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

6, 14, 20 and 27 Jun 23

9, 12, 21 and 28 Jun 23

2, 9, 16, 20 and 30 Jun 23

1, 8, 14, 21 and 29 Jun 23

5, 15, 19 and 26 Jun 23

1, 8, 14, 21 and 29 Jun 23

2, 9, 16, 19 and 30 Jun 23

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

20 Jun 23

12 Jun 23

20 Jun 23

14 Jun 23

15 Jun 23

N/A

19 Jun 23

 

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, originally estimated.

10.4     Due to problems in material deliveries from Mainland China in 2022, the completion date of the outstanding works would be extended to June 2023 tentatively. In the reporting month (June 2023), more defects were found during the handover inspection so the rectification works will continue for another week or two. The estimated completion date would be extended once again to July 2023.

10.5     ET would record the environmental deficiency, if any, for NDTWM (EP-475/2013/A) during the whole 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

 

Permit/Licences

14/06/2023

The CNP was felling off to the ground after adverse weather at Portion 8a.

Improvement/Rectification was observed during follow-up audit session on 20 Jun 2023.

Waste/Chemical Management

20/06/2023

Accumulation of general refuse should be avoided.

Improvement/Rectification was observed during follow-up audit session on 27 Jun 2023.

Contract No.: ND/2019/02

Water Quality

29/05/2023

The exposed slope surface should be covered by tarpaulin sheets.

Item remarked as 230609-O01. Follow-up action is needed to be review.

09/06/2023

Debris of sediment were observed fallen off the exposed slope into nearby river. Contractor was urged to enhance water mitigation measure, cover the exposed slope with impervious sheet, to prevent further debris or runoff from entering nearby river.

Item remarked as 230612-O01. Follow-up action is needed to be review.

12/06/2023

Improvement/Rectification was observed during follow-up audit session on 21 Jun 2023.

Waste/Chemical Management

09/06/2023

Breaker should be placed on top of tarpaulin sheet to prevent land contamination from potential oil leakage.

Item remarked as 230612-R01. Follow-up action is needed to be review.

12/06/2023

Improvement/Rectification was observed during follow-up audit session on 21 Jun 2023.

Landscape and Visual

12/06/2023

Retained trees should be carefully protected. Contractor was reminded to set up a proper tree protection zone to prevent construction material to be placed on the roots of retained trees.

Improvement/Rectification was observed during follow-up audit session on 21 Jun 2023.

Contract No.: ND/2019/03

Air Quality

22/05/2023

Dusty stockpiles should be covered with tarpaulin sheets.

Item remarked as 230602-R02. Follow-up action is needed to be review.

02/06/2023

Item remarked as 230609-R01. Follow-up action is needed to be review.

09/06/2023

Item remarked as 230616-R01. Follow-up action is needed to be review.

16/06/2023

Item remarked as 230620-R01. Follow-up action is needed to be review.

20/06/2023

Item remarked as 230630-R01. Follow-up action is needed to be review.

30/06/2023

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

Water Quality

22/05/2023

Provide adequate wheel-washing facilities for each vehicle exits, suitable for the current temporary traffic arrangement, and ensure that vehicles are properly washed before leaving the site.

Item remarked as 230602-O01. Follow-up action is needed to be review.

02/06/2023

Item remarked as 230609-O01. Follow-up action is needed to be review.

09/06/2023

Item remarked as 230616-O01. Follow-up action is needed to be review.

16/06/2023

Provide adequate wheel-washing facilities for each vehicle exits.

Item remarked as 230620-O01. Follow-up action is needed to be review.

20/06/2023

Item remarked as 230630-O01. Follow-up action is needed to be review.

30/06/2023

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

16/06/2023

Provide sand bags to prevent muddy water discharge.

Item remarked as 230620-R02. Follow-up action is needed to be review.

20/06/2023

Item remarked as 230630-R02. Follow-up action is needed to be review.

30/06/2023

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

Landscape & Visual

22/05/2023

Remove any construction material from tree protection zone.

Item remarked as 230602-R01. Follow-up action is needed to be review.

02/06/2023

Improvement/Rectification was observed during follow-up audit session on 9 Jun 2023.

Contract No.: ND/2019/04

Air Quality

25/05/2023

The idle stockpile of dusty materials at Portion K should be covered properly with tarpaulin sheet.

Item remarked as 230601-R01. Follow-up action is needed to be review.

01/06/2023

Improvement/Rectification was observed during follow-up audit session on 8 Jun 2023.

Water Quality

01/06/2023

The sandbag bunding should be enhanced.

Item remarked as 230608-R02. Follow-up action is needed to be review.

08/06/2023

Item remarked as 230614-R02. Follow-up action is needed to be review.

14/06/2023

Improvement/Rectification was observed during follow-up audit session on 21 Jun 2023.

Noise

08/06/2023

The noise barrier at Bridge F should be fully enclosed.

Item remarked as 230614-R01. Follow-up action is needed to be review.

14/06/2023

Improvement/Rectification was observed during follow-up audit session on 21 Jun 2023.

29/06/2023

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

Ecology

29/06/2023

Provide maintenance for 2m high solid barrier at the lower reaches of Siu Hang San Tsuen Stream.

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

Contract No.: ND/2019/05

Water Quality

05/06/2023

The earth bunding surrounding FW06 should be enhanced.

Improvement/Rectification was observed during follow-up audit session on 15 Jun 2023.

26/06/2023

Enhance the water mitigation measure for E201.

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

Air Quality

15/06/2023

Faded NRMM label at E2-02 should be replaced.

Improvement/Rectification was observed during follow-up audit session on 19 Jun 2023.

26/06/2023

Provide impervious sheeting for dusty stockpile. (Man Young)

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

Contract No.: ND/2019/06

--

--

--

--

Contract No.: ND/2019/07

 

--

--

--

--

Implementation Status of Environmental Mitigation Measures

10.6     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/A

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.

^[1]

EP-467/2013/A

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.

^[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

 

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

  

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

 

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

10.7     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

Hard paved exposed slope surface

Hydroseeding for slope area

ND/2019/02

Hard paved exposed haul road

Hard paved exposed slope surface

ND/2019/03

Hard paved exposed haul road

Watering the main haul road regularly.

ND/2019/04

Hard paved exposed slope surface

Deployment of silt curtain around works area in Ng Tung River

ND/2019/05

Covering dusty stockpile

Provision of sand bags around works area

ND/2019/07

Covering exposed slope surface with tarpaulin

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

10.8     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.

10.9     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.

10.10 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)

10.11 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.

10.12  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.

10.13 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.

10.14 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. The last meeting was held on 18 November 2022 to share the progress of LVNP with different stakeholders, including CEDD, AFCD, CA, HKBWS, Contractor, ET, IEC and farmers.

10.15 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

 

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

A Himantopus himantopus was recorded

Wet agricultural land

Provision of noise barrier for noisy works in Long Valley