1 Introduction

1.1 Background

The North East New Territories Landfill Extension (the NENTX Project) is located adjacent to the existing North East New Territories (NENT) Landfill at Ta Kwu Ling. The extension site is located in a valley covering mainly the existing NENT Landfill Stockpile and Borrow Area that was formed to the east of the existing landfill as part of the original site development of the landfill, and layout plan shown in Figure 1.1.

The NENTX is a designated project. The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Report (AEIAR-111/2007) and an Environmental Monitoring and Audit Manual were approved on 20 September 2007. The project is governed by an Environmental Permit (EP) (EP-292/2007) which was granted on 26 November 2007. A further of EP (FEP) was applied and the FEP (FEP-01/292/2007) was subsequently granted on 28 April 2022.

As per requirement of EP Condition 2.5 and FEP Condition 2.3, the Permit Holder shall, no later than one month before the commencement of construction of the Project, submit to the Director of Environmental Protection for approval an updated EM&A Manual for the Project, which shall include the latest information on the EM&A requirements for ecological, landscape, water and landfill gas hazard. All measures recommended in the approved EM&A Manual shall be fully and properly implemented according to the requirements and time schedules set out in the EM&A Manual. The submissions shall be certified by the Environmental Team (ET) Leader and verified by the Independent Environmental Checker (IEC).

This updated EM&A Manual has been prepared with reference to the approved EM&A Manual prepared in March 2007, the current EP, the latest design and EIAO-TM. The purpose of the Manual is to provide information, guidance and instruction to personnel charged with environmental duties and those responsible for undertaking EM&A work during construction, operation, restoration and aftercare phases of the NENTX. It provides systematic procedures for the environmental monitoring and auditing of the potential environmental impacts that may arise from the Project. The monitoring details of the establishment of the endemic freshwater crab, Somanniathelphusa zanklon community in the translocation site has been included in Section 10.6 of this EM&A Manual for fulfilling EIA Report Approval Condition No. 4 (Register No.: AEIAR-111/2017) on 20 September 2007.

1.2 Purpose and Scope of this Manual

Environmental Monitoring and Audit (EM&A) is an important aspect in the EIA process which specifies the timeframe and responsibilities for the implementation of environmental mitigation measures. The requirements on environmental monitoring (including baseline and impact monitoring) are given in the updated EM&A Manual (the Manual) which is a supplementary document to the EIA Study for the Project and prepared in accordance with the requirements in the EIA Study Brief and Technical Memorandum on Environmental Impact Assessment Process (TM-EIAO).

The purpose of this updated EM&A Manual is to guide the establishment of an EM&A programme to ensure compliance with the EIA recommendations, to assess the effectiveness of recommended mitigation measures, and to identify further need for additional mitigation measures or remedial action.

This updated Manual outlines the monitoring and audit requirements for the construction, operation, restoration and aftercare stages of the NENT Landfill Extension. It aims to provide systematic procedures for monitoring, auditing and minimising environmental impacts associated with construction works and operational activities.

Hong Kong environmental regulations and the Hong Kong Planning Standards and Guidelines have served as environmental standards and guidelines in the preparation of this updated Manual. This updated EM&A Manual was prepared in accordance with the requirements as stipulated in Annex 21 of the TM-EIAO.

This updated Manual contains the following information:

• Organisation, hierarchy and responsibilities of the Contractor, Environmental Team (ET), Independent Environmental Checker (IEC), and Independent Consultant (IC), with respect to the EM&A requirements during the construction, operation, restoration and aftercare phases of landfill extension;

• Information on project organisation and programming of construction activities;

• Requirements with respect to the construction schedule and necessary EM&A programme to track the varying environmental impacts;

• Full details of methodologies to be adopted, including all field, laboratory and analytical procedures, and details on quality assurance;

• Procedure for undertaking on-site environmental audits;

• Definition of Action and Limit Levels;

• Establishment of Event and Action Plans;

• Requirements of reviewing pollution sources and working procedures required in the event of non-compliance of environmental criteria and complaints;

• Requirements for reviewing the EIA predictions, implementation of mitigation measures, and effectiveness of environmental protection and pollution control measures adopted; and

• Presentation of requirements for EM&A data and appropriate reporting procedures.

1.3 Description of the Project

1.3.1 General Description of the Project

The development of the NENT Landfill Extension will involve the following works:

• Site formation, drainage diversion and preparation;

• Installation of liner system;

• Installation of leachate collection, treatment and disposal facilities;

• Installation of landfill gas collection, utilization and management facilities;

• Operation and environmental monitoring of landfill; and

• Restoration and aftercare.

1.3.2 Key Project Requirement

The key project requirements for the NENT Landfill Extension are:

• Development of sanitary landfill that covers an area of about 70ha with an estimated void space of 19Mm³;

• Provision of liner system for the landfill to prevent contamination of land and water resources;

• Provision of leachate collection, treatment and disposal facilities with sufficient capacity for handling the leachate arising from the new landfill;

• Provision of IandfiII gas (LFG) collection, utilisation and management facilities;

• Provision of utilities, drainage and road network necessary for the proper operation of the Project;

• Provision of facilities (both civil works and electrical and mechanical equipment) for waste reception, inspection, charging, handling and compaction, and plant maintenance;

• Provision of facilities for site administration;

• Operation of landfill in compliance with all relevant engineering, geotechnical and environmental standards;

• Restoration of landfill in compliance with all relevant engineering, geotechnical and environmental standards;

• Provision of aftercare for the landfill for a period of about 30 years;

• Carrying out environmental monitoring and audits throughout construction, operation, restoration and aftercare of the landfill; and

• Implementation of environmental measures necessary for the protection of the surrounding environment.

1.3.3 Size, Scale, Shape and Design of the Project

The landfill extension site will be a bowl-shape area with a large void space in the middle for waste filling. The northwestern and southeastern boundaries of the landfill extension site follow the ridgelines to maximise the landfill capacity. Some set back of the northern boundary is included to minimise the impact to woodland and Lin Ma Hang Catchment. The total site area is about 70ha and the final height of the landfill would not be exceeded +255 mPD (Figure 1.1 & Figure 1.2). Various activities during construction, operation, restoration and aftercare of landfill are discussed in the following sub-sections. The key design features are summarised below:

• Bottom liner system — separate waste mass and leachate from groundwater;

• Landfill cells — store waste within the unit;

• Storm water drainage system — collect rain water run off on the landfill;

• Leachate collection system — collect liquid leaching from the waste mass and convey it to a leachate treatment plant prior to discharging to Shek Wu Hui Sewage Treatment Works;

• Gas collection system — collect gases formed during the decomposition of waste. These gases will be treated and utilised for production of electricity on site; and

• Covering and capping — seal off the top of the landfill with a gas venting layer, an impermeable mineral layer, a drainage layer of at least 0.5m and at least 1m of top soil.

1.3.4 Construction Phase Activities

Simple excavation and slope formation works will be carried out during the construction stage. The permanent works comprise cut and fill earthworks, slope formation and earth wall construction. The temporary works will involve the formations of temporary ditches along the sides of excavations and associated drainage works, and material storage areas. During site formation, sediment will be contained in permanent detention ponds/silt traps that will be constructed according to landfill phasing. Final design and location of sediment traps are yet to be decided, but are likely to be down gradient of each landfill phase or in the downstream valleys near the existing waste reception area. Where possible they will be maintained during the operation of each phase to ensure the effective control of operational soil erosion problem.

1.3.5 Operation Phase Activities

During operation, waste will be disposed of at individual landfill cells. Deposited waste will be compacted to thin layers of up to two metres in thickness. The works will be maintained at a gradient of not greater than 1 in 3 to ensure the effectiveness of the compaction equipment. Daily cover (the active tipping area shall be covered about at least 150mm of soil together with a layer of Posi-Shell on completion of each day’s operation.) will be applied to control environmental nuisances such as windblown litter, odour, vermin, flies and birds. There are other alternative biodegradable materials for use as daily cover which may be applicable at NENTX, including:

• Heavy duty reusable and biodegradable sheets;

• Biodegradable, non-reusable plastic films;

• Geotextiles; and

• Foams and sprays.

1.3.6 Restoration Phase Activities

Restoration is a process to restore a landfill site to a condition suitable for afteruse. After completion of waste filling, final capping will be applied to minimise infiltration of rainwater into the waste mass thus reducing the amount of leachate generated. The capping system normally includes a number of components including topsoil, subsoil, drainage layer and barrier layer.

1.3.7 Aftercare Phase Activities

Aftercare is the work done after the replacement of the soil and includes cultivations, fertilisation, planting, construction of pathways, access points, vegetation maintenance and an ongoing long-term commitment to the restored landfill. Landscaped berms will be created and tree planting will be provided during the aftercare period for aesthetic purpose.

1.4 Project Programme

The Landfill Extension will start receiving waste only when the Existing NENT Landfill has ceased operation. The timing of this has yet to be determined as it depends on the rate of waste deliveries in the forthcoming period. Based on current predictions, the capacity of the Existing Landfill will probably run out by 2026, it is estimated that the operation commencement date of the Phase 1 of NENTX will be in 2026 based on the tentative outline programme.

Taking into account of the time needed for mobilization and preparatory works prior to commencement of receipt of waste, the EPD awarded the Landfill Extension contract in February 2022. In order to ensure that new landfill space will be available before the capacity of the existing landfill runs out.

The tentative outline Programme of Landfill Extension is indicatively summarised in Appendix A.

2 Scope of EM&A Programme

The requirements of EM&A programme should include the recommendations from the EIA study and with reference to EPD's “Environmental Monitoring and Audit Guidelines for Development Projects in Hong Kong". Detailed requirements of the EM&A programme for construction, operation, restoration and aftercare phases of this Project are described in the following sections of this updated EM&A Manual. Table 2.1 summarises the requirements at various phases of the Project.

Table 2.1 Summary of EM&A Requirements

Parameter(s)	Project Phase
Parameter(s)	Construction	Operation/ Restoration	Aftercare
Dust	√	√	√
Ambient Volatile Organic Compound (VOC), Ammonia and hydrogen Sulphide (H₂S)	√ ^(a)	√	√
Stack emission from LFG Generators, Flares and Thermal Oxidizers		√	√ ^(d) (Flare only)
Odour		√	√ ^(b)
Surface Water	√	√	√
Groundwater	√ ^(a)	√	√
Leachate		√	√
Landfill Gas	√ ^(a)	√	√
Noise	√	√	√ ^(b)
Waste Management ^(c)	√	√
Ecology ^(c)	√	√	√
Landscape and Visual ^(c)	√	√	√

Notes:

(a) The monitoring of VOCs, ammonia, H₂S, groundwater and landfill gas during construction would act as baseline monitoring for operation impact.

(b) The monitoring and audit of dust, odour and noise in aftercare phase will only be required when there are major maintenance / maintenance works requiring excavation of Waste.

(d) Since the leachate quantity will be significantly decreased during aftercare phase, therefore, SBR tanks should be sufficient to treat the leachate to meet the required standards without the need to operate the thermal oxidiser. Hence, stack emission monitoring will only be conducted at flares only if the thermal oxidiser is no longer in use.

2.1 Objective of EM&A Programme

The EM&A requirements recommended in the EIA Report will ensure compliance with the specified mitigation measures. An EM&A programme should be designed based on these requirements to achieve the following key objectives:

• Establishment of existing environmental setting of the site to assist the development of landfill design and to establish a baseline against which any adverse environmental impacts can be evaluated;

• Provision of a database against which any short- or long-term environmental impacts of the Project can be determined against the Project compliance with regulatory requirements, standards and Government policies;

• Verification of environmental impacts predicted in the EIA study and provision of an early indication of any failure of environmental control measures or practices to achieve the acceptable standards;

• Evaluation of environmental impacts during site preparation works and operational phases of the landfill extension project to assist the determination of effectiveness of the mitigation measures to be implemented, ensure compliance with the relevant environmental regulations, and design of any additional mitigation measures requirements;

• Provision of information to enable environmental audit of Project activities during construction, operation, restoration and aftercare phases, and taking remedial action if unexpected problems or unacceptable impacts arise; and

• Provision of a basis for long-term monitoring programme following the completion of works during the aftercare phase.

2.2 Organisation for EM&A Programme

The proposed project organisation of personnel involved in the EM&A process is illustrated in Appendix B, which consists of the Project Proponent (Environmental Infrastructure Division, Environmental Protection Department), Employer’s Representative (ER), Contractor, Environmental Team (ET), Independent Environmental Checker (IEC), and Independent Consultant (IC), etc. It should be established to take the responsibilities for environmental protection for this landfill extension project. The IEC as part of the IC to conduct independent auditing of the overall EM&A programme including environmental and operation monitoring, implementation of mitigation measures, EM&A submissions, and any other submissions required under the Environmental Permit (EP). Veolia Environmental Services Hong Kong Limited is the design-build-operate contractor appointed by EPD/EID (the Project Proponent) who is responsible for carrying out design, construction, operation, restoration and aftercare of the NENTX. The individual responsibilities are:

Contractor

• Implement environmental controls and mitigation as set out in this EM&A Manual as well as any additional measure necessary for compliance with the environmental control standards;

• Assist the Project Proponent to establish an ET to undertake the monitoring and reporting of the EM&A requirements outlined in this EM&A Manual;

• Submission of proposals of mitigation measures in case of exceedances of Action and Limit (A/L) Levels in accordance with the Event and Action Plan (EAP);

• Implementation of mitigation measures to reduce the impacts where A/L Levels are exceeded;

• Participate in the site inspection undertaken by the ET and undertake any corrective actions advised by the ET; and

• Adherence to the agreed procedures for carrying out complaint investigation.

Employer’s Representative (ER)

The ER is responsible for overseeing the construction works and for ensuring that the works are undertaken by the Contractor in accordance with the specification and contract requirements. The duties and responsibilities of the ER with respect to EM&A include:

• To monitor the Contractor’s compliance with Contract Specifications, including the effective

• To monitor Contractors’, ET’s and IEC’s compliance with the requirements in the Environmental Permit (EP) and EM&A Manual;

• To facilitate ET’s implementation of the EM&A programme;

• Participate in joint site inspection by the ET and IEC;

• To adhere to the procedures for carrying out complaint investigation.

• Setting up of all the required environmental monitoring stations;

• Monitoring of various environmental parameters as required;

• Analysis of monitoring and audit data and review the success of EM&A programme to cost-effectively confirm the adequacy of mitigation measures implemented and the validity of the EIA predictions and to identify any adverse environmental impacts arising;

• Carrying out site inspections to investigate and audit the Contractor’s site practices, equipment and work methodologies with respect to pollution control and environmental mitigation, and take proactive actions to pre-empt problems;

• Auditing and preparation of audit reports on environmental monitoring data and site conditions;

• Reporting of environmental monitoring and audit results to the IEC, Contractor, IC and Project Proponent or its delegated representative;

• Recommendation of suitable mitigation measures to the Contractor in case exceedance of A/L Levels in accordance with the EAP; and

• Undertaking of regular on-site audits/ inspections and reporting to the Contractor and IC of any potential non-compliance; and

• Following up and closing out of non-compliance actions.

IEC

An IEC will be appointed, as part of the IC, who should verify the overall environmental performance of the Project. The IEC should be responsible for verifying all overall environmental performance of the Project. The IEC should be responsible for verifying all environmental submission required under the EM&A programme and EP to the EPD (EIAO Authority). The IEC should posses at least 7 years of experience in EM&A and/ or environmental management. The IEC shall not be in any way an associated body of the Contractor or the ET for the Project.

• Reviewing of EM&A programme by the ET (at not less than monthly intervals);

• Auditing of monitoring activities and results (at not less than monthly intervals);

• Reporting of audit results to the IC and Project Proponent in parallel;

• Reviewing of EM&A reports (monthly, quarterly and annual summary reports) submitted by the ET;

• Reviewing of proposal of mitigation measures submitted by the Contractor in accordance with the EAP;

• Checking of mitigation measures recommended in the EIA Report and updated EM&A Manual, and ensuring they are properly implemented in timely manner when required; and

• Reporting of findings of site inspections and other environmental performance reviews to IC and Project Proponent.

The IC should be responsible for overseeing the Project undertaken by the Contractor in accordance with the specification and contractual requirements. The responsibilities for the IC include the following.

• Verification and checking Contractor’s activities and ensure that the requirements in the Contract Specifications, including the implementation and operation of the environmental mitigation measures and other aspects of the EM&A programme are fully complied with.

Sufficient and suitably qualified professional and technical staff should be employed by the respective parties to ensure full compliance with their duties and responsibilities, as required under the EM&A programme for the duration of the Project.

2.3 Structure of the EM&A Manual

The remainder of this updated EM&A Manual is set out as follows:

• Section 2 Scope of the EM&A Manual

• Section 3 Details the requirements for air quality and odour monitoring

• Section 4 Details the requirements for noise monitoring

• Section 5 Details the requirements for water quality monitoring

• Section 6 Details the requirements for waste management audit

• Section 7 Details the requirements for landfill gas monitoring

• Section 8 Details the requirements for landscape and visual monitoring

• Section 9 Details the requirements for cultural heritage monitoring

• Section 10 Details the requirements for ecological monitoring

• Section 11 Describes the scope and frequency of site inspection

• Section 12 Details the EM&A reporting requirements

This updated EM&A Manual is an evolving document that should be updated to maintain its relevance as the Project progresses. The primary focus for these updates will be to ensure the impacts predicted and the recommended mitigation measures remain consistent and appropriate to the manner in which the works are to be carried out. Any changes to the programme shall be justified by the ET Leader and verified by the IEC before submission to the EIAO Authority for approval.

2.4 Environmental Management Plan

A systematic Environmental Management Plan (EMP) should be developed and implemented by the Contractor in accordance with the ETWB TC(W) 19/2005 Environmental Management on Construction Sites to ensure effective implementation of the mitigation measures, monitoring and remedial requirements presented in the EIA, EM&A and environmental mitigation implementation schedule (EMIS) (Appendix C). The IEC should audit the implementation status of EMP and advise the necessary remedial action as required. Such remedial actions should be enforced through contractual requirements. The EMP should be certified by the ET and verified by the IEC.

The EMP should require the Contractor (and sub-contractors) and ET to define in details how to implement the recommended mitigation measures in order to achieve the environmental performance stipulated in the Hong Kong environmental legislation and EIA documents. The review of on-site environmental performance should be undertaken by IEC through a systematic checklist and audit once the construction commences. The environmental performance review programme comprises a regular assessment on the effectiveness of the EMP.

The EMP should summarise the requirements for the Contractor to submit a Landfill Monitoring Plan (LMP) and an Emergency Response Plan (ERP) for approval. The LMP should describe the procedures and provide details of the environmental monitoring programme for the Contractor to carry out throughout the construction, operation, restoration and aftercare phases of the Project. The ERP should address various scenarios within NENT Landfill Extension, in particular in the event of leakage of LFG/ leachate, failure of LFG/ leachate treatment operation, fire, chemicaI/ DG spillage, etc.

If the Contractor would adopt alternative construction methods or implementation schedules, the detailed modifications of methodology and equipment should be submitted to the IEC for approval prior to the commencement of works. Any changes in construction methods should be indicated in the revised EMP. The Contractor should review the EMIS with respect to the design developments and construction methodology. All necessary mitigation measures identified and recommended in the EIA study are summarised in the EMIS, which specifies the extent, locations, time frame and responsibilities for the implementation of the environmental mitigation measures identified.

2.5 Waste Management Plan

The Contractor should develop the waste management requirements as part of the EMP in Section 2.3 above for the construction phase of the Project. The Contractor should also prepare a Waste Management Plan (WMP) for the Project during the operational, restoration and aftercare phases. Where waste generation is unavoidable, any opportunities for recycling or reuse of the wastes should be maximised. If the wastes cannot be recycled, recommendations for appropriate disposal routes should be provided in the WMP. A method statement for stockpiling and transportation of the excavated materials and other construction wastes should also be included in the WMP and approved before the commencement of construction. All mitigation measures arising from the approved WMP should be fully implemented. The WMP should be certified by the ET and verified by IEC.

It is not anticipated that any significant quantities of excavated C&D materials would require off-site disposal, as most will be reused on-site. Notwithstanding this, a trip-ticket system should be put in place in accordance with Development Bureau Technical Circular (Works) No 6/2010. Copies/ counterfoils from trip-tickets (showing the quantities of C&D Materials taken off-site) should be kept for record purposes.

For the purpose of enhancing the management of Construction and Demolition (C&D) materials including rock, and minimising its generation at source, construction would be undertaken in accordance with the Environment, Transport and Works Bureau Technical Circular (Works) No 33/2002 - Management of Construction and Demolition Material Including Rock, or its latest versions. The management measures stipulated in the Technical Circular should be incorporated.

2.6 Baseline Monitoring

Prior to the commencement of construction works, the baseline conditions of environmental parameters should be established at designated monitoring locations to determine the nature and ranges of natural variation and to demonstrate the suitability of the proposed impact, control and reference monitoring locations in the EM&A programme. The baseline conditions of the following environmental parameters should be established by the ET, including construction dust, noise and surface water monitoring before commencement of construction and Odour, VOC off-site surface gas, groundwater and cultural heritage, they will be conducted before operation of the Project.

For the baseline monitoring of ecology, there are no details information in the EP and EM&A Manual. The ecology monitoring will be conducted based on the approved “Detailed Vegetation Surveys and Transplantation Proposal” and “Translocation Proposal” (i.e. Environmental Permit submissions for Clause 2.5 and Clause 2.6 of Further Environmental Permit). The monitoring details of the establishment of the endemic freshwater crab, Somanniathelphusa zanklon community in the translocation site has been included in Section 10.6 of this EM&A Manual for fulfilling EIA Report Approval Condition No. 4 (Register No.: AEIAR-111/2017) on 20 September 2007.

For the baseline monitoring of landscape and visual, the photographic records of the project site should be taken at the time when the Contractor take over the site, which should be approved by the IEC. The approved photographic records should be submitted to the Project Proponent, ET, IEC and EPD.

For the cultural heritage, permit holder shall no later than four weeks before commencement of construction of the Project, deposit a report documenting the implementation of the mitigation measures for preservation of the cultural landscape features located within the Project area. The report shall be certified by the ET Leader and verified by the IEC as conforming to the information and recommendations contained in the approved EIA Report.

2.7 Impact Monitoring

During the implementation of the Project, environmental monitoring should be conducted at designated monitoring locations to detect the changes of environmental parameters attributed to the Project. Impact monitoring should be conducted during all phases of the Project. The environmental monitoring parameters during construction phase and operation phase should include air quality, noise, water quality (surface water), ecology (vegetation and biodiversity), landscape and visual. The monitoring during operational, restoration and aftercare phases should include all parameters of construction phase, in addition to leachate and LFG.

2.8 Compliance with Actions and Limit Levels

The A/L Levels should be defined for environmental monitoring at designated monitoring locations exceeding which a prescribed response should be required. Individual A/L Levels should be quantitatively defined for the respective environmental monitoring parameters according to the following basic principles:

2.8.1 Action Level

Action Levels indicate deteriorating ambient environmental quality potentially due to the Project implementation. It acts as a sign to trigger appropriate remedial actions in order to rectify any mat-practices or non-conformance of Project activities thereby preventing the deterioration of environmental quality and to resume the ambient environmental quality back to normal levels.

2.8.2 Limit Level

Limit Levels are the statutory and/of contractual levels below which environmental conditions are considered unacceptable. If Limit Levels were exceeded, the relevant part of the works should not be continued without implementation of immediate remedial action, including a critical review of plant and working methods.

2.9 Event and Action Plan

The EAP should lay down the systematic procedures for implementation in case exceedances of A/L Levels and environmental complaints in order to timely address, investigate and resolve such incidents and minimise their recurrence. The EAP should define the action under specific conditions, i.e. exceedances of A/L Levels, and trigger the relevant partied in the EM&A programme to take the action.

2.10 Environmental Audit

Environmental audit should include the following components:

• Regular inspection of site practices should be conducted to assess and ensure the environmental protection and pollution control measures to be in accordance with the EIA recommendations and complied with contract specifications;

• Examination of all available information related to the investigation of the nature and cause of actual, potential and cumulative environmental impacts and compIaints/ queries;

• Proposal for remedial measures for resolution of impacts, effective implementation of proposed mitigation measures, documentation and summary of audit findings, and liaison and consultation with the public and concerned parties on the effects of such remedial works; and

• Enquiries and complaints related to the environmental performance of the Project should be anticipated from individuals and organisations, which should be referred to the ET Leader for investigation and action. Systematic procedures for environmental complaints should be established and followed. During the complaint investigation, the Contractor and IEC should facilitate the ET by providing all necessary information.

2.11 Reporting

2.11.1 Baseline Monitoring

Baseline Monitoring Reports for Construction Phase and Operation Phases should be prepared by the ET and submitted within 4 weeks of completion of baseline monitoring data and findings. The Reports should be certified by the ET and verified by the IEC prior to submission to the EPD.

2.11.2 Impact Monitoring

Monthly EM&A Reports should be prepared by the ET and submitted within 2 weeks after the end of the reporting month during construction, operational, restoration and aftercare phases to include all the impact monitoring data, findings and recommendations. Quarterly Summary, Annual Review and Final Review EM&A Reports should be prepared by the ET and submitted within 10 days of each reporting quarter, reporting year and cessation of project phase, respectively, during construction and operational, restoration, and aftercare phases to include all the summary of monitoring trends, findings and recommendations. These reports should be certified by the ET and verified by the IEC prior to formal submission to the EPD.

2.12 Cessation of EM&A Programme

To implement the EM&A programme according to the Construction and Operational Phases, Restoration Phase and Aftercare Phase in which different EM&A requirements should be imposed, the ET and IEC should notify the EPD the completion of EM&A programme for the specific Project phases and request for agreement to cease the EM&A programme.

3 Air Quality Monitoring

3.1 Construction Dust

3.1.1 Air Quality Parameters

Monitoring of the Total Suspended Particulate (TSP) levels shall be carried out by the ET to ensure that any deteriorating air quality could be readily detected and timely action be taken to rectify the situation. 1-hour and 24-hour TSP levels should be measured to indicate the impacts of construction dust on air quality. The TSP levels shall be measured by following the standard high volume sampling method as set out in the Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations, USA, Chapter 1 (Part 50), Appendix B. Upon approval by the IEC, 1-hour TSP levels can be measured by direct reading methods which are capable of producing comparable results as that by the high volume sampling method, to indicate short event impacts.

All relevant data including temperature, pressure, weather conditions, elapsed-time meter reading for the start and stop of the sampler, identification and weight of the filter paper, and other special phenomena and work progress of the concerned site etc. shall be recorded down in details.

3.1.2 Monitoring Equipment

High volume sampler (HVS) in compliance with the following specifications should be used for carrying out the 24-hr TSP monitoring:

• 0.6-1.7 m³/min (20-60 SCFM) adjustable flow range;

• equipped with a timing/control device with +/- 5 minutes accuracy for 24 hours operation;

• installed with elapsed-time meter with +/- 2 minutes accuracy for 24 hours operation;

• capable of providing a minimum exposed area of 406 cm² (63 in²);

• flow control accuracy: +/- 2.5% deviation over 24-hr sampling period;

• equipped with a shelter to protect the filter and sampler;

• incorporated with an electronic mass flow rate controller or other equivalent devices;

• equipped with a flow recorder for continuous monitoring;

• provided with a peaked roof inlet;

• incorporated with a manometer;

• able to hold and seal the filter paper to the sampler housing at horizontal position;

• easy to change the filter; and

• capable of operating continuously for 24-hr period.

The ET Leader is responsible for provision of the monitoring equipment. He shall ensure that sufficient number of HVSs with an appropriate calibration kit are available for carrying out the baseline monitoring, regular impact monitoring and ad hoc monitoring. The HVSs shall be equipped with an electronic mass flow controller and be calibrated against a traceable standard at regular intervals. All the equipment, calibration kit, filter papers, etc. shall be clearly labelled.

Initial calibration of dust monitoring equipment shall be conducted upon installation and thereafter at bi-monthly intervals. The transfer standard shall be traceable to the internationally recognised primary standard and be calibrated annually. The calibration data shall be properly documented for future reference. All the data should be converted into standard temperature and pressure condition. The flow-rate of the sampler before and after the sampling exercise with the filter in position shall be verified to be constant and be recorded down in the data sheet.

If the ET Leader proposes to use a direct reading dust meter to measure 1-hr TSP levels. ET shall submit sufficient information to the IEC to prove that the instrument is capable of achieving a comparable result as that of the HVS and may be used for the 1-hr sampling. The 1-hr dust meter should be calibrated every year and the 1-hr sampling shall be determined periodically by HVS to check the validity and accuracy of the results measured by direct reading method.

Wind data monitoring equipment shall also be provided and set up at conspicuous locations for logging wind speed and wind direction near to the dust monitoring locations. The equipment installation location shall be proposed by the ET Leader and agreed with the ER. For installation and operation of wind data monitoring equipment, the following points shall be observed:

• the wind sensors should be installed on masts at an elevated level 10m above ground so that they are clear of obstructions or turbulence caused by the buildings;

• the wind data should be captured by a data logger and to be downloaded for processing at least once a month;

• the wind data monitoring equipment should be re-calibrated at least once every six months; and

• wind direction should be divided into 16 sectors of 22.5 degrees each.

In exceptional situations, the ET Leader may propose alternative methods to obtain representative wind data upon approval from IEC and agreement from EPD.

3.1.3 Laboratory Measurement/Analysis

A clean laboratory with constant temperature and humidity control, and equipped with necessary measuring and conditioning instruments, to handle the dust samples collected, shall be available for sample analysis, and equipment calibration and maintenance. The laboratory should be HOKLAS accredited.

If a site laboratory is set up or a non-HOKLAS accredited laboratory is hired for carrying out the laboratory analysis, the laboratory equipment shall be approved by the IEC and the measurement procedures (first measurement) shall be witnessed by the IEC. The ET Leader shall provide the IEC with one copy of the Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Chapter 1 (Part 50), Appendix B for his reference.

Filter paper of size 8"x10" shall be labelled before sampling. It shall be a clean filter paper with no pin holes and shall be conditioned in a humidity controlled chamber for over 24-hr and be pre-weighed before use for the sampling.

After sampling, the filter paper loaded with dust shall be kept in a clean and tightly sealed plastic bag. The filter paper is then returned to the laboratory for reconditioning in the humidity controlled chamber followed by accurate weighing by an electronic balance with a readout down to 0.1 mg. The balance shall be regularly calibrated against a traceable standard. All the collected samples shall be kept in a good condition for 6 months before disposal.

3.1.4 Monitoring Locations

The dust monitoring locations are shown in Table 3.1. If the locations of dust sensitive receivers may change after issuing this manual, the ET Leader shall propose updated monitoring locations and seek approval from IEC and agreement from EPD on the proposal.

The purpose of monitoring (to minimize potential impact and to safeguard the residential) should be clearly stipulated. The specification, wiring, fixing, maintenance, communication and payment of electricity cost shall be detailed in the letter. If there is objection from the owner, alternative monitoring location at premises in the vicinity shall be identified and seek approval from ER and agreed with IEC. The monitoring location is illustrated in Figure 3.1.

Table 3.1 Description of dust monitoring locations

Air Monitoring Location ID	Representative for	Land Uses	Monitoring Parameters
AM1	Tung Lo Hang	Residential	1-hr and 24-hrTSP
AM2*	Heung Yuen Wai	Residential	1-hr and 24-hrTSP
AM3*	Wo Keng Shan Tsuen	Residential	1-hr and 24-hrTSP

Notes: * The original station AM(D)2 and AM(D)3 are proposed to change to AM2 and AM3 respectively. Detailed location please refer to (Figure 3.1).

When alternative monitoring locations are proposed, the following criteria, as far as practicable, should be followed:

• At the site boundary or such locations close to the major dust emission source;

• Close to the sensitive receptors; and

• Account for the prevailing meteorological conditions.

The ET shall agree with the IEC on the position of the HVS for installation of the monitoring equipment. When positioning the samplers, the following points shall be noted:

• a horizontal platform with appropriate support to secure the samplers against gusty wind should be provided;

• no two samplers should be placed less than 2 metres apart;

• the distance between the sampler and an obstacle, such as buildings, must be at least twice the height that the obstacle protrudes above the sampler;

• a minimum of 2 metres separation from walls, parapets and penthouses is required for rooftop samplers;

• a minimum of 2 metres separation from any supporting structure, measured horizontally is required;

• no furnace or incinerator flue is nearby;

• airflow around the sampler is unrestricted;

• the sampler is more than 20 metres from the drip-line;

• any wire fence and gate, to protect the sampler, should not cause any obstruction during monitoring;

• permission must be obtained to set up the samplers and to obtain access to the monitoring stations; and

• a secured supply of electricity is needed to operate the samplers.

3.1.5 Baseline Monitoring

The ET shall carry out baseline monitoring at all of the designated monitoring locations for at least 14 consecutive days prior to the commencement of the construction works to obtain daily 24-hr TSP samples. 1-hour sampling shall also be done at least 3 times per day while the highest dust impact is expected. During the baseline monitoring, there should not be any construction or dust generation activities in the vicinity of the monitoring stations.

In case the baseline monitoring cannot be carried out at the designated monitoring locations during the baseline monitoring period, the ET Leader shall carry out the monitoring at alternative locations which can effectively represent the baseline conditions at the impact monitoring locations. The alternative baseline monitoring locations shall be approved by IEC and agreed with EPD.

In exceptional case, when insufficient baseline monitoring data or questionable results are obtained, the ET Leader shall liaise with EPD to agree on an appropriate set of data to be used as a baseline reference and submit to IEC for approval.

If the baseline level for air quality exceeds the limit level, the ET shall carry out an investigation to determine the cause of the exceedance in consultation with EPD. Regardless of whether the exceedance was caused by poor weather condition (e.g. high API) or as a result of inadequate control measures on construction activities being carried out on other nearby construction sites, a second set of baseline monitoring shall be conducted by the ET to determine an appropriate baseline level for the EM&A programme in agreement with EPD.

Ambient conditions may vary seasonally and shall be reviewed at every three months. If the ET Leader considers that the ambient conditions have been changed and a repeat of the baseline monitoring is required to be carried out for obtaining the updated baseline levels, the monitoring should be at times when the Contractor’s activities are not generating dust, at least in the proximity of the monitoring stations. Should change in ambient conditions be determined, the baseline levels and, in turn, the air quality criteria, should be revised. The revised baseline levels and air quality criteria should be agreed with EPD.

3.1.6 Impact Monitoring

The ET Leader shall carry out impact monitoring during the course of the Works. For regular impact monitoring, the sampling frequency of at least once in every six-days, shall be strictly observed at all the monitoring stations for 24-hr TSP monitoring. For 1-hr TSP monitoring, the sampling frequency of at least three times in every six-days should be undertaken when the highest dust impact occurs. The specific time to start and stop the 24- hr TSP monitoring shall be clearly defined for each location and be strictly followed by the Contractor.

In case of non-compliance with the dust criteria, more frequent monitoring exercise, as specified in the Action Plan in Section 3.1.7, shall be conducted within 24 hours after the result is obtained. This additional monitoring shall be continued until the excessive dust emission or the deterioration in air quality is rectified.

3.1.7 Event and Action

The baseline monitoring results form the basis for determining the air quality criteria for the impact monitoring. The ET Leader shall compare the impact monitoring results with air quality criteria set up for 24-hour TSP and 1-hour TSP. Table 3.2 shows the dust criteria, namely Action and Limit levels to be used. Should non-compliance of the air quality criteria occur, the ET, the IEC and the Contractor shall undertake the relevant action in accordance with the Action Plan in Table 3.3.

Table 3.2 Action and limit levels for dust impact

Parameters

Action

Limit

24-hr TSP Level in mg/m³

For baseline level < 200 mg/m³, Action level = (130% of baseline level + Limit level)/2

For baseline level > 200 mg/m³, Action level = Limit level

260 mg/m³

1-ur TSP Level in mg/m³

For baseline level < 384 mg/m³, Action level = (130% of baseline level + Limit level)/2

For baseline level > 384 mg/m³, Action level = Limit level

500 mg/m³

Table 3.3 Event/Action plan for dust impact

Event	ET	IEC	Contractor
Exceedance of Action Level
Exceedance for one sample	• Identify source • Prepare Notification of Exceedance • Inform IEC and Contractor • Repeat measurement to confirm findings • Increase monitoring frequency to daily if exceedance is due to the Project and continue until the monitoring results reduce to below action level	• Verify the Notification of Exceedance • Check monitoring data submitted by ET and Contractor's working methods • Discuss with ET and Contractor on proposed remedial measures	• Rectify any unacceptable practice • Amend working methods if appropriate
Exceedance for two or more consecutive samples	• Identify source • Prepare Notification of Exceedance • Inform Contractor and IEC • Repeat measurements to confirm findings • Increase monitoring frequency to daily if exceedance is due to the Project and continue until the monitoring results reduce to below action level • Discuss with IEC for remedial action required • Ensure remedial measures are properly implemented • Continue monitoring at daily intervals if exceedance is due to the Project • If no exceedance for 3 consecutive days, cease additional monitoring	• Verify the Notification of Exceedance • Check monitoring data submitted by ET and Contractor's working methods • Discuss with ET and Contractor on proposed remedial measures • Review with analysed results submitted by ET • Review the proposed remedial measures by Contractor • Supervise the implementation of remedial measures	• Submit proposals for remedial actions to IEC within 3 working days of notification • Implement the agreed proposals • Amend proposal if appropriate

Event	ET	IEC	Contractor
Exceedance of Limit Level
Exceedance for one sample	• Identify source • Prepare Notification of Exceedance • Inform IEC and Contractor • Repeat measurement to confirm findings • Increase monitoring frequency to daily if exceedance is due to the Project and continue until the monitoring results reduce to below limit level • Assess effectiveness of Contractor's remedial actions and keep IEC informed of the results	• Verify the Notification of Exceedance • Check monitoring data submitted by ET and Contractor's working methods • Discuss with ET and Contractor potential remedial actions • Supervise the implementation of remedial measures	• Take immediate action to avoid further exceedance • Submit proposals for remedial actions to IEC within 3 working days of notification • Implement the agreed proposals • Amend proposal if appropriate
Exceedance for two or more consecutive samples	• Identify source • Prepare Notification of Exceedance • Inform IEC and EPD the causes and actions taken for the exceedances • Discuss with IEC for remedial action required • Ensure remedial measures are properly implemented • Assess effectiveness of Contractor’s remedial actions and keep IEC and EPD informed of the results • Increase monitoring frequency to daily if exceedance is due to the Project and continue until the monitoring results reduce to below limit level • If exceedance stops, cease additional monitoring	• Verify the Notification of Exceedance • Check monitoring data submitted by ET and Contractor's working methods • Discuss amongst ET and Contractor on the potential remedial actions. • Review Contractor's remedial actions whenever necessary to assure their effectiveness • Supervise the implementation of remedial measures	• Take immediate action to avoid further exceedance • Submit proposals for remedial actions to IEC of notification • Implement the agreed proposals • Resubmit proposals if problem still not under control • Stop the relevant activity of works until the exceedance is abated

4.9 Environmental Mitigation Measures

The Contractor shall be responsible for implementation of the noise control and mitigation measures during construction phase, which shall include, but not limited to, the following:

• Quiet equipment and construction method should be employed;

• Only well-maintained plant shall be operated on site and plant shall be serviced regularly during the construction work;

• Machines and plant that may be in intermittent use (such as breakers) shall be shut down between work periods or should be throttled down to a minimum;

• Mobile plant shall be sited as far away from NSRs as possible;

• Material stockpiles and other structures shall be effectively utilised, where practicable, to screen noise from on-site construction activities; and

• Silencers or mufflers on construction equipment should be properly fitted and maintained during the construction works.

5 Water Quality Monitoring

5.1 Introduction

Potential water pollution sources arising from construction activities include sources mainly from land-based activities, such as construction site runoff; sewage effluent due to workforce on site; accidental spillage of chemical; drainage diversion; and groundwater seepage.

Potential water pollution sources arising from operational include sources mainly from land- based activities, such as seepage of leachate, accidental Leakage of leachate and erosion.

The EIA Report has assessed the water quality impacts caused by the construction and operation of NENT Landfill Extension. Mitigation measures have been recommended in the EIA to ensure compliance with the relevant legislative requirements. These mitigation measures are summarised in following sections. An implementation schedule of the recommended mitigation measures is presented in Appendix C.

5.2 Precautionary / Mitigation Measures during Construction and Operation Phases

5.2.1 Construction Phase

5.2.1.1 Construction Site Runoff

In accordance with the Practice Note for Professional Persons on Construction Site Drainage, Environmental Protection Department, 1994 (ProPECC PN 1/94), and DSD Technical Circular TC01/2017, construction phase precautionary measures as presented in Appendix C shall be implemented where necessary. By adopting the above precautionary measures with Best Management Practices (BMPs) it is anticipated that the impacts of runoff from the construction site will be reduced to satisfactory levels before discharges.

The construction runoff discharged from the landfill site shall fully comply with the standards stated in Section 5.2 of the EIA report, otherwise the discharge shall be collected and conveyed to the on-site leachate treatment plant.

5.2.1.2 Sewage from Workforce

Portable chemical toilets and sewage holding tanks will be provided for handling the sewage generated by the workforce. A licensed contractor will be employed to provide appropriate and adequate portable toilets and be responsible for appropriate disposal and maintenance.

5.2.1.3 Accidental Spillage of Chemical

Any service workshops and maintenance facilities will be located within a bunding area, and sumps and oil interceptors will be provided. Maintenance of equipment involving activities with potential for leakage and spillage will only be undertaken within the areas appropriately equipped to control these discharges.

5.2.2 Operational Phase

5.2.2.1 Contingency Plan on Accidental Leakage of Leachate

Existing Contingency Plan for Groundwater Contamination

The existing Contingency Plan is comprehensive and well-developed and will be used as basis for developing the Contingency Plan for the extension site. The parameters to be monitored include groundwater level and groundwater quality. The objective of the monitoring programme is to ensure that the trigger levels below are not exceeded.

Ammonia Nitrogen: 5 mg/L

COD: 30 mg/L

In the event that the above trigger levels are exceeded, the Contractor will implement a Corrective Action Programme, which shall include:

• groundwater interception and diversion; and

• groundwater extraction (by active pumping of leachate from leachate and groundwater collection layers) and treatment prior to discharge.

Proposed Modifications to Contingency Plan for Groundwater Contamination

Potential actions to be taken in case of identification of groundwater contamination should also include:

• Installation of additional groundwater monitoring well;

• Increased frequency of groundwater quality testing;

• Installation of ground-water extraction wells to remove contaminated groundwater for treatment;

• Installation of subsurface barriers, such as bentonite;

• Detailed investigation of the potential impact to be performed within six months of the first detection of the justified impact.

Contingency Plan for Surface Water Contamination

Surface water monitoring will be conducted to keep the ammonia-nitrogen and COD below the following trigger levels:

Ammonia Nitrogen: 0.5 mg/L

COD: 30 mg/L

Suspended Solid: 20 mg/L

In the event that any one of the above parameters was exceeded, the landfill operation should implement a Corrective Action Programme. The key elements shall include:

• Surface water interception and temporary storage of the contaminated surface water;

• Installation of surface barriers, such as sand bund along the surface water channel / site boundary to avoid overflow off-site;

• Active pumping of the contaminated surface water to the leachate lagoons / leachate recirculation system / on-site leachate treatment plant;

• Additional monitoring locations will be selected to determine the pollution source;

• Installation of surface barriers, such as intercepting bund to separate the active and inactive tipping area;

• Change of working methods to prevent surface water contamination; and

• Implementation of diversionary works.

5.2.2.2 Erosion Control

The Contractor shall devise a soil erosion control plan during the detailed design stage so as to define the site-specific measures and procedures (including the specific operation plan, implementation frequency, monitoring procedures, maintenance schedules, etc). Such requirement shall be specified in contract documents. Appendix C summarizes the most popular erosion control methods for reference.

5.2.2.3 Surface Water Drainage System

A temporary surface water drainage system to manage runoff will be adopted during construction and operation. It consists of perimeter channels around the site perimeter. It will collect surface water from higher elevations to lower elevations and ultimately to the discharge point, Details of surface water drainage system are included in Appendix C.

The surface flow discharge from the landfill site shall fully comply with the standards stated in Section 5.2 of the EIA report, otherwise the contaminated surface flow shall be collected and disposed of to the on-site leachate treatment plant.

5.3 Leachate Monitoring

The Contractor shall develop and operate a programme of monitoring which shall record the progressive generation of leachate at the NENT Landfill Extension in accordance with the following objectives:

• To determine the level of leachate within the landfill;

• To determine the quality of leachate arising from the landfill;

• To determine the quantity of leachate arising from the landfill and being treated;

• To monitor the quantity and quality of treated leachate from the leachate treatment works before discharging into leachate pipeline connecting to Shek Wu Hui Sewage Treatment Plant; and

• To ascertain the landfill characteristics and effectiveness of the leachate treatment works.

The leachate monitoring programme shall commence at the start of landfill operations and continue until the issue of the Aftercare Certificate. The programme shall be developed with in-built flexibility to allow for modification during the development of the leachate treatment works and any modifications to the monitoring of the quality and quantity of leachate generated.

5.3.1 Equipment

Routine sampling and on-site measurements of leachate quality shall be carried out with appropriate equipment which include:

• Portable thermometer, pH and electrical conductivity (EC) meter

• Sample bottle of glass or PET of volume not less than 1 litre

• Flowmeters

At the leachate collection point, the submersible pump shall be used to discharge leachate flow from the leachate removal chamber. Level sensors shall be incorporated into the side slope riser pipe for pump control and measurement of leachate level. In addition, a dipstick and measuring tape shall be used to determine (in-situ) normal leachate levels if the level sensor is not operative.

5.3.2 Calibration and Maintenance

The Contractor shall ensure that all equipment are calibrated and maintained according to manufacturer’s instructions. Routine maintenance shall be carried out in strict accordance with the manufacturer’s requirements. Where calibration intervals are not specified by the equipment manufacturer, the length of time between calibration periods shall not be greater than 6 months.

An inspection procedure shall be established to ensure that the frequency of maintenance is regularised for each equipment. Results from the monitoring programme shall be used to assist in the ongoing operation of the leachate treatment works to ensure that the facility is being operated under the optimum conditions, and that the leachate discharge complies with the trigger levels specified in Section 5.3.8.

5.3.3 Procedures

The Contractor shall monitor leachate levels within the landfill using calibrated submersible level sensors incorporated into the side slope riser pipe.

Quantity of raw leachate shall be monitored using in-line flow meters installed in the pipe. The flow meters shall be designed and constructed to determine the volume and rate of leachate leaving the landfill site to an accuracy and precision of within +/- 1%.

At the same locations, the leachate shall also be monitored periodically to assess leachate quality produced within operational areas and after treatment. This shall be achieved using in-line sampling valves/taps. The design and construction of these valves/taps shall be such that samples of leachate of between 1 and 25 litres can be readily and easily obtained without sampling rates being too high resulting in unacceptably-high levels of splashing or too low making the duration of sampling unacceptably long.

The Contractor shall use the groundwater drainage layer to detect any leachate escaping through the liner system. The detection system shall involve daily sampling at the groundwater discharge point (shown as Leachate Leakage Detector) and the groundwater monitoring boreholes.

5.3.4 Analysis Parameters

All leachate samples shall be collected and transported to a HOKLAS accredited laboratory as soon after sampling as possible. Appropriate pre-treatment of samples shall be prepared in respect of the analytical parameters, with due regard to its holding times.

Leachate quality shall be monitored as a feedback to the operation for optimisation of the leachate treatment works and to establish its trend over the life of the landfill. The programmes shall generate data to support the establishment of a procedure for the necessary treatment and safe disposal of effluent from NENT Landfill Extension.

The following parameters shall be measured in accordance with the standards contained within the Specification:

Table 5.1 Suite 1 - Leachate Monitoring

Programme A			Programme B
Parameters	Detection Limits	Frequency	Parameters	Detection Limits	Frequency
Temperature*	0.1°C	Weekly basis initially and then monthly when settled values are obtained for the first 3 years of NENT Landfill Extension operation	Mg	50 μg/L	Monthly basis initially and then 3 monthly Intervals when settled values obtained for the first 3 years of NENT Landfill Extension operation
pH*	0.1		Ca	50 μg/L
Electrical conductivity*	1 μS/cm		K	50 μg/L
COD	10 mg/L		Fe	50 μg/L
BOD₅	3 mg/L		Ni	1 μg/L
TOC	1 mg/L		Zn	10 μg/L
SS	0.1 mg/L		Mn	1 μg/L
Ammonia-nitrogen	0.2 mg/L		Cu	1 μg/L
Nitrate	0.5 mg/L		Pb	1 μg/L
Nitrite	0.5 mg/L		Cd	0.2 μg/L
Total Nitrogen	0.4 mg/L
Sulphate	5 mg/L
Phosphate	0.01 mg/L
Chloride	0.5 mg/L
Sodium	50 μg/L
Alkalinity	1 mg/L
Volatile fatty Acids	2 mg/L

* On-site measurement

Table 5.2 Suite 2 - Leachate Monitoring

Parameters	Detection Limits	Parameters	Detection Limits	Frequency
Temperature*	0.1°C	Phosphate	0.01 mg/L	Quarterly Basis after the first 3 years of NENT Landfill Extension operation
pH*	0.1	Chloride	0.5 mg/L
COD	10 mg/L	Sodium	50 μg/L
BOD5	3 mg/L	Alkalinity	1 mg/L
SS	0.1 mg/L	Fe	50 μg/L
Ammonia-nitrogen	0.2 mg/L	Zn	10 μg/L
Nitrate	0.5 mg/L	Cu	1 μg/L
Total Nitrogen	0.4 mg/L	Cd	0.2 μg/L
Sulphate	5 mg/L

* On-site measurement

Suite 1 (Programme A and Programme B) shall be used to establish the quality of leachate from each collection point (i.e., before and after treatment) for the first 3 years of NENT Landfill Extension operation, and Suite 2 shall be used for routine monitoring thereafter.

For leachate leakage detection, the Contractor shall analyse the samples taken at the groundwater discharge point for ammonia-nitrogen, pH and conductivity. If necessary, COD shall be tested when high ammonia-nitrogen is detected at the groundwater discharge point. Samples shall be stored and preserved according to the guidelines of the approved accredited laboratory.

5.3.5 Frequency and Locations of Sampling

The Contractor shall take raw leachate samples and treated leachate samples. The frequency and sampling locations summarized in Table 5.3.

Table 5.3 Frequency and Locations of Sampling

Program	Frequency	Location
Suite 1, Programme A	Weekly intervals initially and then monthly when settled values are obtained for the first three years of NENT Landfill Extension operation	At new leachate Collection Points (i.e prior to discharging points at raw leachate lagoon for raw leachate monitoring and final effluent holding lagoon for partially treated leachate monitoring)
Suite 1, Programme B	At monthly intervals and then three-monthly intervals when settled values are obtained for the first three years of NENT Landfill Extension operation
Suite 2	At quarterly intervals after Suite 1 programme B

The Contractor shall monitor levels of leachate continuously using calibrated submersible pressure transducers via data retrieving equipment. Daily records of leachate production shall be maintained via data logging flow meters for all abstraction of liquid from the site and leachate quantities leaving the site.

The Contractor shall determine the locations of leachate monitoring points and submit the proposed plan to the IEC for approval.

5.3.6 ResuIts

All sample containers shall be clearly marked, and identified with relevant sampling information. In addition, all monitoring results and observations made at time of sampling shall be recorded in a field data sheet specifically allocated to that sampling task. The following information shall be recorded on each sampling visit:

• Sampling point;

• Data and time of sample collection;

• Name of technician carrying out the sampling;

• Weather conditions and ambient temperature;

• General appearance, condition and temperature of the water body;

• Sampling device and method used;

• Sample preservation used;

• Storage requirements adopted; and

• Space for listing analytical determinations.

5.3.7 Leachate Leakage Detection

Facilities to detect leakage within a 24-hr period shall be placed in the manner and positions specified and be monitored daily for the presence of leachate or contaminated water.

5.3.8 Trigger Levels

The Contractor shall operate a programme of monitoring with the following objectives:

• Determine the level of leachate within the landfill;

• Determine the quality of leachate from the landfill; and

• Determine the quantity of leachate from the landfill.

The Contractor shall monitor the levels of leachate continuously at the leachate collection point through the use of calibrated submersible level sensors via data retrieving equipment. The level of leachate at any point within the landfill shall not exceed 1m height above the top of the primary barrier of the landfill liner system.

Treated leachate shall be discharged to the leachate pipeline leading to the Shek Wu Hui Sewage Treatment Works (SWHSTW). The Contractor is required to apply for a discharge license for discharge of treated leachate into public sewer under the Water Pollution Control Ordinance (WPCO). The discharge license will state the discharge limits for the key parameters. The Contractor is required to ensure the quality of the treated effluent complies with the limits stipulated in the discharge license. And the EM&A Manual will be further updated with discharge limits for key parameters once the discharge license under WPCO is obtained.

5.3.9 Corrective Action

If the trigger levels in Section 5.3.8 are exceeded, the Contractor shall implement a Corrective Action Programme, which shall include:

• Leachate extraction;

• Phased development and closure to minimise the active area footprint;

• Temporary geosynthetic covers to minimize infiltration in active cells;

• Run-on and runoff control systems for active and closed areas;

• Low permeability final cover system to minimise infiltration during post-closure;

In event that the Contractor detects leachate leakage (i.e. the trigger level is exceeded at the groundwater discharge point), the liquid shall be treated at the leachate treatment plant prior to discharge to the leachate pipeline leading to SWHSTW.

5.4 Groundwater Monitoring

Groundwater Level

5.4.1 Introduction

Groundwater levels shall be monitored over the working life of the site to determine the following information:

• Natural seasonal variation in groundwater levels;

• Effects of any ground water abstraction;

• Identification of hydraulic gradients; and

• Variation caused by the construction, operation or aftercare.

5.4.2 Equipment

A portable dip meter, not affected by condensation, shall be used to measure water depth and checked before use. The dip meter shall comprise a graduated tape and sonic indicator of water level.

5.4.3 Procedures

Water level measurements shall be carried out prior to any purging or sampling from monitoring holes.

The Contractor shall take groundwater level measurements relative to a permanent fixed datum at a measured elevation at each location, situated and marked on the monitoring borehole casing or cover. Recorded levels shall be expressed as metres relative to Principal Datum, and the levels checked 3 times prior to recording the measurements.

5.4.4 Frequency and Locations of Sampling

All manual groundwater level measurements shall be carried out at least once a month.

In the event that automatic measuring equipment is installed, the associated data loggers shall be interrogated / downloaded at least on a monthly basis. The automatic monitoring equipment shall be calibrated monthly and periodic manual water level measurements shall be carried out to corroborate the measurements.

Monthly groundwater monitoring shall be carried out at specified points ED1-ED35 in accordance with Figure 5.1 unless otherwise approved by the IEC.

5.4.5 Results

All manual water level measurements shall be recorded relative to both monitoring borehole datum and Principal Datum. All automatic monitoring equipment shall be in a form that can be input to computer and displayed in numerical or graphical form. Results shall include site name; unique monitoring borehole reference or location code; date and water level in metres below monitoring borehole datum and to Principal Datum.

Groundwater Quality

5.4.6 Equipment

The criteria for selection of appropriate equipment shall depend upon the purpose of the sampling exercise, the site characterisation and the parameters that are to be analysed. This shall be assessed using the following criteria:

• Required sampling accuracy and precision;

• Sampling frequency;

• Sampler construction material;

• Required head;

• Required discharge rate; and

• Reliability and ease of maintenance, including availability of spared.

Teflon and/or stainless steel samplers (e.g. bailers) shall be used to sample groundwater.

Where sampling relies on the sample being pumped to the surface via tubing, the tubing used shall be Teflon, Teflon lined, or polypropylene. Bladder pumps shall be used to purge and to sample. Groundwater may be pumped from depths in excess of 50m below ground level, due to the depth to groundwater and the topographic level of the site.

5.4.7 Calibration and maintenance

Before each purging process, field meters shall be calibrated according to manufacturer specifications and the calibration results recorded in a calibration log file. All sampling equipment shall be thoroughly decontaminated as per standard sampling protocol prior to use.

5.4.8 Procedures

The Contractor shall purge a monitoring borehole before a sample is taken in order that representative groundwater is sampled. This process shall be combined with field monitoring of determinants such as electrical conductivity, pH and temperature, so that stable sampling conditions can be achieved. If the water is contaminated it shall be contained and treated as leachate, otherwise abstracted groundwater shall be discharged to the surface water drainage system.

Samples shall be stored and preserved according to the guideline of approved accredited laboratory. Representative groundwater sample shall be collected, in approved receptacles as follows:

• Sampling containers shall be pre-rinsed with the water being collected, except in the case where specific determinations require preservatives in pre-prepared bottles;

• Glass containers shall be used for receipt of samples for organic analysis;

• Polyethylene containers shall be used for other determinants, except trace metals determinants such as mercury;

• Water shall be poured into sampling bottles carefully until filled completely, unless a specific volume in required by the analytical laboratory;

• A minimum of one litre sample shall be taken, unless otherwise specified;

• On-site measurement of EC, pH and temperature shall be carried out;

• On completion of sampling, portable equipment shall be removed from the borehole, and cleaned prior to use at next installation.

All sample bottles shall be labelled, samples shall be kept at four degrees centigrade and sent to the laboratory within specified holding times for the analytical methods. Samples shall be sent to the laboratory with appropriate chain-of-custody documentation.

Analysis of samples shall be carried out in accordance with methods described in American Society for Testing and Material (ASTM) or American Public Health Association (APHA) American Water Works Association (AWWA) - Water Environment Federation (WEF).

5.4.9 Results

All sample containers shall be clearly marked to show the site name, location and date of sample collection. All results shall be presented as following:

• Site name;

• Unique sampling location reference;

• Time and date of the sampling;

• Name of the sampling technician;

• Weather conditions and air temperature;

• Appearance, condition and temperature of the water body;

• Sampling device used;

• On-site measurements of EC, pH and temperature;

• Volume of water purged prior to sampling; and

• Physical description of the sample.

5.4.10 Analysis Parameters

The Contractor shall measure the parameters according to the Table 5.4 in monthly basis. In the event of contamination being detected in the monthly monitoring programme, additional groundwater monitoring shall be carried out in weekly basis.

Table 5.4 Groundwater Monitoring

Parameters	Detection Limit	Normal Frequency	Additional Frequency
Temperature*	0.1°C	Monthly basis	-
pH*	0.1	Monthly basis	Weekly Basis
Electrical conductivity*	1 mS/cm	Monthly basis	Weekly Basis
COD	10 mg/L	Monthly basis	Weekly Basis
BOD	3 mg/L	Monthly basis	Weekly Basis
SS	0.1 mg/L	Monthly basis	Weekly Basis
Ammonia-nitrogen	0.2 mg/L	Monthly basis	Weekly Basis
Nitrate	0.5 mg/L	Monthly basis	-
TKN	0 4 mg/L	Monthly basis	-
Sulphate	5 mg/L	Monthly basis	-
Sulphite	2 mg/L	Monthly basis	-
Phosphate	0.01 mg/L	Monthly basis	-
Chloride	0.5 mg/L	Monthly basis	Weekly Basis
Iron	50 mg/L	Monthly basis	Weekly Basis
Zinc	10 mg/L	Monthly basis	Weekly Basis
Coliform Count	1 cfu/ 100mL	Monthly basis	Weekly Basis

*On-site measurement

5.4.11 Trigger Levels

The Contractor shall propose a permanent monitoring network at the site to include the following:

• Detailed information on the hydrogeological regime;

• Details on seasonal groundwater level fluctuations and short-term variations in certain areas;

• Detailed baseline groundwater quality information; and

• Detailed pumping test data for areas down gradient of the site where contaminants are likely to migrate.

The Contractor shall monitor groundwater around the site to ensure that the trigger levels are not exceeded Table 5.7

5.4.12 Corrective Action

In the event that the above trigger levels are exceeded, the Contractor shall implement a Corrective Action Programme, which shall include:

• Groundwater extraction and, if necessary, treatment prior to discharge; and

• Groundwater interception and diversion.

5.5 Surface Water Monitoring

5.5.1 Introduction

The Contractor shall carry out surface water monitoring from the commencement of the works until the issue of the Aftercare Certificate in accordance with the following objectives:

• To assess the performance of the registered design, where surface water leaves the site and/or the landfill boundary; surface water leaves an operational area; and surface water leaves areas of potential contamination e.g. waste reception area, vehicle and wheel washing, haul route, vehicle servicing, etc.

• To ensure no long-term deterioration in surface water quality adjacent to the site;

• To provide data for the design and to monitor the effectiveness of any remedial measures which may be necessary in the event of excessive leachate migration or liner failure.

Surface water monitoring stations shall be established in and around the site as part of the monitoring programme.

5.5.2 Equipment

For monitoring surface water quality, the Contractor shall use the following sampling and measuring equipment:

• Varying water sample containers, as appropriate to the type of analysis being determined, fabricated from polyethylene, polypropylene, polycarbonate, aluminium, stainless steel or glass

-Glass containers for organic constituents, but where major constituents of glass are to be analysed (e.g. sodium, potassium, boron, silicon and trace metallic impurities) glass containers shall not be used.

-Polyethylene containers shall not be used for trace metallic impurities such as mercury.

• Silicon sieve/disposable filters for removal of suspended solids

• Thermometer with a range of 0-50°C

• Digital pH meter

• Electrical conductivity meter

A clamp, pole or string shall be attached to the bottle if the water poses a threat to the sampling technician or if direct contact is likely to be made with skin. In all situations, gloves shall be worn as a matter of routine when sampling potentially- contaminated water.

The following equipment or the which equivalents approved by IEC shall be provided for monitoring flow:

• IS32 flow monitor complete with Druck transducer capable of measuring parameters of depth and velocity at specified intervals, with trip mode built-in.

• Velocity calibrator — Montec 3013 portable Doppler measurement for in-situ calibrations of velocity. A 1.25m logging wand shall be used for recording in-situ measurements.

• Monitoring software — specifically designed for use with IS32 and Montec 3013, to produce depth, velocity and discharge graphs, as well as tabulated data.

5.5.3 Calibration and Maintenance

Clean, pre-conditioned/washed sample containers shall be used during the sampling programme. Sample containers shall be used only once with the exception of glass containers appropriately decontaminated at the analytical laboratory prior to use. All sampling equipment including open-mouthed collection vessels (buckets and cans) and sieves shall be decontaminated prior to use between sample points to prevent cross contamination. Decontamination procedures involve the use of laboratory grade detergent and rinsing in de-ionized water. Sample bottles that contain chemical preservatives shall not be rinsed or cleansed in any way.

Thermometers shall be rinsed with de-ionized water and then wiped with disposable towels immediately after use before being replaced in the carrying case.

All flow measuring equipment shall be calibrated according to the manufacturer’s specifications.

5.5.4 Procedures

The Contractor shall undertake sampling of surface water quality with reference to the following documents:

• The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) ISO5667-1:2020 Water Quality - Sampling - Part 1: Guidance on the design of sampling programmes and sampling techniques

• ISO 5667-3:2018 Water quality - Sampling - Part 3: Preservation and handling of water samples

• ISO 5667-6:2014 Water quality - Sampling - Part 6: Guidance on sampling of rivers and streams

Before sampling, the flow rate of the stream/river shall be determined and the water and air temperature, pH and electrical conductivity shall be measured and recorded.

All the precautions outlined in the Specification for avoiding contamination during sampling shall be taken, for example, pre-rinsing sampling containers (excluding those containers which are preserved by certain type of chemicals) with the surface water to be collected. In addition, appropriate health and safety precautions including the wearing of protective waterproof gloves shall be followed.

In general, samples shall be collected from within 500mm of the water surface. Samples shall be collected within an open-mouthed vessel with the lip pointing upstream. The sample shall be filtered as appropriate. Alternatively the sample shall be collected directly into the sample container. Sampling of the surface film layer shall be avoided during the sampling programme.

During sample collection, care shall be taken so that air is not introduced into the samples thereby altering the relative compositions of the determinants. Once the sample bottle is filled to the top with no remaining air space the lid shall be securely screwed on. Where samples are to be preserved with acid or alkalis prior to transport to the laboratory, the sample bottles shall be filled to the level specified by the analytical laboratory.

Samples shall be transported to the laboratory for analysis as soon as possible after the sample is collected, since the longevity of some of the sample determinants is limited. All samples shall be stored at 4°C and transported to the laboratory within 48 hours from sampling.

Analyses shall be carried out in accordance with methods described in ASTM or APHA — AWWA — WEF Standard.

If the site condition is feasible, flow measurements shall also be taken continuously using automatic logging equipment.

5.5.5 Analysis Parameters

The Contractor shall measure the all parameters according to Table 5.5 in monthly basis. In the event of contamination being detected in the monthly monitoring programme, additional surface water monitoring shall be carried out in weekly basis.

Table 5.5 Surface Water Monitoring

Parameters	Detection Limit	Normal Frequency	Additional Frequency
pH*	0.1	Monthly basis	Weekly basis
Electrical conductivity*	1 mS/cm	Monthly basis	Weekly basis
Alkalinity	1 mg/L	Monthly basis	-
COD	10 mg/L	Monthly basis	Weekly basis
BOD₅	3 mg/L	Monthly basis	Weekly basis
TOC	1 mg/L	Monthly basis	Weekly basis
SS	0.1 mg/L	Monthly basis	Weekly basis
Ammonia-nitrogen	0.2 mg/L	Monthly basis	Weekly basis
TKN	0.4 mg/L	Monthly basis	-
Nitrate	0.5 mg/L	Monthly basis	-
Sulphate	5 mg/L	Monthly basis	-
Sulphite	2 mg/L	Monthly basis	-
Phosphate	0.01 mg/L	Monthly basis	-
Chloride	0.5 mg/L	Monthly basis	-
Sodium	50 mg/L	Monthly basis	-
Mg	50 mg/L	Monthly basis	-
Ca	50 mg/L	Monthly basis	-
K	50 mg/L	Monthly basis	-
Fe	50 mg/L	Monthly basis	Weekly basis
Ni	1 mg/L	Monthly basis	-
Zn	10 mg/L	Monthly basis	Weekly basis
Mn	1 mg/L	Monthly basis	-
Cu	1 mg/L	Monthly basis	-
Pb	1 mg/L	Monthly basis	-
Cd	0.2 mg/L	Monthly basis	-
Coliform Count	1 cfu/ 100mL	Monthly basis	Weekly basis
Oil and Grease	5 mg/L	Monthly basis	-

*On-site measurement

If the site condition is feasible, surface water flow shall be monitored continuously using automatic data logging equipment. Following periods of heavy rainfall, flow shall be monitored weekly and more frequently to determine peak discharge rates.

5.5.6 Locations of Sampling

Monthly surface water monitoring shall be carried out at specified points WM1 (Upstream of Lin Ma Hang) and WM2 (Ping Yuen River, i.e existing SP1 monitoring station) in accordance with Figure 5.2 unless otherwise approved by IEC. The sampling points shall be readily accessible and sampling shall be obtained from a flow that is moderate and steady. Turbulent flowing streams or stagnant pools shall be avoided.

5.5.7 Results

Upon completion of each sampling exercise, the sample containers shall be clearly labelled with site name; sampling location reference; date and time of collection and sample number.

In addition, the sampling technician shall record any abnormality which may affect water quality in their record notebooks. The sampling record shall include the following details:

• Sampling site and sampling point;

• Date and time of collection;

• Name of sampling technician;

• Weather conditions and air temperature;

• Appearance, condition and temperature of the water body;

• Sampling method and sampling device used;

• Sample preservation; and

• Storage requirements;

• List of parameters (with space for the analytical results).

5.5.8 Trigger Levels

The Contractor shall conduct the surface water monitoring programme in order to keep ammonia-nitrogen and COD below the following trigger levels in operational phase:

Ammonia-nitrogen: 0.5mg/L

COD: 30mg/L

In addition, suspended solids concentrations for surface waters leaving the site shall not exceed 20mg/L.

5.5.9 Corrective Action

In the event that these trigger levels are exceeded, the Contractor shall implement a Corrective Action Programme, which shall include:

• Sampling upstream into landfill to trace the source;

• Surface water interception and treatment prior to discharge;

• Changes to working methods to prevent surface water contamination;

• Diversionary works.

Where analytical results indicate the presence of contamination, additional monitoring locations shall be selected to determine the pollution source. The Contractor shall implement procedures in accordance with the corrective action plan to mitigate any contamination sources identified.

5.6 Event and Action Plan

The Action and Limit levels for surface and ground water quality are defined in Table 5.6 and Table 5.7. Should non-compliance of the criteria occur, action in accordance with the Action Plan in Table 5.8 shall be carried out.

Table 5.6 Action and Limit Levels for Surface Water Quality

	Parameter	Action	Limit
Construction	DO in mg L^-1	5 percentile of baseline data	4 mg L^-1 or 1%-ile of baseline data
	pH	95 percentile of baseline data	99 percentile of baseline
	Turbidity in NTU	95 percentile of baseline data	99 percentile of baseline
	SS in mg L^-1	95 percentile of baseline data	99 percentile of baseline
Operation	COD, Ammonia-nitrogen	--	Ammonia-nitrogen: 0.5mg/L COD: 30mg/L
Operation	SS in mgL^-1	--	20mg/L

Notes:

1. For DO, non-compliance of the water quality limits occurs when monitoring result is lower than the limits.

2. For turbidity, SS, non-compliance of the water quality limits occurs when monitoring result is higher than the limits.

3. For pH, non-compliance of the water quality limits occurs when monitoring result is outside the specified range.

4. All the figures given in the table are used for reference only and the EPD may amend the figures whenever it is considered as necessary.

Table 5.7 Action and Limit Levels for Ground Water Quality

Parameters

Action

Limit

Remark

COD, Ammonia-nitrogen

---

COD: 30 mg/L

Ammonia-nitrogen: 5mg/L

For COD, Ammonia-nitrogen, non-compliance of the water quality limits occurs when monitoring result is higher than the limits.

6 Waste Management

6.1 Introduction

It will be the Contractor’s responsibility to ensure that all wastes produced during the NENT Landfill Extension are handled, stored and disposed of in accordance with good waste management practices and EPD’s regulations and requirements.

The major waste material generated during construction activities has been identified to be construction and demolition (C&D) material and recommended to be audited at regular intervals (at least weekly) to ensure that proper storage, transportation and disposal practices will be implemented.

Monitoring of waste management practices will ensure that these solid wastes generated during construction will not be disposed into the nearby coastal waters. The Contractor will be responsible for the implementation of any mitigation measures to minimise waste or redress problems arising from the waste materials.

6.2 Waste Control and Mitigation Measurement

Construction Phase

Mitigation measures for waste management are summarised below. With the appropriate handling, storage and removal of waste arisings during the construction phase as defined below, the potential to cause adverse environmental impacts would be minimised. The EMIS of the recommended mitigation measures is presented in Appendix C.

Good Site Practices and Waste Reduction Measures

It is expected that adverse impacts from waste management would not arise, provided that good site practices are strictly followed. Recommendations for good site practices during construction include:

• Nomination of approved personnel to be responsible for good site practices and making arrangements for collection of all wastes generated on-site and effective disposal;

• Training of site personnel for cleanliness, proper waste management procedures including chemical waste handling, and waste reduction, reuse and recycling concepts;

• Provision of sufficient waste collection points and regular collection for disposal;

• Appropriate measures to minimise windblown litter and dust during transportation of waste by either covering trucks or by transporting wastes in enclosed containers;

• Regular cleaning and maintenance programme for drainage systems, sumps and oil interceptors;

• Appropriate waste management should be implemented in accordance with the ETWB TC(W) No. 19/2005; and

• Recording system for the amount of wastes generated, recycled and disposed (including the disposal sites) should be proposed.

A trip-ticket system should be implemented in accordance with DEVB TCW No. 6/2010 for proper record of the quantity of C&D material generated on-site. Construction Waste Disposal Charging Scheme under the Waste Disposal Ordinance also applies to control the disposal of construction waste. Good management and control will prevent the generation of significant amounts of waste.

Waste reduction is best achieved at the planning and design stage, as well as by ensuring the implementation of good site practices. Recommendations include:

• Segregation and storage of different types of waste in different containers, skips or stockpiles to enhance reuse or recycling of materials and their proper disposal;

• Separate labelled bins should be provided to segregate aluminium cans from other general refuse generated by the work force and to encourage collection of aluminium cans by individual collector;

• Any used chemicals or those with remaining functional capacity should be recycled;

• Maximising the use of reusable steel formwork to reduce the amount of C&D materials;

• Prior to disposal of C&D waste, it is recommended that wood, steel and other metals should be separated for re-use and/ or recycling to minimise amount of waste generated and avoid unnecessary generation of wastes; and

• Proper storage and site practices should be implemented to minimise the potential for damage or contamination of construction materials;

• Plan and stock construction materials carefully to minimise amount of waste generated and avoid unnecessary generation of waste; and

• Minimise excessive ordering of concrete, mortars and cement grout by doing careful check before ordering.

In addition, specific mitigation measures are recommended below for the identified waste arisings to minimise environmental impacts during handling, transportation and disposal of these wastes.

C&D Material

As the design has adopted a C&D material balance approach, the impact on the handling, collection, transportation and disposal of C&D material is insignificant. Excavated slope, stockpiled material and bund walls will be covered (e.g. by a tarpaulin) until used in order to prevent wind-blown dust during dry weather, and to reduce muddy runoff during wet weather. If any topsoil-like materials need to be stockpiled for any length of time, consideration should be given to hydroseeding of the topsoil on the stockpile to improve its visual appearance and prevent soil erosion.

Chemical Wastes

Plant/equipment maintenance schedule should be designed to optimise maintenance effectiveness and to minimise the generation of chemical wastes. Chemical waste should be properly stored and transported off-site for treatment by a licensed collector. The Contractor should register with EPD as a chemical waste producer. Where possible, chemical wastes (e.g. waste lube oil) should be recycled by licensed treatment facilities.

General Refuse

All recyclable materials (separated from the general waste) should be stored on-site in appropriate containers with cover prior to collection by a local recycler for subsequent reuse and recycling. Residual, non-recyclable, general waste should be stored in appropriate containers to avoid odour. Regular collection should be arranged by an approved waste collector in purpose-built vehicles that minimise environmental impacts during transportation.

Sludge

Sludge should be collected by a licensed collector at regular intervals, to suit the operation schedule of the leachate treatment plant. The use of purpose-built sludge tankers can minimise the potential of environmental impacts during transportation. Co-disposal of this sludge in designated trenches should be considered to reduce its hazardous impact.

7 Landfill Gas Monitoring

7.1 Background

The qualitative risk assessment for landfill gas (LFG) hazards associated with the construction, operation, restoration and aftercare phases indicated that the overall risks to the receivers within the NENT Landfill Extension site was categorised as 'High' and that to the receivers outside the NENT Landfill Extension site was ‘Medium’.

The sensitive receivers falling within the newly proposed 250m Consultation Zone may be prone to LFG potential risk and appropriate protective and precautionary measures including engineering design and monitoring programme have been proposed to reduce such risk to acceptable levels. With these measures in place, no adverse impact is anticipated. LFG monitoring should be conducted throughout various phases of NENT Landfill Extension with the following key objectives:

• To ensure the safety and health of workers during the construction stage of landfill extension;

• To determine the performance and effectiveness of LFG mitigation measures and control systems for preventing uncontrolled LFG migration, with respect to the LFG risk on properties, residents and vegetation;

• To establish a system for assessment and monitoring of any potential ecological stress in the vicinities of the site;

• To establish a monitoring regime for buildings within the site services routes and other enclosed areas providing a warning system for detection of potential build-up of hazardous LFG; and

• To ascertain the characteristics of the landfill and estimate the quantity and quality of the LFG production in order to assess the potential for future utilisation.

This Updated EM&A Manual specifies the basic requirements for LFG monitoring in NENT Landfill Extension, including the monitoring locations, parameters, equipment, procedures, frequency, reporting format, Action and Limit (A/L) Levels, Event and Action Plan (EAP), and Emergency and Contingency Plan (ECP), etc. Further details of LFG monitoring requirements should be established in the Landfill Monitoring Plan (LMP) to be developed by the Contractor based on this Updated EM&A Manual.

7.2 General Requirement

The LFG monitoring programme should include on-site and off-site monitoring at the agreed period of time and frequency. On-site and off-site LFG monitoring during different phases of landfill development should cover:

• Quantity and quality of extracted LFG at individual gas well heads;

• Quantity of LFG automatically monitored at LFG pumping station;

• Fixed surface and borehole locations along the landfill site boundary and at potential sources of concern;

• Monitoring safe level of LFG concentration, and implementation of sufficient mitigation measures when entering confined spaces within the landfill site; and

• Off-site monitoring for LFG.

LFG monitoring should be conducted in monthly basis at designated monitoring locations and gas monitoring boreholes, supplemented by monthly site surveys of the surrounding environment including natural cracks and fissures, service drains and ducts, area with sign of vegetation death, and any below ground enclosed spaces, which include normal bulk gas using portable instrument verified by gas sampling and laboratory analyses. If the monitoring results indicate evidence of gas migration, the monitoring frequency should be increased accordingly, with the implementation of appropriate mitigation measures under the EAP.

LFG monitoring should commence at the start of construction works through the operation, restoration and until completion of aftercare phases. The measured LFG results should be checked for compliance against pre-defined A/L Levels in this updated EM&A Manual and the LMP. In case exceedance of compliance level was detected at any locations, the EAP should be triggered for necessary action to be taken.

If abnormally high LFG levels are detected at off-site sensitive receivers, the ECP should be strictly followed to timely trigger the listed action without delay, which includes evacuation of occupants, provision of forced ventilation to the concerned sensitive receiver, investigation of potential source of LFG, increase LFG extraction rate on-site for minimise leakage etc. Details of the procedures will be documented in the ECP.

7.3 Monitoring Parameters

A suite of LFG monitoring parameters include:

• Monitoring borehole: Methane (CH₄). carbon dioxide (CO₂), oxygen (O₂),

flammable gas

• Surface gas location: CH₄, CO₂, O₂

• Gas well head: CH₄, CO₂, O₂. flammable gas, volatile organic compounds

(VOC)

• Off-site location: VOC

7.4 Monitoring Equipment

Monitoring for Construction Works

Intrinsically safe portable gas detectors should be used during excavation or when working in any confined spaces, which have the potential for presence of LFG and risk of explosion or asphyxiation. The monitoring equipment should alarm, both audibly and visually, when the concentrations of the following gases were exceeded:

CH₄: >10% Lower Explosion Limit (LEL);

CO₂: >0.5%; and

O₂: <18% by volume.

Monitoring at Designated Locations

Pre-entry and routine monitoring should be conducted at boreholes, gas well heads, utilities’ manholes and chambers throughout the landfill extension development. The LFG monitoring should be conducted regularly. The LFG monitoring instrument should:

• Comply with EPD’s Landfill Gas Hazard Assessment — Guidance Note as intrinsically safe;

• Be capable of continuous monitoring of CH₄. CO₂, O₂, barometric pressure and gas pressure measurement;

• Normally operate in diffusion mode unless required for spot sampling, when it should be capable of operating by means of an aspirator or pump;

• Have low battery, fault and over range indication incorporated;

• Store monitoring date and be capable of being down-loaded directly; and

• Measure within these ranges: methane 0-100% LEL & 0-100% v/v; oxygen 0-25% v/v; carbon dioxide 0-100% v/v; barometric pressure mBar (absolute); gas pressure (relative to atmosphere) pascals; and temperature 0-100°C.

Proper gas sampling devices such as stainless steel gas cylinders or Tedlar bags should be used for collection of ambient gas samples at specified surface and off-site locations and delivered to laboratory for testing using gas chromatography analysis.

All buildings within the NENT Landfill Extension site should be monitored for the presence of LFG with a permeant detection system with the following features:

• Detector heads to be located within buildings;

• Main control box which houses individual control devices for each detector head;

• Central control panel to alert site personnel, audibly and visually, when gas concentration reached or exceeded threshold levels; and

• Dial-out facility to enable appropriate personnel to be alerted if detectors are triggered outside operation hours.

Calibration and Maintenance

All portable instrument should be calibrated and serviced according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Calibration gases should be used for checking portable instrument for methane and carbon dioxide detection before and after use. Instrument for monitoring oxygen should be calibrated against normal expected air concentrations. Any significant variations in instrument performance outside that expected through normal drift should be noted with the instrument calibration timely corrected.

7.5 Monitoring Location

During the construction works within the NENT Landfill Extension site with excavation of 1m deep or more, LFG concentrations should be monitored before entry and periodically during the progress of works. If drilling is required, the procedures for safety management and working procedures as stipulated in EPD‘s Landfill Gas Hazard Assessment - Guidance Note should be strictly adopted.

Throughout the landfill extension development, when service voids, manholes or inspection chambers within the project site are entered for maintenance, monitoring and a checklist system of safety requirements should be performed before entry in accordance with the Code of Practice on Safety and Health at Work in Confined Spaces.

The proposed LFG monitoring locations including designated boreholes and surface locations, gas wells, and off-site locations for NENT Landfill Extension development are shown in Figure 5.1, which are subject to changes depending on the design and modification by the Contractor. Detailed requirements of LFG monitoring should be established in the LMP by the Contractor.

7.6 Monitoring Frequency

If the monitoring results indicate evidence of gas migration, the monitoring frequency should be increased accordingly, with the implementation of appropriate mitigation measures under the EAP.

The monitoring frequency should be reviewed throughout the on-going development of NENT Landfill Extension and revised as necessary based on the air within the borehole monitoring data. Detailed requirements of LFG monitoring frequency should be established in the LMP by the Contractor.

7.7 Monitoring Procedures

Surface Gas Emission

• Walkover survey for the whole site area should be undertaken at a slow pace with the inlet tube of the probe only a few centimeters above ground level.

• Measurements will be taken in areas off-site and/or beyond the landfill boundary where there is visible vegetation stress or die-back which may be caused by depletion of soil oxygen and accumulation of toxic gases or vapors in the root zone.

• Survey of the capping, focusing upon cracks or areas of settlement, surface drains, sub-surface service entries to buildings and any other enclosed spaces should be taken.

Monitoring Borehole

• The sampling port should be connected to the gas monitoring probe.

• The gas analyser should be turned on to sample the gas for about one minute.

• The sampling port should be removed and the temperature probe should be inserted into the gas monitoring probe to record the temperature.

• Results should be recorded on a log sheet.

• Pressure (within installations, relative to atmospheric pressure) should be monitored at any monitoring probe where methane was detected on the previous monitoring occasion. The order of monitoring should be pressure, followed by flammable gas (CH₄), O₂, CO₂ and temperature.

• Bulk samples of LFG should be drawn from gas monitoring probes with tubing connected directly to a Tedlar bag of appropriate volume and sent for laboratory analysis.

Well Head

• Proper hoses should be connected from the GEM-500 or equivalent landfill gas meter to the wellhead.

• Clear rubber hose with the external filter/water trap assembly should be attached to the static port on the GEM-500 or equivalent landfill gas meter .

• Male quick connect should be placed on the end of this tubing to read the static pressure on the wellhead.

• Clear rubber hose should be connected to the impact port of the GEM-500 or equivalent landfill gas meter . A male fitting should be placed on the end of the clear tubing. This fitting should be used to measure the impact pressure at the wellhead.

• Gas analyser should be turned on and gas should be sampled for 60 seconds.

• Results should be recorded on a log sheet.

• Pressure (within installations, relative to atmospheric pressure) should be monitored at any monitoring probe where methane, was present on the previous monitoring occasion. The order of monitoring will be pressure, followed by flammable gas (CH₄), O₂, CO₂, and temperature.

• Bulk samples of LFG should be drawn from gas monitoring probes with tubing connected directly to a Tedlar bag of appropriate volume and sent for laboratory analysis.

Site Building and Confined Space

• Permanent gas detection system should be installed at each on-site building for the continuous and automatic monitoring of gas ingress into the building.

• The effectiveness of the system will further be monitored by inspection of main gas detector panel every 4 hours; inspection of air inlets to ensure no blockages, daily; and monitoring of all maintenance holes, ducts and confined spaces both inside and within close proximity to the Landfill. Site Boundary for flammable and carbon dioxide, monthly.

• The gas detection system will be set for alarm (audible and visual) if

Ø CH₄ rises to 20% LEL; or

Ø CO₂ rises to 1.5% by volume; or

Ø O₂ falls to 18% by volume

Off-site Location

VOCs

• A sample list of VOC monitoring parameter is listed in Appendix D.

• Prior to sampling, the sampler should be attached to the canister by tubing.

• The canister valve should be opened and the canister pressure gauge should be recorded.

• Ambient air should be pumped into the canister by the sampler’s diaphragm pump. The flow rate should be maintained at about 67mL/min for 3 hours in order to fill the 6L canister to 2 atm. The system timer should be programmed to activate and deactivate the sample collection.

• After sampling, the canister valve should be closed and the final sample pressure should be recorded on the sampling data sheet.

• Monitoring for VOCs should not be carried out if it is raining.

CH₄

• A sample-collecting air bag should be situated within an airtight drum. The bag should be opened to the atmosphere and a vacuum should be applied to the inside of the drum by means of a vacuum pump. The negative pressure causes the air bag to inflate, drawing in an atmospheric air sample. The bag should then be sealed immediately.

• Sample containers should be labelled and delivered to the accredited laboratory as soon as is practicable.

7.8 A/L Levels and EAP

The A/L Levels and relevant EAP for LFG detected in excavation, utilities and enclosed on- site areas are summarised in Table 7.1.

Table 7.1 A/L Levels and EAP for LFG

Parameter	Level	Action
Oxygen (O₂)	Action Level <19% O₂	Ventilate trench/void to restore O₂ to >19%
Oxygen (O₂)	Limit Level <18% O₂	Stop works Evacuate personnel/prohibit entry Increase ventilation to restore O₂ to >19%
Methane (CH₄)	Action Level >10% LEL*	Prohibit hot works Increase ventilation to restore CH₄ to <10% LEL
Methane (CH₄)	Limit Level >20% LEL*	Stop works Evacuate personnel/prohibit entry Increase ventilation to restore CH₄ to <10% LEL
Carbon dioxide (CO₂)	Action Level >0.5% CO₂	Ventilate to restore CO₂ to <0.5%
Carbon dioxide (CO₂)	Limit Level >1.5% CO₂	Stop works Evacuate personnel / prohibit entry Increase ventilation to restore CO₂ to <0.5%

* LEL: Lower Explosive Limit - concentrations in air below which there is not enough fuel to continue an explosion.

** This Action Level of CO₂ at 0.5% is set for reference only, assuming no CO₂ emission from a particular location.

Depending on the baseline CO₂ levels, the Action Level at a particular location will be changed.

7.9 Mitigation Measures

The protection and precautionary measures to minimise LFG hazards for the areas within and outside the landfill extension site during construction, operation, restoration and aftercare phases are summarised in the EMIS in Appendix C.

Due to the close proximity to the existing NENT Landfill site, the mitigation measures within landfill extension site generally encompass specific protection against hazards of exposure to LFG e.g. ignition, explosion, asphyxiation, toxicity, etc when undertaking construction activities including excavation and trenching.

During operation, restoration and aftercare phases, due care for strict implementation protection measures should be taken when operations within service voids, manholes and inspection chambers need to be exercised within the landfill extension site. All new-built permanent building structures within the landfill extension site should be installed with specific gas protection measures.

For new developments outside the landfill extension site but within the 250m Consultation Zone, the owner of the development is required to conduct an LFG hazard assessment and submit the assessment report to the EPD for consultation and vetting in accordance with ProPECC PN 3/96 and LFG Guidance Note. The owner of the development should:

• Carry out an LFG hazard assessment to evaluate the degree of risk associated with the proposed development;

• Design suitable precautionary/ protection measures to render the proposed development as safe as reasonably practicable;

• Ensure that the precautionary/ protection measures to be fully implemented according to the design; and

• Establish a maintenance and monitoring programme to ensure the continued performance of implemented protection measures.

8 Landscape and Visual Monitoring

8.1 Introduction

The EIA study has recommended landscape and visual mitigation measures to be undertaken during the construction and operational phases, as well as the restoration and aftercare phases of the project. This section outlines the EM&A requirements of these measures to mitigate the landscape and visual impacts.

8.2 Monitoring Details

The design, implementation and maintenance of landscape mitigation measures should be checked to ensure that they are fully implemented and that potential conflicts between the proposed landscape measures and other works and operational requirements are timely resolved without compromise to the intention of the proposed mitigation measures.

Baseline Monitoring

Photographic records of the project site should be taken at the time when the Contractor take over the site, which should be approved by the IEC. The approved photographic records should be submitted to the Project Proponent, ET, IEC and EPD.

Monitoring Locations and Frequency

In order to monitor the landscape and visual impact after providing mitigation measures effectively, all the specified and affected LCAs, LRs and VSRs should be monitored. Implementation of the mitigation measures during construction, operation, restoration and aftercare phases of the Project should be monitored through the regular site inspection/audit.

Design Phase

The mitigation measures proposed in the EIA study to mitigate the landscape and visual impacts should be embodied into the detailed engineering design and landscape design drawings and contract documents. Designs should be checked to ensure that the mitigation measures are fully incorporated and that potential conflicts with civil, geo-technical, structural, drainage, underground utilities and operational requirements are resolved prior to construction and operation of the project. The Project Proponent should develop a detailed management programme to mitigate the landscape and visual impacts.

Construction and Operational Phases

Measures to mitigate the landscape and visual impacts during the construction and operational phases should be checked to ensure compliance with the intended aims of the measures. The progress of the engineering works should be regularly reviewed on site to identify the earliest practical opportunities for the landscape works to be undertaken. The event and action plan for landscape and visual monitoring during the construction and operational phases is summarised in Table 8.1.

Restoration and Aftercare Phases

Measures to mitigate landscape and visual impacts during the restoration and aftercare phases should be checked to ensure compliance with the intended aims of the measures. The success of all planting works intended to mitigate the visual and landscape impact should be monitored, including long-term maintenance of the restoration planting works under the detailed management programme. The event and action plan for landscape and visual monitoring during the restoration and aftercare phases is summarised in Table 8.2.

Table 8.2 Summary of event and action plan for landscape and visual monitoring during restoration and aftercare phases

Maintenance Agency

Management Agency

Exceedance

• Identify source of impact

• Discuss remedial actions with Management Agency

• Monitor remedial actions until rectification has been completed.

• Check report

• Discuss with Maintenance Agency possible remedial measures

• Supervise implementation of remedial measures

9 Cultural Heritage Monitoring

9.1 Introduction

The EIA study has recommended the built heritage mitigation measures arising from the NENT Landfill Extension project. This section outlines the specific EM&A requirements of these measures.

9.2 Monitoring Requirements

Details of the EM&A programme for impacted cultural heritage resources will be provided in this section, with the full methodology for the recording and preparation of the archives for both the cultural landscape features (boulder paths and boulder terraces) and the graves being summarised (Figure 9.1). The resources listed below should be preserved by detailed record. It is the responsibility of the Contractor that all mitigation recommendations are fully implemented and the results agreed by EPD with the advice from relevant authorities.

According to the approved EIA Report (AEIAR-111/2007) and Environmental Monitoring and Audit Manual approved in 2007, no archaeological material or cultural layers were identified. And it should be noted that site of abandoned graves will require no mitigation measures and that the study area is extremely overgrown with dense ground covering vegetation and the potential for the presence of more historical graves exists. As a result, it is recommended that whenever a grave is found during the construction phase, the relevant authorities should be contacted immediately and the works in the immediate vicinity of the grave should be stopped until it is inspected by the relevant authorities.

9.3 Ngong Tong (North and West of Shek Tsai Ha Road: Western & Central Section)

Boulder Path 1

The southern section of the path should be surveyed and mapped to determine if any sections of the path will fall within the extension boundary of the finalised layout plan. If any sections are found to be within the extension boundary then preservation by detailed record should be undertaken and fulfill the relevant requirements.

Graves

G2, G4, G5, G6, G7, G8, G14, G15, G25, G26 and G27 should be preserved by detailed record to fulfil the relevant requirements.

9.4 Tong To Shan (North Shek Tsai Ha Road: East Section)

Boulder Path 2

The southern section of the path should be surveyed and mapped to determine if any sections of the path fall within the extension boundary of the finalised layout plan. If any sections are found to be within the extension boundary then preservation by detailed record should be undertaken to fulfil the relevant requirements.

9.5 The Relevant Requirements for Survey and Preservation

Graves

1. The requirement for the recording of grave inscriptions should include rubbing of grave inscriptions to be conducted, the inscriptions to be rewritten in a tabular format with proper cross-referencing (e.g. item numbers, photos).

2. The requirements for the cartographic survey of historic graves should include:

• The following plans are required:

Ø Site plans showing the relative locations of the graves and their associated cultural/fung shui landscape (if any) concerned to 1:100 or as appropriate;

Ø Plan(s) showing all structural walls and built-in fittings to 1:50;

Ø Elevations of each face of the graves to 1:50;

Ø At least two cross sections through the graves showing the architectural characters of the graves to 1:50;

Ø Architectural details including decorations on the “stone head”, spirit stone tablet, chimneys, inscriptions and couplets, plaster decoration and ornamental features, mouldings, brick construction patterns and any other items of historical or conservation interest to scale 1:10 or 1:5;

Ø Plan, elevation and cross section of any important fittings within/ surrounding the graves, particularly relating to its ceremonial use, to appropriate scale;

Ø Construction details should be noted such as types of brick bonding, joints in granite features, etc, to scale 1:10 or as appropriate;

Ø The number of courses of brickwork to each wall should be recorded on the appropriate drawings;

Ø All the plans (apart from details) should have North point.

• Drawings should be annotated with descriptions of the building materials used in the construction of the principal elements.

• A full set of the cartographic records has to be submitted to the relevant authorities on or before the date mutually agreed.

3. The requirements for photographic survey of historic graves should include:

• All the photographic recording should be done in both colour slides and negatives. The following recordings are required:

Ø The historic grave, its associated structures and their immediate surrounding environment including important trees, types of paving, and villages concerned etc. Aerial-photos in oblique angles showing the characteristics of the site such as the associated cultural/ fung shui landscape are required.

Ø Details of the graves with the following shots:

(a) Identification picture including the surrounding area;

(b) General views of the graves from all sides, including the top;

(d) Close up of the important details including calligraphy, e.g. decorations on the stone head, spirit stone tablet, paving, inscriptions and couplets, plaster decoration and ornamented features, mouldings, brick construction patterns, and any other items of historical or conservation interest.

• All the photos (size in 5” x 7”) captioned in both Chinese and English, and easily referenced to their location on key drawings and should be numbered and cross-referenced for easy retrieval and duplication.

• A full set of photographic records should be submitted to the relevant authorities or before the date mutually agreed for inclusion in the photographic archive of the relevant authorities.

4. Format of the detailed survey of graves to be agreed with the relevant authorities before the commencement of the recording.

Cultural Landscape Features

1. The requirements for cartographic survey of section of boulder paths to be directly impacted by project should be included:

• The following plans are required:

Ø Site plans showing the relative locations of the path to 1:1000 or as appropriate;

Ø Plan(s) showing all structural elements to 1:50;

Ø All the plans (apart from details) should have North point.

• Drawings should be annotated with written descriptions of the recorded features.

• A full set of cartographic records should be submitted to the relevant authorities on or before the date mutually agreed.

2. The requirements for photographic survey of boulder paths should include:

• All the photographic recording should be done in both colour photographs and negatives. The following recordings are required:

Ø General views of the boulder path, including its immediate surrounding environment.

Ø Details of the boulder path with the following shots:

(a) Identification picture;

(b) Views of the boulder path from all sides, including the top.

• All the photos (size in 5” x 7”) and slides should be properly captioned in both Chinese and English, and easily referenced to their location on key drawings and should be numbered and cross-referenced for easy retrieval and duplication.

• A full set of the photographic records should be submitted to the relevant authorities on or before the date mutually agreed for inclusion in the photographic archive of the relevant authorities.

10 Ecological Monitoring

10.1 Introduction

The EIA stipulated that ecological monitoring should be undertaken throughout the design, construction, operation, restoration and aftercare phases of NENT Landfill Extension to ensure that all mitigation measures should be fully complied with. The objectives of design audit for ecology are to ensure that the design for ecological mitigation specified in the EIA Report will be conducted to ensure that such designs are ecologically feasible and effective.

The EM&A objectives for ecology during the construction, operation and restoration should be to ensure that the ecological contract works and construction mitigation procedures recommended are carried out as specified and are effective. The construction and operational phase ecological EM&A should be carried out as part of the overall EM&A programme.

The purposes of ecological monitoring and audit are:

• To verify the accuracy of the predictions of the ecological assessment study;

• To detect unpredicted ecological impacts arising from the proposed project;

• To monitor the effectiveness of the mitigation measures; and

• To recommend action plans in response to unpredicted impacts, and/ or failed mitigation.

The performance of monitoring and audit from an ecological prospective should be integrated with the overall monitoring and audit plan for the project as a whole. The information on the commencement and programme of the engineering works should enable the ecological monitoring to be prepared with considerations of seasonality factors.

10.2 Ecological Mitigation Measures

Mitigation measures required for the Project to minimise ecological impacts and to preserve ecological resources will be specified in the Further Environmental Permit FEP-01/292/2007. Ecological mitigation measures to be implemented during the construction phase and operation phase include the following:

• Transplantation of three plant species of conservation interest within the project area prior to site clearance. They are Aquilaria sinensis, Cibotium barometz, and Bottlebrush Orchid Goodyera Procera and Compensation the plant species of Endospermum chinense. Their locations are shown in Figure 10.1.

• Translocation on the endemic freshwater crab Somanniathelphusa zanklon affected by the Project area and monitoring requirements on the establishment of the Somanniathelphusa zanklon community in the translocated site.

• Regular site audit and good site practices to avoid encroachment onto the nearby natural habitats and disturbance to wildlife. These are listed in various sections (including air, water, noise, waste sections) of the EIA and the other sections of this Updated EM&A Manual.

Ecological mitigation measures to be implemented during the restoration and aftercare phases should include woodland compensatory planting and monitoring. The objective of compensatory planting is to mitigate for vegetation loss. The ratio of compensation, species composition, and schedule of planting should follow the mitigation measures specified in Section 8 of the EIA Report, approved detailed vegetation surveys and transplantation proposal and landscape plan to be submitted within six months after the commencement of construction of the Project in accordance with condition 2.11 of FEP.

To ensure the survival and establishment of the compensatory planting, a 10 year ecological monitoring extending to the aftercare phase, i.e. year 2035-2044, is proposed. Apart from the standard practices and regular maintenance covered by the landscape contract, monitoring of survival, height, health condition of species planted will be monitored.

Good site practices should be implemented to avoid encroachment onto the nearby natural habitats and disturbance to wildlife. Examples are detailed in various sections of the EIA report and include:

• Placement of equipment or stockpile in designated works areas and access routes selected on existing disturbed land to minimise disturbance to natural habitats.

• Restriction of construction activities to the work areas that would be clearly demarcated.

• Reinstatement of the work areas immediately after completion of the works.

• Only well-maintained plant should be operated on-site and plant should be serviced regularly during the construction programme.

• Machines and plant (such as trucks, cranes) that may be in intermittent use should be shut down between work periods or should be throttled down to a minimum.

• Plant known to emit noise strongly in one direction, where possible, be orientated so that the noise is directed away from nearby NSRs.

• Silencers or mufflers on construction equipment should be properly fitted and maintained during the construction works.

• Mobile plant should be sited as far away from NSRs as possible and practicable.

• Material stockpiles, site office and other structures should be effectively utilised, where practicable, to screen noise from on-site construction activities.

• Use of “quiet” plant and working methods.

• Construction phase mitigation measures in the Practice Note for Professional Persons on Construction Site Drainage.

• Design and set up of the temporary on-site drainage system will be undertaken by the Contractor prior to the commencement of construction.

• Design and incorporation of silt/sediment traps in the permanent drainage channels to enhance deposition rates and regular removal of reposited silt and grit.

• Minimization of surface excavation works during the rainy seasons (April to September), and in particular, control of silty surface runoff during storm events, especially for areas located near steep slopes.

• Regular inspection and maintenance of all drainage facilities and erosion and sediment control structures to ensure proper and efficient operation at all times and particularly following rainstorms.

• Provision of oil interceptors in the drainage system downstream of any oil/fuel pollution sources.

10.3 Monitoring and Audit for Ecology

The ecological monitoring and audit programme should be implemented as set out in this Updated EM&A Manual. Two major components should be included and samples and measurements should be taken as summarised in Table 10.1:

• Survey and transplantation of the three plant species of conservation interest before site clearance; and

• 10-year ecological monitoring of compensatory wood land planting during the restoration and aftercare phases.

Table 10.1 Ecological monitoring and audit requirements

Monitoring parameter	Frequency, Duration and Response
Transplantation of plant species of conservation interest before commencement of works
Survey of plant species of conservation interest within the Project Area	Between the months of May and August 2021
Transplantation of tree, shrubs and herbs	Late wet season or early dry season, i.e., late October to early November
Monitoring of survival and growth of transplanted species	At least twice a month during the first three months after transplantation and once a month in the following nine months. The need for any further monitoring will be reviewed and determined according to the monitoring results of the 12 - month monitoring.
Monitoring of compensated individuals of Endospermum	Details will be included in the TPRP.
Ecological monitoring of woodland compensatory planting during restoration and aftercare phases
Monitoring of survival, growth and health conditions of planted	A total of 10 years. Quarterly during the first two years and every six months during the following three years of Phase 1 on exotic trees. Quarterly during the first two years and every six months during following three years of Phase 2 on native trees. The need of any further monitoring will be reviewed according to the monitoring results after the 10-year monitoring.

Survey and Transplantation of Plant Species

Preparation work for transplantation of trees and shrubs should be conducted in accordance to DEVB TC(W) No. 4/2020 - Tree Preservation, which specifies that when tree transplantation is required, the project office should allow at least 12 months in advance for consultation to obtain approval, sourcing of receptor location, and preparation works for transplanting operation.

Prior to the actual vegetation survey, a preliminary site visit/survey was conducted to initially survey the transect routes and investigate the locations of previously recorded plant species of conservation importance. The actual detailed vegetation survey was conducted after consent of the survey efforts were sought from Government Representatives (including EPD and AFCD). The detailed vegetation survey was conducted by direct observation along the transect routes.

During the detailed vegetation survey, a total of six nos. of Incense Tree (three nos. of saplings and three nos. of trees), 23 nos. of Endospermum trees, one individual of Lamb of Tartary, and about 19 clusters of Bottlebrush Orchid will be directly impacted by the proposed construction of the NENTX Landfill.

As a mitigation measure, these plant species of conservation importance are proposed to be transplanted in suitable receptor sites except for the 3 nos. of Incense trees, 23 nos. Endospermum trees. One sapling of Incense tree will not be transplanted nor compensated as it is observed dead during the additional survey. The rest of the trees were not suitable for transplantation due to low survival rate after transplantation. These trees are, instead, proposed to be compensated and the details of the compensatory planting will be presented in the Tree Preservation and Removal Proposal (TPRP).

The recorded Incense Tree saplings, Lamb of Tartary and Bottlebrush Orchids are proposed to be transplanted. Methodology, implementation programme of the transplantation and post transplantation maintenance and monitoring are detailed in the approved detailed vegetation surveys and transplantation proposal.

Before the commencement of transplantation, the Contractor should appoint the qualified ecologist/ botanist (with at least 5 years of relevant experience in botanical survey) to check if any additional flora species of conservation importance has been missing out within the accessible area of the Project Site.

As required in Condition 2.9 of the EP and Condition 2.7 of FEP, the transplantation works will be carried out before commencement of construction of the Project. Post-transplantation maintenance and monitoring will commence immediately after the transplant and be undertaken before the site clearance at the collection sites.

Ecological Monitoring of Compensatory Woodland

A qualified ecologist/ botanist who forms a member of ET should review the detailed design of the compensatory planting in order to provide details for ecological monitoring scheme. He/ she should oversee the planting work and conduct subsequent monitoring. The survival and health condition of individuals of the selected plant species should be monitored over the 10-years period. Since planting will be conducted in phases in 5 years where native species will be planted in Years 3 to 5, ecological monitoring should be conducted by phases to ensure survival of native species.

The Trigger and Action Levels and Event Action Plan for monitoring of compensatory woodland planting are defined in Table 10.2.

The implementation of mitigation measures and ecological works, the Contractor compliance with environmental requirement, and effectiveness of site mitigation measures during construction, operation, restoration and aftercare phases should be monitored and audited as detailed in the EM&A programme. The details of the ecological monitoring plans should be developed by the ecologist of the ET and agreed by EPD and AFCD prior to commencement of construction works.

Table 10.2 Trigger and Action Levels and Event Action Plan for monitoring of compensatory woodland planting

Parameter

Trigger and Action Level

Event Action Plan

Mortality*

Trigger Level:

>20% of mortality of any sampled planted species or overall survival.

If the Trigger Level is exceeded, the ET Leader should inform the Contractor and IEC immediately. Frequency of monitoring should increase to closely monitor the survival and results reported to the Contractor.

Action Level:

>30% of mortality of any of each transplanted species.

If the Trigger Level is exceeded, the ET Leader should inform all parties (the Contractor, EPD, AFCD and IEC) immediately. The Contractor should propose alternative plan and work out the solution (e.g. replacement planting) according to the requirements of EPD and AFCD. Once the solution has been identified and agreed with all parties, the Contractor should implement the solution.

* Total defoliation with no evidence of regeneration (such as presence of leaf buds, stem buds.

10.4 Post - Transplantation Maintenance

All transplanted individuals will be maintained by the Contractor for 12 months (establishment period) after planting to the receptors sites.

Watering

The transplanted Incense Tree saplings and Lamb of Tartary should be watered daily at least for the first week post-transplantation. The watering frequency will be gradually reduced to 2 - 3 times per week throughout the post-transplantation maintenance period. Watering frequency during the wet season will be adjusted according to weather conditions and instruction from the qualified ecologist or botanist.

Fresh water should be used for watering. Water should be applied using a rose or a sprinkler and in such a manner that compaction, washout of soil and loosening of plants will not arise. Direct watering onto the leaves and excessive watering in soaking the specimens in water should be avoided.

For the Bottlebrush Orchid, since they will be transplanted to wet areas near or in the stream bed of the receptor site, watering can be conducted less frequently and according to the site conditions and instruction from the qualified ecologist or botanist. However, the orchids should be checked for their health condition in the same frequency as that for the transplanted Incense Trees and Lamb of Tartary.

Pruning, Weeding and Pest Control

Regular weeding and pest control should be implemented during the post-transplantation maintenance period. Any unwanted weeds (such as Mikania micrantha) found in the receptor sites should be removed by the Contractor once identified or when instructed by the qualified ecologist or botanist. Manual weeding should be conducted to prevent accidental damage to the transplanted individuals.

The Contractor should regularly check for any insect attack or fungal infestation during the regular maintenance and monitoring events. Application of chemicals as pest control should be avoided, as far as practicable. Minor infestations found on the transplanted specimens should be removed manually or with soapy water.

Pruning may be carried out, if necessary, after transplantation to remove any broken or insect/fungal infested stems of the transplanted individuals.

All weeds and rubbish resulting from the weeding and other maintenance activities should be disposed of by the Contractor.

Fertilization

The need of fertilization will be determined by the qualified Ecologist/ Botanist in view of the latest growth performance of the transplanted specimens. For the Bottlebrush Orchid, if fertilization is considered necessary, it is preferred to use orchid fertiliser as the standard fertiliser for horticultural use may burn the roots of the orchids.

10.5 Post - Transplantation Monitoring and Reporting

The survival and growth of the transplanted species will be monitored by a qualified ecologist or botanist at least twice a month during the first three months after transplantation and once a month in the following nine months. The need for any further monitoring will be reviewed and determined according to the monitoring results of the 12-month monitoring.

The monitoring parameters will include but are not limited to health condition, survival, and growth performance of each of the transplanted individuals/clusters. Photographic records of the transplanted individuals will be undertaken for each monitoring event.

Moreover, during construction, operation, restoration and aftercare phases, routine site inspection will be conducted on a weekly basis to audit the mitigation measures on disturbance on habitat adjacent to the work areas. Monitoring of transplantation will be audited as part of the site audit programme.

The monitoring of the compensated individuals of Endospermum will be over the 10-year period under the ecological monitoring of compensatory woodland. Detailed monitoring requirements will be presented in the approved TPRP. The approved TPRP will be submitted to EPD and AFCD for record.

Reporting

Monitoring results from each monitoring event will be reported to the Project Proponent on a monthly basis throughout the post-transplantation maintenance and monitoring period for a period of 12 months. Monthly Reports should include the following information. The first monthly report will also include transplanting details, including but not limited to an update description of the physical environment of the receptor site, health conditions and photos of the transplanted species.

• Date(s) of monitoring and maintenance implementation of the reporting month;

• Key findings of the post-transplantation monitoring, including but not limited to photographic records of the transplanted plants of conservation importance at the receptor site(s) and conditions of the transplanted plants (see Appendix E for a sample data sheet);

• Recommendation on post-transplantation maintenance; and

• Key maintenance activities conducted in the reporting month.

10.6 Post - Translocation Monitoring and Reporting

As required in FEP condition 2.8 and the EIA Report Approval Condition No. 4, monitoring on the endemic freshwater crab Somanniathelphusa zanklon shall be carried out according to the submission approved under FEP condition 2.6 before commencement of construction of the Project.

Particularly, the EIA Report Approval Condition No.4 requires post-translocation monitoring activities to monitor the establishment and effectiveness of the measures given to the endemic S. zanklon community in the translocated site.

The post-translocation monitoring will be conducted by qualified ecologists using the mark-recapture method. Mark-recapture method is a tool for conservation measures where animals are marked and detected later by capture or sighting. The method can used to estimate population size and survival rates of the translocated S. zanklon individuals in the recipient site.

For the monitoring frequency, the post-translocation monitoring will be conducted once a month (at night-time) for the first 3 months after the translocation activities, and then will be done quarterly after the third month for one year. This is to ensure that only minimal disturbance will be created to the newly establishing translocated S. zanklon community in the recipient site.

Reporting

During the translocation works, a data sheet will be used for recording and reporting the data and findings of the translocation survey activities. Updated descriptions of the physical environment of the capture and recipient sites, data; and photos of the collected S. zanklon will be included in the Detailed Translocation Report to be submitted to EPD and AFCD within 14 working days upon completion of the capture-translocation activities.

11 Environmental Audit

11.1 Site Inspection

Site inspection provides a direct means to initiate and enforce the specified environmental protection and pollution control measures. These should be undertaken routinely to inspect construction activities to ensure these measures are implemented properly. Site inspection is one of the most effective tools to enforce the environmental requirements on-site.

The ET Leader should be responsible to formulate the environmental site inspection requirements, deficiency and action reporting system, and to conduct the site inspection works. Within 21 days of the commencement of construction works, the ET Leader should submit a proposal for site inspection and deficiency and action reporting procedures to the Contractor for agreement and the IEC for approval. The ET’s proposal for rectification should be made known to the IEC.

Regular site inspections should be carried out at least once per week. The areas of inspection should not be limited to the environmental situation, pollution control and mitigation measures within the site. The inspection should also include a review of the environmental situations outside the works area which would likely to be affected, directly or indirectly, by the works activities. The ET Leader should make reference to the following information when conducting site inspection:

• Recommendations in EIA Report on the environmental protection and pollution control mitigation measures;

• Works progress and programme;

• Individual works methodology and proposals, including proposal on the associated pollution control measures;

• Contract specifications on environmental protection requirements;

• Relevant environmental protection and pollution control legislation; and

• Previous site inspection results.

The Contractor should keep the ET Leader updated with all relevant information on the construction contract necessary to carry out the site inspections. All inspection findings and associated recommendations for improvements to the environmental protection and pollution control works should be submitted to the IEC and Contractor within 24 hours after inspection. The Contractor should follow the procedures and time-frame as recommended in the site inspection and the deficiency and action reporting system formulated by the ET Leader to report on any remedial measures implemented subsequently. Ad-hoc site inspections should be carried out if significant environmental problems were identified. Inspections may also be required subsequent to receipt of environmental complaints or as part of the investigation work as specified in the EAP for the EM&A programme.

11.2 Compliance with Environmental Requirements

There are contractual environmental protection and pollution control requirements as well as environmental protection and pollution control legislation in Hong Kong with which construction activities should comply. All works method statements submitted by the Contractor to the IC for approval should be sent to the ET Leader for review and vetting to ensure sufficient environmental protection and pollution control measures have been included. The EMIS is included in Appendix C.

The ET Leader should review the progress and programme of the project works to check that relevant environmental legislation has not been violated and that any foreseeable potential for violating the laws should be avoided. The Contractor should regularly copy the relevant documents to the ET Leader so that proper audit and checking should be conducted. Such documents should at least include the updated works progress reports, works programme, correspondences for application of different environmental licenses/permits under the environmental protection legislation, and copies of all valid environmental licenses/permits. Site diary should be available for ET Leader's inspection upon request.

The ET Leader should advise the IEC and Contractor of any non-compliance and nonconformance with the contractual and legislative requirements on environmental protection and pollution control for follow-up action. If the ET Leader's review concluded that the current status on environmental license/permit application and environmental protection and pollution control preparation works may result in potential violation of the specified requirements, the ET Leader should advise immediately inform the Contractor and IEC accordingly. Upon receipt of such advice, the Contractor should take immediate action to rectify the situation. The IEC should follow up with the cases to ensure that appropriate action has been taken to satisfy contractual and legal requirements.

11.3 Environmental Complaints

All environmental complaints should be referred to the ET Leader for further action. The ET Leader should undertake the following procedures upon receipt of any complaints:

• Log the complaint and date of receipt into the complaint database and inform the IEC immediately;

• Investigate the complaint to determine its validity and assess whether the source of problem would be due to the project works activities;

• Identify the mitigation measures in consultation with the IEC if the complaint was valid and due to the project works;

• Advise the Contractor if further mitigation measures were required;

• Review the Contractor's response to the identified complaint, mitigation measures and updated situation;

• If the complaint was transferred from the EPD, submit the interim report to the EPD on the status of the complaint investigation and follow-up action within the time frame as assigned by the EPD;

• Conduct additional monitoring and audit to verify the situation if necessary and review the circumstances leading to the complaint to avoid no recurrence;

• Report the investigation findings and subsequent action to the complainant. If the source of complaint was originated from the EPD, the findings should be reported within the timeframe as assigned by the EPD; and

• Record the environmental complaint, investigation, subsequent action taken and investigation findings in the monthly EM&A reports.

12 Reporting

12.1 General

Reports should be provided in an electronic medium upon agreement of the format for submission to the EPD. All the monitoring data (baseline and impact) should also be submitted on diskettes or other agreed media. The formats of monitoring data to be submitted should be separately agreed. The types of reports that the ET Leader should prepare and submit include Baseline Monitoring Report, Monthly EM&A Reports, Quarterly EM&A Summary Report, Annual EM&A Review Report, and Final EM&A Review Report during the completion and cessation of each project phases.

12.2 Baseline Monitoring Report

The ET Leader should prepare and submit a Baseline Environmental Monitoring Report within four weeks before the commencement of construction and before the commencement of operation. Baseline Environmental Monitoring Report should be certified by the ET and verified by the IEC. Additional copies of the Baseline Monitoring Report shall be provided upon request by the EPD. The Baseline Monitoring Report should include at least the following:

• Up to half a page executive summary;

• Brief project background;

• Drawings showing baseline monitoring locations;

• Monitoring results (both hard and soft copies) together with: monitoring methodology, name of laboratory and types of equipment used and calibration details, parameters monitored, monitoring locations, date, time, frequency and duration, and quality assurance (QA) / quality control (QC) results and detection limits;

• Details of influencing factors including major activities being carried out on-site, weather conditions and other factors during the monitoring period which might affect results;

• Determination of the Action and Limit Levels for each monitoring parameter and statistical analysis of the baseline data, the analysis should conclude if there is any significant difference between control and impact stations for the parameters monitored;

• Revisions for inclusion in the Updated EM&A Manual; and

• Comments, recommendations and conclusions.

12.3 Impact EM&A Report

The results and findings of all phases of EM&A programme should be recorded in the Monthly, Quarterly, Annual and Final EM&A Reports prepared by the ET. The EM&A reports should be submitted within 2 weeks after the end of the reporting month.

Each EM&A report should be certified by the ET and verified by the IEC before submission to the EPD. Prior to submission of the first Monthly EM&A Report, the ET Leader should liaise with all parties for the required number of copies and format of the report in both hard copy and electronic medium. The ET leader should also review the number, parameter and location for impact monitoring on six-monthly basis, or as needed, so as to cater any changes in the baseline condition and surrounding environment.

First Monthly EM&A Report

The first Monthly EM&A Report should include at least the following:

• Executive summary (1-2 pages): Exceedances of A/L Levels, complaint log, notifications of summons and successful prosecutions, reporting changes, and future key issues;

• Brief project information: Project organisation e.g. key personnel, their contact names and telephone numbers, project programme, management structure, and works undertaken during the month;

• Environmental performance status: Works undertaken during the month with illustrations (e.g. location of works, daily excavation rate, etc) and drawings showing the project area, environmental sensitive receivers and impact monitoring and control/ reference locations (with co-ordinates);

• Brief summary of EM&A requirements: All monitoring parameters, environmental quality performance limits (A/L Levels), EAP, environmental mitigation measures as recommended in the EIA Report, and contractual environmental requirements;

• Implementation status of mitigation measures: Advice on the implementation status of environmental protection and pollution control/mitigation measures as recommended in EIA Report;

• Monitoring results (in both hard and soft copies) with the following information: Monitoring methodology, name of laboratory and types of equipment/instrument deployed and calibration details, parameters monitored, monitoring locations, date, time, frequency and duration, weather conditions, other factors affecting the monitoring results, and QA/QC results and detection limits;

• Non-compliance, complaints and notifications of summons and successful prosecutions: Record of all non-compliance or exceedances of the environmental quality performance limits (A/L Levels), complaints received (written or verbal) for each media e.g. locations and nature of complaints investigation, liaison and consultation undertaken, actions and follow-up procedures taken, results and summary, notification of summons and successful prosecutions for breaches of current environmental protection/pollution control legislation, including locations and nature of the breaches, investigation, follow-up actions taken, results and summary, reasons for and the implications of non-compliance, complaints, summons and prosecutions including review of pollution sources and working procedures, and description of the actions taken in the event of non-compliance and deficiency reporting and any follow-up procedures related to earlier non-compliance; and

• Other information: Account of future key issues as reviewed from the works programme and method statements, advice on waste management status, and comments on effectiveness and efficiency of mitigation measures, recommendations on any improvement in the EM&A programme, and conclusion.

Subsequent Monthly EM&A Reports

Subsequent monthly EM&A reports should include the following:

• Executive summary (1-2 pages): Breaches of A/L Levels, complaints log, notifications of summons and successful prosecutions, reporting changes, and future key issues;

• Brief project information: Project organisation e.g. key personnel, their contact names and telephone numbers, project programme, management structure, and works undertaken during the month;

• Implementation status of mitigation measures: Advice on the implementation status of environmental protection and pollution control/mitigation measures as recommended in EIA Report;

• Non-compliance, complaints and notifications of summons and successful prosecutions: Record of all non-compliance or exceedances of the environmental quality performance limits (A/L Levels), complaints received (written or verbal) for each media e.g. locations and nature of complaints investigation, liaison and consultation undertaken, actions and follow-up procedures taken, results and summary, notification of summons and successful prosecutions for breaches of current environmental protection/pollution control legislation, including locations and nature of the breaches, investigation, follow-up actions taken, results and summary, reasons for and the implications of non-compliance, complaints, summons and prosecutions including review of pollution sources and working procedures, and description of the actions taken in the event of non-compliance and deficiency reporting and follow-up procedures related to earlier non-compliance;

• To summarize the monthly finding for post-translocation monitoring of the endemic crab and post-transplantation monitoring of the plant of conservation importance species;

• Appendix: A/L levels, graphical plots of trends of monitored parameters at key stations over the past 4 reporting periods for representative monitoring stations annotated against the major activities being carried out on site during the period, weather conditions during the period, and any other factors that might affect the monitoring results, monitoring schedule for the present and next reporting period, cumulative statistics on complaints, notifications of summons and successful prosecutions, and outstanding issues and deficiencies.

Quarterly EM&A Summary Reports

Quarterly EM&A Summary Report of around 5 pages should include the following information:

• Executive summary (1-2 pages);

• Brief project information including a synopsis of the project organisation, works programme, contacts of key personnel of the EM&A programme, and synopsis of works undertaken during the reporting quarter;

• Brief summary of EM&A requirements e.g. monitoring parameters, environmental quality performance limits (A/L Levels), and environmental mitigation measures as recommended in the EIA Report;

• Advice on implementation status of environmental protection and pollution control/mitigation measures as recommended in the EIA Report and summarised in the updated EMIS;

• Drawings showing the project area, environmental sensitive receivers and the monitoring and control locations;

• Graphical plots of trends in monitored parameters over the past four months (the last month of the previous quarter and the reporting quarter) for representative monitoring locations annotated against: major activities being carried out on-site, weather conditions, and other factors which might affect the monitoring results during the reporting quarter;

• Advice on the waste management status;

• Summary of non-compliance or exceedances of the environmental quality performance limits (A/L Levels);

• Brief review of the reasons for and implications of the non-compliance, e.g. review of pollution sources and working procedures;

• Summary description of action taken in the event of non-compliance and follow-up procedures related to any earlier non-compliances;

• Summarised records of all complaints received (written or verbal) for each media, liaison and consultation undertaken, follow-up action and procedures taken;

• Comments (e.g. a review of the effectiveness and efficiency of environmental mitigation measures and performance of the environmental management system of the overall EM&A programme), recommendations (e.g. improvement in the EM&A programme) and conclusion for the reporting quarter; and

• Project Proponent’s contacts and any hotline telephone number for the public to make enquiries.

Annual EM&A Review Reports

The Annual EM&A Report should include at least the following information:

• Executive summary (1-2 pages);

• Drawings showing the project area, environmental sensitive receivers and monitoring and control locations;

• Brief project information including a synopsis of the project organisation, contacts of key personnel of the EM&A programme, and synopsis of work undertaken during the past 12 months;

• Brief summary of EM&A requirements e.g. environmental mitigation measures as recommended in the EIA Report, environmental impact hypotheses tested, environmental quality performance limits (A/L Levels), all monitoring parameters, and EAP;

• Summary of the implementation status of environmental protection and pollution control/mitigation measures as recommended in the project EIA Report and summarised in the updated EMIS;

• Graphical plots and statistical analysis of the trends of monitored parameters annotated against major activities carried out on-site, weather conditions and other factors which might affect the monitoring results during the reporting year;

• Summary of non-compliance or exceedances of the environmental quality performance limits (A/L Levels);

• Review of the reasons for and implications of non-compliances including the pollution sources and working procedures as appropriate;

• Description of actions taken in the event of non-compliances;

• Summary record of all complaints received (written or verbal) for each media, liaison and consultation undertaken, follow-up action and procedures taken;

• Summary record of notifications of summons and successful prosecutions for breaches of the current environmental protection / pollution control legislation, locations and nature of the breaches, investigation follow-up actions taken and results;

• Review of the validity of EIA predictions and identification of shortcomings in EIA recommendations, and

• Comments (e.g. a review of the effectiveness and efficiency of environmental mitigation measures and performance of the environmental management system of the overall EM&A programme); and

• Recommendations and conclusions (e.g. review of success of the overall EM&A programme to cost-effectively identify deterioration and to initiate prompt effective rectification action when necessary) of the reporting year.

Final EM&A Review Report

The Final EM&A Review Reports should be submitted prior to the completion and cessation of each project phases including the Construction and Operation, Restoration, and Aftercare Phases. The report should include at least the following information:

• Executive summary (1-2 pages);

• Drawings showing the project area, environmental sensitive receivers and monitoring and control locations;

• Brief project information including a synopsis of the project organisation, contacts of key personnel of the EM&A programme, and synopsis of work undertaken during the entire reporting project phase;

• Summary of the implementation status of environmental protection and pollution control/mitigation measures as recommended in the project EIA Report and summarised in the updated EMIS;

• Summary of non-compliance or exceedances of the environmental quality performance limits (A/L Levels);

• Review of the reasons for and implications of non-compliances including the pollution sources and working procedures as appropriate;

• Description of actions taken in the event of non-compliances;

• Summary record of all complaints received (written or verbal) for each media, liaison and consultation undertaken, follow-up action and procedures taken;

• Review of the validity of EIA predictions and identification of shortcomings in EIA recommendations, and

• Comments (e.g. a review of the effectiveness and efficiency of environmental mitigation measures and performance of the environmental management system of the overall EM&A programme); and

12.4 Data Keeping

No site-based documents such as monitoring field records, laboratory analysis records, site inspection forms, etc should be required to include in the monthly EM&A reports. However, any such documents should be well kept by the ET Leader ready for inspection on request. All relevant information should be clearly and systematically recorded. All monitoring data should also be recorded in electronic format, with the soft copy readily available on request. The data format should be agreed with the EPD. All documents and data should be kept for at least 1 year following the project completion.

12.5 Interim Notification of Environmental Exceedance

With reference to the EAP, when the environmental quality performance limits (i.e. A/L Levels) are exceeded, the ET Leader should immediately notify the IEC, Project Proponent and EPD, as appropriate. The notification should be followed up with advice to the IEC and EPD on the results of the investigation, proposed action and outcome of action taken, with necessary follow-up proposals.

Figure 1.1	Location Plan of the Project Site
Figure 1.2	Landfill Extension Layout
Figure 3.1	Air, Odour & VOC Monitoring Location
Figure 4.1	Noise Monitoring Location
Figure 5.1	Landfill Extension Monitoring Plan
Figure 5.2	Water Quality Monitoring Location
Figure 9.1	Archaeological Findings
Figure 10.1	Recorded Plant Species of Conservation Importance with NENTX under the Current Study

AML ID	FOIAR ASR ID	Location ^[1]	Land Uses	Monitoring Parameters
AM(O)1	A1	Wo Keng Shan Tsuen	Residential	Odour Intensity
AM(O)2	A7	Heung Yuen Wai	Residential	Odour Intensity
AM(O)3	A8	Tsung Yuen Ha	Residential	Odour Intensity
AM(O)4	A9	Ha Heung Yuen	Residential	Odour Intensity
AM(O)5*	A27	Tong To Shan Tsuen	Residential	Odour Intensity
AM(O)5a*	A10	Lin Ma Hang	Residential	Odour Intensity
AM(O)6	A11	Tung Lo Hang	Residential	Odour Intensity
AM(O)7	A12-2	Chuk Yuen	Residential	Odour Intensity
AM(O)8	A13	Nga Yiu Ha	Recreational	Odour Intensity
AM(O)9	A14	Ping Yeung	Residential	Odour Intensity

AML ID	EIA ASR Ref	Location	Land Uses	Monitoring Indicator
AM(V)1	ASR1	Wo Keng Shan Tsuen (West of NENT Extension)	Residential	Benzene and Vinyl Chloride
AM(V)2	ASR3	Cheung Shan Monastery (South of NENT Extension)	Religions	Benzene and Vinyl Chloride
AM(V)3	ASR10	Lin Ma Hang (North of NENT Extension)	Residential	Benzene and Vinyl Chloride
AM(V)4	ASR27	Tong To Shan Tsuen (North-east of NENT Extension)	Only if it is occupied by residents	Benzene and Vinyl Chloride

Monitoring ID	Location	Type of Monitoring	Monitoring Parameters	Supplementary Information
NM1a	Wo Keng Shan Tsuen	Construction & Operation	L_Aeq_{, 30mins}	L_A10 and L_A90
NM2a	Ling Ma Hang	Construction & Operation	L_Aeq_{, 30mins}	L_A10 and L_A90
NM3	Cheung Shan Monastery	Traffic Noise (Operation)	L_{A10, 1hr}	L_Aeq and L_A90

Time Period	Action Level	Limit Level
0700 - 1900 hours on normal weekdays	When one documented complaint is received	75dB(A)*

Appendix A	Tentative Outline Programme
Appendix B	Project Organization
Appendix C	Environmental Mitigation Implementation Schedule
Appendix D	A Sample List of VOC Monitoring Parameters
Appendix E	Sample of Monitoring Data Record Sheet

1.2 Purpose and Scope of this Manual

2 Scope of EM&A Programme

2.3 Structure of the EM&A Manual

4 Noise Monitoring

4.8 Event and Action Plan

5 Water Quality Monitoring

5.4 Groundwater Monitoring

9.3 Ngong Tong (North and West of Shek Tsai Ha Road: Western & Central Section)

9.4 Tong To Shan (North Shek Tsai Ha Road: East Section)

10.4 Post - Transplantation Maintenance