10           ENVIRONMENTAL SITE INSPECTION

Site Audits

10.1     Site audits were carried out by ET on weekly basis to monitor the timely implementation of proper environmental management practices and mitigation measures on the Contract site.  The summaries of site audits are presented in Table 10.1 and Appendix P.

 

Table 10.1   Summary of Site Audit

Environmental Site Inspection

Works Contracts

ND/2019/01

ND/2019/02

ND/2019/03

ND/2019/04

ND/2019/05

ND/2019/06

ND/2019/07

Weekly site audit with representative of the Supervisor’s Representative and the Contractor

1st, 8th, 16th, 22nd, 29th June 2021

2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th June 2021

4th, 11th, 18th, 22nd June 2021

3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th June 2021

9th, 15th, 21st, 28th June 2021

3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th, 30th June 2021

4th, 9th, 18th, 25th June 2021

Joint Site Audit with representative of the Supervisor’s Representative, the Contractor and IEC

16th June 2021

23rd June 2021

22nd June 2021

17th June 2021

9th June 2021

10th June 2021

9th June 2021

 

10.2     During site inspections in the reporting month, no non-conformance was identified. The observations and recommendations made during the audit sessions are summarised in Table 10.2.


 

Table 10.2  Observations and Recommendations during Site Audits

 

Date

Observations and Recommendations

Follow-up

Contract No.: ND/2019/01

 

Water Quality

1/6/2021

Contractor was reminded to enhance sediment control measures with providing sand bags or desilting materials for drainage (Portion 9b).

Improvement/Rectification was observed during follow-up audit session on 8 June 2021.

22/6/2021

Regularly clear the sediment trapped by sand bags in drainage at Portion 9C.

Improvement/Rectification was observed during follow-up audit session on 29 June 2021.

Waste/ Chemical Management

1/6/2021

Contractor was reminded to stopper the drip tray to avoid any chemical leakage. (Portion 9b)

Improvement/Rectification was observed during follow-up audit session on 8 June 2021.

29/6/2021

Provide drip tray for the chemical containers at Portion 6a.

Follow-up action is needed to be reported in the following month.

Landscape & Visual

8/6/2021

To provide tree protection zone and remove the construction materials from the zone at Potion 6A.

Improvement/Rectification was observed during follow-up audit session on 16 June 2021.

Contract No.: ND/2019/02

Air Quality

9/6/2021

To keep public road near site entrance clean and free of dust.

Item was remarked as 210616-R01. Follow-up action is needed to be reviewed.

16/6/2021

To keep public road near site entrance clean and free of dust.

Improvement/Rectification was observed during follow-up audit session on 23 June 2021.

30/6/2021

NRMM Label was observed faded, Contractor was reminded to replace the NRMM Label.

Follow-up action is needed to be reported in the following month.

Construction Noise Impact

9/6/2021

Compressor should be operated with doors closed.

Improvement/Rectification was observed during follow-up audit session on 16 June 2021.

30/6/2021

Compressor should be operated with doors closed.

Follow-up action is needed to be reported in the following month.

Water Quality

26/5/2021

Properly maintain the drainage system for discharging treated water to proper storm water drain.

Item was remarked as 210602-R01. Follow-up action is needed to be reviewed.

2/6/2021

Properly maintain the drainage system for discharging treated water to proper storm water drain.

Item was remarked as 210609-R01. Follow-up action is needed to be reviewed.

9/6/2021

Properly maintain the drainage system for discharging treated water to proper storm water drain.

Improvement/Rectification was observed during follow-up audit session on 16 June 2021.

30/6/2021

To prevent muddy water discharge into storm drain.

Follow-up action is needed to be reported in the following month.

Waste/ Chemical Management

26/5/2021

To maintain the drip tray well and clear the stagnant water.

Improvement/Rectification was observed during follow-up audit session on 2 June 2021.

Contract No.: ND/2019/03

Air Quality

18/6/2021

Valid NRMM Label should be displayed on the regulated machines.

Improvement/Rectification was observed during follow-up audit session on 22 June 2021.

Landscape & Visual

28/5/2021

Ropes on the retained tree shall be removed.

 

 

 

Item was remarked as 210604-R01. Follow-up action is needed to be reviewed.

4/6/2021

Ropes on the retained tree shall be removed.

 

Improvement/Rectification was observed during follow-up audit session on 11 June 2021.

Contract No.: ND/2019/04

Construction Noise Impact

27/5/2021

Compressor should be operated with doors closed.

Improvement/Rectification was observed during follow-up audit session on 3 June 2021.

Water Quality

27/5/2021

To review the capacity of the sump pit and wastewater should be directed to sewage treatment facility before discharge.

Improvement/Rectification was observed during follow-up audit session on 3 June 2021.

3/6/2021

Avoid muddy runoff from soil particles near Siu Hang San Tsuen Stream. Cover exposed slope surface and clear any dislodged soil materials for sediment control measures

(Portion C).

Improvement/Rectification was observed during follow-up audit session on 10 June 2021.

3/6/2021

Clear the slurry trapped by desilting materials near Siu Hang Tsuen Stream regularly (Portion C).

Item was remarked as 210610-O03. Follow-up action is needed to be reviewed.

3/6/2021

To provide channels, bunds or sandbags to direct any stormwater/ surface runoff from area of excavation into site area and to silt removal facilities (Portion C).

Item was remarked as 210610-R01. Follow-up action is needed to be reviewed.

3/6/2021

Enhance water control measures to minimize any muddy runoff during rainfall (Portion B).

Improvement/Rectification was observed during follow-up audit session on 10 June 2021.

Water Quality

3/6/2021

Review on drainage system to direct treated discharge to proper outfall (Portion H).

Improvement/Rectification was observed during follow-up audit session on 10 June 2021.

10/6/2021

Regularly clear the U-channel and provide sand bags for U-channel as sediment control measures (Portion D).

Item was remarked as 210617-R02. Follow-up action is needed to be reviewed.

10/6/2021

Wastewater from haul road cleaning should be directed to wastewater treatment facilities and properly treated (Portion C).

Item was remarked as 210617-R03. Follow-up action is needed to be reviewed.

10/6/2021

Mud trapped by desilting materials should be frequently cleared to ensure proper function (Portion C).

Item was remarked as 210617-R04. Follow-up action is needed to be reviewed.

10/6/2021

Erection of desilting materials should be well maintained to ensure proper function in sediment control (Portion C).

Improvement/Rectification was observed during follow-up audit session on 17 June 2021.

10/6/2021

Replace the sand bags to minimize source of muddy runoff (Portion C).

Item was remarked as 210617-O03. Follow-up action is needed to be reviewed.

10/6/2021

To provide channels, bunds, or sandbags to direct any storm water / surface runoff from area for excavation into site area and to silt removal facilities (Portion C).

Item was remarked as 210617-R05. Follow-up action is needed to be reviewed.

17/6/2021

Erection of sand bags near U-channel is in progress. The status of mitigation measures will keep checked and reviewed (Portion D).

Improvement/Rectification was observed during follow-up audit session on 24 June 2021.

17/6/2021

Wastewater from haul road cleaning should be directed to wastewater treatment facilities and properly treated (Portion C).

Item was remarked as 210624-R01. Follow-up action is needed to be reviewed.

17/6/2021

To clear the mud trapped by desilting materials (Portion C).

Improvement/Rectification was observed during follow-up audit session on 24 June 2021.

17/6/2021

To provide channels, bunds, or sandbags to direct any storm water / surface runoff from area for excavation into site area and to silt removal facilities (Portion C).

Improvement/Rectification was observed during follow-up audit session on 24 June 2021.

17/6/2021

To ensure silt curtain at Potion C is properly deployed and avoid any leakage of muddy water from site area.

Item was remarked as 210624-O02. Follow-up action is needed to be reviewed.

17/6/2021

Replace the sand bags to minimize source of muddy runoff (Portion C).

Item was remarked as 210624-O03. Follow-up action is needed to be reviewed.

Water Quality

24/6/2021

Wastewater from haul road cleaning should be directed to wastewater treatment facilities and properly treated (Bridge A2).

Follow-up action is needed to be reported in the following month.

24/6/2021

Cover exposed site area during rainstorm (Bridge A2).

Follow-up action is needed to be reported in the following month.

24/6/2021

To ensure silt curtain at Portion C is properly deployed and avoid any leakage of muddy water from site area.

Follow-up action is needed to be reported in the following month.

24/6/2021

Replace the sand bags to minimize source of muddy runoff (Bridge A2).

Follow-up action is needed to be reported in the following month.

Waste/Chemical Management

27/5/2021

Clear the oil stain on the ground.

Improvement/Rectification was observed during follow-up audit session on 3 June 2021.

27/5/2021

Drip tray should be provided for chemical storage.

Item was remarked as 210603-R04. Follow-up action is needed to be reviewed.

3/6/2021

Drip tray should be provided for chemical storage (Portion D).

Improvement/Rectification was observed during follow-up audit session on 10 June 2021.

17/6/2021

Clear the general refuse and keep the site clean and tidy (Portion H).

Improvement/Rectification was observed during follow-up audit session on 24 June 2021.

17/6/2021

Clear the stagnant water in drip tray and treat as chemical waste. Maintain the drip tray well at Portion C.

Item was remarked as 210624-O01. Follow-up action is needed to be reviewed.

24/6/2021

Clear the stagnant water in drip tray and treat as chemical waste. Maintain the drip tray well at Portion C.

Follow-up action is needed to be reported in the following month.

24/6/2021

Drip tray should be provided for chemical storage (Portion C).

Follow-up action is needed to be reported in the following month.

Landscape and Visual

24/6/2021

Remove the construction materials within the tree protection zone (Portion C).

Follow-up action is needed to be reported in the following month.

Contract No.: ND/2019/05

Air Quality

15/6/2021

Stockpile of dusty materials should be covered properly.

Improvement/Rectification was observed during follow-up audit session on 21 June 2021.

Water Quality

9/6/2021

Properly clear the site drainage to avoid blockage.

Improvement/Rectification was observed during follow-up audit session on 15 June 2021.

Water Quality

15/6/2021

Water should be cleared regularly at wheel washing facilities.

Improvement/Rectification was observed during follow-up audit session on 21 June 2021.

21/6/2021

Bunding should erect near bored piling works area to avoid any muddy water discharge out of site boundary.

Improvement/Rectification was observed during follow-up audit session on 28 June 2021.

28/6/2021

Clear slurry on site haul road and ensure adequate capacity of sediment tank to minimize any muddy runoff through site surface.

Follow-up action is needed to be reported in the following month.

Landscape and Visual

21/6/2021

Remove the construction materials within the tree protection zone.

Improvement/Rectification was observed during follow-up audit session on 28 June 2021.

Contract No.: ND/2019/06

Water Quality

24/6/2021

Properly review the capacity of the sedimentation facilities to ensure all site discharge is treated comply with the WPCO license.

 

Improvement/Rectification was observed during follow-up audit session on 30 June 2021.

Waste / Chemical Management

27/5/2021

To avoid oil leakage from equipment.

Improvement/Rectification was observed during follow-up audit session on 3 June 2021.

Contract No.: ND/2019/07

 

Waste / Chemical Management

25/6/2021

To clear the general refuse at site entrance.

Follow-up action is needed to be reported in the following month.

Implementation Status of Environmental Mitigation Measures

10.3     According to the EIA Report, EPs and the Updated EM&A Manual, the mitigation measures detailed in the documents are recommended to be implemented during the construction phase. An updated summary of the Environmental Mitigation Implementation Schedule is provided in Appendix Q. The photographic records of measures as stipulated in EP to mitigate environmental impacts in the reporting month are presented in Table 10.3.

 


 

Table 10.3   Photographic Records and Implementation Status of Measures

EP No.

Condition

Photographic Record

Implementation Status

EP-466/2013

2.9

To minimise adverse impacts on habitats of ecological importance in the vicinity of the Project, 2m high solid dull green site barrier fences shall be erected around all active works areas.(Figure 12)

^[1]

EP-468/2013/A

2.11

 

To minimise adverse impacts on habitats of ecological importance in the vicinity of the Project, 2m high solid dull green site barrier fences shall be erected around all active works areas.(Figure 14)

^[1]

EP-469/2013

2.7

 

To minimise adverse impacts on habitats of ecological importance in the vicinity of the Project, 2m high solid dull green site barrier fences shall be erected around all active works areas.(Figure 15)

^[1]

EP-473/2013/A

2.13

 

To minimise adverse impacts on habitats of ecological importance in the vicinity of the Project, 2m high solid dull green site barrier fences shall be erected around all active works areas.(Figure 16)

^[1]

EP-475/2013/A

2.7

To minimise adverse impacts on habitats of ecological importance in the vicinity of the Project, 2m high solid dull green site barrier fences shall be erected around all active works areas.(Figure 17)

^[1]

Implementation status:

^         Mitigation measure was fully implemented

*         Observation/reminder was made during site audit but improved/rectified by the contractor

#         Observation/reminder was made during site audit but not yet improved/ rectified by    the            contractor

X        Non-compliance of mitigation measure

·         Non-compliance but rectified by the contractor

N/A   Not Applicable at this stage as no such site activities were conducted in the reporting period

[1]:       Barrier fences might be subjected to change according to phasing plan designed at detailed design stage

 

10.4     Under EP-467/2013/A (Condition 2.9), to minimise adverse impacts on habitats of ecological importance in the vicinity of the Project, 2m high solid dull green site barrier fences shall be erected around all active works areas. As the Works programme under above EPs were still under preparation work and the barrier fences erection was still progressing in the Reporting Month, 2m high solid dull green site barrier fences will be checked once in place. The Hoarding Plan of the above EPs is shown in Figure 13.

Implementation Status of Water Quality Mitigation Measures

10.5     According to the EIA Report and the Updated EM&A Manual, the water quality mitigation measures detailed in the documents are recommended to be implemented during the construction phase. Water quality mitigation measures implemented by the contractors were closely monitored to prevent water pollution, especially during rainy season. An updated summary of the Environmental Mitigation Implementation Schedule is provided in Appendix Q. Specific water quality mitigation measures for major construction works in the reporting month are presented in Table 10.4.

 

Table 10.4       Specific Water Quality Mitigation Measures for Major Construction Works in the Reporting Month

Works Contracts

Photographic Records

ND/2019/01

Temporary wastewater storage tank for storm water retention

Hydroseeding for stockpile area

ND/2019/02

Provision of sand bags around works area

Covering exposed slope surface by tarpaulin

ND/2019/03

Wastewater from wheel washing was directed to wastewater treatment facility

Regular clearance of water for wheel washing facility

ND/2019/04

Surface channels and earth bunds to direct storm water to wastewater treatment facilities for works area near Siu Hang San Tsuen Stream

Provision of wastewater treatment facilities for works area near Siu Hang San Tsuen Stream

Deployment of silt curtain around works area in Ng Tung River

ND/2019/05

Deployment of sand bags around works area

Smart checking operation of wastewater treatment facilities

ND/2019/06

Grasscrete for slope protection

Provision of concrete berm around site area

ND/2019/07

Covering exposed slope surface by tarpaulin

Additional wastewater treatment facilities for rainstorm event

Solid and Liquid Waste Management Status

10.6     Waste generated from Contract No. ND/2019/01, ND/2019/02, ND/2019/03, ND/2019/04, ND/2019/05, ND/2019/06 and ND/2019/07 include inert construction and demolition (C&D) materials and non-inert C&D wastes in the Reporting Month.

 

10.7     The amount of wastes generated by the construction works of the Contract No. ND/2019/01, ND/2019/02, ND/2019/03, ND/2019/04, ND/2019/05, ND/2019/06 and ND/2019/07 during the reporting month are shown in Appendix R.

 

10.8     The Contractors are advised to minimize the wastes generated through the recycling or reusing. All mitigation measures stipulated in the Updated EM&A Manual and waste management plans shall be fully implemented. The status of implementation of waste management and reduction measures are summited in Appendix Q.

 

Ecological Mitigation Measures – Creation of Long Valley Nature Park (LVNP)

10.9     From the findings of EIA Report, the area of Long Valley has been assessed as of high to very high ecological value and is the largest contiguous area of freshwater wetland habitats in Hong Kong. To safeguard the ecological value of Long Valley, about 37 hectares of land in Long Valley has been proposed to develop into Long Valley Nature Park (LVNP) for conserving and enhancing the ecologically important environment as well as for compensation of the wetland loss due to the NDA development.

 

10.10  LVNP is developed according to approved Habitat Creation and Management Plan (HCMP) submitted under EP-468/2013/A. The HCMP provides a framework and specifications for development and management of the LVNP and guides the development to maintain and enhance the 37ha of low-lying wetland habitats.

 

10.11 Regarding to the design, the zoning of land use in the LVNP is intended to maintain the existing mosaic pattern of wet and dry agriculture, while controlling the activities that could potentially disturb target habitats and species. The LVNP will divide into three broad zones of land use as below:

       Biodiversity Zone of about 21 hectares largely designated for biodiversity conservation through cultivation of specified crops and habitat management.

       Agricultural Zone of about 11 hectares designated for commercially focuses crop production and eco-friendly agricultural practice for farming.

       Visitor Zone of about 5 hectares designed to accommodate visitors as well as storage and other facilities and for educational purposes.

 

10.12 The construction of the LVNP started in late 2019 and is expected to be completed in 2023. During construction period, the progress of construction and wetland enhancement works are under observation by different stakeholders including AFCD and green groups. Close communication between AFCD and CEDD are conducted to exchange views on conservation, restoration and management of habitats as well as on the planning and design of the park. Also, advices from green groups, Hong Kong Bird Watching Society (HKBWS) and The Conservancy Association (CA), are taken on habitat management of Long Valley and potential effects on habitat and wildlife of each individual work conducted in Long Valley. Regular meeting are held monthly on 25th June 2021 in the reporting month to share the progress of LVNP with different stakeholders, including CEDD, AFCD, CA, HKBWS, Contractor, ET, IEC and farmers.

 

10.13 Proposals on wetland creation and restoration, dry agricultural land creation, pond creation, water treatment wetland and design of irrigation channel are submitted by the Contractor to achieve the objectives stated in HCMP and accepted by the Engineer with consent from AFCD before implementation. The Contractor will consult with the stakeholders for recommendations and suggestions on mitigation measures to minimise the environmental impacts arising from construction works. The progress of works will be arranged to minimise impacts to avifauna and maintain the habitat for avifauna. The photographic records of site activities in LVNP are presented in Table 10.5.

 

Table 10.5       Photographic Records of Site Activities in LVNP

 

Agricultural practice are continued in existing farmland to maintain habitats in Long Valley

 Lotus pond

 Open water Habitat      

Chinese arrowhead pond

Creation of wetland with designated habitat for biodiversity conservation

 

Planting of paddy rice to provide foraging ground for Yellow-breasted Bunting

Retention of washing bay for amphibians breeding

Enhancement of irrigation channel to provide reliable water source for farmland in Long Valley

Provision of bird island (hidden area)

5

Restoring of water flea pond to provide food source to water birds

Construction of storage sheds for farmers

Nesting of Black-winged stilt was recorded

Regular watering on haul road for dust control

Provision of shad cloth to reduce nuisance to avifauna

Provision of noise barrier for noisy works in Long Valley

Provision of wastewater treatment facilities

  

Laying geotextile under rock layer to allow effective reinstatement of temporary access road