10            ENVIRONMENTAL SITE INSPECTION

Site Audits

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

Table 10.1   Summary of Site Audits

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

5, 13, 19 and 26 July 22

6, 15, 20 and 27 July 22

8, 15, 19 and 29 July 22

7, 14, 21 and 28 July 22

4, 14, 18 and 25 July 22

7, 14, 21 and 28 July 22

8, 15, 22 and 29 July 22

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

13 July 22

15 July 22

19 July 22

6 July 22

14 July 22

N/A

8 July 22

 

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.

10.3       All construction activities with significant environmental impact undertaken by Contract No. ND/2019/06 was substantially completed in March 2022 and the majority of outstanding works were also completed in April 2022 with defect rectification works remained. The outstanding installation works were the short-duration works which would be completed within 2 months during the 1-year defect correction period. ET would record the environmental deficiency, if any, for NDTWM (EP-475/2013/A) during the 1-year defect correction period under Contract ND/2019/04 site inspection and would email weekly those inspection records to the Project Team of Contract ND/2019/06 for information.


 

Table 10.2       Observations and Recommendations during Site Audits

Parameters

Date

Observations and Recommendations

Follow-up

Contract No.: ND/2019/01

 

Permits / Licences

19/07/2022

Environmental Permit should be displayed conspicuously on site at Portion 9C.

Improvement/Rectification was observed during follow-up audit session on 26 July 2022.

Contract No.: ND/2019/02

Landscape and Visual

15/7/2022

To clarify the fallen tree status.

Item Remarked as 220720-R01. Follow-up action is needed to be review.

20/07/2022

Item Remarked as 220727-R01. Follow-up action is needed to be review.

27/07/2022

To clarify the nearly fallen tree status.

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

Ecology

15/7/2022

Dull green barrier should be maintained properly.

Improvement/Rectification was observed during follow-up audit session on 20 July 2022.

Water Quality

27/07/2022

To enhance mitigation measures to prevent surface runoff into the Sheung Yue River near 1.43.7.

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

Contract No.: ND/2019/03

Air Quality

08/07/2022

Vehicle entrance within 30m of construction site should be kept clean of dust.

Improvement/Rectification was observed during follow-up audit session on 15 July 2022.

29/07/2022

Dusty debris were observed at Yin Kong Road. Contractor was reminded to clear the dusty debris immediately.

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

Waste/ Chemical Management

08/07/2022

Drip tray should be provided for chemical container.

Improvement/Rectification was observed during follow-up audit session on 15 July 2022.

Contract No.: ND/2019/04

Air Quality

30/06/2022

To replace faded NRMM labels. / Replace the faded NRMM labels.

Item Remarked as 220707-R01. Follow-up action is needed to be review.

07/07/2022

Improvement/Rectification was observed during follow-up audit session on 14 July 2022.

07/07/2022

Cover the stockpile of dusty materials at the site near Ma Wat River.

Improvement/Rectification was observed during follow-up audit session on 14 July 2022.

Ecology

07/07/2022

Maintain the silt curtain to avoid muddy

water entering the river.

Improvement/Rectification was observed during follow-up audit session on 14 July 2022.

Waste / Chemical Management

30/06/2022

General refuse should be disposed of properly.

Improvement/Rectification was observed during follow-up audit session on 7 July 2022.

Contract No.: ND/2019/05

Air Quality

27/06/2022

Dusty stockpile should be covered by impervious sheeting properly.

Improvement/Rectification was observed during follow-up audit session on 4 July 2022.

Water Quality

04/07/2022

Sand bag barrier should be provided to direct storm water efficiently.

Improvement/Rectification was observed during follow-up audit session on 14 July 2022.

14/07/2022

Should prevent dusty stockpile to enter the river with sufficient mitigation measure.

Improvement/Rectification was observed during follow-up audit session on 18 July 2022.

18/07/2022

Should prevent muddy stockpile entering the

river with sufficient mitigation measures.

Improvement/Rectification was observed during follow-up audit session on 25 July 2022.

Contract No.: ND/2019/06

--

--

--

--

Contract No.: ND/2019/07

 

--

--

--

--

Implementation Status of Environmental Mitigation Measures

10.4       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 EPs 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

20220726_093600  20220726_093056

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.

^[1]

EP-467/2013/A

2.9

20220719_094112  20220719_094151

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.

^[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.

^[1]

EP-469/2013

2.7

20220715_141040  20220727_094738

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.

^[1]

EP-473/2013/A

2.13

20220704_143142  20220714_093835

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.

^[1]

EP-475/2013/A

2.7

20220714_153722  20220714_153835

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.

^[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

¡P         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

Remark:

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

 

Implementation Status of Water Quality Mitigation Measures

10.5       The water quality mitigation measures detailed in the EIA Report and the Updated EM&A Manual 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

DSC_4572

Hard paved exposed slope surface

Hydroseeding for slope area

ND/2019/02

DSC_4542

Hard paved exposed haul road

DSC_4695

Hard paved exposed slope surface

ND/2019/03

Hard paved exposed haul road

Regular clearance of water for wheel washing facility

ND/2019/04

Hard paved exposed slope surface

20220616_145416

Deployment of silt curtain around works area in Ng Tung River

ND/2019/05

20220606_141710

Covering dusty stockpile

20220620_143449

Provision of sand bags around works area

ND/2019/07

20220610_140855

Covering exposed slope surface with tarpaulin

WhatsApp Image 2022-06-10 at 2

De-silting waste water before discharge

Water quality mitigation measures for site(s) in operation phase, remaining defect works

ND/2019/06

Hard paved exposed haul road

Hard paved exposed haul road

Solid and Liquid Waste Management Status

10.6       Waste generated from Contract Nos. ND/2019/01, ND/2019/02, ND/2019/03, ND/2019/04, ND/2019/05 and ND/2019/07 included inert construction and demolition (C&D) materials and non-inert C&D wastes in the reporting month. The site of ND/2019/06 was handed over to AFCD for operation since 4 April 2022.

10.7       The amount of wastes generated by the construction works of the Contract Nos. ND/2019/01, ND/2019/02, ND/2019/03, ND/2019/04, ND/2019/05 and ND/2019/07 during the reporting month are shown in Appendix R. The site of ND/2019/06 was handed over to AFCD for operation since 4 April 2022.

10.8       The Contractors are advised to minimise the wastes generated through 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 ¡V Creation of Long Valley Nature Park (LVNP)

10.9       Based on the findings of the 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 the approved Habitat Creation and Management Plan (HCMP) submitted under EP-468/2013/A. HCMP provides a framework and specifications for development and management of LVNP and guides the development to maintain and enhance the 37 hectares of low-lying wetland habitats.

10.11   Regarding the design, the zoning of land use in 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. LVNP will be divided 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 LVNP started in late 2019 and was expected to be completed in 2023. During the construction period, the progress of construction and wetland enhancement works has been under observation by different stakeholders including AFCD and green groups. Close communication between AFCD and CEDD were conducted to exchange views on conservation, restoration and management of habitats as well as on the planning and design of the park. In addition, advices from green groups, Hong Kong Bird Watching Society (HKBWS) and The Conservancy Association (CA), have been taken on habitat management of Long Valley and potential effects on habitat and wildlife of each individual work conducted in Long Valley. A regular meeting was held monthly (on 15 July 2022 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 were submitted by the Contractor to achieve the objectives stated in HCMP and accepted by the Engineer with consent from AFCD before implementation. The Contractor would consult the stakeholders for recommendations and suggestions on mitigation measures to minimise the environmental impacts arising from construction works. The progress of works would 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

Continuing agricultural practice in existing farmland to maintain habitats in Long Valley

Open water Habitat

Open water Habitat

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)

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

Construction of storage sheds for farmers

DSCN0772

A Glareola maldivarum was recorded

Wet agricultural land

Provision of noise barrier for noisy works in Long Valley