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

1, 8, 14, 22 and 29

Apr 25

2, 9, 16, 22 and 29

Apr 25

N/A

3, 9, 14, 24 and 29

Apr 25

7, 17, 23 and 28

Apr 25

N/A

7, 17, 23 and 29

Apr 25

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

14 Apr 25

16 Apr 25

N/A

14 Apr 25

17 Apr 25

N/A

23 Apr 25

Remarks:

1.        The weekly site inspection for ND/2019/06 has been terminated starting from 19/10/2023 since the termination proposal was approved by EPD on the same day.

2.        The weekly site inspection for ND/2019/03 has been terminated starting from 01/04/2025 since all outstanding works with defect rectification works was completed on 28 March 2025 according to AECOM.

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. Any outstanding and recurrence deficiencies are presented in Table 10.3.

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 until July 2023 when all works were completed.

10.4     The weekly site inspection and EM&A Reporting for ND/2019/06 were maintained until the termination proposal for ND/2019/06 has been endorsed by the IEC (17 Aug 23), the Engineer (26 Aug 23) and the Project Proponent (19 Sep 23) followed by approval from EPD (19 Oct 23) in accordance. The procedure for termination proposal for ND/2019/06 is in accordance with section 15.4.2 of updated EM&A Manual.

10.5     Regarding to Contract No. ND/2019/03, all outstanding works with defect rectification under the Contract have also been completed on 28 March 2025. Refer to the proposal for termination of Construction Phase EM&A Programme of ND/2019/03 submitted by ET, with no objection from CEDD, AECOM and IEC to EPD in July 2024, weekly site environmental audit under ND/2019/03 would be terminated starting from 1st April 2025. According to the recommendation from AFCD, Avifauna monitoring in Long Valley (i.e., T5) during the construction period and its results reporting in the Monthly EM&A Report will be continued until the completion of works within 200m of Long Valley.


Table 10.2       Observations and Recommendations during Site Audits

Parameters

Date

Observations and Recommendations

Follow-up

Contract No.: ND/2019/01

 

Air Quality

25/03/2025

Dusty haul road between Portion 6A and 9C should be water-sprayed regularly as dust suppression.

Improvement/Rectification was observed during follow-up audit session on 1 April 2025.

22/04/2025

Exposed worksites and haul road should be water-sprayed regularly as dust suppression.

Improvement/Rectification was observed during follow-up audit session on 29 April 2025.

Contract No.: ND/2019/02

Air Quality

02/04/2025

Dusty stockpile at Dills Corner Garden should be covered entirely and properly to avoid dust generation.

Improvement/Rectification was observed during follow-up audit session on 9 April 2025.

Ecology

26/03/2025

Silt curtain near CH1046 should be maintained properly and regularly.

Item was remarked as 250402-R01. Follow-up action is needed to be reviewed.

02/04/2025

Item was remarked as 250409-R01. Follow-up action is needed to be reviewed.

09/04/2025

Item was remarked as 250416-R01. Follow-up action is needed to be reviewed.

16/04/2025

Item was remarked as 250422-R01. Follow-up action is needed to be reviewed.

22/04/2025

Item was remarked as 250429-R01. Follow-up action is needed to be reviewed.

29/04/2025

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

Waste/Chemical Management

22/04/2025

General wastes should be disposed of properly and regularly.

Improvement/Rectification was observed during follow-up audit session on 29 April 2025.

Contract No.: ND/2019/04

Air Quality

27/03/2025

Dusty bags of cement at Portion K should be covered properly.

Item was remarked as 250403-R01. Follow-up action is needed to be reviewed.

03/04/2025

Item was remarked as 250409-R01. Follow-up action is needed to be reviewed.

09/04/2025

Improvement/Rectification was observed during follow-up audit session on 14 April 2025.

14/04/2025

Exposed worksites at Portion K should be watered regularly.

Improvement/Rectification was observed during follow-up audit session on 24 April 2025.

03/04/2025

Dusty stockpile at Bridge F should be covered properly.

Item was remarked as 250409-R02. Follow-up action is needed to be reviewed.

09/04/2025

Item was remarked as 250414-R01. Follow-up action is needed to be reviewed.

14/04/2025

Improvement/Rectification was observed during follow-up audit session on 24 April 2025.

14/04/2025

NRMM label should be displayed on regulated machine properly.

Improvement/Rectification was observed during follow-up audit session on 24 April 2025.

29/04/2025

Exposed haul road near Bridge F should be water-sprayed regularly as dust suppression.

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

Ecology

09/04/2025

Silt curtain under Bridge F should be maintained properly.

Item was remarked as 250414-R02. Follow-up action is needed to be reviewed.

14/04/2025

Item was remarked as 250424-R01. Follow-up action is needed to be reviewed.

24/04/2025

Improvement/Rectification was observed during follow-up audit session on 29 April 2025.

Contract No.: ND/2019/05

Air Quality

31/03/2025

Dusty stockpile should be covered properly to avoid dust generation.

Improvement/Rectification was observed during follow-up audit session on 7 April 2025.

17/04/2025

NRMM label on the excavator should be displayed.

Improvement/Rectification was observed during follow-up audit session on 23 April 2025.

Water Quality

17/04/2025

Sand bag bunding around the gully should be maintained properly.

Improvement/Rectification was observed during follow-up audit session on 23 April 2025.

28/04/2025

Muddy water discharge was observed due to wastewater treatment plant malfunctioning. Contractor was reminded to maintain the facilities regularly.

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

28/04/2025

Exposed surface with open stockpile should be covered properly during rainstorm.

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

Waste/Chemical Management

17/04/2025

Drip tray for chemical/fuel containers should be provided.

Improvement/Rectification was observed during follow-up audit session on 23 April 2025.

Contract No.: ND/2019/07

 

--

--

--

--



Table 10.3       Summary Table for the Outstanding item(s) in the reporting month

Contract No.

Outstanding deficiencies since last reporting month

(March 2025)

Deficiencies recorded

in the reporting month

(April 2025)

Total deficiencies (including repeated deficiencies) in the reporting month

Deficiencies rectified in the reporting month

Outstanding deficiencies

need to be Follow-up in the next month

(May 2025)

Total

outstanding deficiencies

A

N

W

W/C

CH

L&V

E

P/L

A

N

W

W/C

CH

L&V

E

P/L

ND/2019/01

1

1

/

/

/

/

/

/

/

1

2

/

/

/

/

/

/

/

/

/

ND/2019/02

1

1

/

/

1

/

/

5

/

7

2

/

/

/

/

/

/

1

/

1

ND/2019/03**

/

/

/

/

/

/

/

/

/

/

/

/

/

/

/

/

/

/

/

/

ND/2019/04

1

8

/

/

/

/

/

3

/

11

5

1

/

/

/

/

/

/

/

1

ND/2019/05

1

1

/

3

1

/

/

/

/

5

4

/

/

2

/

/

/

/

/

2

ND/2019/06*

/

/

/

/

/

/

/

/

/

/

/

/

/

/

/

/

/

/

/

/

ND/2019/07

/

/

/

/

/

/

/

/

/

/

/

/

/

/

/

/

/

/

/

/

Legends:

A = Air Quality

N = Construction Noise Impact

W = Water Quality

W/C = Waste / Chemical Management

CH = Cultural Heritage

L&V = Landscape & Visual

E = Ecology

P/L = Permit / Licences

* The weekly site inspection for ND/2019/06 has been terminated starting from 19/10/2023 since the termination proposal was approved by EPD on the same day.

** The weekly site inspection for ND/2019/03 has been terminated starting from 01/04/2025 since all outstanding works with defect rectification works was completed on 28 March 2025 according to AECOM.

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 10.4.


Table 10.4   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 10.5.


 

Table 10.5       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

Provision of maintenance for the drainage and sump pit around the construction site

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

Concrete barrier along the site hoarding

Deployment of silt curtain around works area in Ng Tung River

ND/2019/05

Covering dusty stockpile at different works area

Provision of sand bags around works area and sump pit to prevent the untreated muddy water

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/2019/04, 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. The site of ND/2019/06 was handed over to AFCD for operation since 1 April 2025.

10.9     The amount of wastes generated by the construction works of the Contract Nos. ND/2019/01, ND/2019/02, 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. The site of ND/2019/06 was handed over to AFCD for operation since 1 April 2025.

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 has been opened to public starting from 9 November 2024. All outstanding works with defect rectification under the ND/2019/03 in LVNP have been completed on 28 March 2025. 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 10.6.


 

Table 10.6       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

 

 

Greater Painted-Snipe

Rostratula benghalensis

Wet agricultural land