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

Construction Phase Monthly EM&A
Report No. 92
(For August 2023)

September 2023



 


  

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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 8

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  22

Table 4.3: The Control and Impact Stations during Flood Tide and Ebb Tide for General Water Quality Monitoring  22

Table 4.4: Water Quality Monitoring Equipment 23

Table 4.5: Other Monitoring Equipment 23

Table 4.6: Laboratory Measurement/ Analysis of SS  24

Table 4.7: Summary of DO (Surface and Middle) Compliance Status (Mid-Ebb Tide) 24

Table 4.8: Summary of DO (Bottom) Compliance Status (Mid-Ebb Tide) 25

Table 4.9: Summary of DO (Surface and Middle) Compliance Status (Mid-Flood Tide) 25

Table 4.10: Summary of DO (Bottom) Compliance Status (Mid-Flood Tide) 26

Table 4.11: Summary of Findings from Investigation of DO Monitoring Results  27

Table 5.1: Action and Limit Levels for Construction Waste  29

Table 5.2: Construction Waste Statistics  29

Table 6.1: Derived Values of Action and Limit Levels for Chinese White Dolphin Monitoring  31

Table 6.2: Coordinates of Transect Lines in NEL, NWL, AW, WL and SWL Survey Areas  32

Table 6.3: Land-based Theodolite Survey Station Details  33

Table 6.4: Comparison of CWD Encounter Rates of the Whole Survey Area with Action Levels  37

Table 6.5: Summary of Photo Identification  38

Table 6.6: Summary of Survey Effort and CWD Group of Land-based Theodolite Tracking  39

Table 7.1: Landscape and Visual – Construction Phase Audit Summary  42

Table 7.2: Examples of Landscape and Visual Mitigation Measures in the Reporting Periods  43

Table 7.3: Monitoring Programme for Landscape and Visual 44

Table 7.4: Event and Action Plan for Landscape and Visual 45

Table 7.5: Summary of the Number of Retained, Transplanted and To-be-transplanted Trees in the Reporting Period  45

Table 7.6: Summary of the Transplanted Trees Updated in the Reporting Period  46

Table 7.7: Summary of Key Audit Findings against the SkyPier Plan  48

Table 7.8: Status of Submissions under Environmental Permit 49

 

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

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

Figure 6.5

Location for Autonomous Passive Acoustic Monitoring

Figure 7.1

Duration of the SkyPier HSFs travelling through the SCZ for August 2023

 

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

Appendix G

Data of SkyPier HSF Movements to/from Macau (between 1 and 31 August 2023)

 


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 92nd 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 August 2023.

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 seawall construction, land improvement works and filling together with taxiways, concourse, tunnel work for Automated People Mover (APM) and Baggage Handling System (BHS) and associated works. Land-based works on existing airport island involved Terminal 2 expansion works, modification and tunnel work for APM and BHS, utilities works, road and drainage works, demolition, piling, excavation works, and 132kV cable laying 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 Dolphin Exclusion Zone (DEZ) Plan, were conducted in the reporting period. 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

A person spraying water on a construction site

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A group of people in protective gear

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A close-up of several papers on a door

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Dust Suppression Measure conducted by Contractor

Chemical Spill Drill conducted by Contractor

On-site Checking of Construction Noise Permit conducted 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, construction waste and CWD did not trigger the corresponding Action and Limit Levels in the reporting period.

The water quality monitoring results for all parameters, except dissolved oxygen (DO), obtained during the reporting period were within the corresponding Action and Limit Levels stipulated in the EM&A programme. Relevant investigation and follow-up actions were conducted for DO results triggering the relevant Action and Limit Level and the investigation findings revealed that the cases were not related to the Project. To conclude, the construction activities during the reporting period did not introduce adverse impact to all water quality sensitive receivers.

Summary of Upcoming Key Issues

Contract 3206 Main Reclamation Works

    Filling materials delivery.

Airfield Works

Contract 3302 Eastern Vehicular Tunnel Advance Works

    Construction of tunnel structure;

    Pipe and drainage diversion works;

    Utilities and backfilling works; and

    Stockpiling.

Contract 3305 Airfield Ground Lighting System

    Enhanced vehicular warning light hardware installation;

    Power supply system installation; and

    Cable containment installation.

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

    Equipment installation;

    Structured cabling.

Contract 3308 Foreign Object Debris Detection System

    Rectification work for handover sensor system.

Contract 3310 North Runway Modification Works

    Architectural, builder's work and finishing works;

    Seawall construction;

    Construction of stormwater drainage;

    Piling works;

    Aviation fuel pipe works;

    Excavation lateral support;

    Construction of box culvert; and

    Land improvement works (Transition layer and backfilling works).

Third Runway Concourse:

Contract 3403 New Integrated Airport Centres Building and Civil Works

    Electrical and mechanical works.

Contract 3404 Integrated Airport Control System

    System maintenance.

Contract 3405 Third Runway Concourse Foundation and Substructure Works

    Structure works;

    Marine sediment treatment works; and

    Tunnel concreting and backfilling works;

Contract 3408 Third Runway Concourse and Apron Works

    Building services and architectural, builder's work and finishing works;

    Fuel pipe installation works;

    Utilities works;

    Erection works for concrete batching plant; and

    Excavation and reinforced concrete works.

Terminal 2 Expansion:

Contract 3508 Terminal 2 Expansion Works

    Bridge demolition;

    Pier construction;

    Pump station and electrical station works; 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)

    Guide beam installation.

Contract 3602 Existing APM System Modification Works

    Concrete plinth construction.

Contract 3603 Baggage Handling System (BHS)

    BHS installation; and

    Steel work installation.

Construction Support (Facilities):

Contract 3721 Construction Support Infrastructure Works

    Provision of backup services. 

Airport Support Infrastructure:

Contract 3801 APM and BHS Tunnels on Existing Airport Island

    Backfilling works;

    Excavation;

    Pipe pile trimming; and

    Castle cable trench,

Contract 3802 APM and BHS Tunnels and Related Works

    Excavation and lateral supports;

    Box culvert construction;

    Tunnel construction; and

    Electrical and mechanical works.

Contract 3804 East and Landside Fire Stations

    Site setup and formation works;

    Bored pile works;

    Raft foundation and footing works;

    Tower crane footing and erection works; and

    Pile cap construction works.

Contract 3805 New Airport District Police Operational Base

    Bored pile works; and

    Construction of temporary working platform.

Construction Support (Services / Licences):

Contract 3901A Concrete Batching Facility

    Operation of concrete batching plant and material conveyor belt.

Contract 3901B Concrete Batching Facility

    Operation of concrete batching plant and material conveyor belt.

Contract 3908 Quay Management Services

    Provision of services of site management and logistic control of 3RS quays; and

    Provision of flat top barge and vehicle delivery services between the launching point in Hong Kong and 3RS quays.

Contract 3913 Asphalt Batching Plant

    Operation of asphalt batching plant.

Utilities:

132kV Cable

    Cable trenching and cable layering;

    Duct installation and cable duct mandrill test;

    Backfilling; and

    Draw pit opening.

 

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

 

No construction activities-related complaint was received during the reporting period.

Nil

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 92nd 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 August 2023.

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

Roy Man

3922 9141 

Deputy Independent Environmental Checker

Jackel Law

3922 9376

 

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 1525

 

Airfield Works:

Party

Position

Name

Telephone

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 3305 Airfield Ground Lighting System

(ADB Safegate Hong Kong Limited)

Project Manager

Allam Al-Turk

2944 9725

Environmental Officer

Ivan Ting

9222 9490

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

Ken Tang

9640 5397

Environmental Officer

Ferddy Leung

5585 6746

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 3402 New Integrated Airport Centres Enabling Works

(Wing Hing Construction Co., Ltd.)

Project Manager

Wyman Lau

6112 9753

Health Safety Environmental Manager

Mike Leung

6625 2550

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

Safety and Environmental Manager

Josephine Chang

9383 7705

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

H Y Yue

9185 8186

Contract 3602 Existing APM System Modification Works

(Niigata Transys Co., Ltd.)

Project Manager

Xia Bo

6586 4950

Environmental Officer

Y M Tong

5316 9801

Contract 3603 3RS Baggage Handling System

(VISH Consortium)

Project Manager

K C Ho

9272 9626

Environmental Officer

Richard Ng

9802 9577

 

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

John Mak

6273 8703

Contract 3728 Minor Site Works

(Shun Yuen Construction Company Limited)

Contract Manager

C K Liu

9194 8739

Environmental Officer

Dan Leung

6856 5899

Contract 3733 Emergency Repair Service

(Wing Hing Construction Co., Ltd.)

Project Manager

 

Michael Kan

9206 0550

Safety Health Environmental Manager

Mike Leung

6625 2550

 

Airport Support Infrastructure:

Party

Position

Name

Telephone

Contract 3801 APM and BHS Tunnels on Existing Airport Island

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

Project Manager

Kingsley Chiang

9424 8437

Environmental Officer

Eunice Kwok

9243 1331

Contract 3802 APM and BHS Tunnels and Related Works

(Gammon Engineering & Construction Company Limited)

Project Director

John Adams

6111 6989

Environmental Officer

Ruby Hui

6218 6408

Environmental Supervisor

Yan Ng

5345 8555

Contract 3804 East and Landside Fire Stations

(Beijing Urban Construction Group Company

Limited -

Beijing Urban Construction International Company Limited - Kin Shing

(Leung's)

General Contractors Ltd

Joint Venture)

Project Manager

Mr. Zhang Xianda

4661 6818

Environmental Officer

Ms. Kimberly Wong

5542 1669

Contract 3805 New

Airport District Police Operational Base

(Chinney Construction Co., Ltd.)

Project Manager

Cheuk Wing Wai

9339 8321

Environmental Officer

Mike Li

6306 8547

 

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)

General Manager

Gabriel Chan

2435 3260

Environmental Officer

Rex Wong

2695 6319

Contract 3908 Quay Management Services

(Gitanes – Crown Asia Joint Venture)

Project Manager

Mr. Ian Li

9750 6438

Environmental Officer

Mr. Tang Kai Fun

9406 3526

Contract 3913 Asphalt Batching Plant

(SPR Joint Venture)

Project Manager

Xie Yi Sheng

6580 6005

Environmental Officer

Kenneth Chan

9300 2182

 

Utilities:

Party

Position

Name

Telephone

132 kV Cable

(CLP Power Hong Kong Limited / Kum Shing Construction Company Limited)

Engineer

Ken Fung

6391 9087

Project Engineer

Ivan Shek

9822 5836

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 seawall construction, land improvement works and filling together with taxiways, concourse, tunnel work for Automated People Mover (APM) and Baggage Handling System (BHS) and associated works. Land-based works on existing airport island involved Terminal 2 expansion works, modification and tunnel work for APM and BHS, utilities works, road and drainage works, demolition, piling, excavation works, and 132kV cable laying.

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 was 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 was 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 was 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.

Due to the completion of all marine-based DCM works within April 2022, regular DCM monitoring was ceased at all monitoring stations starting from 28 April 2022 and would be resumed if there are marine-based DCM works in the coming future.

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 was started from June 2021 and completed in 2022.

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 H2S monitoring proposal was accepted by EPD in Jun 2023.

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 was reported in Baseline Monitoring Report and submitted to EPD under EP Condition 3.4.

Impact Monitoring

Weekly

On-going

Establishment Works Monitoring

Bi-monthly

On-going

Long Term Management (10 years) Monitoring

Annually

On-going

Environmental Auditing

 

 

Regular site inspection

Weekly

On-going

Marine Mammal Watching Plan (MMWP) implementation measures

Monitor and check

No Marine Mammal Watching Plan (MMWP) implementation measures during this reporting period.

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. 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:

    Sixteen environmental management meetings for EM&A review with works contracts: 2, 3, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 23, 28 & 30 August 2023.

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)

16 Sep 2022

Appendix D of Monthly EM&A Report No. 83

Portable direct reading dust meter

(Laser dust monitor)

SIBATA LD-3B-1

(Serial No. 597337)

04 May 2023

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 the Monthly EM&A Report No. 77 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 of 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

11 - 45

306

500

AR2

8 - 47

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

Notes:

(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)

19 Mar 2023

Appendix D of Monthly EM&A Report No.87

Integrated Sound Level Meter

Rion NL-52

(Serial No. 01287679)

10 Oct 2022

Appendix D of Monthly EM&A Report No. 82

Acoustic Calibrator

Castle GA607 (Serial No. 040162)

19 Mar 2023

Appendix D of Monthly EM&A Report No.87

Acoustic Calibrator

Casella CEL-120 (Serial No. 2383737)

18 Jun 2023

Appendix D of Monthly EM&A Report No.91

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 of 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)

63 - 66

75

NM4(1) (3)

61 - 64

70(2)

NM5(1) (3)

61 - 65

75

NM6(1) (3)

66 - 71

75

 Notes:

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

(2)    The limit level will be 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 results.

No complaints were received from any sensitive receiver that triggered the Action Level. All monitoring results were 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, school activities near NM4 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, and suspended solids (SS) 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

 

C2

Control Station

806945

825682

C3(2)

Control Station

817803

822109

IM1(4)

Impact Station

806458

818351

IM2(4)

Impact Station

806236

819183

IM7(4)

Impact Station

806835

821349

IM10(4)

Impact Station

809838

822240

IM11(4)

Impact Station

810545

821501

IM12(4)

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

 

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(3)

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)    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.

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

(4)    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 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 are presented in Table 4.3.

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

Parameters

Action Level (AL)

Limit Level (LL)

Action and Limit Levels for general water quality 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

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.

Table 4.3: The Control and Impact Stations during Flood Tide and Ebb Tide for General Water Quality 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. 15M100005)

23 Jun 2023

Appendix D of Monthly EM&A Report No. 91

YSI ProDSS (Serial No. 16H104233)

2 Jun 2023

Appendix D of Monthly EM&A Report No. 90

YSI ProDSS (Serial No. 21K101468)

2 Jun 2023

Appendix D of Monthly EM&A Report No. 90

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, and water depth were collected by equipment listed in Table 4.4 and Table 4.5. Water samples for SS analysis were stored in high density polythene bottles with no preservative added, packed in ice (cooled to 4ºC 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).

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 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 determination. The SS determination works were started within 24 hours after collection of the water samples. The analysis of SS have followed the standard methods summarised in Table 4.6. The QA/QC procedures for laboratory measurement/ analysis of SS were presented in Appendix F of the Construction Phase Monthly EM&A Report No.8.

Table 4.6: Laboratory Measurement/ Analysis of SS

Parameters

Instrumentation

Analytical Method

Reporting Limit

SS

Analytical Balance

APHA 2540D

2mg/l

4.4        Summary of Monitoring Results

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

The water quality monitoring results for all parameters, except DO, obtained during the reporting period were within their corresponding Action and Limit Levels. The detailed monitoring results are presented in Appendix C.

For DO, some of the testing results triggered the corresponding Action and/or Limit Level, and investigations were conducted accordingly.

Table 4.7 to Table 4.10 present the summary of the DO compliance status at IM and SR stations during mid-ebb and mid-flood tides for the reporting period.

Table 4.7: Summary of DO (Surface and Middle) Compliance Status (Mid-Ebb Tide)

Table 4.8: Summary of DO (Bottom) Compliance Status (Mid-Ebb Tide)

Table 4.9: Summary of DO (Surface and Middle) Compliance Status (Mid-Flood Tide)  

Table 4.10: Summary of DO (Bottom) Compliance Status (Mid-Flood Tide)

Note: Detailed results are presented in Appendix C.

Legend:

 

The monitoring results were within the corresponding Action and Limit Levels

 

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

D

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

 

Monitoring result triggered the Limit Level at monitoring station located upstream of the Project based on dominant tidal flow

D

Monitoring result triggered the Limit Level at monitoring station located downstream of the Project based on dominant tidal flow

 

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

Monitoring results triggered the corresponding Action and/or Limit Level on two monitoring days.

In accordance with Event and Action Plan stipulated in the Manual, EPD was informed when the corresponding Limit Levels were triggered, while IEC and Contractors were informed when the corresponding Action and Limit Levels were triggered. Repeat in-situ measurements were conducted for monitoring stations located downstream during ebb tide on 13 and 14 August 2023 according to the requirements as stipulated in the Manual, while the repeat in-situ measurements on 1 September 2023 were cancelled due to No.8 Northwest Gale or Storm Signal was still in force.

Monitoring result triggered the corresponding Action Level at IM7, IM10 and SR3 during ebb-tide on 31 August 2023, IM11 and IM12 during flood-tide on 31 August 2023, IM1, IM2 and SR4A during flood-tide on 12 August 2023. These cases occurred at monitoring stations upstream of the Project and would unlikely be affected by the Project.

Investigations focusing on the cases which occurred at monitoring stations located downstream of the Project were carried out. Details of the Project’s marine construction activities and site observations of the concerned monitoring days were collected. Findings were summarised in Table 4.11.

Table 4.11: Summary of Findings from Investigation of DO Monitoring Results

 

Date

Marine construction works nearby

Approximate distance from marine construction works

Status of water quality measures (if applicable)

Construction vessels in the vicinity

Turbidity / Silt plume observed near the monitoring station

Action or Limit Level triggered due to Project

12/08/2023

Seawall construction

At least 1 km

Implemented

No

No

No

31/08/2023

Nil

N/A

N/A

No

No

No

The investigations confirmed that seawall construction works were conducted with proper implementation of mitigation measures during the concerned monitoring days.

For the DO results recorded at the surface and middle water depth during mid-ebb tide (please refer to Table 4.7), the DO results at some downstream stations triggered Action Level on 12 and 31 August 2023. For IM1 and IM2, it is noted that these stations are located in the western side of the Project, which had similar previous records of widespread low DO level during wet season. Also, for IM11, IM12 and SR2, similar low DO concentrations were also recorded at the control station C2, suggesting the presence of external factors affecting the DO concentration in that area. In addition, the seawall construction works was undertaken over 1km away from the concerned monitoring stations on 12 August 2023 and there was no marine construction works on 31 August 2023.  The triggers were unlikely caused by the Project.

For the DO results recorded at the bottom water depth during mid-ebb tide (please refer to Table 4.8), downstream stations including IM1, IM2 and SR4A triggered Action and/or Limit Level on 12 August 2023. For IM1 and IM2, it is noted that these stations are located in the western side of the Project, which had similar previous records of widespread low DO level during wet season. Similar low DO levels were also recorded at control station C2, and the seawall construction works were undertaken more than 1 km away from the monitoring stations, which might possibly suggest the presence of external factors affecting the DO concentration. For SR4A, it is located at a semi-embayed area, which is far away from the Project, and is also unlikely to be affected by the Project.

For the DO results recorded at the surface and middle water depth during mid-flood tide (please refer to Table 4.9), the DO results at two downstream stations IM10 and SR3, triggered Action Level on 31 August 2023. For the case at IM10, low DO concentration was also recorded at its nearest upstream station (i.e. IM11), and it is unlikely to be affected by the Project. For SR3, low DO concentration was also recorded at the control stations C1 and SR2, suggesting the presence of external factors affecting the area as a whole. Furthermore, there was no marine construction works on 31 August 2023. Therefore, the triggers were unlikely caused by the Project.

No silt plume, construction vessel, spillage incident or specific observation at outfalls were observed in the vicinity when monitoring was undertaken at the monitoring stations. Therefore, the case was considered unlikely due to the Project.

4.5        Conclusion

During the reporting period, it is noted that most of the monitoring results were within their corresponding Action and Limit Levels, while some DO measurement results triggered the corresponding Action and/or Limit Levels, investigations were conducted accordingly.

Based on the investigation findings, all results that triggered the corresponding Action and/or Limit Levels were not due to the Project. Therefore, the Project did not cause adverse impact at the water quality sensitive receivers. All required actions under the Event and Action Plan were followed. These cases appeared to be due to natural fluctuation or other sources not related to the Project.

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 contractors’ information, construction waste generated in the reporting period is summarised in Table 5.2. The ET and IEC have carried out site audits regularly and reviewed the trip ticket system. Dedicated areas for sorting of materials are established on site. Recyclable materials such as steel bar, metal strip, aluminium, paper and plastic are sorted on-site and transported off-site for recycling during this reporting period.

Table 5.2: Construction Waste Statistics

 

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

(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)

 

Aug 2023(2)

210

11,050

1,531

6,849

0

0

3580

Notes:

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

(2)    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.

5.3        Marine Sediment Management

Marine sediment is managed according to the EIA Report, Updated EM&A Manual, Waste Management Plan and the proposal of Further Development on Treatment Level / Details and the Reuse Mode for Marine Sediment (hereinafter referred to as “Further Development Proposal”) 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 and Further Development Proposal.

Backfilling works for treated marine sediment were conducted during the reporting period. The details of the marine sediment sampling, treatment and backfilling can be referred to Annual EM&A Report No.7.


 

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