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.

1.1 Purpose of the Report

This is the 3^rd EM&A report which summarizes the monitoring results and audit findings for the EM&A programme during the reporting period from 15^th January 2006 to 14^th February 2006.

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 B.

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 A.

2.3 Major Construction Activities

A summary of the major works undertaken in this reporting period is shown in Table 2.1.

Table 2.1 Summary of Works Undertaken During the Reporting Period, between 15^th January and 14^th February 2006

Area	Works undertaken
Tuen Mun Area 38	Marine Piling Works Site Preparation Works Surcharge construction

Area

Works undertaken

Tuen Mun Area 38

Marine Piling Works

Site Preparation Works

Surcharge construction

2.4 Monitoring Schedule of The Reporting Month

Only dolphin visual monitoring was conducted during the piling activities over the reporting month. Piling activities were conducted during the 18^th to 27^th January, and 6^th to 14^th February except the 11^th February 2006, Sundays and public holidays.

2.5 Status of Environmental Approval Documents

A summary of the relevant permits, licences, and/or notifications on environmental protection for this Project as of 14^th February 2006 is presented in Table 2.2.

Table 2.2 Summary of Environmental Licensing, Notification and Permit Status

Permit/ Licenses/ Notification	Reference	Validity Period	Remarks
Environmental Permit	EP-139/2002	Throughout Project	Issued on 2 August 2002
	EP-139/2002	Throughout Project	Issued on 2 August 2002
Variation of Environmental Permit	VEP-133/2004	Throughout Project	Issued on 28 January 2004
Amended Environmental Permit	EP-139/2002/A	Throughout Project	Issued on 24 February 2004
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	001004989	Throughout Project	Notification on 5 November 2005 (Tank Farm at TM Area 38, Jetty at Urmston Road and Fuel Pipeline
Construction Noise Permit	PP-RW0024-05	12 Nov 05 to 31 Mar 06	Issued on 7 November 2005, for Hydraulic Hammer (single acting) driving steel pile
Construction Noise Permit	GW-RW0785-05	7 Dec 05 to 31 Mar 06	Issued on 7 December 2005, for General Works (Welding) at Jetty Area
Wastewater Discharge License	--	--	Applied on 23 January 06

2.6 Summary of non-compliance with the environmental quality performance limits

Summary of Environmental Non-compliance

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

Summary of Environmental Complaints

No environmental complaint was received during the reporting period. A statistical summary of environmental complaints since project commencement is presented in Annex E.

Summary of Environmental Summons

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

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 the 20^th, 26^th, January 2006, 4^th and 10^th February 2006. 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

· No noticeable dust emission was observed during the stockpile loading activity and vehicle movement within the site ;

· Earth mounds (surcharge) were covered to avoid dust emission. However, a C&D stockpile was found not covered during the 4^th Feb 06 site inspection. Although no dust emission was observed, it was recommended to the Contractor that the C&D stockpiles should be covered to avoid potential dust emission. The C&D stockpile was removed during the 10^th Feb 06 site inspection;

· Unpaved road appeared to be regularly wetted. The site in general was also regularly wetted with water sprayed to the dust generating activities;

· Site temporary entrance/exit was paved and wheel-washing facility was provided at the site exit to avoid dust deposit in the access road; and,

· Main access road within the site (near the entrance/exit) was paved to avoid dust emission.

Noise

· No noisy activity was found during the audit;

· A silenced generator was used on the piling barge to reduce noise emission. Noise insulation device was provided at the bottom of the generator to reduce noise emission from the barge;

· The air compressor had already got rubber tires to minimize noise emission from the barge; and,

· Bubble jacket was used during the marine percussive piling activity.

Water Quality

· Sedimentation tank was in the progress of installation during the reporting month. No wastewater was discharged from the site. The wastewater generated from the wheel-washing facility was reused. The Contractor submitted an application for the wastewater discharge license on 23^rd January 2006;

· Trench was formed next to the surcharges to contain any potential release of water generated from the surcharges;

· Manholes outside the site were free of sand;

· Chemical toilets were provided on site;

· No sediment plumes were observed during the marine piling activities;

Waste Management

· No chemical waste was disposed during the reporting month; and,

· Chemical waste drums were found without labels in the chemical waste storage facility during the 4^th Feb 06 site inspection. The Contractor was reminded to label all containers in accordance with the code of practice. The drums were labeled during the 10^th Feb 06 site inspection.

Overall, the site was in a good orderly manner. Suitable mitigation measures, such as the use of water truck regularly and tarpaulin covers should continuous be used to ensure dust emission is avoided on site.

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 C.

3.3 Environmental Monitoring

3.3.1 Air and Noise

Air and Noise monitoring was not required for the project. The underwater noise monitoring conducted during the initial PAFF piling activity was part of the ecology monitoring. Results are presented in Section 3.3.7 below.

3.3.2 Water Quality

Water quality monitoring at the monitoring stations was not required as no dredging activity was taken place.

3.3.3 Waste Management

Auditing the Contractor’s Waste Management Plan (WMP) is part of the EM&A requirements. The Contractor submitted their Waste Management Plan on the 19^th January 2006 and a revised version on the 11 February. The WMP had been reviewed and comments were made on the 7^th and 16^th February 2006. It is expected the finalised version of WMP will be submitted to the EPD by the end of February 2006.

3.3.4 Cultural Heritage

As no dredging activity was conducted along the pipe trench during the reporting period, marine archaeological monitoring was not required.

3.3.5 Landscape and Visual

According to the EIA report and EM&A manual, mitigation measures and site inspection are required during the landscaping/planting works. No landscaping or planting works were conducted on site during the reporting period.

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

3.3.6 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. As there was no construction works related to such issues in the reporting period, audit on the mitigation design and measures was not required. However, weekly site inspection covered the waste management aspects which included measures to prevent land contamination by chemical wastes.

3.3.7 Ecology

Dolphin Visual Monitoring

The action plan for dolphin monitoring is shown in Annex D. A 500m dolphin exclusion zone is enforced during all marine piling operations. A qualified person was present during all piling activities and conducted visual monitoring in accordance with the monitoring requirements. Piling activities were conducted during the 18^th to 27^th January, and 3^rd to 14^th February except the 11^th February 2006. Dolphins were spotted on the 23^rd January, 8^th and 9^th February 2006 at the distance of 1100m, 800m and 830m respectively during the piling works. No dolphins were observed within the 500m exclusion zone during any of the piling works. The dolphin sighting record sheets are attached in Annex F.

Underwater Noise Monitoring Study

Underwater Noise Monitoring Study was conducted between 23^rd and 25^th November 2005. Three boats were employed to take measurement of noise levels at a distance of 250m, 500m and 1000m from the piling barge. Both the ambient and the piling (with mitigated measures) noise levels were recorded. All possible precautions were taken to avoid any interference to the results during the measurements. The Summary Report is attached in Annex G.

Tables 3.1 and 3.2 summarized the results being analyzed from the monitoring data.

Table 3.1 Broadband Noise Levels and Noise Attenuation within the Broadband Range 100 Hz to 25.6 kHz

Position	EP Criteria (dB)	Ambient Level (dB)	Mitigated Noise Level (dB)	Compliant with EP Criteria
1 (250m)	162	139	146	Yes
2 (500m)	152	128	127	Yes
3 (1000m)	145	129	128	Yes

Table 3.2 Broadband Noise Levels and Noise Attenuation within the EIA Dolphin Sensitive Range 400 Hz to 12.8 kHz

Position	EP Criteria (dB)	Ambient Level (dB)	Mitigated Noise Level (dB)	Compliant with EP Criteria
1 (250m)	162	133	138	Yes
2 (500m)	152	122	122	Yes
3 (1000m)	145	124	124	Yes

Conclusion

· The mitigation measures were effective. The mitigated noise levels generated from the piling activities complied with the EP requirement.

· The piling noise was negligible over ambient at a distance of 500m or more.

· Background noise levels from heavy marine traffic and construction activities contributed to the high ambient noise levels.

4 Future Key Issues

4.1 Key Issues for the Next One Month

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

· Impacts on dolphins due to piling works;

· Noise from operating machinery and equipment; and,

· Dust release and suppression.

4.2 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 impact will arise.

4.3 Works and Monitoring Schedule for the Next One Month

Work programme for the next one month includes piling works and site works. Only dolphin visual monitoring is required during piling activities. Weekly site inspections will also be undertaken. The contractor indicated that piling activities will be conducted during all weekdays (Monday to Saturday) between 7am to 7pm except public holidays in the next reporting period between 15^th February and 14^th March 2006. Thus, dolphin visual monitoring will be conducted during this period.