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

Construction Phase Quarterly EM&A Report No.10 (1 April to 30 June 2018)

July 2018

Contents

Abbreviations

Executive Summary

1 Introduction

1.1 Background

1.2 Scope of this Report

1.3 Project Organisation

1.4 Contact information for the Project

1.5 Summary of Construction Works

1.6 Summary of EM&A Programme Requirements

2 Environmental Monitoring and Auditing

2.1 Air Quality Monitoring

2.1.1 Action and Limit Levels

2.1.2 Summary of Monitoring Results

2.1.3 Conclusion

2.2 Noise Monitoring

2.2.1 Action and Limit Levels

2.2.2 Summary of Monitoring Results

2.2.3 Conclusion

2.3 Water Quality Monitoring

2.3.1 Action and Limit Levels

2.3.2 Summary of Monitoring Results

2.3.3 Conclusion

2.4 Waste Monitoring

2.4.1 Action and Limit Levels

2.4.2 Summary of Monitoring Results

2.5 Chinese White Dolphin Monitoring

2.5.1 Action and Limit Levels

2.5.2 Summary of Monitoring Results

2.6 Weekly Environmental Site Inspection

2.7 Ecological Monitoring

2.8 Audit of SkyPier High Speed Ferries

2.9 Audit of Construction and Associated Vessels

2.10 Coral Post-Translocation Monitoring

2.11 Review of the Key Assumptions Adopted in the EIA Report

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

3.1 Compliance with Other Statutory Environmental Requirements

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

3.2.1 Complaints

3.2.2 Notifications of Summons or Status of Prosecution

3.3 Cumulative Statistics

4 Conclusion and Recommendation

Tables

Table 1.1: Contact Information of Key Personnel 6

Table 1.2: Contact Information of the Project 9

Table 1.3: Summary of Status for All Environmental Aspects under the Updated EM&A Manual 9

Table 2.1: Impact Air Quality Monitoring Stations  13

Table 2.2: Percentage of Air Quality Monitoring Results within Action and Limit Levels  13

Table 2.3: General Meteorological Condition During Impact Air Quality Monitoring  13

Table 2.4: Impact Noise Monitoring Stations  14

Table 2.5: Percentage of Noise Monitoring Results within Action and Limit Levels  14

Table 2.6: Monitoring Locations and Parameters for Impact Water Quality Monitoring  15

Table 2.7: Action and Limit Levels for General Water Quality Monitoring and Regular DCM Monitoring  17

Table 2.8: The Control and Impact Stations during Flood Tide and Ebb Tide for General Water Quality Monitoring and Regular DCM Monitoring  17

Table 2.9: Percentage of Water Quality Monitoring Results within Action and Limit Levels  18

Table 2.10: General Weather Condition and Sea Condition During Impact Air Quality Monitoring  18

Table 2.11: Summary of SS Results Triggering Action or Limit Level (Mid-Flood Tide) 18

Table 2.12: Summary of Chromium Results Triggering Action or Limit Level (Mid-Flood Tide) 19

Table 2.13:Summary of Nickel Results Triggering Action or Limit Level (Mid-Ebb Tide) 19

Table 2.14: Summary of Nickel Results Triggering Action or Limit Level (Mid-Flood Tide) 19

Table 2.15: Action and Limit Levels for Construction Waste  20

Table 2.16: Construction Waste Statistics  21

Table 2.17: Land-based Theodolite Tracking Survey Station Details  21

Table 2.18: Derived Values of Action Level and Limit Level for Chinese White Dolphin Monitoring  22

Table 2.19: Summary of Number of CWD Sightings and Number of Dolphins for the Same Quarter Last Year, Previous Quarter, and Current Reporting Period  23

Table 2.20: Summary of Monthly and Running Quarterly STG and ANI of Chinese White Dolphin for the Same Quarter Last Year, Previous Quarter, and Current Reporting Period  25

Table 2.21: Summary of Photo Identification  29

Table 2.22: Summary of Survey Effort and CWD Group of Land-based Theodolite Tracking Survey  30

Table 2.23: Summary of the 6th Post-Translocation Monitoring Survey  35

Table 3.1: Summary of Environmental Complaints  36

Table 3.2: Statistics for Valid Exceedances for the Environmental Monitoring  37

Table 3.3: Statistics for Non-compliance, Complaints, Notifications of Summons and Prosecution  37

Figures

Figure 1.1- 1.2	Locations of Key Construction Activities in this reporting period
Figure 2.1	Locations of Air and Noise Monitoring Stations and Chek Lap Kok Wind Station
Figure 2.2	Locations of Water Quality Monitoring Stations
Figure 2.3	Locations of Water Quality Monitoring Stations (From 12 May 2018)
Figure 2.4	Vessel based Dolphin Monitoring Transects in Construction, Post-Construction, and Operation Phases
Figure 2.5	Land based Dolphin Monitoring Locations in Baseline and Construction Phases
Figure 2.6	Sightings Distribution of Chinese White Dolphins
Figure 2.7	Sighting Locations of Chinese White Dolphins with Different Group Sizes
Figure 2.8	Sighting Locations of Chinese White Dolphins Engaged in Different Behaviours
Figure 2.9	Sighting Locations of Mother-calf Pairs
Figure 2.10	Plots of First Sightings of All CWD Groups from Land-based Stations
Figure 2.11	Location for Passive Acoustic Monitoring

Appendices

Appendix A	Project Organization Chart
Appendix B	Environmental Mitigation Implementation Schedule (EMIS) for Construction Phase
Appendix C	Monitoring Results

Abbreviations

3RS	Three-Runway System
AAHK	Airport Authority Hong Kong
AECOM	AECOM Asia Company Limited
AFCD	Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department
AIS	Automatic Information System
ANI	Encounter Rate of Number of Dolphins
APM	Automated People Mover
AW	Airport West
BHS	Baggage Handling System
CAP	Contamination Assessment Plan
CAR	Contamination Assessment Report
CNP	Construction Noise Permit
CTP	Coral Translocation Plan
CWD	Chinese White Dolphin
DCM	Deep Cement Mixing
DEZ	Dolphin Exclusion Zone
DO	Dissolved Oxygen
EAR	Ecological Acoustic Recorder
EIA	Environmental Impact Assessment
EM&A	Environmental Monitoring & Audit
EP	Environmental Permit
EPD	Environmental Protection Department
ET	Environmental Team
FCZ	Fish Culture Zone
HDD	Horizontal Directional Drilling
HKBCF	Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Hong Kong Boundary Crossing Facilities
HKIA	Hong Kong International Airport
HSF	High Speed Ferry
IEC	Independent Environmental Checker
LKC	Lung Kwu Chau
MMHK	Mott MacDonald Hong Kong Limited
MMWP	Marine Mammal Watching Plan
MSS	Marine 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
PVD	Prefabricated Vertical Drain
SC	Sha Chau
SCLKCMP	Sha Chau and Lung Kwu Chau Marine Park
SS	Suspended Solids
STG	Encounter Rate of Number of Dolphin Sightings
SWL	Southwest Lantau
The Project	The Expansion of Hong Kong International Airport into a Three-Runway System
The SkyPier Plan	Marine Travel Routes and Management Plan for High Speed Ferries of SkyPier
TSP	Total Suspended Particulates
WL	West Lantau
WMP	Waste Management Plan

Executive Summary

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

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

This is the 10^th Construction Phase Quarterly EM&A Report for the Project which summarizes the monitoring results and audit findings of the EM&A programme during the reporting period from 1 April 2018 to 30 June 2018.  

Key Activities in the Reporting Period

The key activities of the Project carried out in the reporting period included reclamation works and land-side works. Reclamation works included deep cement mixing (DCM) works, marine filling, laying of sand blanket, seawall construction, and prefabricated vertical drain (PVD) installation. Land-side works involved mainly foundation and substructure work for Terminal 2 expansion, modification and tunnel work for Automated People Mover (APM) and Baggage Handling System (BHS) systems, and preparation work for utilities, with activities include site establishment, site office construction, road and drainage works, cable ducting, demolition and modification of existing facilities, concrete removal works, piling, and excavation works.

EM&A Activities Conducted in the Reporting Period

The EM&A programme was undertaken in accordance with the Updated EM&A 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	102
Noise monitoring	65
Water quality monitoring	37
Vessel line-transect surveys for Chinese White Dolphin (CWD) monitoring	6
Land-based theodolite tracking survey effort for CWD monitoring	15
Coral post-translocation monitoring	1

Apart from the regular site inspections, audit of SkyPier High Speed Ferries (HSF), audit of the construction and associated vessels, and audit of the implementation of Marine Mammal Watching Plan (MMWP) and Dolphin Exclusion Zone (DEZ) Plan were also conducted in the reporting period. Based on the information including ET’s observations, records of Marine Surveillance System (MSS) and contractors’ site records, the environmental mitigation measures were properly implemented and the 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

Photo 1: Dolphin Observer Training Conducted by ET	Photo 2: Water Quality Monitoring Conducted by ET	Photo 3: Air Quality Monitoring Conducted by ET

Summary Findings of the EM&A Programme

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

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

The key findings of the EM&A programme during the reporting period is summarized as below:

	Yes	No	Details	Analysis / Recommendation / Remedial Actions
Breach of Limit Level^		√	No breach of Limit Level was recorded.	Nil
Breach of Action Level^		√	No breach of Action Level was recorded.	Nil
Complaints Received	√		A complaint on the water quality monitoring equipment of a DCM barge was received on 16 May 2018.	No abnormal observation was found regarding the water quality monitoring equipment during ET’s site inspection.
			Another complaint was received on 28 May 2018 covering issues related to water quality and DEZ monitoring for DCM works.	ET’s investigations concluded that no oil mixture was discharged due to a malfunction level sensor of a seawater tank on a DCM barge, pipe connections of water quality monitoring systems on concerned DCM barges were normal and mal-practice of DEZ implementation was not valid.
Notification of any summons and status of prosecutions	√		No notification of summons or prosecution were received. For the summonses received in June 2017 alleging use of powered mechanical equipment by the contractor outside the permitted hours for the aviation fuel pipeline diversion works in December 2016, the prosecution formally offered no evidence against the AAHK and all summonses issued to AAHK were dismissed. The contractor pleaded guilty to contravening the Noise Control Ordinance and was fined by the court on 21 May 2018.	Nil
Changes that affect the EM&A	√		Starting from 12 May 2018, some of the water quality impact stations surrounding the land formation footprint were realigned.	Nil

Remarks: ^Only triggering of Action or Limit Level 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 existing submarine aviation fuel pipelines and submarine power cables also require diversion as part of the works.

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

The updated overall phasing programme of all construction works was presented in Appendix A of the Construction Phase Monthly EM&A Report No. 7 and the contract information was presented in Appendix A of the Construction Phase Monthly EM&A Report No. 25.

1.2 Scope of this Report

This is the 10^th Construction Phase Quarterly EM&A Report for the Project which summarizes the key findings of the EM&A programme during the reporting period from 1 April 2018 to 30 June 2018.

1.3 Project Organisation

The Project’s organisation structure is provided in Appendix A. Contact details of the key personnel have been updated and provided in and 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, Environment	Lawrence Tsui	2183 2734
Environmental Team (ET) (Mott MacDonald Hong Kong Limited)	Environmental Team Leader	Terence Kong	2828 5919
	Deputy Environmental Team Leader	Heidi Yu	2828 5704
	Deputy Environmental Team Leader	Daniel Sum	2585 8495
Independent Environmental Checker (IEC) (AECOM Asia Company Limited)	Independent Environmental Checker	Jackel Law	3922 9376
	Deputy Independent Environmental Checker	Roy Man	3922 9348

Advanced Works:
Party	Position	Name	Telephone
Contract P560(R) Aviation Fuel Pipeline Diversion Works (Langfang Huayuan Mechanical and Electrical Engineering Co., Ltd.)	Project Manager	Wei Shih	2117 0566
	Environmental Officer	Lyn Liu	5172 6543

Deep Cement Mixing (DCM) Works:
Party	Position	Name	Telephone
Contract 3201 DCM (Package 1) (Penta-Ocean-China State-Dong-Ah Joint Venture)	Project Director	Tsugunari Suzuki	9178 9689
	Environmental Officer	Sandra Lo	6329 3513
Contract 3202 DCM (Package 2) (Samsung-BuildKing Joint Venture)	Project Manager	Ilkwon Nam	9643 3117
	Environmental Officer	Dickson Mak	9525 8408
Contract 3203 DCM (Package 3) (Sambo E&C Co., Ltd.)	Project Manager	Eric Kan	9014 6758
	Environmental Officer	David Hung	9765 6151
Contract 3204 DCM (Package 4) (CRBC-SAMBO Joint Venture)	Project Manager	Kyung-Sik Yoo	9683 8697
	Environmental Officer	Kanny Cho	6799 8226
Contract 3205 DCM (Package 5) (Bachy Soletanche - Sambo Joint Venture)	Deputy Project Director	Min Park	9683 0765
	Environmental Officer	Margaret Chung	9130 3696

Reclamation Works:
Party	Position	Name	Telephone
Contract 3206 Main Reclamation Works (ZHEC-CCCC-CDC Joint Venture)	Project Manager	Kim Chuan Lim	3763 1509
	Environmental Officer	Kwai Fung Wong	3763 1452

Airfield Works:
Party	Position	Name	Telephone
Contract 3301 North Runway Crossover Taxiway (FJT-CHEC-ZHEC Joint Venture)	Project Manager	Kin Hang Chung	9412 1386
	Environmental Officer	Nelson Tam	9721 3942

Terminal 2 Expansion Works:
Party	Position	Name	Telephone
Contract 3501 Antenna Farm and Sewage Pumping Station (Build King Construction Ltd.)	Project Manager	Raymond Au	6985 8860
	Environmental Officer	Edward Tam	9287 8270
Contract 3502 Terminal 2 APM Depot Modification Works (Build King Construction Ltd.)	Project Manager	Kivin Cheng	9380 3635
	Environmental Officer	Chun Pong Chan	9187 7118
Contract 3503 Terminal 2 Foundation and Substructure Works (Leighton – Chun Wo Joint Venture)	Construction Manager	Stephen O’Donoghue	9732 6787
	Environmental Officer	Stephen Tsang	5508 6361

Automated People Mover (APM) Works:
Party	Position	Name	Telephone
Contract 3602 Existing APM System Modification Works (Niigata Transys Co., Ltd.)	Project Manager	Kunihiro Tatecho	9755 0351
	Environmental Officer	Arthur Wong	9170 3394

Airport Support Infrastructure and Logistic Works:
Party	Position	Name	Telephone
Contract 3801 APM and BHS Tunnels on Existing Airport Island (China State Construction Engineering (Hong Kong) Ltd.)	Project Manager	Tony Wong	9642 8672
	Environmental Officer	Fredrick Wong	9842 2703

1.4 Contact information for the Project

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

Table 1.2: Contact Information of the Project

Channels	Contact Information
Hotline	3908 0354
Email	env@3rsproject.com
Fax	3747 6050
Postal Address	Airport Authority Hong Kong HKIA Tower 1 Sky Plaza Road Hong Kong International Airport Lantau Hong Kong Attn: Environmental Team Leader Mr Terence Kong c/o Mr Lawrence Tsui (TRD)

1.5 Summary of Construction Works

The key activities of the Project carried out in the reporting period included reclamation works and land-side works. Reclamation works included deep cement mixing (DCM) works, marine filling, laying of sand blanket, seawall construction, and prefabricated vertical drain (PVD) installation. Land-side works involved mainly foundation and substructure work for Terminal 2 expansion, modification and tunnel work for Automated People Mover (APM) and Baggage Handling System (BHS) systems, and preparation work for utilities, with activities include site establishment, site office construction, road and drainage works, cable ducting, demolition and modification of existing facilities, concrete removal works, piling, and excavation works.

The locations of the works areas are presented in Figure 1.1 to Figure 1.2.

1.6 Summary of EM&A Programme Requirements

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

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

Parameters	EM&A Requirements	Status
Air Quality
Baseline Monitoring	At least 14 consecutive days before commencement of construction work	The baseline air quality monitoring result has been reported in Baseline Monitoring Report and submitted to EPD under EP Condition 3.4.
Impact Monitoring	At least 3 times every 6 days	On-going
Noise
Baseline Monitoring	Daily for a period of at least two weeks prior to the commencement of construction works	The baseline noise monitoring result has been reported in Baseline Monitoring Report and submitted to EPD under EP Condition 3.4.
Impact Monitoring	Weekly	On-going
Water Quality
General Baseline Water Quality Monitoring for reclamation, water jetting and field joint works	Three days per week, at mid-flood and mid-ebb tides, for at least four weeks prior to the commencement of marine works.	The baseline water quality monitoring result has been reported in Baseline Water Quality Monitoring Report and submitted to EPD under EP Condition 3.4.
General Impact Water Quality Monitoring for reclamation, water jetting and field joint works	Three days per week, at mid-flood and mid-ebb tides.	On-going
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
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 pursuant to EP condition 2.20.
Contamination Assessment Report (CAR) for Golf Course	CAR to be submitted for golf course first; programme for submission of supplementary CAR at the other areas to be agreed.	The CAR for Golf Course was submitted to 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.	Construction works on Sheung Sha Chau Island was suspended during the ardeid’s breeding season (between April and July). The ecological monitoring is therefore suspended.
Marine Ecology
Pre-Construction Phase Coral Dive Survey	Prior to marine construction works	The Coral Translocation Plan was submitted and approved by EPD under EP Condition 2.12.
Coral Translocation	-	The coral translocation was completed on 5 January 2017.
Post-translocation Monitoring	As per an enhanced monitoring programme based on the Coral Translocation Plan	On-going
Chinese White Dolphins (CWD)
Baseline Monitoring	6 months of baseline surveys before the commencement of land formation related construction works. Vessel line transect surveys: Two full surveys per month; Land-based theodolite tracking surveys: Two days per month at the Sha Chau station and two days per month at the Lung Kwu Chau station; and Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM): For the whole duration of baseline period.	Baseline CWD results were reported in the CWD Baseline Monitoring Report and submitted to EPD in accordance with EP Condition 3.4.
Impact Monitoring	Vessel line transect surveys: Two full surveys per month; Land-based theodolite tracking surveys: One day per month at the Sha Chau station and one day per month at the Lung Kwu Chau station; and PAM: For the whole duration for land formation related construction works.	On-going
Landscape and Visual
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
Complaint Hotline and Email Channel	Construction phase	On-going
Environmental Log Book	Construction phase	On-going

Taking into account the construction works in the reporting period, impact monitoring of air quality, noise, water quality, waste management, landscape and visual, and CWD were carried out in the reporting period. Upon completion of coral translocation in January 2017, a summary of the ensuing post-translocation monitoring is reported quarterly.

The EM&A programme also involved weekly site inspections and related auditing conducted by ET for the checking of implementation of required environmental mitigation measures recommended in the approved EIA Report. To promote the environmental awareness and enhance the environmental performance of the contractors, environmental briefings, environmental trainings, and regular environmental management meetings were conducted during the reporting period which are summarized as below:

● Three dolphin observer trainings provided by ET;

● Seven skipper trainings provided by ET;

● Twenty-six occasions of environmental management meetings on EM&A matters.

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

2 Environmental Monitoring and Auditing

2.1 Air Quality Monitoring

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

2.1.1 Action and Limit Levels

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

Table 2.1: Impact Air Quality Monitoring Stations

Monitoring Station	Location	Action Level (mg/m^3)	Limit Level (mg/m^3)
AR1A	Man Tung Road Park	306	500
AR2	Village House at Tin Sum	298

2.1.2 Summary of Monitoring Results

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

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

	AR1A	AR2
April 2018	100.0%	100.0%
May 2018	100.0%	100.0%
June 2018	100.0%	100.0%
Overall	100.0%	100.0%
Note: The percentages are calculated by dividing the number of monitoring results within their corresponding Action and Limit Level by the total number of monitoring results.

General meteorological conditions from last month of previous quarter to the impact monitoring period were recorded and summarized in Table 2.3.

Table 2.3: General Meteorological Condition During Impact Air Quality Monitoring

	Weather	Wind Direction
March 2018	Sunny to Fine	South or Southwest
April 2018	Sunny to Rainy	South or Southwest
May 2018	Sunny to Cloudy	South or Southwest
June 2018	Sunny to Cloudy	South or Southwest

2.1.3 Conclusion

No dust emission source from Project activities was observed during impact air quality monitoring. Major sources of dust observed at the monitoring stations during the monitoring sessions were local air pollution and nearby traffic emissions. It is considered that the monitoring work in the reporting period was effective and there was no adverse impact attributable to the works of the Project.

2.2 Noise Monitoring

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

2.2.1 Action and Limit Levels

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

Table 2.4: Impact Noise Monitoring Stations

Monitoring Station	Location	Action Level	Limit Level
NM1A	Man Tung Road Park	When one documented complaint is received from any one of the sensitive receivers	75 dB(A)
NM3A	Site Office		75 dB(A)
NM4	Ching Chung Hau Po Woon Primary School		65dB(A) / 70 dB(A)^(i)
NM5	Village House in Tin Sum		75 dB(A)
NM6	House No. 1, Sha Lo Wan		75 dB(A)
Note: ^(i) Reduced to 70dB(A) for school and 65dB(A) during school examination periods at NM4.

2.2.2 Summary of Monitoring Results

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

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

	NM1A	NM3A	NM4	NM5	NM6
Apr 2018	100.0%	100.0%	100.0%	100.0%	100.0%
May 2018	100.0%	100.0%	100.0%	100.0%	100.0%
Jun 2018	100.0%	100.0%	100.0%	100.0%	100.0%
Overall	100.0%	100.0%	100.0%	100.0%	100.0%
Note: The percentages are calculated by dividing the number of monitoring results within their corresponding Action and Limit Level by the total number of monitoring results.

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

2.2.3 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 road traffic at NM1A, and aircraft and helicopter noise at NM3A, NM4, NM5 and NM6. It is considered that the monitoring work in the reporting period was effective and there was no adverse impact attributable to the works of the Project.

2.3 Water Quality Monitoring

During the reporting period, water quality monitoring was conducted three days per week, at mid-flood and mid-ebb tides, at a total of 22 water quality monitoring stations, comprising 12 impact (IM) stations, 7 sensitive receiver (SR) stations, and 3 control (C) stations in the vicinity of the 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 impacts from the Project before the impacts could become apparent at sensitive receivers (represented by the SR stations). Table 2.6 describes the details of the monitoring stations. Figure 2.2 shows the locations of the monitoring stations. Starting from 12 May 2018, some of the impact stations were realigned to maintain an appropriate buffer distance away from the enhanced silt curtain. Details of the enhanced silt curtain is provided in the Silt Curtain Deployment Plan. The updated monitoring locations are presented in Figure 2.3.

Table 2.6: Monitoring Locations and Parameters for 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	Impact Station	806458	818351
		807132 (From 12 May 2018 onwards)	817949
IM2	Impact Station	806193	818852
		806166 (From 12 May 2018 onwards)	818163
IM3	Impact Station	806019	819411
		805594 (From 12 May 2018 onwards)	818784
IM4	Impact Station	805039	819570
		804607 (From 12 May 2018 onwards)	819725
IM5	Impact Station	804924	820564
		804867 (From 12 May 2018 onwards)	820735
IM6	Impact Station	805828	821060
IM7	Impact Station	806835	821349
IM8	Impact Station	807838	821695
		808140 (From 12 May 2018 onwards)	821830
IM9	Impact Station	808811	822094
IM10	Impact Station	809838	822240
		809794 (From 12 May 2018 onwards)	822385
IM11	Impact Station	810545	821501
		811460 (From 12 May 2018 onwards)	822057
IM12	Impact Station	811519	821162
		812046 (From 12 May 2018 onwards)	821459
SR1^(1)	Future Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Hong Kong Boundary Crossing Facilities (HKBCF) Seawater Intake for cooling	812586	820069	General Parameters DO, pH, Temperature, Salinity, Turbidity, SS
SR2^(3)	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
SR5A	San Tau Beach SSSI	810696	816593
SR6	Tai Ho Bay, Near Tai Ho Stream SSSI	814663	817899
SR7	Ma Wan Fish Culture Zone (FCZ)	823742	823636
SR8^(5)	Seawater Intake for cooling at Hong Kong International Airport (East)	811418	820246

Notes:

(1) The seawater intakes of SR1 for the future HKBCF is not yet in operation, hence no water quality impact monitoring was conducted at this station. The future permanent location for SR1 during impact monitoring is subject to finalisation after the HKBCF seawater is commissioned.

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

2.3.1 Action and Limit Levels

The Action and Limit Levels for 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 presented in Table 2.7. The control and IM stations during flood tide and ebb tide for general water quality monitoring and regular DCM monitoring are presented in Table 2.8.

Table 2.7: Action and Limit Levels for General Water Quality Monitoring and Regular DCM Monitoring

Parameters	Action Level		Limit Level
Action and Limit Levels for general water quality monitoring and regular DCM monitoring (excluding SR1& SR8)
DO in mg/L (Surface, Middle & Bottom)	Surface and Middle 4.5 mg/L		Surface and Middle 4.1 mg/L 5 mg/L for Fish Culture Zone (SR7) only
	Bottom 3.4 mg/L		Bottom 2.7 mg/L
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
Total Alkalinity in ppm	95		99
Representative Heavy Metals for regular DCM monitoring (Chromium)	0.2		0.2
Representative Heavy Metals for regular DCM monitoring (Nickel)	3.2		3.6
Action and Limit Levels SR1
SS (mg/l)	33		42
Action and Limit Levels SR8
SS (mg/l)	52		60

Notes:

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

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

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

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

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

Table 2.8: 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, IM3, IM4, IM5, IM6, IM7, IM8, SR3
SR2^1	IM7, IM8, IM9, IM10, IM11, IM12, SR1A, SR3, SR4A, SR5A, SR6, SR8
Ebb Tide
C1	SR4A, SR5A, SR6
C2	IM1, IM2, IM3, IM4, IM5, IM6, IM7, IM8, IM9, IM10, IM11, IM12, SR1A, SR2, SR3, SR7, SR8

Note:

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

2.3.2 Summary of Monitoring Results

The summary or results complying with their corresponding Action and Limit Levels in the reporting period are presented in Table 2.9. The weather conditions and sea conditions from last month of previous quarter to the impact monitoring period were recorded and summarized in Table 2.10. It should be noted that Tropical Storm Ewiniar hit Hong Kong in June 2018

Table 2.9: Percentage of Water Quality Monitoring Results within Action and Limit Levels

	General Water Quality Monitoring				Regular DCM Monitoring
	DO (Surface and Middle)	DO (Bottom)	SS	Turbidity	Alkalinity	Chromium	Nickel
Apr 2018	100.0%	100.0%	98.9%	100.0%	100.0%	100.0%	99.3%
May 2018	100.0%	100.0%	99.8%	100.0%	100.0%	99.7%	96.1%
Jun 2018	100.0%	100.0%	100.0%	100.0%	100.0%	100.0%	89.4%
Overall	100.0%	100.0%	99.6%	100.0%	100.0%	99.9%	95.2%
Note: The percentages are calculated by dividing the number of depth-averaged results complying with their corresponding Action and Limit Level by the total number of depth-averaged results.

Table 2.10: General Weather Condition and Sea Condition During Impact Air Quality Monitoring

	Weather	Sea Condition
March 2018	Sunny to Rainy	Calm to Rough
April 2018	Sunny to Rainy	Calm to Rough
May 2018	Sunny to Cloudy	Calm to Rough
June 2018	Sunny to Cloudy	Calm to Rough

The monitoring results for DO, turbidity and total alkalinity obtained in the reporting period complied with their corresponding Action and Limit Levels stipulated in the EM&A programme. Relevant investigation and follow-up actions will be conducted according to the EM&A programme if the corresponding Action and Limit Levels are triggered. For SS, chromium, and nickel, some of the testing results triggered the relevant Action or Limit Levels in the reporting period, and the corresponding investigations were conducted accordingly.

Summaries of results triggering Action or Limit Level for SS, chromium, and nickel are presented in Table 2.11 to Table 2.14.

Details of the investigation findings are presented in Construction Phase Monthly EM&A Report No. 28, 29, and 30, which concluded that all results triggering the Action or Limit Level were not related to the Project.

Table 2.11: Summary of SS Results Triggering Action or Limit Level (Mid-Flood Tide)

	IM1	IM2	IM3	IM4	IM5	IM6	IM7	IM8	IM9	IM10	IM11	IM12	SR3	SR4A	SR5A	SR6	SR7	SR8
03/04/2018									D
19/04/2018									D	D			D
03/05/2018									D
No. of result triggering Action or Limit Level	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	1	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	0

Table 2.12: Summary of Chromium Results Triggering Action or Limit Level (Mid-Flood Tide)

	IM1	IM2	IM3	IM4	IM5	IM6	IM7	IM8	IM9	IM10	IM11	IM12
31/05/2018
No. of result triggering Action or Limit Level	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0

Table 2.13:Summary of Nickel Results Triggering Action or Limit Level (Mid-Ebb Tide)

	IM1	IM2	IM3	IM4	IM5	IM6	IM7	IM8	IM9	IM10	IM11	IM12
03/05/2018											D
No. of result triggering Action or Limit Level	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	1	0

Table 2.14: Summary of Nickel Results Triggering Action or Limit Level (Mid-Flood Tide)

	IM1	IM2	IM3	IM4	IM5	IM6	IM7	IM8	IM9	IM10	IM11	IM12
14/04/2018
24/04/2018
08/05/2018					D				D	D
12/05/2018								D	D	D
17/05/2018						D
31/05/2018
09/06/2018								D	D	D
12/06/2018					D	D	D		D
14/06/2018							D	D	D
26/06/2018					D	D	D	D	D	D
28/06/2018								D	D	D
No. of result triggering Action or Limit Level	1	2	4	3	3	3	3	5	7	5	3	2

Note: The monitoring results on monitoring dates not presented in the above tables did not trigger their corresponding Action or Limit Levels. Detailed results are presented in Appendix C.

Legend:
	Result within corresponding Action and Limit Levels
	Result triggered the Action Level at monitoring station located upstream of the Project based on dominant tidal flow
D	Result triggered the Action Level at monitoring station located downstream of the Project based on dominant tidal flow
	Result triggered the Limit Level at monitoring station located upstream of the Project based on dominant tidal flow
D	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
	Downstream station with respect to the Project during the respective tide based on dominant tidal flow

2.3.3 Conclusion

In the reporting period, it is noted that most monitoring results were within their corresponding Action and Limit Levels, while minor number of results triggered their corresponding Action or Limit Levels, and investigations were conducted accordingly. Based on the findings presented in Construction Phase Monthly EM&A Report No. 28, 29, and 30, all cases that triggered the corresponding Action or Limit Level were not related to the Project; hence, the Project did not introduce adverse impact to all water quality sensitive receivers. All required actions under the Event and Action Plan had been followed.

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

In the meantime, the contractors were reminded to implement and maintain all mitigation measures during weekly site inspection. These include maintaining the silt curtain for sand blanket laying properly and maintaining the levels of materials on barges to avoid overflow as recommended in the Manual.

2.4 Waste Monitoring

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

2.4.1 Action and Limit Levels

The Action and Limit Levels of the construction waste are provided in Table 2.15.

Table 2.15: Action and Limit Levels for Construction Waste

Monitoring Stations	Action Level	Limit Level
Construction Area	When one valid documented complaint is received	Non-compliance of the WMP, contract-specific WMPs, any statutory and contractual requirements

2.4.2 Summary of Monitoring Results

Based on updated contractors’ information, summary of construction waste generated in the reporting period is presented in Table 2.16.

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

Recommendations were provided during monitoring, which included provision and maintenance of proper chemical waste storage area, as well as handling, segregation, and regular disposal of general refuse. The contractor had taken actions to implement the recommended measures.

Starting from May 2018, public fill materials from Fill Bank at Tseung Kwan O Area 137 were imported for reuse in marine filling works.

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.

Table 2.16: Construction Waste Statistics

	Excavated Material (m^3)^1	C&D^2 Material Reused in the Project (m^3)	C&D Material Transferred to Public Fill (m^3)	Chemical Waste (kg)	Chemical Waste (L)	General Refuse (tonne)^3
Apr 2018	1,362	934	996	955	18,600	201
May 2018	3,649	1,150	6,419	165	19,400	205
Jun 2018	277	500	12,509	640	41,980	227
Total	5,288	2,584	19,921	1,760	79,980	630
Notes: 1. The excavated materials were temporarily stored at stockpiling area and will be reused in the Project. 2. C&D refers to Construction and Demolition. 3. Figures are rounded off to the nearest tonne. 4. Paper, plastics, and metals were recycled in the reporting period.

2.5 Chinese White Dolphin Monitoring

CWD monitoring was conducted by vessel line transect survey at a frequency of two full surveys per month, supplemented by land-based theodolite tracking survey and PAM. The frequency of the land-based theodolite tracking survey during the construction phase was one day per month at both Sha Chau (SC) and Lung Kwu Chau (LKC) stations as stipulated in the Manual. Additional theodolite tracking surveys for one day at SC station and two days at LKC station were conducted on a voluntary basis to collect supplementary information for the Project, such that a total of two tracking days at SC station and three tracking days at LKC station were conducted per month. Monitoring was fully completed in the reporting period. The vessel survey transects followed the transect lines proposed in the Manual and are consistent with those used in the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) long-term CWD monitoring programme. The transect locations of CWD monitoring by vessel line transect survey conducted from April to June 2018 are shown in Figure 2.4, whilst the land-based theodolite tracking survey stations are described in Table 2.17 and depicted in Figure 2.5. The location of the PAM device is shown in Figure 2.11.

Table 2.17: Land-based Theodolite Tracking Survey Station Details

Stations	Location	Geographical Coordinates	Station Height (m)	Approximate Tracking Distance (km)
D	Sha Chau (SC)	22° 20’ 43.5” N 113° 53’ 24.66” E	45.66	2
E	Lung Kwu Chau (LKC)	22° 22’ 44.83” N 113° 53’ 0.2” E	70.40	3

2.5.1 Action and Limit Levels

The Action Level and Limit Level for CWD monitoring were formulated by an action response approach using the running quarterly dolphin encounter rates (STG and ANI) derived from baseline monitoring data, as presented in the CWD Baseline Monitoring Report. The derived values of Action and Limit Levels for CWD monitoring are shown in Table 2.18.

Table 2.18: Derived Values of Action Level and Limit Level for Chinese White Dolphin Monitoring

	NEL, NWL, AW, WL and SWL as a Whole
Action Level	Running quarterly STG < 1.86 & ANI < 9.35
Limit Level	Two consecutive running quarterly (3-month) STG < 1.86 & ANI < 9.35

2.5.2 Summary of Monitoring Results

2.5.2.1 Vessel Line Transect Survey

Survey Effort

During the reporting period, six complete sets of vessel line transect surveys were conducted from April to June 2018 to cover all transects in Northeast Lantau (NEL), Northwest Lantau (NWL), Airport West (AW), West Lantau (WL) and Southwest Lantau (SWL) survey areas for twice per month.

A total of around 1,369 km of survey effort was collected from these surveys, with around 89.2% of the total survey effort being conducted under favourable weather condition (i.e. Beaufort Sea State 3 or below with favourable visibility). Details of the survey effort data are presented in Appendix C.

CWD Sighting

From April to June 2018, there were in total 44 sightings of CWDs, with 142 dolphins sighted (Table 2.19). Amongst the sightings of CWDs, 39 sightings with 131 dolphins were made during on-effort searches during favourable weather conditions.

When breaking down the sightings by survey areas, 6 sightings with 20 dolphins, 21 sightings with 67 dolphins and 17 sightings with 55 dolphins were recorded in NWL, WL and SWL survey areas respectively during the current reporting period. No CWD was sighted on AW transects or in NEL survey area.

Compared with the last quarter (i.e. January to March 2018), there is an overall observable decline in terms of both number of CWD sightings and number of dolphins (decreased by around 32% and 30% respectively). The decline is most noticeable in NWL (including AW), over 70% for both number of CWD sighting and number of CWDs. The other way round, there is an increase of CWDs recorded in SWL by more than a double compared to last quarter.

Compared with the same quarter of last year (i.e. April to June 2017), there is an overall decline of CWD records, particularly in terms of number of dolphins (about 37%). Such decline is most observable in WL with a drop of over 50%. However, the number of dolphins recorded in NWL has doubled. Nevertheless, the distribution pattern of CWD records among different survey areas looks similar – with fewer records in NWL and more records in both WL and SWL.

Table 2.19 below shows the comparison of the numbers of sightings and dolphins amongst the current reporting period, last quarter, and the same quarter of year 2017.

Table 2.19: Summary of Number of CWD Sightings and Number of Dolphins for the Same Quarter Last Year, Previous Quarter, and Current Reporting Period

	Same Quarter of Last Year	Previous Reporting Period	Current Reporting Period
	April to June 2017	January to March 2018	April to June 2018
NEL	0 (0)	0 (0)	0 (0)
NWL	5 (10)	23 (63)	6 (20)
AW	0 (0)	6 (22)	0 (0)
WL	30 (153)	28 (99)	21 (67)
SWL	23 (63)	8 (19)	17 (55)
Total	58 (226)	65 (203)	44 (142)

Note: Values in ( ) represent number of dolphins

Distribution of CWD sightings recorded from April to June 2018 is illustrated in Figure 2.6. In NWL, all CWD sightings were located at the northwestern part of the survey, particularly the northern and western waters of Lung Kwu Chau. No CWD was sighted in close vicinity to the 3RS works area and also in NEL. In WL, most CWD sightings were recorded on transects from Tai O to Peaked Hill. Two sightings were recorded at the waters off Fan Lau. While in SWL, CWD sightings were distributed from Fan Lau to Lo Kei Wan, with some sightings recorded around Soko Islands. Details of the sighting data are presented in Appendix C.

Figure 2.6: Sightings Distribution of Chinese White Dolphins from April to June 2018

Remarks: Please note that there are 44 pink circles on the map indicating the sighting locations of CWD. Some of them were very close to each other and therefore appear overlapped on this sighting distribution map.

Encounter Rate

The dolphin encounter rates for the number of on-effort dolphin sightings per 100 km survey effort (STG) and for the total on-effort number of dolphins per 100 km survey effort (ANI) in the whole survey area (i.e. NEL, NWL, AW, WL and SWL) for April, May and June 2018 are summarized in Table 2.20.

In this reporting period, both the monthly STG and ANI experienced a drop from April to May 2018 but followed by a remarkable rebound in June 2018. The running quarterly encounter rate ANI of May 2018 (8.74) was below the Action Level (9.35). However, running quarterly encounter rate STG of May 2018 (3.04) was still higher than the Action Level (1.86). Therefore, the overall Action Level (running quarterly STG < 1.86 & ANI < 9.35) was not triggered.

Compared with the previous reporting period, both the running quarterly STG and ANI dropped from 4.78 to 3.19 and from 15.52 to 10.72 respectively. While comparing with the same quarter of last year, there was a slight increase in monthly STG and ANI in April 2018 but a drop of both encounter rates in May 2018. Both monthly STG and ANI in June 2018 increased to a level slightly lower than those in June 2017. Overall, both the running quarterly encounter rates STG and ANI decreased from 4.45 to 3.19 and 17.65 to 10.72 respectively when compared to the same quarter of last year.

In view of the lower encounter rates in May (although did not trigger the Action Level), an initial investigation was conducted to consider the potential factors affecting CWD. Potential factors may include natural fluctuation in spring which is generally the low season for CWD numbers in Hong Kong as known from past research, and the unusually hot and dry weather in May[2]. Construction works are reviewed as well and there was no abnormal observation while the environmental mitigation measures have been effectively implemented. Particular attention will be paid in the upcoming months to keep a close eye on the CWD’s encounter rates for any observable drop in CWD’s sighting number in the next quarter which supposes to be the peak season of CWD in Hong Kong waters.

Table 2.20: Summary of Monthly and Running Quarterly STG and ANI of Chinese White Dolphin for the Same Quarter Last Year, Previous Quarter, and Current Reporting Period

	Same Quarter of Last Year			Previous Reporting Period			Current Reporting Period
	Apr 17	May 17	Jun 17	Jan 18	Feb 18	Mar 18	Apr 18	May 18	Jun 18
Monthly STG	2.96	4.21	6.30	5.10	5.38	3.84	3.38	1.90	4.48
Monthly ANI	8.89	25.49	18.64	19.94	16.15	10.33	11.28	4.51	17.36
Running Quarterly STG	3.49	3.06	4.45	4.27	5.27	4.78	4.18	3.04	3.19
Running Quarterly ANI	12.33	14.46	17.65	16.27	18.89	15.52	12.54	8.74	10.72

Note:    For detailed calculations of encounter rates STG and ANI, please refer to the Construction Phase Monthly EM&A Report No. 28, 29 and 30.

Group Size

Between April and June 2018, the group size of CWD sightings ranged from 1 to 12 dolphins. The average group size of CWDs was 3.2 dolphins per group while that of the last quarter was 3.1, which is quite similar. However, the average group size of CWDs of this reporting quarter is lower than that of the same quarter of last year (3.9 dolphins per group).

In this reporting quarter, numbers of sightings with small group size (i.e. 1-2 dolphins) and medium group size (i.e. 3-9 dolphins) were similar. Amongst all 44 sightings, there was only one with large group size (i.e. 10 or more dolphins) and it was recorded in WL. Sighting locations of CWD groups with different group sizes are depicted in Figure 2.7.

In NWL, the number of sightings with small group size and the number of sightings with medium group size were the same. CWD sightings with small group size appeared within SCLKCMP while medium-sized groups occurred in the north of Lung Kwu Chau outside the boundary of SCLKCMP. In WL, there are more sightings with small group size than medium group size. Small sized sightings ranged from Tai O to Fan Lau, while sightings with medium group size located between Tai O and Peaked Hill and relatively closer to the shoreline. In SWL, the number of sightings with small group size and the number of sightings with medium group size were the similar. Sightings with small group size scattered on both coastal and off-shore waters from Fan Lau to Soko Islands while most of the medium sized sightings appeared on the waters between Lantau and Soko Islands.

Figure 2.7: Sighting Locations of Chinese White Dolphins with Different Group Sizes

Remarks: Please note that there are 44 circles on the map indicating the sighting locations of CWD. Some of them were very close to each other and therefore appear overlapped on this sighting distribution map.

Activities and Association with Fishing Boats

During April to June 2018, 10 sightings of CWDs were recorded with feeding activities.  Amongst these 10 sightings, two were observed in association with operating fishing boats. One was associated with purse seiner while another was associated with shrimp trawler.  These two sightings were recorded in WL.

The numbers of sightings with feeding and association with fishing boats recorded in the current reporting period are much lower when compared to the last reporting period (21 sightings involved feeding activities with six sightings observed in association with operating fishing boats from January to March 2018).

Compared with the data in the same quarter of last year, CWD sightings with feeding activities significantly decreased by 52%. Nevertheless, the number of sightings with association with operating fishing boats was also low (i.e. with only one sighting) in same quarter of last year. The sighting locations of CWDs engaged in different behaviours during the current reporting period are illustrated in Figure 2.8.

Figure 2.8: Sighting Locations of Chinese White Dolphins Engaged in Different Behaviours

Mother-calf Pairs

From April to June 2018, five sightings of CWDs were recorded with the presence of mother-and-unspotted juvenile. Three of these sightings were recorded in WL while others were sighted in NWL. The sighting locations of mother-calf pairs are shown in Figure 2.9.

Figure 2.9: Sighting Locations of Mother-calf Pairs

Photo Identification

During April to June 2018, a total number of 58 different CWD individuals were identified altogether for 79 times. Re-sighting information of CWD individuals provides an initial idea of their range use and apparent connection between different areas around Lantau. Amongst these 58 different CWD individuals, 17 animals (i.e. NLMM004, NLMM010, NLMM018, NLMM036, NLMM063, SLMM003, SLMM027, SLMM052, WLMM001, WLMM004, WLMM043, WLMM054, WLMM069, WLMM078, WLMM085, WLMM086 and WLMM090) were sighted for more than once.

Eight individuals including NLMM063, SLMM003, SLMM052, WLMM004, WLMM054, WLMM085, WLMM086 and WLMM090 were re-sighted in different survey areas during this reporting period. Amongst these eight animals, NLMM063, WLMM086 and WLMM090 had cross-area movement between NWL and WL survey areas, whilst SLMM003, SLMM052, WLMM004, WLMM054 and WLMM085 had cross-area movement between WL and SWL. The most frequently re-sighted individuals were NLMM063, SLMM052, WLMM086 and WLMM090 that they all have been sighted for 3 times during this reporting period. The number of CWD individuals re-sighted for more than once was fewer than the last reporting quarter from January to March 2018, while the number of CWD individuals showed cross-area movement remained similar.

A summary of photo identification works is presented in Table 2.21. Representative photos of the 58 identified individuals and figures depicting the sighting locations of the aforementioned 17 re-sighted individuals recorded in this reporting period are presented Appendix C.

Table 2.21: Summary of Photo Identification

Individual ID	Date of sighting	Sighting Group No.	Area	Individual ID	Date of sighting	Sighting Group No.	Area
NLMM004	23-Apr-18	1	NWL	SLMM053	25-Jun-18	5	SWL
	03-May-18	1	NWL	SLMM058	12-Apr-18	2	WL
NLMM010	19-Apr-18	2	NWL	SLMM064	11-Apr-18	2	WL
	23-Apr-18	1	NWL	SLMM065	14-May-18	2	SWL
NLMM011	27-Jun-18	4	WL	WLMM001	11-Apr-18	4	WL
NLMM013	03-May-18	1	NWL		12-Apr-18	4	WL
NLMM018	27-Jun-18	2	WL	WLMM003	11-Apr-18	4	WL
		4	WL	WLMM004	12-Apr-18	3	WL
NLMM028	27-Jun-18	6	WL		25-Jun-18	6	SWL
NLMM036	19-Apr-18	3	NWL	WLMM006	12-Apr-18	2	WL
		4	NWL	WLMM009	12-Apr-18	2	WL
NLMM037	23-Apr-18	1	NWL	WLMM030	12-Apr-18	2	WL
NLMM040	27-Jun-18	4	WL	WLMM043	11-Apr-18	1	WL
NLMM041	27-Jun-18	4	WL		12-Apr-18	1	WL
NLMM043	23-Apr-18	1	NWL	WLMM047	25-Jun-18	3	SWL
NLMM052	27-Jun-18	6	WL	WLMM054	23-May-18	4	SWL
NLMM062	12-Apr-18	3	WL		27-Jun-18	6	WL
NLMM063	23-Apr-18	1	NWL	WLMM056	12-Apr-18	7	SWL
	27-Jun-18	2	WL	WLMM063	25-Jun-18	6	SWL
		4	WL	WLMM064	12-Apr-18	3	WL
NLMM064	27-Jun-18	6	WL	WLMM069	12-Apr-18	4	WL
SLMM002	25-Jun-18	2	SWL			5	WL
SLMM003	12-Apr-18	3	WL	WLMM073	11-Apr-18	3	WL
	25-Jun-18	3	SWL	WLMM076	23-May-18	4	SWL
SLMM007	25-Jun-18	3	SWL	WLMM078	23-May-18	4	SWL
SLMM009	27-Jun-18	6	WL		25-Jun-18	6	SWL
SLMM010	25-Jun-18	3	SWL	WLMM080	21-Jun-18	3	SWL
SLMM012	25-Jun-18	3	SWL	WLMM085	11-Apr-18	4	WL
SLMM014	04-Apr-18	5	SWL		25-Jun-18	3	SWL
SLMM023	21-Jun-18	3	SWL	WLMM086	12-Apr-18	2	WL
SLMM027	11-Apr-18	3	WL		19-Apr-18	3	NWL
	12-Apr-18	3	WL			4	NWL
SLMM028	11-Apr-18	1	WL	WLMM090	12-Apr-18	2	WL
SLMM029	25-Jun-18	6	SWL		19-Apr-18	3	NWL
SLMM031	25-Jun-18	4	SWL			4	NWL
SLMM035	27-Jun-18	6	WL	WLMM092	27-Jun-18	8	WL
SLMM036	23-Apr-18	1	NWL	WLMM114	25-Jun-18	5	SWL
SLMM045	12-Apr-18	3	WL	WLMM115	16-May-18	1	WL
SLMM052	12-Apr-18	3	WL
	25-Jun-18	3	SWL
		6	SWL

2.5.2.2 Land-based Theodolite Tracking Survey

Survey Effort

During April to June 2018, a total of 15 days of land-based theodolite tracking survey effort were completed, including nine days on Lung Kwu Chau and six days on Sha Chau. In total, 27 CWD groups were tracked from the Lung Kwu Chau station while no CWD groups were tracked from the Sha Chau station, with an overall 0.30 CWD groups sighted per survey effort hour.

Information on survey effort and CWD groups sighted during land-based theodolite tracking surveys are presented in Table 2.22. Details on the survey effort and CWD groups tracked are presented in Appendix C. The first sighting locations of CWD groups tracked between April and June 2018 are shown in Figure 2.10.

Table 2.22: Summary of Survey Effort and CWD Group of Land-based Theodolite Tracking Survey

Land-based Station	# of Survey Sessions	Survey Effort (hh:mm)	# CWD Groups Sighted	CWD Group Sighting per Survey Hour
April 2018
Lung Kwu Chau	3	18:00	11	0.61
Sha Chau	2	12:00	0	0
TOTAL	5	30:00	11	0.37
May 2018
Lung Kwu Chau	3	18:00	12	0.67
Sha Chau	2	12:00	0	0
TOTAL	5	30:00	12	0.40
June 2018
Lung Kwu Chau	3	18:00	4	0.22
Sha Chau	2	12:00	0	0
TOTAL	5	30:00	4	0.13
OVERALL	15	90:00	27	0.30

Figure 2.10:     Plots of First Sightings of All CWD Groups from Land-based Stations

Remarks: Please note that there are 27 green circles on the map indicating the first sighting locations of CWD groups tracked off Lung Kwu Chau. Some of them were very close to each other and therefore appear overlapped on this map.

2.5.2.3 Progress Update on PAM

An Ecological Acoustic Recorder (EAR) has been deployed and positioned to the south of Sha Chau Island inside the SCLKCMP (Figure 2.11) with 20% duty cycle with data from the EAR intended primarily to supplement the data collected from the land-based theodolite tracking survey station on Sha Chau. In this reporting period, the EAR has been retrieved on 7 May 2018 for data collection and subsequently redeployed. The EAR deployment generally lasts around six weeks followed by a period of data retrieval for subsequent analysis. As the data analysis takes more than two months after retrieval, PAM results are not suitable for reporting on a quarterly basis.  Rather, detailed analysis of PAM data will be presented in annual CWD reports.

2.5.2.4 Site Audit for CWD-related Mitigation Measures

During the reporting period, silt curtains were in place by the contractors for sand blanket laying works, in which dolphin observers were deployed by each contractor in accordance with the Marine Mammal Watching Plan (MMWP). Teams of at least two dolphin observers were deployed at 14 to 24 dolphin observation stations by the contractors for continuous monitoring of the DEZ by all contractors for ground improvement works (DCM works and PVD installation) and seawall construction 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 637 individuals being trained and the training records kept by the ET. Observations were recorded on DEZ monitoring in this reporting period during site inspection by the ET and IEC. The contractors had taken actions to implement the recommended measures. From the contractors’ MMWP observation records and DEZ monitoring records, no dolphin or other marine mammals were observed within or around the silt curtains or the DEZ in this reporting period. The contractors’ records were also audited by the ET during site inspection.

Audits of acoustic decoupling for construction vessels were carried out during weekly site inspection and summarized in Section 2.6. Summary of audits of SkyPier HSFs route diversion and speed control and construction vessel management are presented in Section 2.8 and Section 2.9 respectively.

2.6 Weekly Environmental Site Inspection

Site inspections of the construction works were carried out on a weekly basis to monitor the implementation of proper environmental pollution control and mitigation measures for the Project. Bi-weekly site inspections were also conducted by the IEC. Besides, ad-hoc site inspections were 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 both within the site area as well as outside the project sites which was likely to be affected, directly or indirectly, by the site activities. Environmental documents and site records, including waste disposal record, maintenance record of environmental equipment, and relevant environmental permit and licences, were also checked on site. Observations were recorded in the site inspection checklist and passed to the contractor together with the appropriate recommended mitigation measures where necessary in order to advise contractors on environmental improvement, awareness and on-site enhancement measures. The observations were made with reference to the following information during the site inspections:

· The EIA and EM&A requirements;

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

· The EP conditions and other submissions under the EP;

· Monitoring results of EM&A programme;

· Works progress and programme;

· Proposal of individual works;

· Contract specifications on environmental protection; and

· Previous site inspection results.

Good site practices were observed in site inspections during the reporting period. The ET participated in environmental drills organized by the contractor as observer, including a major oil spillage drill conducted by a marine-based contract in Apr 2018. Advices were 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 organized 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 C.

2.7 Ecological Monitoring

No construction works were conducted on Sheung Sha Chau Island during the ardeid’s breeding season in the reporting period in accordance with the Manual. No ecological monitoring was conducted during the reporting period.

On 28 May 2018, a dolphin carcass was sighted within the works area and the contractors notified the ET, AAHK and reported to the AFCD hotline for collection and investigation of the dolphin carcass.

2.8 Audit of SkyPier High Speed Ferries

In total, 2,606 ferry movements between HKIA SkyPier and Zhuhai / Macau were audited in the reporting period. The daily movements of all SkyPier HSFs in the reporting period ranged between 87 and 91, which falls within the maximum daily cap number of 125.

All HSFs travelled through the SCZ with average speed within 15 knots (9.2 knots to 14.1 knots), which complied with the Marine Travel Routes and Management Plan for High Speed Ferries of SkyPier (the SkyPier Plan). Five ferry movements were recorded with minor deviations from the diverted route during the reporting period. Notices of deviation were sent to the ferry operators and the cases have been investigated. All cases were due to public safety considerations or emergency situations, i.e., giving way to other vessels to ensure safety, and the HSFs had returned to the normal route following the SkyPier Plan as soon as practicable. The summary of the SkyPier Plan monitoring result is presented in Graph 3.

Insufficient AIS data were received from some HSFs during the reporting period. After investigation, it was found that AIS data for the concerned ferries were missing due to effects of interference of the signal as reported by the ferry operators after checking the condition of the AIS transponders. Vessel captains were requested to provide the radar track photos which indicated the vessels entered the SCZ through the gate access points and there was no speeding in the SCZ. Ferry operators’ explanation was accepted.

Graph 3: Summary of SkyPier High Speed Ferries Monitoring Results

2.9 Audit of Construction and Associated Vessels

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

Between April and June 2018, deviations including speeding in the works area, entry from non-designated gates and entering no-entry zones were identified. All the concerned captains were reminded by the contractor’s MTCC representative to comply with the requirements of the MTRMP-CAV.

A total of 7 skipper training workshops were held by ET between April and June 2018 with 66 concerned captains of construction vessels associated with the 3RS Contracts to familiarise them with the predefined routes, general education on local cetaceans, guidelines for avoiding adverse water quality impact, the required environmental practices / measures while operating construction and associated vessels under the Project, and guidelines for operating vessels safely in the presence of CWDs. Another 22 skipper training workshops were held with 36 concerned captains by contractor’s Environmental Officers and competency tests were conducted subsequently with the trained captains by ET.

2.10 Coral Post-Translocation Monitoring

In accordance with the approved Coral Translocation Plan (CTP), gorgonian corals suitable for translocation were translocated to the recipient site at Yam Tsai Wan (YTW), with translocation completed in January 2017. Since then the post-translocation monitoring programme has been undertaken according to the CTP.  This quarterly report presents the results of the 6^th post-translocation monitoring survey completed in April 2018 (summarized in Table 2.23 below).

Table 2.23: Summary of the 6th Post-Translocation Monitoring Survey

	General Health Conditions ^(a)	% Change in Partial Mortality ^(b)(c)	Triggering Action Level^(d)	Triggering Limit Level^(e)
Sixth Round of Survey in April 2018
Control gorgonian corals (tagged)	0-3 (Average: 2.1)	<25% change for 0% of the tagged corals and ≥25% for 100% of the tagged corals (Average PM: 74.0%)	No	No
Translocated gorgonian corals (tagged)	0-4 (Average: 2.4)	<25% change for 5.9% of the tagged corals and ≥25% for 94.1% of the tagged corals (Average PM: 76.4%)

Notes:

(a) General health conditions of coral were measured on an ordinal scale of 0 to 5 (0=dead, 5=very healthy).

(b) The percentage change in partial mortality of the tagged translocated and control corals are both determined by comparing the partial mortality recorded during each post-translocation monitoring with reference to the partial mortality observed during the baseline conditions, as represented by the tagged coral survey results. As with previous Quarterly EM&A Reports, the partial mortality is calculated based on baseline total length of each colony.

(c) Coral showing no change in partial mortality is not presented in this account.

(d) As defined in the approved CTP, the Action Level is triggered if during monitoring a 15% increase in the percentage of partial mortality occurs at more than 20% of the translocated coral colonies that is not recorded on the original (control) corals at the recipient site.

(e) As defined in the approved CTP, the Limit Level is triggered if during monitoring a 25% increase in the percentage of partial mortality occurs at more than 20% of the translocated coral colonies that is not recorded on the original (control) corals at the recipient site.

Compared with the monitoring results from October 2017 (as mentioned in Table 2.19 in Construction Phase Quarterly EM&A Report No.8), the results in April 2018 were similar in terms of the change in partial mortality (PM). ≥25% change in PM remained at 94.1% of the tagged translocated corals from October 2017 to April 2018, while the average PM increased from 74.6% to 76.4% in the same period. For control corals, colonies showing ≥25% change in PM increased from 90% to 100% from October 2017 to April 2018. The general health condition remained between the range of 2.0 and 3.0. Action and Limit Levels were not triggered during this round of monitoring. The similarity of the results between October 2017 and April 2018 suggested that the conditions of the corals have stabilized.

2.11 Review of the Key Assumptions Adopted in the EIA Report

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

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

3.1 Compliance with Other Statutory Environmental Requirements

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

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

3.2.1 Complaints

Two environmental complaints were received in the reporting period. All environmental complaints were attended to and investigation was conducted by the ET in accordance with the Manual and the Complaint Management Plan. The summary of the complaints and analysis is presented in Table 3.1.

Table 3.1: Summary of Environmental Complaints

Date of Complaint Received	Details	Analysis / Remedial Actions	Status
16 May 2018	A complaint was received regarding water quality monitoring equipment of a DCM barge.	While the equipment was one of the specific contract requirements between AAHK and contractors, it is not a statutory requirement according to the EP and EM&A Manual. Nevertheless, based on ET’s site inspections on the concerned barge, no abnormal observation was found regarding the equipment.	Closed
28 May 2018	A complaint was received covering issues related to water quality and DEZ monitoring for DCM works.	On the water quality issue, based on ET’s inspection on 21 May 2018, overflow of seawater was observed from a DCM barge due to malfunction of a level sensor of a seawater storage tank. No oil mixture on the open water around the barge was observed. The contractor stopped the overflow and fixed the level sensor on the same day upon ET’s request. No abnormal discharge was observed in subsequent site inspections. On the issue concerning the piping of the water quality monitoring system on DCM barges, ET has carried out checking on the concerned barges. It should be noted that this part of monitoring is not a statutory requirement according to the EP and EM&A Manual, but an additional contract requirement AA set for the DCM contractors. After investigation, nonetheless, no abnormal pipe connection of the monitoring systems was observed. On the point related to DEZ monitoring issue, it is considered not valid after investigation. Based on contractor’s site log, no DCM works was carried out on the concerned barge during the concerned period. Hence, implementation of DEZ monitoring by dolphin observer was not required at the mentioned time in the complaint.	Closed

3.2.2 Notifications of Summons or Status of Prosecution

No notification of summons was received during the reporting period.

For the summonses received in June 2017 alleging use of powered mechanical equipment by the contractor outside the permitted hours for the aviation fuel pipeline diversion works in December 2016, the prosecution formally offered no evidence against the AAHK and all summonses issued to AAHK were dismissed. The contractor pleaded guilty to contravening the Noise Control Ordinance and was fined by the court on 21 May 2018.

3.3 Cumulative Statistics

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

Table 3.2: Statistics for Valid Exceedances for the Environmental Monitoring

		Total No. Recorded in the Reporting Period	Total No. Recorded since the Project Commenced
1-hr TSP	Action Level	0	0
	Limit Level	0	0
Noise	Action Level	0	0
	Limit Level	0	0
Waste	Action Level	0	0
	Limit Level	0	0
Water	Action Level	0	0
	Limit Level	0	0
CWD	Action Level	0	0
	Limit Level	0	0

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

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

Reporting Period	Cumulative Statistics
	Non-compliance	Complaints	Notifications of Summons	Prosecutions
This reporting period	0	2	0	1
From 28 December 2015 to end of the reporting period	0	12	1	1

4 Conclusion and Recommendation

In this quarterly period from 1 April 2018 to 30 June 2018, the EM&A programme has been implemented as planned, including 102 sets of air quality measurements, 65 sets of construction noise measurements, 37 sets of water quality measurements, 6 complete sets of vessel line transect surveys and 15 days of land-based theodolite tracking survey effort for CWD monitoring, 1 set of coral post-translocation monitoring, as well as environmental site inspections and waste monitoring for the Project’s construction works.

The key activities of the Project carried out in the reporting period included reclamation works and land-side works. Reclamation works included DCM works, marine filling, laying of sand blanket, seawall construction, and PVD installation. Land-side works involved mainly foundation and substructure work for Terminal 2 expansion, modification and tunnel work for APM and BHS systems, and preparation work for utilities, with activities include site establishment, site office construction, road and drainage works, cable ducting, demolition and modification of existing facilities, concrete removal works, piling, and excavation works.

Monitoring results of construction dust, construction noise, construction waste, CWD, and coral post-translocation monitoring did not trigger any corresponding Action and Limit Levels in the reporting period. All site observations made by the ET were recorded in the site inspection checklists and passed to the contractor together with the recommended follow-up actions.

For water quality, the water quality monitoring results for DO, turbidity, and total alkalinity obtained during the reporting period complied with their corresponding Action and Limit Levels stipulated in the EM&A programme. Relevant investigation and follow-up actions will be conducted according to the EM&A programme if the corresponding Action and Limit Levels are triggered. For SS, chromium, and nickel, some of the testing results triggered the relevant Action or Limit Levels in the reporting period, and the corresponding investigations were conducted accordingly. The investigation findings concluded that the cases were not due to the Project; hence, no adverse impact was introduced to all water quality sensitive receivers.

In total, 2,606 ferry movements between HKIA SkyPier and Zhuhai / Macau were audited in the reporting period. All HSFs travelled through the SCZ with average speed within 15 knots, which complied with the SkyPier Plan. Five ferry movements had minor deviations from the diverted route during the reporting period. ET investigated the deviation cases and confirmed that all of them were related to public safety or emergency situations.

Between April and June 2018, ET conducted bi-weekly audit of the MSS to ensure the system recorded all deviation cases accurately and the contractors fully complied with the requirements of the MTRMP-CAV. A total of seven skipper training workshops were held by ET between April and June 2018 for captains of construction vessels associated with 3RS contracts. Another twenty-two skipper training workshops were held by contractors’ Environmental Officers and competency tests were conducted subsequently with the trained captains by ET.

On the implementation of MMWP, dolphin observers were deployed by the contractors for laying of open sea silt curtain and laying of silt curtains for sand blanket in accordance with the plan. On the implementation of DEZ Plan, dolphin observers were deployed for continuous monitoring of the DEZ by the contractors for ground improvement works (DCM works and PVD installation) and seawall construction in accordance with the DEZ Plan. Trainings for the proposed dolphin observers were provided by the ET prior to the aforementioned works, with the training records kept by the ET.  From the contractors’ MMWP observation records and DEZ monitoring records, no dolphin or other marine mammals were observed within or around the silt curtains or the DEZ in this reporting period. Audits of acoustic decoupling for construction vessels were also carried out by ET.

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

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

[2] Hong Kong Observatory: The Weather of May 2018 (http://www.hko.gov.hk/wxinfo/pastwx/mws2018/mws201805.htm)