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 (PAFF) (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 twenty-sixth EM&A Report which summarizes the monitoring results and audit findings for the EM&A programme during the reporting period from 1 December to 31 December 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. 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 31 December 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 Pipeline Route	Dredging Operations

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

Dredging Operations

Table 2.2 Cumulative Quantity of Excavated Marine Sediments up to 31 December 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 31 December 2008*
Contaminated Mud	0
Uncontaminated Mud	117,967

2.4 Monitoring Schedule of The Reporting Month

Daily water quality monitoring during dredging activities was recommenced on 1 September 2008. The monitoring schedule for December 2008 is presented in Annex C.

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.

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	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
	EP/MD/09-039	1 December 2008 to 31 January 2009	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. During the reporting month, a meeting was organised by the CLG on 3 December 2008.

Details of the CLG (including Membership and its Terms of Reference) 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 recorded 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 D.

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 D.

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, 11, 18, 23 and 31 December 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

· During the site inspection on 4 December 2008, waste trucks left the work site without properly using the wheel-wash facility. The Contractor was reminded to ensure that no soil and grit were carried onto the neighbouring public road by vehicles leaving the construction site.

· On 4 December 2008, excavators in the surcharge area were observed to be operating without dust control measures. The Contractor was reminded to implement dust suppression measures (ie water spraying) regularly when dusty activities are conducted on site.

· On 23 December 2008, loading works near the oil interceptor was observed to be generating lots of dust. The Contractor was recommended to spray excavated materials prior to loading in order to avoid wind erosion.

Water Quality

· During the site inspection on 11 December 2008, the stop plug of a drip tray under a diesel generator near the oil interceptor was observed to be missing. The Contractor was reminded to replace the missing stop plug and to ensure the stop plug is tightly fastened onto the drip tray.

Waste Management

· On 11 December 2008, no chemical waste labels were observed on a few waste oil drums on the dredging barge. The Contractor was recommended to label the waste oil drums with chemical waste labels with reference to the guidelines in the Code of Practice on the Packaging, Labelling and Storage of Chemical Wastes.

· On 23 December 2008, general wastes were piled up behind the tank farms without receptor bins. The Contractor was reminded to replace bins for temporary storage of wastes as soon as possible.

· On 23 and 31 December 2008, the chemical waste store near the operation building 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.

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 E.

4 Environmental Monitoring

4.1 Air and Noise

Air and Noise monitoring is not required for the project.

4.2 Water Quality

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.

4.3 POPs Monitoring

Biweekly monitoring of POPs in water samples was conducted on 10 and 24 December for POPs analysis. At the time of this report, results were available for monitoring of total PCBs, total DDTs and total PAHs on 26 November and 10 December. All POPs parameters were below detection limits. Monitoring results and QA/QC reports for POPs testing are presented in Annex H.

4.4 Waste Management

According to EP Condition 3.3, the Contractor’s revised Waste Management Plan (Revision 5) (WMP), which has been certified by the ET and IEC, was submitted to the EPD on 05 November 2008.

4.5 Cultural Heritage

The Watching Brief Report, verified by the Independent Environmental Checker, was submitted to the EPD and AMO on 9 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 appeared to be habilitated by vegetation which was grown during the project suspension period. The transplanted trees appeared to be 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

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.

4.8 Ecology

Dolphin Visual Monitoring

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.

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 CLG, carrying out design audit, and monitoring of Persistent Organic Pollutants during construction of the Project. Further comments were received from the EPD and a revised EM&A Manual has been verified by the IEC and was submitted to EPD on 2 December 2008.

4.10 Baseline Water Quality Monitoring

The Final Baseline Monitoring Report was submitted to the EPD on 20 February 2008 and placed under the EIAO register.

5 Future Key Issues

5.1 Key Issues for the Next Month

Key issues to be considered in the next month will be:

· Dust release and suppression;

· Operation of dredging activities; and,

· Water quality monitoring and dolphin monitoring during dredging activities.

5.2 Impact Prediction for the Next 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 Month

Work programme for the next 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.