1.1
ENSR Asia
(HK) Ltd. (ENSR) which was integrated into AECOM Asia
Company Limited as of 1 May 2009, (hereinafter called the “ET”) was appointed by Highways Department (hereinafter called the “Client”) to undertake
Environmental Monitoring and Audit for “Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western
Corridor” (hereinafter called the “Project”) during operational phase. Under
the requirements of Section 6 of Environmental Permit EP-162/2003/B and Section
3 of Environmental Permit EP-290/2007, EM&A programme as set out in the
EM&A Manuals is required to be implemented. In accordance with the Environmental
Permit and the EM&A Manuals, environmental monitoring of operational noise,
water quality, ecology and sedimentation rate are required for the Project.
1.2
Operation for the Project commenced on 1 July 2007. This report
summarises the environmental monitoring and audit works for the Project between
1 and 31 May 2009.
1.3
The structure of the environmental
management team is shown in Figure 1.1. Contacts of key environmental staff of
the Project are shown in Appendix A.
1.4
A layout plan of the Project is
provided in Figure 1.2.
1.5
The EM&A programme requires
environmental monitoring for operational noise, water quality, ecology and
sedimentation rate. The EM&A requirements for each item are described in
subsequent sections, including:
·
Monitoring parameters;
·
Environmental mitigation measures, as recommended in the
project EIA final report;
·
Environmental requirements in the contract documents.
1.6
Site audits findings are described in
Section 6.
1.7
Advice on the implementation status of
environmental protection and pollution control/mitigation measures are
summarised in Section 6 of the Report.
2.1
Noise monitoring is required to monitor
the operational noise level at the nearby sensitive receivers during peak
traffic hour.
2.2
The measured noise level will be compared
to the predicted traffic noise levels in the EIA under full provision of the
mitigation measures.
2.3
The traffic
noise level should be measured twice within the first year of the road opening.
Measurements should be made in terms of the A-weighted L10 over
three 30-mins periods during the peak traffic hour. Other parameters L90
and Leq would be included for reference purpose.
2.4
Noise monitoring was required to be carried
out at NSRs SWC-AN1 and SWC-AN2. The monitoring locations are summarized in
Table 2.1.
Table 2.1 The Noise Monitoring Locations
|
Monitoring Station
|
Location
|
Monitoring Type
|
Description
|
|
SWC-AN1
|
Village House
at Ngau Hom Shek
|
Façade
|
G/F
|
|
SWC-AN2
|
Village House
at Ngau Hom Shek
|
Façade
|
G/F
|
2.5
Operational
noise monitoring was completed on 23 June 2008. No monitoring was carried out in the reporting month.
3.1
The monitoring is
to determine the characteristics of bridge runoff in particular the first flush
from the HK-SWC bridge during rain-storm events and to review the frequency of
road cleaning.
3.2
The original method on road surface runoff monitoring involves installation
of equipments onto the bridge deck or the parapets on both sides of the
expressway. After reviewing by relevant government departments, including the
Hong Kong Police Force and Fire Services Department, the installation of
equipment was considered causing disturbance to other road users including the
fire services and police vehicles during emergency operation and considered
relatively unsafe for the ET staff working on the expressway.
3.3
An alternative
proposal on the monitoring method using a water tanker to simulate an
artificial rainfall by spraying water onto the catchment area of the monitoring
gully during bridge closure at night was prepared. The alternative proposal was
approved by EPD. A procedural guide was also prepared. The guide was vetted by
the IEC and the Engineer and was reviewed by EPD.
3.4
Two periods of monitoring during the first 3 months and after
6 months of the opening of the HK-SWC
Bridge would be required.
The monitoring should include in total 12 sampling / rainstorm events (12 sets
of data) and cover the dry season period. A total of 6 sets of sampling data
should be collected during the first 3 months after the opening of the HK-SWC
bridge. The other 6 sets of sampling data should be collected in month 7 to
month 9 after opening of the HK-SWC
Bridge. The minimum
interval between two sampling events shall not be less than 4 days.
3.5
The commencement of the road surface runoff monitoring
programme was postponed to September 2007 due to the requirement in obtaining
consent and relevant permits and licenses from relevant government departments for
working on the bridge deck. The monitoring of road surface runoff from
carriageway was completed on 1 March 2008.
3.6
All samples were cooled to 4°C without being frozen and delivered to a HOKLAS laboratory
within 24 hours for analysis for the following pollutants in highway runoff:
ŸTotal suspended solids
ŸTotal organic carbon
ŸChemical oxygen demand
ŸNitrate and nitrite
ŸTotal Kjeldahl Nitrogen
ŸTotal phosphorus
ŸCopper
ŸLead
ŸZinc
3.7
Water samples were collected from six different road gullies, three
on each side of the carriageways. The exact monitoring locations were recorded in terms of nearby lighting
pole / highways chainage.
3.8
The monitoring of road surface runoff from carriageway was
completed on 1 March 2008. No monitoring was carried out in the reporting
month.
4.1
As required under Clause 6.7, 6.9 and
6.10 of the Environmental Permit EP-162/2003/B, Clause 3.4 of the Environmental
Permit EP-290/2007 and Section 6.3.2 – 6.3.4 of the EM&A Manual,
operational disturbance on intertidal bird
communities, bridge lighting scheme and bird collisions, and replanted
mangroves have to be monitored bi-monthly (for 2 years), monthly (for 3 years)
and quarterly (for 2 years) respectively.
4.2
The trigger and
action levels for bird density for the monitoring on intertidal bird
communities are provided in Appendix B.
Monitoring Equipment
4.3
Equipment
used for monitoring included a 20x - 60x telescope, 10 x 42 binoculars, and a hand-held
GPS.
Monitoring Locations
4.4
Two
monitoring locations were selected: Ngau Hom Shek (NHS) and Sheung Pak Nai
(SPN). The NHS site locates adjacent to
the Hong Kong - Shenzhen Western Corridor (HK-SWC),
and provides information for potential operational phase disturbance. The SPN site was used as a control site
during the monitoring process in construction phase. In this Project, the SPN site was also used as
a control site to maintain consistency. It is located approximately 950 m
to the southwest of NHS.
Monitoring Methodology
Intertidal Mudflat Monitoring
4.5
The
abundance and diversity of bird species within a 100 m
x 100 m
quadrat (10,000 m2)
of exposed mudflat were recorded. The
monitoring was carried out during low tide when at least 100 m
of mudflat was exposed. Data was
recorded at both NHS and SPN sites.
4.6
The
density and diversity of bird species were then compared with the baseline data
recorded from September 2001 to May 2002, as presented in the Shenzhen Western
Corridor EIA Report (EIA).
Tideline Monitoring
4.7
A
survey was conducted along a 10 m
wide belt transect centred along the tideline at NHS and SPN. The survey was conducted during low tide when
at least 100 m of mudflat was exposed. The transect at NHS extended 250 m
from the alignment of the HK-SWC towards both sides (Figure 4.1). The transect was divided into 10 sections of 50 m.
Total
area of a transect = 10 m x 500 m
= 5,000 m2
4.8
Telescope
and binoculars were used to scan from one end to the other end of the transect.
A total of 1.5 minutes were spent in
each section. The number and species of
birds were recorded in each section. The
same method was used at the SPN site, except that there was no bridge alignment
and the transect was set on a random section along the tideline.
4.9
The density
of birds within the tideline transects at NHS and SPN were then tested for
their significance of difference using parametric t-test, or non-parametric
Mann-Whitney test, where:
Null
Hypothesis = No difference in bird densities along the tidelines at NHS and SPN
4.10
Additionally,
bird abundance and species composition were being compared with the baseline
data recorded from September 2001 to May 2002, as presented in the EIA.
Monitoring of Effects of Shade
4.11
In
order to monitor the effects of the shade of the HK-SWC to birds, the density
and composition of bird species were recorded on the mudflat underneath the HK-SWC
in 3 strips that lie parallel to it: 1) the strip of mudflat right under the
bridge (recommended by the EM&A Manual); 2) the strip of mudflat within the
shade; and 3) the strip of mudflat outside the shade and bridge. The strips extended from the shore towards the
sea. Monitoring was carried out during
low tide when at least 250 m of mudflat was exposed. Each strip was 250 m
in length, 40 m in width (width of HK-SWC) and
were divided into 5 sections of 50 m.
Total
area of a strip = 250 m x 40 m = 10,000 m2
4.12
Since
the sun does not always shine right above the bridge, the shade of the bridge
rarely lies right under the bridge. It
is therefore recommended to follow the shade of the bridge and collect
information there, in addition to collecting information from right under the
bridge as recommended by the EM&A Manual.
4.13
The
collected information from the 3 strips of mudflat were being tested for their
significance of difference using the parametric t-test, or non-parametric
Mann-Whitney test, where:
Null
Hypothesis = No difference in bird densities on different strips of mudflat
Results and observation
4.14
The intertidal bird surveys were conducted on 21 May 2009. The weather was sunny. The temperature was 24.8 oC - 30.9oC
and the humidity was 73% - 94%.
Intertidal Mudflat Monitoring
4.15
Graph 4.1 shows the number and species of shorebirds recorded
at the 100 m x 100 m
mudflat quadrats at NHS and SPN.
Graph 4.1 Abundance
and Species Composition of Shorebirds on the Exposed Mudflats (100
m x 100 m
Quadrat) at Ngau Hom Shek and Sheung Pak Nai – 21 May 2009
4.16
At the NHS and SPN sites, only 1 species, Little Egret Egretta garzetta, was recorded during the survey. A
total of 3 and 4 individuals were recorded at NHS and SPN respectively. While abundance and species diversity were
approximately the same at both sites, there was no evidence to suggest any
adverse impacts from SWC operation on shorebird communities during the survey.
4.17
Table 4.1 compares the density and number of shorebird species
recorded during the EIA and the recent survey.
Table
4.1 Density and Number of Shorebird
Species Recorded during the Previous EIA and the Survey on 21 May 2009 on the Exposed
Mudflats (100 m x 100 m
Quadrat) at Ngau Hom Shek and Sheung Pak Nai
|
|
Density of
Shorebirds (Birds/Ha)
|
No. of species
|
|
|
Ngau Hom Shek
|
Sheung Pak Nai
|
Ngau Hom Shek
|
Sheung Pak Nai
|
|
Current Survey
|
3
|
4
|
1
|
1
|
|
Previous EIA
|
2.3
|
4.2
|
1.3
|
1.8
|
4.18
The shorebird density and diversity at NHS recorded during
this survey were approximately the same as the numbers recorded during EIA. There was no evidence to suggest any adverse
impacts from SWC operation on shorebird communities during the survey.
4.19
The
abundance and diversity of shorebirds recorded at NHS during this survey (1
species of 3 individuals) were lower than the previous monitoring survey
conducted in March 2009 (4 species of 28 individuals). The decrease in abundance is possibly due to
the transition
from winter period (including March), when large amount of shorebirds aggregate
in Deep Bay, to summer period, where all the winter visitors are gone.
Tideline Monitoring
4.20
Graph 4.2 presents the abundance and species composition of
shorebirds recorded on the 500 m x 10 m
tideline transects at NHS and SPN.
Graph 4.2 Abundance
and Species Composition of Shorebirds along the Tidelines (500 m x 10 m
transect) at Ngau Hom Shek and Sheung Pak Nai – 21 May 2009
4.21
At
the NHS impact monitoring site, 2 species of 14 individuals of shorebirds (Great
Egret Egretta
alba,
and Little Egret Egretta garzetta) were recorded; whereas at the SPN control site, 3
species of 27 individuals of shorebirds (Little Egret Egretta garzetta, Great Egret Egretta alba and Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus) were recorded.
4.22
The tideline transect at the NHS impact monitoring site recorded
approximately the same species diversity as, but lower abundance than, the SPN
control site. Although the SPN site
recorded higher abundance than the NHS site, nevertheless, a parametric t-test
found no statistically significant difference between the bird abundance along
the tidelines at NHS and SPN (P=0.148).
The result suggests that no adverse impact on shorebird communities was
observed during the operation of the HK-SWC during the survey.
4.23
Table 4.2 compares the density and number of shorebird species
recorded during the EIA and the recent survey.
Table 4.2 Density
and Number of Shorebird Species Recorded during the Previous EIA and the Survey
on 21 May 2009 along the Tidelines (500
m x 10 m
transect) at Ngau Hom Shek and Sheung Pak Nai
|
|
Density of
shorebird (birds/ha)
|
No. of species
|
|
|
Ngau Hom Shek
|
Sheung Pak Nai
|
Ngau Hom Shek
|
Sheung Pak Nai
|
|
Current survey
|
28
|
54
|
2
|
3
|
|
Previous EIA
|
23.2
|
58.2
|
1.8
|
2
|
4.24
During this survey, the shorebird
density and diversity at the NHS impact monitoring site and SPN control site
were approximately the same as that recorded during the previous EIA. The results of this
survey suggest that the operation of HK-SWC had no adverse effect on the shorebird communities
during this survey.
4.25
When compare the recent survey with the
previous survey conducted in March 2009, the density and species diversity of
shorebirds recorded during this survey (28 birds/ha of 2 species) were lower
than the previous survey (94 birds/ha of 2 species) at NHS. While for SPN, this survey also recorded
lower abundance than the previous survey in March (this survey – 54 birds/ha of
3 species; previous survey – 110 birds/ha of 5 species). The decrease in recorded bird abundance is
possibly due to the transition from winter period (including March), when large
amount of shorebirds aggregate in Deep Bay, to summer period, where all the
winter visitors are gone.
Monitoring of Effects of Shade
4.26
During the survey, only two sets of data, ‘Under Bridge’ and ‘On
Exposed Mudflat’, were collected, as the shade was right under the bridge.
4.27
Graph 4.3 presents the results recorded during the survey for
effects of shade on the strips of mudflat (250 m
x 40 m)
at the NHS impact monitoring site.
Graph 4.3 Abundance and Species Composition of
Shorebirds on the Strips of Mudflats (250 m x 40 m)
“Under Bridge” and “On Exposed Mudflat” at Ngau Hom Shek – 21 May 2009
4.28
At the strip of mudflat right under the HK-SWC (Under Bridge),
no shorebird was recorded during the monitoring survey; whereas 1 species (Little
Egret Egretta garzetta) of 2 individuals were recorded on the
exposed mudflat.
4.29
The recent monitoring survey showed that bird abundance and
diversity were not of significant difference between the strips of mudflat
“Under Bridge” and “On Exposed Mudflat”.
Moreover, a statistical Mann-Whitney Rank Sum test found no
statistically significant difference between the bird abundance within the two
strips of mudflat (P=0.690). This result suggests that the physical existence
of the HK-SWC and its shade has no adverse impact on the shorebird communities
at NHS during the recent survey.
4.30
As discussed in the operation monitoring report dated November
2007, distribution of shorebirds may be affected by a number of abiotic or
biotic factors apart from the operation of the HK-SWC, and they are listed
below:
l
Early-staged establishment of benthos communities in the
mudflat under bridge after the construction phase provide less food resource for
shorebirds, which may account for the lower number of shorebirds recorded under
the bridge. However, benthos communities
in mudflat under the bridge are expected to build up gradually in long-term and
such factor should be diminished in the future.
l
The curve-shaped tideline at some locations may provide less
feeding area and feeding opportunities for shorebirds, which may affect their
distribution at NHS.
l
The uneven and patchy distribution of shorebirds in nature
means that it may cause bias in statistical analysis.
l
A
succession of oyster farms was found located on the mudflat approximately 50 m
away from both sides of the alignment of HK-SWC. The oyster areas were observed to be a
popular feeding ground for shorebirds and were frequently visited. The abundant food resource in these areas may
have a positive effect on the abundance and diversity of intertidal shorebirds
on the strip of exposed mudflat at NHS.
Monitoring
Equipment
4.31
A
camera and a pair of binoculars were required during the monitoring process.
Monitoring
Locations
4.32
The
monitoring of bird collisions took place along the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Corridor
(HK-SWC), which is approximately 5.5 km
long and 40 m
wide.
Monitoring
Methodology
4.33
A
survey was conducted to assess the impacts of different lighting schemes on
bird mortality as caused by collision with the bridge and associated
structures. In order to monitor the bird’s
mortality, a survey was carried out along the HK-SWC at both sides of the
carriageway covering both the Hong Kong and
Shenzhen sections. Attention was paid to
the road surface while attempts were made to spot dead birds. Sea surface was also scanned for any floating
dead birds.
4.34
The
four lighting schemes are listed as follows:
§ Scheme 1 –
Monday to Thursday and Sunday, 19.30-22.00. Architectural lighting for the tower.
§ Scheme 2 –
Friday, Saturday and general festival, 19.30-22.00. Architectural lighting for the tower and side
faces of the deck.
§ Scheme 3 – Special festival and
events, 19.30-22.00. Architectural lighting
for the tower, stay cables and the side faces of the deck.
§ Scheme 4 –
During inclement weather, turn off the architectural lighting.
Results and
observation
4.35
The
survey was conducted on 26 May 2009 at 8 pm. Lighting Scheme 1 was being
monitored.
4.36
No dead
bird was found on the bridge nor floating on water surface during the survey. There was no significant evidence to suggest
adverse impacts from the HK-SWC on bird collision.
Monitoring Locations
4.37
The
monitoring of the survival and growth of the compensatory mangrove plantation
took place right below the HK-SWC on the mudflat near the shore at NHS. The total area of the plantation was 2,010.9 m2. It was composed of 7,736 Kandelia obovata droppers.
Results and observation
4.38
Monitoring
of replanted mangrove was not carried out in the reporting month.
4.39
All of
the operation phase mangrove monitoring has been conducted.
.
5.1
As required under Clause 6.2 of the
Environmental Permit EP-162/2003/B, monitoring on the sedimentation rate in Deep Bay
would be required on a monthly basis.
5.2
The monitoring work took place every
month starting from the construction phase and up to one year after the project
has commenced the operation. Additional work may be needed subject to the
weather condition.
5.3
Monitoring was carried out at 7
monitoring stations as specified in the approved Sedimentation Rate Monitoring
Plan at Tsim Bei Tsui, Mai Po mudflat and those between HK-SWC and Tsim Bei
Tsui. These include two locations at Tsim Bei Tsui (Stations P1 & P2), three
locations at the Mai Po Mudflat (Stations P3 to P5) and two locations near Sha
Kiu Tsuen (Stations P6 & P7).
5.4
The sedimentation rate monitoring in Deep Bay
was completed on 17 June 2008. No monitoring was carried out in the reporting
month.
6.1
Site audits were
carried out on a weekly basis to monitor environmental issues on the site to confirm
that all mitigation measures were implemented properly. The summary of site
audit in the reporting period is attached in Appendix C.
6.2
All
permits/licences/notifications obtained as of the reporting period are
summarised in Table 6.1
Table 6.1 Summary of
Environmental Notification, Licensing and Permit Status
|
Permit No.
|
Valid Period
|
Description
|
Status
|
|
From
|
To
|
|
Environmental
Permit
|
|
EP-162/2003/B
|
19 Jan. 04
|
-
|
1.
Construction
and operation of a 3.2 km
dual 3-lane carriageway elevated structure of the Shenzhen Western Corridor
spanning across Deep
Bay from Ngau Hom Shek
to the section of the Shenzhen Western Corridor within the boundary within
the Mainland.
2.
Construction
and operation of a 340 m
dual 3-lane carriageway of the Deep Bay Link connecting to the Shenzhen
Western Corridor at Ngau Hom Shek.
|
Valid
|
|
EP-290/2007
|
20 Nov. 07
|
-
|
1.
Operation
of a 2.0km dual 3-lane carriageway elevated structure of the Shenzhen Bay
Bridge spanning across Deep Bay
from Shenzhen Bay
Bridge – Hong Kong Section to Shenzhen Bay Port,
Hong Kong Port Area at Dongjiaotou.
|
Valid
|
6.3
The ET conducted site inspections on 6, 14, 21 and 26 May 2009.
6.4
No specific
finding was identified in the reporting month.
Environmental Mitigation
Implementation Schedule (EMIS)
6.5
According to the Environmental Permit (EP-162/2003/B), the mitigation measures detailed
in the permits are required to be implemented. An updated summary of the EMIS
is presented in Appendix D.
6.6
No exceedance was recorded in
the reporting month.
6.7
The Event and Action Plans for feeding shorebirds are
presented in Appendix B.
6.8
Appendix E
presents the environmental complaint flow diagram of the Project.
6.9
No complaint, summon or prosecution related to environmental
issues was received or made against the Project in the reporting period.
7.1
Key issues to be considered in the
coming month include:
·
Maintain sufficient cleaning works for the carriageway
by vacuum air sweeper(s) to remove grits and pollutants; and
·
Implementation of the Emergency Response Plan for
Spillage of Chemicals.
7.2
Tentative environmental monitoring and
audit schedule for the next reporting month is shown in Appendix F.
8.1
Environmental impact monitoring was
performed between 1 and 31 May 2009. All monitoring results in the reporting
period were checked and reviewed.
8.2
No operational noise monitoring was carried
out in the reporting month since the monitoring had been completed.
8.3
No road surface
runoff from carriageway monitoring was carried out in the reporting month since
the monitoring had been completed.
8.4
No bird mortality was recorded during this
month’s bridge lighting scheme and bird collisions survey.
8.5
From
the intertidal bird communities monitoring, the physical existence of the
HK-SWC and its shade did not show an adverse impact on the shorebird
communities at NHS.
8.6
No sedimentation
rate monitoring was carried out in the reporting month since the monitoring had
been completed.
8.7
No
specific observation was identified during the site audits in the reporting
month.
8.8
No complaint,
notification of summons or prosecution related to environmental issues was made
against the Project in the reporting period.
8.9
According to the environmental audits
performed, the following recommendations were made:
Water
Quality Impact
·
Maintain sufficient cleaning works for the carriageway
by vacuum air sweeper(s) to remove grits and pollutants.
·
Implement the Emergency Response Plan for Spillage of
Chemicals.
