Contents
1.1 Purpose of the Report
2.1 Project Area
2.2 Environmental
Sensitive Receivers
2.3 Major Construction
Activities
2.4 Monitoring Schedule of
The Reporting Month
2.5 Status of Environmental
Approval Documents
2.6 Community Liaison
Group Meeting
2.7 Summary of
Non-Compliance With The Environmental Quality Performance Limits
2.8 Summary of
Environmental Complaints
2.9 Summary of
Environmental Summons
3 Environmental
Issues and Actions
3.1 Previous Environmental
Deficiencies and Follow-up Actions
3.2 Implementation Status
on Environmental Protection Requirements
4.1 Air and Noise
4.2 Water Quality
4.3 POPs Monitoring
4.4 Waste Management
4.5 Cultural Heritage
4.6 Landscape and Visual
4.7 Land Contamination,
Hazard to Life and Fuel Spill Risk
4.8 Ecology
4.9 EM&A Manual
4.10 Baseline Water Quality
Monitoring
5.1 Key Issues for the
Next One Month
5.2 Impact Prediction for
the Next One Month
5.3 Works and Monitoring
Schedule for the Next One Month
LIST OF TABLES
Table 2.1 Summary of Works Undertaken
During the Reporting Period
Table 2.2 Cumulative
Quantity of Excavated Marine Sediments up to 31 October 2008
Table 2.3 Summary
of Environmental Licensing, Notification and Permit Status
LIST OF ANNEXES
Annex
B Water Quality Monitoring Stations,
Water Quality and Ecological Sensitive Receivers
Annex
C Monitoring Schedule for the
Reporting Period and Next Month
Annex
D Cumulative Complaints Statistics
Annex
E Implementation Programme of Mitigation
Measures
Annex
F QA/QC Results of Laboratory Testing
for Suspended Solids
Annex
G Impact Water Quality Monitoring
Results
Annex
H Monitoring Results and QA/QC
Reports of Laboratory Testing for POPs
EXECUTIVE
SUMMARY
The construction
works for the Permanent Aviation Fuel Facility resumed on 9 July 2007. This twenty-fifth
monthly Environmental Monitoring and Audit (EM&A) report presents the
EM&A work carried out during the period from 1 November to 30 November
2008 in accordance with the EM&A
Manual.
Breaches of all Action and Limit Levels
No exceedances of any Action and Limit Levels applicable to
the project were observed during the reporting period.
Complaint Log
No environmental
complaints were received during the reporting period.
Notifications of any Summons
and Successful Prosecutions
No environmental summon or prosecutions were received in this reporting
period.
Reporting Changes
There were no reporting changes in the reporting period.
Future
Key Issues
·
Dust
release and suppression;
·
Operation
of dredging activities; and
·
Water
quality monitoring and dolphin monitoring during the dredging activities.
Leighton
Contractors (
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 28th 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 9th
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.
This is the twenty-fifth EM&A Report which
summarizes the monitoring results and audit findings for the EM&A programme
during the reporting period from 1 November
to 30 November 2008.
The project area
is in Area 38 of Tuen Mun
and the pipelines are located in
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.
A summary of the
major works undertaken in this reporting period is shown in Table 2.1. Dredging
operation was suspended from 1 April to 31 August 2008 and resumed on 1
September 2008. Table 2.2 presents the
cumulative quantity of excavated materials up to 30 November 2008. Daily and cumulative dredging production rates
are illustrated 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 |
Dredging Operations |
Table 2.2 Cumulative
Quantity of Excavated Marine Sediments up to 30 November 2008
Type of Excavated
Materials |
Cumulative Bulk Volume (m3) |
From 17
December 2007 to 31 March 2008 |
|
Contaminated
Mud |
105,974 |
Uncontaminated
Mud |
97,815 |
|
|
From 1
September to 30 November 2008 |
|
Contaminated
Mud |
0 |
Uncontaminated
Mud |
67,807 |
Daily water quality monitoring during dredging
activities recommenced on 1 September 2008.
The monitoring schedule for November 2008 is presented in Annex
C.
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.
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) |
|
|||
|
|
|
|
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 |
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 |
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 |
|
GW-RW0312-08 |
04
July 2008 to 22 December 2008 |
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-RW0313-08 |
04
July 2008 to 19 December 2008 |
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-RW0373-08 |
1
August 2008 to 20 January 2009 |
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, generators, stirrer, jet
chisel, water jet machine and dehumidifier |
|
GW-RW0368-08 |
1
September to 30 November 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 |
|
EP/MD/09-018 |
1
September to 30 September 2008 |
For
Type 1d & Type 2 marine disposal |
|
EP/MD/09-032 |
1
October to 31 October 2008 |
For
Type 1d & Type 2 marine disposal |
|
EP/MD/09-017 |
1
September to 30 November 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 |
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).
No environmental
non-compliance was recorded during the reporting period.
No environmental
complaints were received during the reporting period. A summary of environmental complaints since
project commencement is presented in Annex D.
No summons was received
in this reporting period. A summary of
legal proceeding since project commencement is presented in Annex D.
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 26 November 2008. Overall, the site was in good orderly manner
and no non-compliances were found. Environmental
deficiencies and follow-up actions/mitigation measures were identified during
the inspections, as follows:
Air Quality
·
On 4 November 2008, waste trucks were observed to be leaving the work site
with open skips. The Contractor was
reminded to ensure that skip doors on loaded waste trucks were closed prior to
departure from site.
Water Quality
·
During the site inspection on 4 November 2008, sediments were observed
in the oil interceptor and the car washing facility. The Contractor was recommended to clear sediments
in the respective facilities as soon as possible.
·
On 4 November 2008, soil, grit and refuse were observed in the storm
drains along the southern boundary of the site.
The Contractor was reminded to clear the storm drains as soon as
possible to avoid runoffs of refuse into the sea.
·
On 12 November 2008, stagnant water ponds were observed in the tank farm
area. The Contractor was reminded to
clear stagnant pools on site to avoid mosquito breeding.
·
On 20 November 2008, a water hose behind the workshop was observed to be
leaking. The Contractor was recommended
to fix the leaking hose as soon as possible to avoid water wastage and
unnecessary site runoffs.
Waste Management
·
During the site
inspection on 4 and 12 November 2008, general refuse was observed to be mixed
with inert wastes in skips near the tank farms and the operation building. The Contractor was recommended to provide
enough waste skips for proper segregation of inert and non-inert wastes on
site. The Contractor was also
reminded to maintain sub-contractors’ awareness on waste management practices
and housekeeping.
·
On 20 November
2008, plastics were observed in the yellow bin of a set of 3-color bins near
the tank farms. The Contractor was
recommended to put paper, plastics and aluminium wastes in respective 3-color
bins at all times.
·
On 26 November
2008, chemical wastes were placed behind the workshop without drip trays and
proper chemical labels. The Contractor
was recommended to provide drip trays for the temporary storage of chemical wastes
in areas aside from the main chemical waste store.
·
On 26 November
2008, the chemical waste store near the workshop was observed to be full. The Contractor was recommended to arrange
collection of chemical wastes by a licensed Contractor as soon as possible.
With the
exception of the above observations, 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.
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
E.
Air and Noise
monitoring is not required for the project.
In accordance to the EM&A Manual, water quality
monitoring recommenced on 1 September 2008 alongside dredging activities. QA/QC
reports for suspended solids testing are presented in Annex F. Monitoring
data and graphical presentations of the results are included in Annex
G.
Results of the monitoring demonstrated that all
measured turbidity, dissolved oxygen (DO) and suspended solids (SS) levels of
all Impact Stations were compliant with the Action and Limit (AL) Levels
specified in the EM&A Manual.
Biweekly monitoring of POPs
in water samples was conducted on 12 and 26 November for POPs
analysis. At the time of this report,
results were available for total PCBs, total DDTs and
total PAHs on 22 October and 12 November. All POPs parameters
were below detection limits. Monitoring
results and QA/QC reports for POPs testing are presented in Annex H.
The Watching Brief Report, verified by the
Independent Environmental Checker, was submitted to the EPD and AMO on 9 May
2008.
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.
The ET and IEC
verified updated design audit plan was 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.
In accordance
with EM&A Manual, dolphin
monitoring has been undertaken during dredging activities since 1 September
2008. During the reporting period, a
total of 9 dolphin sightings were recorded.
Appropriate action was taken in accordance with the EM&A Manual. The
sighting locations and field records are presented in Annex I.
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. Further comments were received from the EPD
on 22 January 2008. The revised EM&A Manual has been verified by the IEC and
was submitted to EPD on 2 December 2008.
The Final Baseline Monitoring Report was submitted to the EPD on 20 February
2008 and placed under the EIAO register.
Key issues to be
considered in the next one month will be:
·
Dust
release and suppression;
·
Operation
of dredging activities; and,
·
Water
quality monitoring and dolphin monitoring during the dredging activities.
Provided that
environmental mitigation measures including good on-site practises are properly
implemented, it is not expected that unacceptable adverse impacts will arise.
Work programme
for the next one month includes jetty platform works (non-piling), site works
(construction works for tank farm, operational and fire services buildings, pump
platform, drainages, bund wall, security wall etc) and dredging operations. Weekly site inspections will be undertaken. Water quality and dolphin monitoring will be
undertaken in accordance with the EM&A Manual.