1 Introduction

Leighton Contractors (Asia) Limited (LCAL) has appointed ERM-Hong Kong, Limited (ERM) as the Environmental Team (ET) to implement the Environmental Monitoring and Audit (EM&A) programme for the Permanent Aviation Fuel Facility (the Project) during construction works.

The construction works for PAFF commenced in November 2005 based upon the previous EIA (EIAO Register Number AEIAR-062-2002) conducted and the Environmental Permit EP-139/2002 granted on the 28^th August 2002. Due to minor changes to the detailed layout of the site and the site boundary, application for Variation to the Environmental Permit (VEP) (VEP-133/2004) was submitted to the Director of Environmental Protection (DEP) for approval. The variation to the EP (EP-139/2002/A) was granted by the EPD in February 2004.

The decision by the EPD to grant the above Environmental Permit was, however, subject to a Judicial Review. The Judicial Review sided in the favour of the DEP, as did the subsequent Judgement from the Court of Appeal from the High Court for Judicial Review in March 2005. However, the DEP’s decision to grant the EP was quashed by the Judgement of the Court of Final Appeal of July 2006.

The construction works were stopped following the Judgement of the Court of Final Appeal of July 2006. As such, in order to continue with the construction of the project, the project went through the statutory procedures under the EIAO again with a new design in order to obtain an environmental permit. The revised EIA was submitted in 2007 and the environmental permit (EP-262/2007) was granted in May 2007. EP-262/2007 has been amended to EP-262/2007/A and issued by the EPD on 30 November 2007. A further Variation to the Environmental Permit has been approved to allow dredging works to continue until March 2008. As such, EP-262/2007/A has been amended to EP-262/2007/B and issued by the EPD on 27 February 2008.

The construction works and EM&A requirements were resumed on 9^th July 2007 following the latest requirements of the EP-262/2007/B and EM&A Manual. Details regarding the EM&A requirements and changes should refer to the updated EM&A Manual. For the marine works, all piling activities were completed before the previous suspension of construction works in 2006.

1.1 Purpose of the Report

This is the twentieth EM&A Report which summarizes the monitoring results and audit findings for the EM&A programme during the reporting period from 1^st June to 30^th June 2008.

2 Environmental Status

2.1 Project Area

The project area is in Area 38 of Tuen Mun and the pipelines are located in Urmston Road between Tuen Mun Area 38 and Sha Chau. The site is illustrated in Annex A.

2.2 Environmental Sensitive Receivers

No air and noise sensitive receivers were identified close to the project area. However, water sensitive receivers and ecological sensitive receivers were identified in the EIA study, and are shown in Annex B.

2.3 Major Construction Activities

A summary of the major works undertaken in this reporting period is shown in Table 2.1. Table 2.2 presented the cumulative quantity of excavated materials up to 30^th June 2008. The cumulative dredging volume during the reporting period was presented in Figure 2.1.

Table 2.1 Summary of Works Undertaken During the Reporting Period

Area	Works undertaken
Tuen Mun Area 38	Tank Farm, Roof Truss and Bund Wall Construction Permanent Drainage Construction Operational & Fire Services Buildings Construction Jetty Works (Non-piling)
Submarine Pipeline Route	None

Area

Works undertaken

Tuen Mun Area 38

Tank Farm, Roof Truss and Bund Wall Construction

Permanent Drainage Construction

Operational & Fire Services Buildings Construction

Jetty Works (Non-piling)

Submarine Pipeline Route

None

Table 2.2 Cumulative Quantity of Excavated Marine Sediments up to 30^th June 2008

Type of Excavated Materials	Cumulative Bulk Volume (m³)
Contaminated Mud	105,974
Uncontaminated Mud	97,815

2.4 Monitoring Schedule of The Reporting Month

No water quality monitoring was conducted during the reporting period, hence presentation of the monitoring schedule is not applicable.

2.5 Status of Environmental Approval Documents

A summary of the relevant permits, licences, and/or notifications on environmental protection for this Project since July 2007 is presented in Table 2.3. It was noted that construction noise permits GW-RW0676-07 and GW-RW0678-07 expired on 19 June and 18 June respectively during the reporting month, and renewal applications were in progress. Land and marine based construction works on general holidays and in between 1900-0700 on regular days were therefore temporarily suspended until new permits are granted by the EPD.

Table 2.3 Summary of Environmental Licensing, Notification and Permit Status

Permit/ Licenses/ Notification	Reference	Validity Period	Remarks
Environmental Permit	EP-262/2007/B	Throughout Project	Issued on 27 February 2008 (EP-262/2007/A on 30 November 2007, EP-262/2007 issued on 31 May 2007, EP-139/2002 originally granted on 28 August 2002 and EP-139/2002/A granted on 24 February 2004 were superseded)
	EP-262/2007/B	Throughout Project

Chemical Waste Producer Registration	WPN 5111-421-L2174-25	Throughout Project	Issued on 10 November 2005
Notification of Construction Works under Air Pollution Control (Construction Dust) Regulation	H2104/U1D/5542/DG/DH/PL	Throughout Project	Notification on 6 July 2007
Construction Noise Permit	GW-RW0676-07	21 December 2007 to 19 June 2008 (renewal application was in progress)	For land-based works including air compressors, breakers, excavators, wheeled loaders, mobile cranes, concrete lorry mixers, hand-held pokers, bar benders/cutters, wood saws, grinders, submarine water pump, lorries with crane, dump trucks, rollers, ventilation fans and generators
	GW-RW0677-07	21 December 2007 to 29 February 2008	For marine dredging operation including grab dredger, tug boat, split hopper barge and motor sampan
	GW-RW0678-07	21 December 2007 to 18 June 2008 (renewal application was in progress)	For marine jetty works including concrete pump derrick barges, hand-held grinders, generators, air compressors, boring machines, water pumps, tug boat, grout mixers and grout pumps
	GW-RW0094-08	1 March to 31 March 2008	For marine dredging operation including grab dredger, tug boat, split hopper barge and motor sampan
Marine Dumping Permit	EP/MD/08-064	13 December 2007 to 29 February 2008	For Type 1 – Open Sea Disposal
	EP/MD/08-065	13 December 2007 to 12 January 2008	For Type 1d & Type 2 marine disposal
	EP/MD/08-071	13 January 2008 to 12 February 2008	For Type 1d & Type 2 marine disposal
	EP/MD/08-090	3 March to 31 March 2008	For Type 1d & Type 2 marine disposal
	EP/MD/08-091	3 March to 31 March 2008	For Type 1 – Open Sea Disposal
Wastewater Discharge License	EP760/421/011399/l	15 March 2006 to 31 March 2011	Issued on 15 March 2006

2.6 Community Liaison Group Meeting

According to the EP requirements, a Community Liaison Group (CLG) shall be established within three months after commencement of construction of the Project. The major duty of the CLG is to advise on and monitor the proper design, construction and operation of the Project. The CLG comprises representatives from Airport Authority, members of Tuen Mun community and academics. The details of the CLG (including Membership and its Terms of Reference) can be found on the Project website (http://www.paffhk.com).

During the reporting month, a meeting was organised by the CLG on 6 June 2008. Meeting minutes can be found on the Project website (http://www.paffhk.com).

2.7 Summary of Non-Compliance With The Environmental Quality Performance Limits

No environmental non-compliance was found during the reporting period.

2.8 Summary of Environmental Complaints

No environmental complaints were received during the reporting period. A summary of environmental complaints since project commencement is presented in Annex C.

2.9 Summary of Environmental Summons

No summons was received in this reporting period. A summary of legal proceeding since project commencement is presented in Annex C.

3 Environmental Issues and Actions

3.1 Previous Environmental Deficiencies and Follow-up Actions

As no environmental complaint was received over the last reporting period, no follow-up action was required.

Weekly site inspections were carried out by the ET on 4, 12, 20, and 27 June 2008. Overall, the site was in good orderly manner and no non-compliance was found. Environmental deficiencies and follow-up actions/mitigation measures were identified during the inspections, as follows:

Air Quality

· Water tankers were used regularly to wet the road surface to minimize dust emission.

· Site entrance was paved and wheel-washing facility was provided to avoid dust deposit on the public road.

· Main access road within the site (between site office and exit) was paved to avoid dust emission. Other sections of the major access road in the construction area were paved with stones.

Noise

· No noisy activities that generated excessive noise were observed during the audit.

· All air compressors inspected on site were operated with a valid noise label.

Water Quality

· Site toilets were provided on site. A soil soakaway system with holding tanks was installed to treat the sewage from the toilets. No effluent discharge out of the site was observed during the audits.

· During the site inspection on 4 and 12 June 2008, sediment plumes were observed at the water discharge outlet near the marine area. The Contractor was reminded to clear silt in sediment traps and car wash facility regularly to avoid sediment discharge into marine waters.

· During the site inspections on 4 and 27 June 2008, water pools were observed within the site boundary, including the car wash facility at the main entrance. On 20 June, a drip tray near the operation building was observed to be filled with rainwater. The Contractor was recommended to arrange ad hoc water clearances during the rainy season.

Waste Management

· During the site inspection on 27 June 2008, the chemical waste storage area was observed to be full with oil sheens on the adjacent ground. The Contractor was reminded to arrange chemical waste collections and clear observable oil sheens as soon as possible.

· During the site inspection on 20 and 27 June 2008, it was observed that general wastes were piled on ground without waste skips near the tank farms. The Contractor was recommended to provide waste skips for temporary waste collection.

· During the site inspections on 5 June 2008, a lubricant drum was observed to be placed on a pile of coarse fill materials. The Contractor was recommended to provide drip trays for temporary storage to avoid potential oil leakages.

· During the site inspection on 12 June 2008, oil sheens were observed on the floor of the workshop. The Contractor was recommended to designate a bunded area for equipment clean-ups so that oil sheens can be properly contained and removed after respective works.

Landscape and Visual

· The transplanted trees at the new site were in good and healthy condition; and,

· The berm was habilitated by vegetation.

Overall, the site was in a good orderly manner. The ET will keep track on the EM&A programme to ensure compliance of environmental requirements and the proper implementation of all necessary mitigation measures.

3.2 Implementation Status on Environmental Protection Requirements

The implementation status of environmental mitigation measures and requirements as stated in the EIA Report, Environmental Permits and EM&A Manual during the reporting period is summarized in Annex D.

4 Environmental Monitoring

4.1 Air and Noise

Air and Noise monitoring is not required for the project.

4.2 Water Quality

No dredging activities were scheduled from 1 April 2008 onwards. Water quality monitoring was therefore not required for the reporting month.

4.3 POPs Monitoring

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) monitoring was not required since there was no dredging operation during the reporting month.

4.4 Waste Management

The Contractor’s revised Waste Management Plan (Revision 4) (WMP) was submitted to the EPD on 20^th September 2007. Pursuant to EP Condition 3.3, the Contractor submitted the updated and revised WMP (Revision 5) to the ET on 3^rd June 2008. The ET reviewed the WMP and offered comments to the Contractor on 16^th June 2008. Response to comment (RTC) from the Contractor is now in progress.

4.5 Cultural Heritage

A marine archaeological Watching Brief of two sub-surface anomalies was implemented from 21^st to 28^th February 2008. No archaeological sites or relics were found and it was considered by the licensed Marine Archaeologist that the anomalies have no cultural heritage significance. No additional mitigation measures were thus required to be implemented by the PAFF project in regard to the anomalies SS1 and SS2.

The Watching Brief Report, verified by the Independent Environmental Checker, was submitted to the EPD and AMO on 9^th May 2008.

4.6 Landscape and Visual

According to the EIA report and EM&A Manual, mitigation measures and site inspection are required during the landscaping/planting works. The berm/landscaping bund was habilitated by vegetation which was grown during the project suspension period. The transplanted trees were in good and healthy condition.

The weekly site inspections included audits on landscape and visual issues to ensure that the site was in orderly acceptable manner.

4.7 Land Contamination, Hazard to Life and Fuel Spill Risk

According to the EIA report and EM&A Manual, mitigation measures and design phase audit are required to minimise the risk of fuel spill and hazards. The Contractor will submit the updated design audit plan according to the EP requirements.

Pursuant to Condition 3.5 of the EP, the Contractor submitted three design drawings which address the specific sub-clauses on Condition 3.5a of the EP concerning the containment systems of aviation fuel storage tank farm. The ET and the IEC have provided certification and verification to the drawings respectively and the drawings were submitted to the EPD on 7 November 2007.

Weekly site inspection covered the waste management aspects which included measures to prevent land contamination by chemical wastes.

4.8 Ecology

Dolphin Visual Monitoring

Dolphin visual monitoring was not required as no dredging works were scheduled for the reporting period.

4.9 EM&A Manual

The EM&A Manual for the Project has been updated by the ET to include the detailed arrangements of setting up a Community Liaison Group, carrying out design audit, and monitoring of Persistent Organic Pollutants during construction of the Project. No further actions regarding the EM&A manual were required during the reporting month.

4.10 Baseline Water Quality Monitoring

Baseline water quality monitoring was conducted between 24 October and 30 October 2007 at six designated monitoring stations (three impact stations and three control stations) established for the Project in accordance with the EM&A Manual. The Final Baseline Monitoring Report was submitted to the EPD on 21 November and comments were received from the EPD on 6^th December. A revised Final Baseline Monitoring Report was submitted to the EPD on 20^th February 2008 with no further comments received and later placed under the EIAO register.

5 Future Key Issues

5.1 Key Issues for the Next One Month

It should be noted that dredging activities have been suspended from 1^st April onwards and are tentatively scheduled to resume in September 2008. No dredging operation will be undertaken in the next reporting period. As such, the key issue to be considered in the next one month will be:

· Dust release and suppression.

5.2 Impact Prediction for the Next One Month

Provided that environmental mitigation measures including good on-site practises are properly implemented, it is not expected that unacceptable adverse impacts will arise.

5.3 Works and Monitoring Schedule for the Next One Month

Work programme for the next one month includes jetty platform works (non-piling) and site works (construction works for tank farm, operational and fire services buildings, drainages, bund wall, security wall etc). Weekly site inspections will be undertaken.