northwest Lantau

PAM

Passive Acoustic Monitoring

PM

Project Manager

SC

Sha Chau

SCZ

Speed Control Zone

SCLKCMP

Sha Chau and Lung Kwu Chau Marine Park

SS

Suspended Solids

SSSI

Site of Special Scientific Interest

STG

Encounter Rate of Number of Dolphin Sightings

SWL

Southwest Lantau

T2

Terminal 2

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

The Manual

The Updated EM&A Manual

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 75th Construction Phase Monthly 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 to 31 March 2022.

Key Activities in the Reporting Period 

The key activities of the Project carried out in the reporting period are located in reclamation areas and existing airport island respectively. Works in the reclamation areas included filling 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 monthly 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

36

Noise monitoring

20

Water quality monitoring

14

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

2

Land-based theodolite tracking survey effort for CWD monitoring

2

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.

Snapshots of EM&A Activities in the Reporting Period

Noise Impact Monitoring conducted by ET in Man Tung Road Park

Checking of Daily Water Quality Monitoring Record for Wastewater Treatment Facility

Dump Truck with Mechanical Truck Cover checked by ET

Results of Impact Monitoring

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, water quality, construction waste and CWD did not trigger the corresponding Action and Limit Levels in the reporting period.

Summary of Upcoming Key Issues

Reclamation Works:

Contract 3206 Main Reclamation Works

    Backfilling works.

Airfield Works

Contract 3301 North Runway Crossover Taxiway

    Cabling works; and

    Stockpiling.

Contract 3302 Eastern Vehicular Tunnel Advance Works

    Construction of tunnel structure;

    Pipe and drainage diversion works;

    Excavation and lateral support systems installation; and

    Stockpiling.

Contract 3303 Third Runway and Associated Works

    Architectural, Builder's and Finishing works;

    Footing and utilities work;

    Box culvert construction;

    Piling work;

    Operation of asphalt plant; and

    Cable laying and ducting works.

Contract 3305 Airfield Ground Lighting System

    Cabling works;

    Network installation; and

    Genset installation.

Contract 3306 Observation Facility Control System Supporting Interim 2RS and 3RS

    Equipment installation; and

    Installation of temporary site accommodation.

Contract 3307 Fire Training Facility

    Architectural, Builder's and Finishing works;

    Drainage and utilities works; and

    Building construction. 

Contract 3308 Foreign Object Debris Detection System

    Foreign Object Debris Tower installation.

Contract 3310 North Runway Modification Works

    Excavation and footing construction;

    Seawall construction;

    Pre-boring;

    Sheet piles and pipe pile installation;

    Cutter soil mixing; and

    Deep cement mixing.

Third Runway Concourse:

Contract 3403 New Integrated Airport Centres Building and Civil Works

    Architectural, Builder's Work and Finishing works;

    Road works;

    Cabling works; and

    Underground utilities construction.

Contract 3404 Integrated Airport Control System

    Equipment installation; and

    Cable laying.

Contract 3405 Third Runway Concourse Foundation and Substructure Works

    Bored piling;

    Structure works;

    Excavation; and

    Road formation.

Contract 3408 Third Runway Concourse and Apron Works

    Site setup works; and

    Excavation and lateral support works.

Terminal 2 Expansion:

Contract 3508 Terminal 2 Expansion Works

    Excavation and footing construction;

    Block wall construction;

    Drainage works;

    Temporary road construction;

    TBM mobilization; and

    Architectural, Builder's Work and Finishing works.

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

Contract 3601 New Automated People Mover System (TRC Line)

    Guidebeam installation.

Contract 3602 Existing APM System Modification Works

    Car modification;

    Erection of guide rail; and

    Concrete plinth and stitch construction.

Contract 3603 Baggage Handling System (BHS)

    BHS installation.

Construction Support (Facilities):

Contract 3721 Construction Support Infrastructure Works

    Laying of drainage pipes and ducts;

    Paving works; and

    Road works.

Contract 3723 Construction Support Facilities

    Clearance works; and

    RC works.

Airport Support Infrastructure:

Contract 3801 APM and BHS Tunnels on Existing Airport Island

    Excavation;

    Box jacking operation; and

    Walkway construction.

Contract 3802 APM and BHS Tunnels and Related Works

    Fencing erection;

    Installation of dewatering well; and

    Excavation and lateral supports.

Construction Support (Services / Licences):

Contract 3901A Concrete Batching Facility

    Operation of concrete batching plant; and

    Operation of conveyor belt.

Contract 3901B Concrete Batching Facility

    Operation of concrete batching plant; and

    Cement tube conveyor trial.

 

Summary Table

The following table summarises the key findings of the EM&A programme during the reporting period:

 

Yes

No

Details

Analysis / Recommendation / Remedial Actions

Breach of Limit Level^

 

No breach of Limit Level was recorded.

Nil

Breach of Action Level^

 

No breach of Action Level was recorded.

Nil

Complaint Received

 

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

The complaints are under investigation. Findings will be reported in the next Monthly EM&A Report.

Notification of any summons and status of prosecutions

 

No notification of summons nor prosecution was received. 

Nil

Change that affect the EM&A

 

There was no change to the construction works that may affect the EM&A.

Nil

Note:     

^ 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 Section 1.4.

1.2        Scope of this Report

This is the 75th Construction Phase Monthly EM&A Report for the Project which summarises the key findings of the EM&A programme during the reporting period from 1 to 31 March 2022.

1.3        Project Organisation

The Project’s organisation structure presented in Appendix B of the Construction Phase Monthly EM&A Report No.1 remained unchanged during the reporting period. Contact details of the key personnel are presented 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

Environmental Officer

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

 

 

 

 

K F Li

9086 1793

Contract 3733 Emergency Repair Service

(Wing Hing Construction Co., Ltd.)

 

Project Manager

 

Michael Kan

9206 0550

SHE Manager

Mike Leung

6628 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        Summary of Construction Works

The key activities of the Project carried out in the reporting period are located in reclamation areas and existing airport island respectively. Works in the reclamation areas included filling 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.

The locations of key construction activities are presented in Figure 1.1.

1.5        Summary of EM&A Programme Requirements

The status for all environmental aspects are presented in Table 1.2. The EM&A requirements remained unchanged during the reporting period.

Table 1.2: Summary of Status of 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

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.

Contamination Assessment Reports (CAR) for Terminal 2 Emergency Power Supply Systems

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.

Post-Translocation Coral 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 & Visual

 

 

Landscape & 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 this 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 the ET for checking the implementation of the 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, regular environmental management meetings were conducted during the reporting period, which are summarised as below:

    One skipper training session provided by ET: 9 March 2021.

    Eighteen environmental management meetings for EM&A review with works contracts: 3, 4,  8, 10, 15, 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, 25, 29 and 31 March 2022.

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 A.

 

2        Air Quality Monitoring

Air quality monitoring of 1-hour Total Suspended Particulates (TSP) was conducted three times every six days at two representative monitoring stations in the vicinity of air sensitive receivers in Tung Chung and villages in North Lantau in accordance with the Manual. Table 2.1 describes the details of the monitoring stations. Figure 2.1 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

2.1        Action and Limit Levels

In accordance with the Manual, baseline air quality monitoring of 1-hour TSP levels at the two air quality monitoring stations were established as presented in the Baseline Monitoring Report. 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 2.2.  

Table 2.2: Action and Limit Levels of Air Quality Monitoring

Monitoring Station

Action Level (mg/m3)

Limit Level (mg/m3)

AR1A

306

500

AR2

298

2.2        Monitoring Equipment

Portable direct reading dust meter was used to carry out the air quality monitoring. Details of equipment used in the reporting period are given in Table 2.3.

Table 2.3: Air Quality Monitoring Equipment

Equipment

Brand and Model                  

Last Calibration Date                  

Calibration Certificate Provided in

Portable direct reading dust meter

(Laser dust monitor)

SIBATA LD-3B-2

(Serial No. 296098)

20 Oct 2021

Monthly EM&A Report No. 70, Appendix E

SIBATA LD-3B-1

(Serial No. 597337)

10 May 2021

Monthly EM&A Report No. 65, Appendix D

2.3        Monitoring Methodology

2.3.1         Measuring Procedure

The measurement procedures involved in the impact air quality monitoring can be summarised as follows: 

a.   The portable direct reading dust meter was mounted on a tripod at a height of 1.2m 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.

2.3.2         Maintenance and Calibration

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 record of the HVS provided in Appendix D of Construction Phase Monthly EM&A Report No. 65, and the calibration certificates of portable direct reading dust meters listed in Table 2.3 are valid in the reporting period.

2.4        Summary of Monitoring Results

The air quality monitoring schedule involved in the reporting period is provided in Appendix B.

The air quality monitoring results in the reporting period are summarised in Table 2.4. Detailed impact monitoring results are presented in Appendix C.

Table 2.4: Summary of Air Quality Monitoring Results

Monitoring Station

1-hr TSP Concentration Range (mg/m3)

Action Level (mg/m3)

Limit Level (mg/m3)

AR1A

18 - 266

306

500

AR2

17 - 242

298

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

General meteorological conditions throughout the impact monitoring period were recorded. Wind data including wind speed and wind direction for each monitoring day were collected from the Chek Lap Kok Wind Station.

2.5        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.


 

3        Noise Monitoring

Noise monitoring in the form of 30-minute measurements of Leq, L10, and L90 levels was conducted once per week between 0700 and 1900 on normal weekdays at four representative monitoring stations in the vicinity of noise sensitive receivers in Tung Chung and villages in North Lantau in accordance with the Manual. Table 3.1 describes the details of the monitoring stations. Figure 2.1 shows the locations of the monitoring stations.

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(2)

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 Manual, noise monitoring at NM2 will only commence after occupation of the future Tung Chung West Development.

(2)    According to Section 4.3.3 of the Manual, the noise monitoring at NM3A was temporarily suspended starting from 1 September 2018 and would be resumed with the completion of the Tung Chung East Development.

3.1        Action and Limit Levels

In accordance with the Manual, baseline noise levels at the noise monitoring stations were established as presented in the Baseline Monitoring Report. 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 3.2.

Table 3.2: Action and Limit Levels for Noise Monitoring

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

75dB(A)(1)

Note:

(1)    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).

3.2        Monitoring Equipment

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.  Details of equipment used in the reporting period are given in Table 3.3.

Table 3.3: Noise Monitoring Equipment

Equipment

Brand and Model

Last Calibration Date

Calibration Certificate Provided in

Integrated Sound Level Meter

Rion NL-52

(Serial No. 00998505)

22 Mar 2022

Appendix D

Rion NL-52

(Serial No. 01287679)

20 Jun 2021

Monthly EM&A Report No. 66, Appendix D

Acoustic Calibrator

Casella CEL-120/1 (Serial No. 2383737)

20 Jun 2021

Monthly EM&A Report No. 66, Appendix D

Castle GA607 (Serial No. 040162)

22 Mar 2022

Appendix D

3.3        Monitoring Methodology

3.3.1         Monitoring Procedure

The monitoring procedures involved in the noise monitoring can be summarised as follows: 

a.   The sound level meter was set on a tripod at least a height of 1.2m above the ground for free-field measurements at monitoring stations NM1A, NM4, NM5 and NM6. A correction of +3dB(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 1dB(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, when higher than the baseline monitoring levels, 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.

3.3.2         Maintenance and Calibration

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 listed in Table 3.3 are valid in the reporting period.

3.4        Summary of Monitoring Results

The noise monitoring schedule involved in the reporting period is provided in Appendix B.

The noise monitoring results in the reporting period are summarised in Table 3.4. Detailed impact monitoring results are presented in Appendix C.

Table 3.4: Summary of Construction Noise Monitoring Results

Monitoring Station

Noise Level Range, dB(A)

Leq (30mins)

Limit Level, dB(A)

Leq (30mins)

NM1A(1)

56 - 72

75

NM4(1)

60 - 63

70(2)

NM5(1)(3)

52 - 59

75

NM6(1)(3)

65 - 68

75

 Notes:

(1)    +3dB(A) Façade correction included;

(2)    Reduced to 65dB(A) during school examination periods at NM4. No school examination took place during this reporting period.

(3)    Some of the noise measurement results were higher than the baseline monitoring levels. In order to reduce the influence of non-Project related noise on the monitoring results, these measurement results were corrected with reference to the baseline monitoring levels.

No complaints were received from any sensitive receiver that triggered the Action Level. All monitoring results were also within the corresponding Limit Levels at all monitoring stations in the reporting period.

3.5        Conclusion

As the construction activities were far away from the monitoring stations, 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 during this reporting period. It is considered that the monitoring work during the reporting period was effective and there was no adverse impact attributable to the Project activities.


 

4        Water Quality Monitoring

Water quality monitoring of DO, pH, temperature, salinity, turbidity, suspended solids (SS), total alkalinity, chromium, and nickel was conducted three days per week, at mid-ebb and mid-flood tides, at a total of 14 water quality monitoring stations, comprising 6 impact (IM) stations, 5 sensitive receiver (SR) stations and 3 control (C) stations in the vicinity of water quality sensitive receivers around the airport island in accordance with the Manual. The purpose of water quality monitoring at the IM stations is to promptly capture any potential water quality impact from the Project before it could become apparent at sensitive receivers (represented by the SR stations). Table 4.1 describes the details of the monitoring stations. Figure 4.1 shows the locations of the monitoring stations.

Table 4.1: Monitoring Locations of Impact Water Quality Monitoring

Monitoring Station

Description

             Coordinates

Parameters

 

 

Easting

Northing

 

C1

Control Station

804247

815620

General Parameters

DO, pH, Temperature, Salinity, Turbidity, SS

 

DCM Parameters

Total Alkalinity, Heavy Metals(2)

C2

Control Station

806945

825682

C3(3)

Control Station

817803

822109

IM1(7)

Impact Station

806458

818351

IM2(7)

Impact Station

806236

819183

IM7(7)

Impact Station

806835

821349

IM10(7)

Impact Station

809838

822240

IM11(7)

Impact Station

810545

821501

IM12(7)

Impact Station

811519

821162

SR1A(1)

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

812660

819977

General Parameters

DO, pH, Temperature, Salinity, Turbidity, SS

SR2

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

814166

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

822147

General Parameters

DO, pH, Temperature, Salinity, Turbidity, SS

 

SR4A

Sha Lo Wan

807810

817189

SR8(6)

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

811623

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)    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.

4.1        Action and Limit Levels

In accordance with the Manual, baseline water quality levels at the representative water quality monitoring stations were established as presented in the Baseline Water Quality Monitoring Report. The Action and Limit Levels of general water quality monitoring and regular DCM monitoring stipulated in the EM&A programme for triggering the relevant investigation and follow-up procedures under the programme are provided in Table 4.2. The control and impact stations during ebb tide and flood tide for general water quality monitoring and regular DCM monitoring are presented in Table 4.3.

Table 4.2: 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

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, non-compliance occurs when monitoring result is lower than the limits.

(2)    For parameters other than DO, non-compliance of water quality results 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.

Table 4.3: 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, IM7, SR3

SR2(1)

IM7, IM10, IM11, IM12, SR1A, SR3, SR4A, SR8

Ebb Tide

 

C1

SR4A

C2

IM1, IM2, IM7, IM10, IM11, IM12, SR1A, SR2, SR3, SR8

Note:

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

4.2        Monitoring Equipment

Table 4.4 summarises the equipment used in the reporting period for monitoring of specific water quality parameters under the water quality monitoring programme.

Table 4.4: Water Quality Monitoring Equipment

Equipment

Brand and Model

Last Calibration Date

Calibration Certificate Provided in

Multifunctional Meter (measurement of DO, pH, temperature, salinity and turbidity)

YSI ProDSS (Serial No. 21G105356) (1)

24 Dec 2021

Monthly EM&A Report No. 72, Appendix D

YSI ProDSS (Serial No. 16H104233)

18 Mar 2022

Appendix D

YSI ProDSS (Serial No. 16H104234)

18 Mar 2022

Appendix D

YSI ProDSS (Serial No. 17E100747) (1)

24 Dec 2021

Monthly EM&A Report No. 72, Appendix D

Digital Titrator (measurement of total alkalinity)

Titrette Bottle-top Burette, 50ml

(Serial No. 10N64701) (2)

7 Jan 2022

Monthly EM&A Report No. 73, Appendix D

Titrette Bottle-top Burette, 50ml

(Serial No. 10N60623)

25 Mar 2022

Appendix D

Note:

(1)    The monitoring equipment was not used in the reporting period after the expiry date of the calibration certificate (23 Mar 2022).

(2)    The monitoring equipment was not used in the reporting period after 25 Mar 2022.

 

Other equipment used as part of the impact water quality monitoring programme are listed in Table 4.5.

Table 4.5: Other Monitoring Equipment

Equipment

Brand and Model

Water Sampler

Van Dorn Water Sampler

Positioning Device (measurement of GPS)

Garmin eTrex Vista HCx

Current Meter (measurement of current speed and direction, and water depth)

Sontek HydroSurveyor

4.3        Monitoring Methodology

4.3.1         Measuring Procedure

Water quality monitoring samples were taken at three depths (at 1m below surface, at mid-depth, and at 1m above bottom) for locations with water depth >6m. For locations with water depth between 3m and 6m, water samples were taken at two depths (surface and bottom). For locations with water depth <3m, only the mid-depth was taken. Duplicate water samples were taken and analysed.

The water samples for all monitoring parameters were collected, stored, preserved and analysed according to the Standard Methods, APHA 22nd ed. and/or other methods as agreed by the EPD. In-situ measurements at monitoring locations including temperature, pH, DO, turbidity, salinity, alkalinity and water depth were collected by equipment listed in Table 4.4 and Table 4.5. Water samples for heavy metals and SS analysis were stored in high density polythene bottles with no preservative added, packed in ice (cooled to 4şC without being frozen), delivered to the laboratory within 24 hours of collection.

4.3.2         Maintenance and Calibration

Calibration of In-situ Instruments

All in-situ monitoring instrument was checked, calibrated and certified by a laboratory accredited under HOKLAS before use. Responses of sensors and electrodes were checked with certified standard solutions before each use.

Wet bulb calibration for a DO meter was carried out before commencement of monitoring and after completion of all measurements each day. Calibration was not conducted at each monitoring location as daily calibration is adequate for the type of DO meter employed. A zero check in distilled water was performed with the turbidity probe at least once per monitoring day. The probe was then calibrated with a solution of known NTU. In addition, the turbidity probe was calibrated at least twice per month to establish the relationship between turbidity readings (in NTU) and levels of SS (in mg/l). Accuracy check of the digital titrator was performed at least once per monitoring day.

Calibration certificates of the monitoring equipment used in the reporting period are listed in Table 4.4.

4.3.3         Laboratory Measurement / Analysis

Analysis of SS and heavy metals have been carried out by a HOKLAS accredited laboratory, ALS Technichem (HK) Pty Ltd (Reg. No. HOKLAS 066). Sufficient water samples were collected at all the monitoring stations for carrying out the laboratory SS and heavy metals determination. The SS and heavy metals determination works were started within 24 hours after collection of the water samples. The analysis of SS and heavy metals have followed the standard methods summarised in Table 4.6. The QA/QC procedures for laboratory measurement/ analysis of SS and heavy metals were presented in Appendix F of the Construction Phase Monthly EM&A Report No.8.

Table 4.6: Laboratory Measurement/ Analysis of SS and Heavy Metals

Parameters

Instrumentation

Analytical Method

Reporting Limit

SS

Analytical Balance

APHA 2540D

2mg/l

Heavy Metals

 

 

 

Chromium (Cr)

ICP-MS

USEPA 6020A

0.2µg/l

Nickel (Ni)

ICP-MS

USEPA 6020A

0.2µg/l

4.4        Summary of Monitoring Results

The water quality monitoring schedule for the reporting period is updated and provided in Appendix B.

The water quality monitoring results for all parameters (i.e. DO, turbidity, SS, total alkalinity, chromium and nickel) obtained during the reporting period were within their corresponding Action and Limit Levels. The detailed monitoring results are presented in Appendix C.

4.5        Conclusion

During the reporting period, all monitoring results were within their corresponding Action and Limit Levels. Nevertheless, 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 as recommended in the Manual during weekly site inspection and regular environmental management meetings.

5        Waste Management

In accordance with the 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.

5.1        Action and Limit Levels

The Action and Limit Levels of the construction waste are provided in Table 5.1.

Table 5.1: 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

5.2        Waste Management Status

Weekly monitoring on all works contracts were carried out by the ET to check and monitor the implementation of proper waste management practices during the construction phase.

Recommendations made included provision and maintenance of proper chemical waste storage area, as well as handling, segregation, and regular disposal of general refuse. The contractors have 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 A.

Based on updated information provided by contractors, construction waste generated in the reporting period is summarised in Table 5.2. Dedicated areas for sorting of materials are established on site. Recyclable materials such as steel, reinforcement bar, structural steel, aluminum, copper, other metals and glass are sorted on-site and transported off-site for recycling. ET and IEC have carried out site audits regularly and reviewed the trip ticket system.  

Table 5.2: 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

(m3)

Chemical Waste

(kg)

Chemical Waste

(l)

General Refuse

(tonne)

 

February

2022(2)(3)

32,167

*55,997

582

3,219

0

0

*2,405

March

2022(2)(4)

52,788

4,154

11,193

5,867

0

2,800

1,901

Notes:

(1)    C&D refers to Construction and Demolition.

(2)    Metals, paper and/or plastics were recycled in the reporting period.

(3)    Updated figure for the previous month is reported and marked with an asterisk (*). Updated figures for earlier months will be reported in the forthcoming Quarterly and Annual EM&A Reports.

(4)    The data was based on the information provided by contractors up to the submission date of this Monthly EM&A Report, and might be updated in the forthcoming Monthly EM&A Report.

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

Along with the design and construction progress, further development on the treatment level/details and the re-use mode for marine sediment generated from 3RS Project has been conducted according to the EIA recommendation.

5.3        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 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.


 

6        Chinese White Dolphin Monitoring

In accordance with the Manual, CWD monitoring by small vessel line-transect survey supplemented by land-based theodolite tracking survey and passive acoustic monitoring should be conducted during construction phase.

The small vessel line-transect survey should be conducted at a frequency of two full surveys per month, while land-based theodolite tracking survey should be conducted at a frequency of one day per month per station at Sha Chau (SC) and Lung Kwu Chau (LKC) during the construction phase as stipulated in the Manual.

6.1        Action and Limit Levels

The Action and Limit Levels for CWD monitoring were formulated by the action response approach using the running quarterly dolphin encounter rates STG and ANI derived from the baseline monitoring data, as presented in the CWD Baseline Monitoring Report. The derived values of Action and Limit Levels for CWD monitoring were summarised in Table 6.1.

Table 6.1: Derived Values of Action and Limit Levels for Chinese White Dolphin Monitoring

 

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

Action Level(3)

Running quarterly(1) STG < 1.86 & ANI < 9.35

Limit Level(3)

Two consecutive running quarterly(2) (3-month) STG < 1.86 & ANI < 9.35

Notes: (referring to the baseline monitoring report)

(1)    Action Level – running quarterly encounter rates STG & ANI of this month will be calculated from the reporting period and the two preceding survey months.

(2)    Limit Level – two consecutive running quarters mean both the running quarterly encounter rates of the preceding month and the running quarterly encounter rates of this month.

(3)    Action Level and/or Limit Level will be triggered if both STG and ANI fall below the criteria.

6.2        CWD Monitoring Transects and Stations

6.2.1         Small Vessel Line-transect Survey

Small vessel line-transect surveys were conducted along the transects covering Northeast Lantau (NEL), Northwest Lantau (NWL), Airport West (AW), West Lantau (WL) and Southwest Lantau (SWL) areas as proposed in the Manual, which are consistent with the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) long-term monitoring programme (except the addition of AW). The AW transect has not been previously surveyed in the AFCD programme due to the restrictions of HKIA Approach Area, nevertheless, this transect was established during the EIA of the 3RS Project and refined in the Manual with the aim to collect project specific baseline information within the HKIA Approach Area to fill the data gap that was not covered by the AFCD programme. This also provided a larger sample size for estimating the density, abundance and patterns of movements in the broader study area of the project.

The planned vessel survey transect lines following the waypoints set for construction phase monitoring as proposed in the Manual are depicted in Figure 6.1 with the waypoint coordinates of all transect lines given in Table 6.2, which are subject to on-site refinement based on the actual survey conditions and constraints.

Table 6.2: Coordinates of Transect Lines in NEL, NWL, AW, WL and SWL Survey Areas

Waypoint

Easting

Northing

Waypoint

Easting

Northing

NEL

1S

813525

820900

6N

818568

824433

1N

813525

824657

7S

819532

821420

2S

814556

818449

7N

819532

824209

2N

814559

824768

8S

820451

822125

3S

815542

818807

8N

820451

823671

3N

815542

824882

9S

821504

822371

4S

816506

819480

9N

821504

823761

4N

816506

824859

10S

822513

823268

5S

817537

820220

10N

822513

824321

5N

817537

824613

11S

823477

823402

6S

818568

820735

11N

823477

824613

NWL

1S

804671

814577

5S

808504

821735

1N

804671

831404

5N

808504

828602

2Sb

805475

815457

6S

809490

822075

2Nb

805476

818571

6N

809490

825352

2Sa

805476

820770

7S

810499

822323

2Na

805476

830562

7N

810499

824613

3S

806464

821033

8S

811508

821839

3N

806464

829598

8N

811508

824254

4S

807518

821395

9S

812516

821356

4N

807518

829230

9N

812516

824254

AW

1W

804733

818205

2W

805045

816912

1E

806708

818017

2E

805960

816633

WL

1W

800600

805450

7W

800400

811450

1E

801760

805450

7E

802400

811450

2W

800300

806450

8W

800800

812450

2E

801750

806450

8E

802900

812450

3W

799600

807450

9W

801500

813550

3E

801500

807450

9E

803120

813550

4W

799400

808450

10W

801880

814500

4E

801430

808450

10E

803700

814500

5W

799500

809450

11W

802860

815500

5E

801300

809450

12S/11E

803750

815500

6W

799800

810450

12N

803750

818500

6E

801400

810450

 

 

 

SWL

1S

802494

803961

6S

807467

801137

1N

802494

806174

6N

807467

808458

2S

803489

803280

7S

808553

800329

2N

803489

806720

7N

808553

807377

3S

804484

802509

8S

809547

800338

3N

804484

807048

8N

809547

807396

4S

805478

802105

9S

810542

800423

4N

805478

807556

9N

810542

807462

5S

806473

801250

10S

811446

801335

5N

806473

808458

10N

811446

809436

6.2.2         Land-based Theodolite Tracking Survey

Land-based theodolite tracking survey stations were set up at two locations, one facing east/south/west on the southern slopes of Sha Chau (SC), and the other facing north/northeast/northwest at Lung Kwu Chau (LKC). The stations (D and E) are depicted in Figure 6.2 and shown in Table 6.3 with position coordinates, height of station and approximate distance of consistent theodolite tracking capabilities for CWD.

Table 6.3: Land-based Theodolite 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

6.3        CWD Monitoring Methodology

6.3.1         Small Vessel Line-transect Survey

Small vessel line-transect surveys provided data for density and abundance estimation and other assessments using distance-sampling methodologies, specifically, line-transect methods.

The surveys involved small vessel line-transect data collection and have been designed to be similar to, and consistent with, previous surveys for the AFCD for their long-term monitoring of small cetaceans in Hong Kong. The survey was designed to provide systematic, quantitative measurements of density, abundance and habitat use.

As mentioned in Section 6.2.1, the transects covered NEL, NWL, AW, WL and SWL areas as proposed in the Manual, which are consistent with the AFCD long-term monitoring programme (except AW). There are two types of transect lines:

    Primary transect lines: the parallel and zigzag transect lines as shown in Figure 6.1; and

    Secondary transect lines: transect lines connecting between the primary transect lines and going around islands.

All data collected on both primary and secondary transect lines were used for analysis of sighting distribution, group size, activities including association with fishing boat, and mother-calf pairs. Only on-effort data collected under favourable conditions of Beaufort 0-3 and visibility of approximately 1200 m or beyond were used for analysis of the CWD encounter rates.

A 15-20m vessel with a flying bridge observation platform about 4 to 5m above water level and unobstructed forward view, and a team of three to four observers were deployed to undertake the surveys.  Two observers were on search effort at all times when following the transect lines with a constant speed of 7 to 8 knots (i.e. 13 to 15 km per hour), one using 7X handheld binoculars and the other using unaided eyes and recording data.

During on-effort survey periods, the survey team recorded effort data including time, position (waypoints), weather conditions (Beaufort sea state and visibility) and distance travelled in each series with assistance of a handheld GPS device. The GPS device also continuously and automatically logged data including time, position (latitude and longitude) and vessel speed throughout the entire survey.

When CWDs were seen, the survey team was taken off-effort, the dolphins were approached and photographed for photo-ID information (using a Canon 7D [or similar] camera and long 300 mm+ telephoto lens), then followed until they were lost from view.  At that point, the boat returned (off effort) to the survey line at the closest point after obtaining photo records of the dolphin group and began to survey on effort again. 

Focal follows of dolphins would be used for providing supplementary information only where practicable (i.e. when individual dolphins or small stable groups of dolphins with at least one member that could be readily identifiable with unaided eyes during observations and weather conditions are favourable). These would involve the boat following (at an appropriate distance to minimise disturbance) an identifiable individual dolphin for an extended period of time, and collecting detailed data on its location, behaviour, response to vessels, and associates.

6.3.2         Photo Identification

CWDs can be identified by their unique features like presence of scratches, nick marks, cuts, wounds, deformities of their dorsal fin and distinguished colouration and spotting patterns.

When CWDs were observed, the survey team was taken off-effort, the dolphins were approached and photographed for photo-ID information (using a Canon 7D [or similar] camera and long 300 mm+ telephoto lens). The survey team attempted to photograph both sides of every single dolphin in the group as the colouration and spotting pattern on both sides may not be identical. The photos were taken at the highest available resolution and stored on Compact Flash memory cards for transferring into a computer.

All photos taken were initially examined to sort out those containing potentially identifiable individuals. These sorted-out images would then be examined in detail and compared to the CWD photo-identification catalogue established for 3RS Project during the baseline monitoring stage.

6.3.3         Land-based Theodolite Tracking Survey

Land-based theodolite tracking survey obtains fine-scale information on the time of day and movement patterns of the CWDs.  A digital theodolite (Sokkia/Sokkisha Model DT5 or similar equipment) with 30-power magnification and 5-s precision was used to obtain the vertical and horizontal angle of each dolphin and vessel position. Angles were converted to geographic coordinates (latitude and longitude) and data were recorded using Pythagoras software, Version 1.2. This method delivers precise positions of multiple spatially distant targets in a short period of time.  The technique is fully non-invasive, and allows for time and cost-effective descriptions of dolphin habitat use patterns at all times of daylight.

Three surveyors (one theodolite operator, one computer operator, and one observer) were involved in each survey. Observers searched for dolphins using unaided eyes and handheld binoculars (7X50). Theodolite tracking sessions were initiated whenever an individual CWD or group of CWDs was located.  Where possible, a distinguishable individual was selected, based on colouration, within the group.  The focal individual was then continuously tracked via the theodolite, with a position recorded each time the dolphin surfaced. In case an individual could not be positively distinguished from other members, the group was tracked by recording positions based on a central point within the group whenever the CWD surfaced. Tracking continued until animals were lost from view; moved beyond the range of reliable visibility (>1-3km, depending on station height); or environmental conditions obstructed visibility (e.g., intense haze, Beaufort sea state >4, or sunset), at which time the research effort was terminated.  In addition to the tracking of CWD, all vessels that moved within 2-3km of the station were tracked, with effort made to obtain at least two positions for each vessel.

Theodolite tracking included focal follows of CWD groups and vessels. Priority was given to tracking individual or groups of CWD. The survey team also attempted to track all vessels moving within 1 km of the focal CWD.

6.4        Monitoring Results and Observations

6.4.1         Small Vessel Line-transect Survey

Survey Effort

Within this reporting period, two complete sets of small vessel line-transect surveys were conducted on the 7, 8, 11, 14, 15, 16, 18 and 21 March 2022 covering all transects in NEL, NWL, AW, WL and SWL survey areas for twice.

A total of around 445.44 km of survey effort was collected from these surveys and 432.64 km of the survey effort was being conducted under favourable weather condition (i.e. Beaufort Sea State 3 or below with favourable visibility). Details of the survey effort are given in Appendix C.

Sighting Distribution

In the current reporting period, nine sightings with 47 dolphins were sighted. All these sightings were on-effort records under favourable weather condition (i.e. Beaufort Sea State 3 or below with favourable visibility). Details of cetacean sightings are presented in Appendix C.

Distribution of all CWD sightings recorded in the current reporting period is illustrated in Figure 6.3. In WL, CWD groups were recorded scattered across waters off Tai O to Fan Lau. In SWL, there was a CWD group recorded at waters off Shek Pik. In NWL, a CWD group was spotted at waters to the west of airport area. There was no CWD sighting recorded in NEL survey area during the reporting period.

Figure 6.3: Sightings Distribution of Chinese White Dolphins

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

Encounter Rate

Two types of dolphin encounter rates were calculated based on the vessel survey data. They included the number of dolphin sightings per 100 km survey effort (STG) and total number of dolphins per 100 km survey effort (ANI) in the whole survey area (i.e. NEL, NWL, AW, WL and SWL). In the calculation of dolphin encounter rates, only survey data collected under favourable weather condition (i.e. Beaufort Sea State 3 or below with favourable visibility) were used. The formulae used for calculation of the encounter rates are shown below:


  

Encounter Rate by Number of Dolphin Sightings (STG)

Encounter Rate by Number of Dolphins (ANI)

 

(Notes:    Only data collected under Beaufort 3 or below condition were used)

In this reporting period, a total of around 432.64 km of survey effort were conducted under Beaufort Sea State 3 or below with favourable visibility, whilst a total number of nine on-effort sightings with 47 dolphins were sighted under such condition. Calculation of the encounter rates for the month are shown in Appendix C.

For the running quarter of the reporting period (i.e., from January to March 2022), a total of around 1262.35 km of survey effort were conducted under Beaufort Sea State 3 or below with favourable visibility, whilst a total number of 38 on-effort sightings and a total number of 153 dolphins from on-effort sightings were obtained under such condition. Calculation of the running quarterly encounter rates are shown in Appendix C.

The STG and ANI of CWD in the whole survey area (i.e. NEL, NWL, AW, WL and SWL) during the reporting period and during the running quarter are presented in Table 6.4 below and compared with the Action Level. The running quarterly encounter rates STG and ANI remain above the Action Level, thus the Action Level is not triggered.

Table 6.4: Comparison of CWD Encounter Rates of the Whole Survey Area with Action Levels

 

Encounter Rate (STG)

Encounter Rate (ANI)

March 2022

2.08

10.86

Running Quarter from January to March 2022(1)

3.01

12.12

Action Level

Running quarterly(1) STG < 1.86 & ANI < 9.35

Note: (1) Running quarterly encounter rates STG & ANI were calculated from data collected in the reporting period and the two preceding survey months, containing six sets of transect surveys for all monitoring areas. Action Level will be triggered if both STG and ANI fall below the criteria.

Group Size

In the current reporting period, nine groups of 47 dolphins in total were sighted, and the average group size of CWDs was 5.2 dolphins per group. More than half of CWD sightings were with medium group size (i.e. 3-9 dolphins). Two CWD sightings with large group size (i.e. 10 or more dolphins) were recorded in WL during this reporting period.

Activities and Association with Fishing Boats

There were two CWD sightings recorded engaging in feeding activities in the current reporting period with no association with operating fishing boat.

Mother-calf Pair

In this reporting period, three CWD sightings in WL and one CWD sighting in NWL were recorded with mother-and-unspotted juvenile pair.

6.4.2         Photo Identification

In the current reporting period, a total number of 27 different CWD individuals were identified for totally 33 times. A summary of photo identification works is presented in Table 6.5. Representative photos of these individuals are given in Appendix C.

Table 6.5: Summary of Photo Identification

Individual ID

Date of Sighting (dd-mmm-yy)

Sighting Group No.

Area

 

Individual ID

Date of Sighting (dd-mmm-yy)

Sighting Group No.

Area

NLMM084

8-Mar-22

1

NWL

 

WLMM067

15-Mar-22

1

WL

SLMM002

11-Mar-22

2

WL

 

 

 

3

WL

SLMM003

11-Mar-22

2

WL

 

WLMM071

8-Mar-22

1

NWL

SLMM010

11-Mar-22

2

WL

 

WLMM073

15-Mar-22

3

WL

 

15-Mar-22

2

WL

 

WLMM079

15-Mar-22

3

WL

SLMM012

11-Mar-22

2

WL

 

WLMM109

11-Mar-22

2

WL

 

15-Mar-22

5

WL

 

 

15-Mar-22

4

WL

SLMM025

15-Mar-22

5

WL

 

WLMM114

11-Mar-22

2

WL

SLMM027

15-Mar-22

3

WL

 

WLMM149

8-Mar-22

1

NWL

SLMM029

15-Mar-22

2

WL

 

WLMM150

15-Mar-22

1

WL

SLMM037

11-Mar-22

2

WL

 

 

 

3

WL

SLMM044

15-Mar-22

3

WL

 

WLMM168

8-Mar-22

1

NWL

SLMM052

15-Mar-22

1

WL

 

WLMM172

11-Mar-22

1

WL

SLMM060

14-Mar-22

6

SWL

 

WLMM173

11-Mar-22

2

WL

WLMM001

15-Mar-22

5

WL

 

WLMM174

11-Mar-22

2

WL

WLMM056

11-Mar-22

2

WL

 

 

15-Mar-22

4

WL

WLMM063

11-Mar-22

2

WL

 

 

 

 

 

6.4.3         Land-based Theodolite Tracking Survey

Survey Effort

Land-based theodolite tracking surveys were conducted at LKC on 18 March 2022 and at SC on 31 March 2022, with a total of two days of land-based theodolite tracking survey effort accomplished in this reporting period. No CWD group was tracked off LKC station during the reporting period. Information of survey effort and CWD groups are presented in Table 6.6. Details of the survey effort are presented in Appendix C.

Table 6.6: Summary of Survey Effort and CWD Group of Land-based Theodolite Tracking

Land-based Station

No. of Survey Sessions

Survey Effort (hh:mm)

No. of CWD Groups Sighted

CWD Group Sighting per Survey Hour

Lung Kwu Chau

1

6:00

0

0

Sha Chau

1

6:00

0

0

TOTAL

2

12:00

0

0

6.5        Progress Update on Passive Acoustic Monitoring

Underwater acoustic monitoring using Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM) should be undertaken during land formation related construction works. 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. During this reporting period, the F-POD was retrieved on 8 March 2022 and subsequently re-deployed underwater and positioned at south of Sha Chau Island inside the SCLKCMP (Figure 6.4). Acoustic data would be reviewed to give an indication of CWDs occurrence patterns and anthropogenic noise information. Analysis would involve use of proprietary software for objective automated data analyses and experienced analysts to perform visual validation for assessment of dolphin detection. As the period of data collection and analysis takes about four months, PAM results could not be reported in monthly intervals but report for supplementing the annual CWD monitoring analysis.

6.6        Site Audit for CWD-related Mitigation Measures

During the reporting period, 1 dolphin observation station and teams of at least two dolphin observers were deployed by the contractors for continuous monitoring of the DEZ for DCM works 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 kept by the ET. From the contractors’ DEZ monitoring records, no dolphin or other marine mammals were observed within or around the DEZs in this reporting month. These contractors’ records were also audited by the ET during site inspection.

Audits of acoustic decoupling measures for construction vessels were carried out during weekly site inspection and the observations are summarised in Section 7.1. Audits of SkyPier high speed ferries route diversion and speed control and construction vessel management are presented in Section 7.4 and Section 7.5 respectively. 

6.7        Timing of reporting CWD Monitoring Results

Detailed analysis of CWD monitoring results collected by small vessel line-transect survey will be provided in future quarterly reports. Detailed analysis of CWD monitoring results collected by land-based theodolite tracking survey and PAM will be provided in future annual reports after a larger sample size of data has been collected.

6.8        Summary of CWD Monitoring

Monitoring of CWD was conducted with two complete sets of small vessel line-transect surveys and two days of land-based theodolite tracking survey effort. The running quarterly encounter rates STG and ANI in the reporting period did not trigger the Action Level for CWD monitoring.


 

7        Environmental Site Inspection and Audit

7.1        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. The weekly site inspection schedule of the construction works is provided in Appendix B. Besides, physically 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 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 observed in site inspections during the reporting period. 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 A.

7.2        Landscape and Visual Mitigation Measures

Implementation of applicable landscape and visual mitigation measures (reference to the environmental protection measures CM1 – CM10 in Appendix A) was monitored in accordance with the Manual. All measures undertaken by both the contractor and the landscape contractor during the construction phase and first year of the operation phase shall be audited by a landscape architect, as a member of the ET, on a regular basis to ensure compliance with the intended aims of the measures. Site inspections shall be undertaken at least once every two months during the operation phase.

The implementation status of the environmental protection measures is summarized below in Table 7.1. Examples of landscape and visual mitigation measures are shown in Table 7.2. The monitoring programme for detailed design, construction, establishment works and long term management (10 years) stages is presented in Table 7.3. Event and Action Plan for Landscape and Visual impacts is stated in Table 7.4.

Table 7.1: Landscape and Visual – Construction Phase Audit Summary 

Landscape and Visual Mitigation Measures during Construction

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 was checked by ET during weekly site inspection and reported 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 were provided in the relevant Contract Specifications respectively for implementation by the Contractors under the Project.

 

The Contractors’ performance on the implementation of the tree 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 were provided in the relevant Contract Specifications respectively for implementation by the Contractors under the Project where trees would 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 was currently monitored by ET annually.

3508, 3801

 

 

CM10 – 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 7.2: Examples of Landscape and Visual Mitigation Measures in the Reporting Period

Erection of site hoardings around works area in unobtrusive colours (CM5)

Avoidance of excessive height and bulk of site buildings (CM6)

Control of night-time lighting using light hooding and minimisation of night working period (CM7)

 

 

General view of tree protection zone for retained tree (CM8)

General view of a transplanted tree (CM9)

General view of advanced hydroseeding around taxiways and runways (CM10)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In accordance with the Updated EM&A Manual, all existing trees shall be protected carefully during construction. Trees unavoidably affected by the works shall be transplanted where practical. In this reporting period, the cumulative total number of retained and transplanted trees under the Project remained unchanged (i.e. 52 and 26 respectively) 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 retained trees, transplanted trees and to-be-transplanted trees under the Project are summarized in Table 7.5.

Details of the retained trees are to be discussed in the Quarterly EM&A reports.

Table 7.3: Monitoring Programme for Landscape and Visual

Stage

Monitoring Task

Monitoring Report

Form of Approval

Frequency

Detailed Design

Checking of design works against the recommendations of the landscape and visual impact assessments within the EIA shall be undertaken during detailed design and tender stage, to ensure that they fulfil the intention of the mitigation measures. Any changes to the design, including design changes on site shall also be checked.

Report by AAHK / PM confirming that the design conforms to requirements of EP.

Approved by Client

 

 

 

At the end of the Detailed Design Phase

Construction

Checking of the contractor’s operations during the construction period.

Report on Contractor's compliance, by ET

Counter signature of report by IEC

Weekly

Establishment Works

Checking of the planting works during the twelve-month Establishment Period after completion of each batch of transplanting works.

Report on Contractor's compliance, by ET

Counter signature of report by IEC

Every two months

Long Term Management (10 year)

Monitoring of the long-term management of the planting works in the period up to 10 years after completion of each batch of transplanting works.

Report on

Compliance by ET or Maintenance Agency as appropriate

Counter signature of report by Management Agency

Annually

Table 7.4: Event and Action Plan for Landscape and Visual

Event Action Level

                                                    Action

 

ET

IEC

AAHK / PM

Contractor

Design Check

Check final design conforms to the requirements of EP and prepare report.

Check report.

Recommend remedial design if necessary.

Undertake remedial design if necessary.

 

Non-conformity on one occasion

Identify source.

Inform IEC and AAHK / PM.

Discuss remedial actions with IEC, AAHK / PM and Contractor.

Monitor remedial actions until rectification has been completed.

Check report.

Check Contractor’s working method.

Discuss with ET and Contractor on possible remedial measures.

Advise AAHK / PM on effectiveness of proposed remedial measures.

Check implementation of remedial measures.

Notify Contractor.

Ensure remedial measures are properly implemented.

Amend working methods to prevent recurrence of non-conformity.

Rectify damage and undertake additional action necessary.

Repeated Non-conformity

Identify source.

Inform IEC and AAHK / PM.

Increase monitoring frequency.

Discuss remedial actions with IEC, AAHK / PM and Contractor.

Monitor remedial actions until rectification has been completed.

If non-conformity stops, cease additional monitoring.

Check monitoring report.

Check Contractor’s working method.

Discuss with ET and Contractor on possible remedial measures.

Advise AAHK / PM on effectiveness of proposed remedial measures.

Supervise implementation of remedial measures.

Notify Contractor.

Ensure remedial measures area properly implemented.

Amend working methods to prevent recurrence of non-conformity.

Rectify damage and undertake additional action necessary.

Table 7.5: 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