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Client |
Civil Engineering and Development Department |
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Project |
Supplementary Agreement No. 3 to Agreement No. CE 15/94 Design and Construction for the Minimum Option |
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Report
No. |
3128-REP-183-00 |
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Date of Issue |
10 August 2004 |
File
Ref. L:\S-proj\CR3\CR3.NEW\
3128\Reports\0183.doc |
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Report Title |
Central
Reclamation, Phase III Quarterly
EM&A Report No. 4 May
through July 2004 |
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Name |
Sign |
Date |
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Prepared
by : |
Albert
Chan, ACL - Environmental Consultant |
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10
August 2004 |
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Reviewed by: |
Susana
Bezy, ACL – ET Leader |
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10
August 2004 |
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Authorised by : |
Jon
Varndell, ACL – Project Mgr |
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10
August 2004 |
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Distribution |
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Copy No |
Issue to |
Attention |
Corr. Ref. |
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1 |
TDD |
Mr
H H Yeung |
3128/M45/200/OC6328/al |
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2,
3 |
EPD |
Mr
M W Ho |
3128/M45/200/OC6328/al |
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4 |
EPD
(LCO) |
Mr
Samson Cheng |
3128/M45/200/OC6328/al |
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5 |
Leighton-China
State-Van Oord JV |
Mr
Malcolm Plummer |
3128/M45/200/OC6328/al |
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6 |
CRIII
Sites/PRE |
Mr
Douglas Miller |
3128/M45/200/OC6328/al |
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7 |
Independent
Checker (Environment) |
Mr
Bill Douglas |
3128/M45/200/OC6328/al |
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8 |
Environmental
Team Leader |
Ms
Susana Bezy |
3128/M45/200/OC6328/al |
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9 |
Office
Copy |
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1. Introduction
1.1 Basic Project Information
1.2 Project Organisation and
Management Structure
1.3 Works Undertaken
2.1 Summary of Impact
EM&A Requirements
2.2 Environmental Quality
Performance Limits
2.3 Event Action Plan
3.1 Implementation of
Environmental Measures
3.2 Environmental
Monitoring Locations
3.3 Air Quality Monitoring
Results
3.4 Noise Quality
Monitoring Results
3.5 Water Quality
Monitoring Results
3.6 Solid and Liquid Waste
Management Status
3.7 Landscape and Visual
Audit
4. Environmental
Enquiry, Complaint and Non-Compliance
4.1 Environmental Exceedances
4.2 Summary of Actions Taken for
Non-Compliance
4.3 Environmental Enquiries
4.4 Environmental
Complaints and Prosecutions
4.5 Record of Environmental Complaints
and Summons & Prosecutions
List of Annexes
Annex A Project Organisation/ Contact Information
Annex B Quality Performance Limits for Air, Noise and Water Quality
Annex C Event and Action Plans for Air, Noise and Water Quality
Annex D Monitoring Stations Locations
Annex E Contractor's Works Programme
Annex F Graphical Representation of Noise Quality Monitoring Results
Annex G Graphical Representation of Water Quality Monitoring Results
Annex H IEC's Environmental Site Inspections Reports
Annex I Quarterly Assessment of Construction Impacts on Suspended Solids
List of Tables
Table 2.1 - Summary of Impact EM&A Requirements
Table 4.1 - Summary
of Complaints Received
|
ACL |
Atkins China Limited |
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CEDD |
Civil Engineering and Development Department |
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CRIII |
Central Reclamation Phase III |
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EIA |
Environmental Impact Assessment |
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EM&A |
Environmental Monitoring and Audit |
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EPD |
Environmental Protection Department |
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ER |
Engineer’s Representatives |
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ET |
Environmental Team |
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IEC |
Independent Environmental Checker |
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LCSD |
Leisure and Cultural Services Department |
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LCSVO-JV |
Leighton-China State-Van Oord Joint Venture |
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TDD |
Territory Development Department |
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TSP |
Total Suspended Particulates |
Executive Summary
Atkins China
Limited (ACL) has been appointed by TDD (now
called the Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) after the merger
of the Civil Engineering Department and the Territory Development Department on
1 July 2004) to implement the Environmental Monitoring and Audit
(EM&A) programme that was identified in the EIA Report for the CRIII
Project and is providing Environmental Team services during the duration of the
construction works.
This is the fourth quarterly EM&A Report for the
works specified in Section 1.3 of the CRIII EIA Report. This report summarises the monitoring
results and audit findings of the EM&A program during the reporting period
from 1 May to 31 July 2004.
Environmental Monitoring and Audit Progress
Noise and water
quality monitoring was conducted during this quarter.
Weekly environmental site inspections were also conducted during the reporting
quarter. Joint site inspections with
the IEC were also carried out on 27 May, 17 June and 29 July 2004. The IEC's environmental site inspection
reports are included in Annex H.
Exceedances of Action and Limit Levels
The noise monitoring carried out during this quarter did not find any
exceedances that were attributable to the project works. Although the continuous monitoring data
indicated several instances where the Leq (30 minutes) exceeded 75 dB(A) during
the reporting quarter, investigations into these levels found that they were
due to local noise conditions at the City Hall monitoring location and were not
due to the project. Off-site
inspections carried out by the IEC previously noted that City Hall is affected
by various noise sources unrelated to the project. The IEC's observations noted that the main sources of noise near
City Hall were from vehicle traffic and passer-by activities in the area.
Three environmental complaints with regard to construction noise were
received between May and June 2004.
Based on the investigations of the complaints, it was found that the noise
generated from construction activities are within the acceptable noise level
and have been found to be compliant with the CNP and Noise Control Ordinance
(NCO).
From the analysis of water quality monitoring results collected during
the reporting period, it was found that the exceedances of the Action and Limit
Levels were generally not attributable to the project marine works. Although DO levels below the Action Level
were observed at seawater intake and marine-based stations, investigations
found that they were due to natural variation or changes in ambient conditions
and not caused by the project marine works. It was noted that when the DO
Action Level was exceeded at the marine-based stations the control stations
recorded similarly low DO levels on several occasions.
The water quality monitoring results from the reporting quarter also
showed, on a few occasions, elevated concentrations of SS above the Action
and/or Limit Level at seawater intake stations. Investigations into these monitoring results found that SS levels
were primarily attributed to discharge influences from outfalls located in
proximity of seawater intake stations.
Most of the high SS concentrations recorded were found to be due to
localised conditions. High SS levels
are often recorded at locations (stations M1 to M6) with outfalls and
stormwater culverts that discharge directly into the harbour.
However, investigations into elevated SS levels on 3 days during late
July 2004 found that the increase in SS may have been attributed to project
marine works. Appropriate actions were
undertaken in accordance with the Event and Action Plan for water quality and
daily monitoring of SS was initiated.
Subsequent monitoring results at the end of July showed that SS levels
have reduced significantly and no further exceedances were recorded. An environmental meeting has been scheduled
for early August to discuss the Contractor's present working practices.
Complaint Log
Two environmental complaints
regarding construction noise were received in May 2004. The first complaint, received by EPD on 5
May 2004, was with regard to noise generated from marine piling near Two
International Finance Centre (Two IFC).
Upon receipt of the complaint, the environmental complaint handling
procedures as stipulated in the EM&A Manual and the Environmental Site
Inspection Procedure Report were followed.
An investigation was conducted and on 19 May 2004, the ET and EPD
measured noise levels at the outside area, third floor of Two IFC during a
joint site inspection. Marine piling
works were being undertaken at the time and the recorded noise levels were
within the acceptable noise level.
Premier Management Services, on
behalf of Two IFC, lodged the second complaint addressed to TDD (now called
CEDD) on 20 May 2004. The complaint was
referred to the ET and an investigation was carried out in accordance with the
environmental complaint handling procedure.
Based on the findings of the investigation, it was found that the
daytime construction activities generating noise in the vicinity of Two IFC
are: marine piling works near Pier No. 7; drilling works for pre-bored H piles
near Pier No. 7; and superstructure works for Pier No. 7. The predominate noise generating activities
are the marine piling works, which the Contractor has a valid Construction
Noise Permit (CNP). Additional noise
measurements were taken by the ET at the outside area, third floor of Two IFC
during the marine piling works. The
measured noise levels were within the acceptable noise level.
Another noise complaint concerning
marine piling works was received from Premier Management Services of Two IFC on
4 June 2004. An investigation into the
complaint found that the maximum noise level measured during marine piling
works is below the statutory acceptable noise level (ANL). Further, general noise levels from marine
piling and construction works measured outside Two IFC are below the noise
standard of 75 dB(A) for daytime construction noise.
Based on the investigations of the
complaints, it was found that the noise generated from construction activities
are within the ANL and are compliant with the CNP and Noise Control Ordinance
(NCO).
Notifications of Summons and Prosecutions
There were no notifications of summons or prosecutions received during this
reporting quarter.
Site Inspection and Audit
Weekly environmental site inspections were
carried out during this quarter. Any
minor deficiencies noted during the site inspections were rectified by the
Contractor upon receipt of notification.
The
Territory Development Department (TDD) (now called the Civil Engineering and
Development Department (CEDD) after the merger of the Civil Engineering
Department and the Territory Development Department on 1 July 2004) of the Hong
Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) is constructing the Central
Reclamation Phase III project (CRIII).
The Main
Works Contract HK 12/02 for CRIII commenced on 28th February 2003.
Leighton China State Van Oord Joint Venture (LCSVO-JV) was awarded the Contract
No. HK 12/02 for the construction of the CRIII Engineering Works. The main construction works that were
identified in the EIA Report for the Project, requiring environmental
monitoring and audit, have commenced.
The
Contractor's works programme for the quarter is provided in Annex
E.
Atkins China Limited (ACL) has been commissioned by TDD (now called
CEDD), the employer, to undertake the environmental monitoring and audit work
for the project. ACL is also the
Resident Engineers for the project and LCSVO-JV is the main contractor. An Independent Environmental Checker (IEC)
has been employed to audit the EM&A programme. The contacts of key management are provided in Annex
A.
The works undertaken in the project area requiring environmental
monitoring and audit as identified in the EIA Report (not including Chai Wan
Basin) during the quarter included:
·
Dredging and rockfilling works at IRAW and IRAE;
·
Marine piling at IRAW;
·
Superstructure work at Pier No. 7;
·
Pre-bored H-piling work for landside piling for the
Central Terminal Building (CTB);
·
Cooling watermains work at Lung Wui Road; and
·
Maintenance and necessary repair work for seawater
intake silt screens.
The EM&A
programme requires environmental monitoring for air quality, noise, water
quality, waste management and landscape and visual aspects as specified in the
CRIII Project EIA. The EM&A
requirements for each issue area are described in subsequent sections
including:
·
All
required monitoring parameters;
·
Action
and Limit Levels; and
·
Event-Action
Plans.
A summary of
impact EM&A requirements is presented in Table 2-1.
|
Parameters |
Descriptions |
Locations |
Frequencies |
Duration |
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|
TSP |
24-Hour
TSP |
2
Locations |
Once
every 6 days |
During
dust generating construction works |
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|
1-Hour
TSP |
2
Locations |
Three
times in every 6 days |
During
dust generating construction works |
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|
Noise |
Leq (30
mins), L10, L90, |
1
Location |
Continuous
measurements |
Two
weeks before Construction and During Construction |
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|
Water
Quality |
Dissolved
Oxygen; Salinity; Temp; Suspended
Solids; Turbidity. |
14
Locations |
3 times
a week, Mid-ebb/flood tides |
During
Marine Works and for 4 weeks after completion of Marine Works |
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|
Waste |
On-Site
Waste Audit |
Active
Work Sites |
Periodically |
During
Construction |
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|
On-Site
Waste Inspection |
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|
Landscape
and Visual |
Audits
to ensure effective implementation of mitigation measures |
During Construction |
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|
General
Site Conditions |
Environmental
Site Inspection |
Works
areas and areas affected by works |
Periodically |
During
Construction |
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Environmental
Quality Performance Limits for dust, noise and water quality have been established
as part of the Baseline Monitoring Report and are provided in Annex
B.
Event Action
Plans for air, noise and water quality have been developed as part of the
Baseline Monitoring Report and are provided in Annex C.
The Contractor
has implemented relevant mitigation measures listed in the EIA Report, EM&A
Manual and Further Environmental Permit.
Seawater intake silt screens have been installed prior to the start of
the dredging works and a silt curtain attached to a floating steel frame has
been installed around the grab dredger.
Drawings showing
the project area and locations of the monitoring stations are provided in Annex
D.
Once dust
generating construction works as identified in the EIA have commenced, air
quality monitoring will be undertaken and the results of air quality monitoring
will be presented with graphical plots.
In the interim, an ad-hoc 1-hour TSP measurement was undertaken at the
PLA Central Barracks on 13 July 2004 to assess whether air quality monitoring
is required at this stage of the project works. The measurement recorded an 1-hour TSP level of 126 mg/m3,
which is well below the average 1-hour TSP concentration recorded during
baseline monitoring. Based on this
information, there is no indication to suggest that significantly dusty
construction activities with the potential to impact air quality are within
range of the ASR at this stage.
The graphical
plot of noise quality monitoring results for this quarter is provided in Annex
F.
The graphical
plot of water quality monitoring results for this quarter is provided in Annex
G. A statistical analysis (Annex
I) of the monitoring results did not find any construction impacts on
suspended solids (SS) at the project site.
Although elevated levels of SS were found, particularly at the seawater
intake stations (M1 to M6 and M11 and M12), these were investigated and were
generally found not to be due to project works. The elevated SS levels were generally localised and occurred at
seawater intake stations located near outfalls. Silty discharges from outfalls that are unrelated to the project
works have been observed and documented in the reporting period. These discharges have been reported to the
Environmental Protection Department (EPD) and are being investigated.
However, investigations into elevated SS levels
recorded at 3 seawater intake stations on 3 sampling days in late July 2004
found that elevated levels may have been attributable to project works. Appropriate actions were undertaken in
accordance with the Event and Action Plan and daily monitoring of SS was initiated. Further sampling noted that SS levels
reduced significantly by the end of July 2004 and no further SS exceedances
were recorded.
Solid and liquid
waste management was implemented according to the Waste Management Plan during
the reporting quarter.
As the works undertaken during the reporting month were mainly related
to marine works, the landscape and visual impacts are considered to be minimal.
There were no exceedances of air and noise quality attributable to the
project works found during the reporting quarter.
The exceedances of the SS Limit Level on 3
samplings days in late July 2004 may have been attributable to project marine
works. Appropriate actions were
undertaken in accordance with the Event and Action Plan for Water Quality and
daily monitoring of SS was initiated.
Further sampling noted that SS levels reduced significantly by the end
of July 2004 and no further SS exceedances were recorded.
The Event and Action Plan for Water Quality was undertaken immediately
after investigations into the SS exceedances found that the increase in SS
levels may have been due to project marine works. Daily monitoring of SS was initiated and an environmental meeting
has been scheduled in early August to discuss the Contractor's current working
practices.
An enquiry from Hongkong Land (HKL) concerning seawater quality and
deterioration of plant equipment at their seawater pumping station was received
in June 2004. HKL reported an increase
in SS levels from their monthly seawater monitoring programme at their pumping
station during the past nine months and claimed that this increase is caused by
the dredging works of the CRIII project.
An investigation into HKL's enquiry was conducted and a comparison of
the HKL and EM&A water quality monitoring results was undertaken. The comparison of SS concentrations shows a
large discrepancy between the EM&A results and the HKL reported data. It was noted that HKL's reported SS levels
were generally higher than the EM&A results. Further, dredging records from resident site staff showed that no
dredging works were conducted on several of the sampling days in which HKL
reported increased SS levels. Based on
the findings of the investigation, there is no evidence to indicate that the
deterioration of the HKL pumping station plant equipment is attributed to CRIII
dredging works.
Another enquiry was received from Hongkong and Shanghai Banking
Corporation (HSBC) regarding their concerns for rising seawater temperature in
Victoria Harbour in June 2004. An
investigation into HSBC'c concerns for rising seawater temperature at their
pumping station was conducted. The
findings of the investigation indicate that the rise in seawater temperature at
HSBC's intake is due to the rise in ambient levels throughout Hong Kong waters. There is no evidence to indicate that the project
works is affecting the seawater temperature near HSBC's intake.
Two environmental complaints
regarding construction noise were received in May 2004 and a similar complaint
was received in June 2004. The complaints
were with regard to noise generated from marine piling near Two International
Finance Centre (Two IFC). Upon receipt
of the complaints, the environmental complaint handling procedures as
stipulated in the EM&A Manual and the Environmental Site Inspection
Procedure Report were followed.
Investigations into the complaints found that the noise generated from
project construction activities are within the acceptable noise level and have
been found to be compliant with the CNP and Noise Control Ordinance (NCO).
The following table summarises all the complaints attributable to
project works received (both written and verbal) and the liaison/consultation
undertaken, and the actions and follow-up procedures taken.
|
Month/
Date of Complaint |
Media |
Complaint
& Action |
Liaison/
Consultation Taken |
Follow-up
Action |
|
May 2004 |
Noise |
2 construction noise complaints; investigated complaints |
Contractor, EPD, IEC, RE, ET, TDD (CEDD) |
Additional noise measurements with EPD |
|
June 2004 |
Noise |
1 construction noise complaint; investigated complaint |
Contractor, EPD, IEC, RE, ET, TDD (CEDD) |
Additional noise measurements |
|
July 2004 |
N/A |
None |
N/A |
N/A |
There were no notifications of summons and
prosecutions for the reporting quarter.
During the reporting quarter, exceedances of the
water quality criteria were primilary found to be attributed to ambient water
quality. The water quality within the
project area was found to be generally good, but low DO levels have been
recorded at seawater intake and marine-based stations. Investigations into the low DO levels found
that they were not due to project works as control stations recorded similarly
low levels.
However, elevated SS levels were recorded at 3
seawater intake stations on 3 sampling days in late July 2004. Investigations into these exceedances found
that they may have been attributable to project works. Appropriate actions were undertaken in
accordance with the Event and Action Plan and daily monitoring of SS was
initiated. Further sampling noted that SS
levels reduced significantly by the end of July 2004 and no further SS exceedances
were recorded.
Although elevated SS levels were recorded at a few
seawater intake stations, the results from the marine-based impact monitoring
stations showed that offshore marine water quality was generally good. The marine-based stations established to
monitor the overall impact of the reclamation activities on water quality in
Victoria were shown to have similar results as the control stations, which are
located outside the influence of project works. As such, the water quality monitoring results did not indicate
that the marine works were adversely affecting water quality outside the works
boundary in Victoria Harbour
During environmental site inspections conducted
during the reporting quarter, minor deficiencies were noted. However, the Contractor rectified all
deficiencies after receipt of notification.
A total of three complaints regarding construction noise were received between May and June 2004. The environmental complaint handling procedure as stipulated in the EM&A Manual and the Environmental Site Inspection Procedure Report was undertaken immediately following the complaints. Investigations into the complaints found that the noise generated from project construction activities are within the acceptable noise level and have been found to be compliant with the CNP and Noise Control Ordinance (NCO).