CONTENTS
1.4 Contact Information for the Project
1.5 Summary of Construction Activities
1.6 Summary of EM&A Programme Requirements
2....... Summary of EM&A Results
2.1 Environmental Site Inspection
2.3.2 Action and Limit Levels for Marine Mammal Monitoring
2.4 Marine Mammal Exclusion Zone Monitoring
2.5 Records of Operating Speeds and Marine Travel Routes of Working Vessels
2.6 Implementation Status of Environmental Mitigation Measures
2.7 Summary of Exceedances of the Environmental Quality Performance Limit
2.8 Summary of Environmental Complaints, Notification of Summons and Successful Prosecutions
3....... Conclusion and recommendations
Annexes
Annex B Construction Programme
Annex C Environmental Mitigation Implementation Schedule (EMIS)
Annex D Status of Statutory Environmental Requirements
List of Tables
Table 1.1 Contact Information of Key Personnel
Table 1.2 Contact Information for the Project
Table 1.3 Major Construction Activities Undertaken in the Reporting Period
Table 1.4 Summary of Status for the EM&A Programme under the Updated EM&A Manual
Table 2.1 Key Observations from Site Inspections and Contractors Follow-up Actions
Table 2.2 Quantities of Waste Generated for FEP-01/558/2018/A
Table 2.3 Quantities of Waste and Marine Sediment Generated for FEP-02/558/2018/A
Table 2.4 Quantities of Waste and Marine Sediment Generated for FEP-03/558/2018/A
Table 2.5 Action and Limit Levels for Marine Mammal Monitoring
Table 2.6 Monthly STG and ANI for Finless Porpoise
Table 2.7 Marine Mammal Exclusion Zone Requirements
List of Figures
Figure 1.1 Indicative Location of Key Project Components
Figure 1.2 Location and Works Area of GRS at BPPS
Figure 1.3 Location and Works Area of GRS at LPS
Figure 2.1 Vessel-based Marine Mammal Survey Location
Figure 2.2 Underwater PAM Survey Location
Figure 2.3 Distribution of Finless Porpoise Sightings in December 2020
To support the increased use of natural gas in Hong Kong from 2020 onwards, Castle Peak Power Company Limited (CAPCO) and The Hongkong Electric Co., Ltd. (HK Electric) have identified that the development of an offshore liquefied natural gas (LNG) receiving terminal in Hong Kong using Floating Storage and Regasification Unit (FSRU) technology (the Project) presents a viable additional gas supply option that will provide energy security through access to competitive gas supplies from world markets. The Project will involve the construction and operation of an offshore LNG import facility to be located in the southern waters of Hong Kong, a double berth jetty, and subsea pipelines that connect to the gas receiving stations (GRS) at the Black Point Power Station (BPPS) and the Lamma Power Station (LPS). To demarcate the works between different parties, the following Further Environmental Permits (FEPs) were issued for the Project:
§ the double berth jetty at LNG Terminal under the Hong Kong LNG Terminal Limited (HKLTL), joint venture between CAPCO and HK Electric (FEP-01/558/2018/A) construction commenced on 27 November 2020;
§ the subsea gas pipeline for the BPPS and the associated GRS in the BPPS under CAPCO (FEP-03/558/2018/A) construction commenced on 23 September 2020; and
§ the subsea gas pipeline for the LPS and the associated GRS in the LPS under HK Electric (FEP-02/558/2018/A) construction commenced on 13 December 2020.
This is the Quarterly EM&A Summary Report presenting the EM&A works carried out during the period from 23 September to 31 December 2020 for the Project in accordance with the Updated EM&A Manual. A summary of monitoring and audit activities conducted in the reporting period is listed below:
Activities |
Number of Sessions |
For FEP-01/558/2018/A |
|
Marine Mammal Monitoring (vessel-based line transect survey) |
6 |
Passive Acoustic Monitoring (C-POD Deployment) |
Ongoing |
Marine Mammal Exclusion Zone Monitoring |
During percussive piling works for construction of Jetty |
Environmental Site Inspection |
1 |
For FEP-03/558/2018/A |
|
Environmental Site Inspection |
13 |
Environmental auditing works, including regular site inspections of construction works conducted by the ET, audit of implementation of Waste Management Plan and review of the acceptability of operating speeds and marine travel routes of working vessels were conducted in the reporting period. No non-compliance of environmental statutory requirements was identified.
Breaches of Action and Limit Levels
Since there were no construction activities conducted in the reporting period requiring impact monitoring of marine water quality in accordance with the Updated EM&A Manual, there were no breaches of Action and Limit Levels for marine water quality monitoring in the reporting period.
As only one month vessel-based marine mammal survey data is available, running quarterly values of encounter rate in terms of STG & ANI were not available for comparison against the Action and Limit Levels. Therefore, there were no breaches of Action and Limit Levels for marine mammal monitoring in the reporting period.
Environmental Complaints, Notification of Summons and Successful Prosecution
There were no environmental complaints, notification of summons and successful prosecutions recorded in the reporting period.
Reporting Changes
There were no reporting changes in the reporting period.
Comments, Recommendations and Conclusions for the Quarter
The recommended environmental mitigation measures for the Project were effectively implemented and the EM&A programme undertaken by the ET has effectively monitored the construction activities as well as ensured proper implementation of mitigation measures in the reporting period.
To support the increased use of natural gas in Hong Kong from 2020 onwards, Castle Peak Power Company Limited (CAPCO) and The Hongkong Electric Co., Ltd. (HK Electric) have identified that the development of an offshore liquefied natural gas (LNG) receiving terminal in Hong Kong using Floating Storage and Regasification Unit (FSRU) technology (the Project) presents a viable additional gas supply option that will provide energy security through access to competitive gas supplies from world markets. The Project will involve the construction and operation of an offshore LNG import facility to be located in the southern waters of Hong Kong, a double berth jetty, and subsea pipelines that connect to the gas receiving stations (GRS) at the Black Point Power Station (BPPS) and the Lamma Power Station (LPS).
The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Report for the Project was submitted to the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) of the HKSAR Government in May 2018. The EIA Report (EIAO Register No. AEIAR-218/2018) was approved by EPD and the associated Environmental Permit (EP) (EP-558/2018) was issued in October 2018.
An application for Further Environmental Permits (FEPs) were made on 24 December 2019 to demarcate the works between the different parties. The following FEPs were issued on 17 January 2020 and the EP under EP-558/2018 was surrendered on 5 March 2020.
§ the double berth jetty at LNG Terminal under the Hong Kong LNG Terminal Limited (HKLTL), joint venture between CAPCO and HK Electric (FEP-01/558/2018/A) ([1]) construction commenced on 27 November 2020;
§ the subsea gas pipeline for the BPPS and the associated GRS in the BPPS under CAPCO (FEP-03/558/2018/A) ([2]) construction commenced on 23 September 2020; and
§ the subsea gas pipeline for the LPS and the associated GRS in the LPS under HK Electric (FEP-02/558/2018/A) ([3]) construction commenced on 13 December 2020.
The location of these components is shown in Figures 1.1, 1.2 and 1.3.
This is the Quarterly EM&A Summary Report for the Project which summarises the key findings of the EM&A programme during the reporting period from 23 September to 31 December 2020 for the construction works for the Project in accordance with the Updated EM&A Manual and the requirements of the Further Environmental Permits (FEP-01/558/2018/A, FEP-02/558/2018/A & FEP-03/558/2018/A).
The organisation structure of the Project is shown in Annex A. The key personnel and contact details are summarised in Table 1.1 below.
Table 1.1 Contact Information of Key Personnel
Party |
Position |
Name |
Telephone |
CAPCO / HKLTL (For FEP-01/558/2018/A and FEP-03/558/2018/A)
|
Senior Environmental Manager |
Dr Helen Chiu |
2596 4116 |
HK Electric / HKLTL (For FEP-01/558/2018/A and FEP-02/558/2018/A)
|
Head of Mechanical Engineering, Projects Division
|
Norman Chan
|
3143 3819
|
Environmental Team (ET) (ERM-Hong Kong, Limited)
|
ET Leader
|
Raymond Chow
|
2271 3114 |
Independent Environmental Checker (IEC) (Mott MacDonald Hong Kong Limited)
|
IEC
|
Arthur Lo
|
2828 5757 |
Contractor (CNOOC Offshore Oil Engineering Co. Ltd.) |
Environmental Manager |
H Y Tang |
6111 5789
|
Environmental Officer |
Kelvin Cheung |
9060 1020 |
The contact information for the Project is provided in Table 1.2. The public can contact the project proponents through the following channel for any enquiries and comments on the environmental monitoring data and related information of the Project.
Table 1.2 Contact Information for the Project
Channel |
Contact Information |
|
The programme of the construction is shown in Annex B.
As informed by the Contractor, details of the major construction activities undertaken in the reporting period are listed in Table 1.3 below:
Table 1.3 Major Construction Activities Undertaken in the Reporting Period
FEP |
Land-based Works |
Marine-based Works |
FEP-01/558/2018/A |
§ Nil |
§ Jacket installation § Piling installation |
FEP-02/558/2018/A |
§ Nil |
§ Nil (1) |
FEP-03/558/2018/A |
§ Preparation works at the new GRS (including set-up of site offices, erection of hoarding and mobilisation of wastewater treatment facilities) § Excavation for Fire Services, oily water, stormwater drainage diversion and backfilling § Excavation for Plate Load Test Pipe Rack § Plate Load Test Pipe Rack § Cable pulling |
§ Nil |
Remark: (1) The preparation works for marine-based works for FEP-02/558/2018/A (e.g. approval of marine dumping permit) were undertaken in December 2020. Therefore, no marine-based works for FEP-02/558/2018/A were undertaken in December 2020. Marine-based works for FEP-02/558/2018/A are expected to commence in January 2021.
The status of EM&A Programme for all environmental aspects required under the Updated EM&A Manual are presented in Table 1.4. As no dredging/jetting operations were undertaken in the reporting period, no marine water quality monitoring was required to be monitored in accordance with the Updated EM&A Manual. The requirements of relevant environmental monitoring, including monitoring parameters, Action and Limit Levels, Event and Action Plan(s), environmental mitigation measures, etc. are presented in Section 2.
Table 1.4 Summary of Status for the EM&A Programme under the Updated EM&A Manual
Aspects |
Relevant FEP(s) |
Status |
Water Quality |
||
Baseline Monitoring |
FEP-01/558/2018/A FEP-02/558/2018/A FEP-03/558/2018/A |
§ Completed |
Efficiency of Silt Curtain System |
FEP-02/558/2018/A FEP-03/558/2018/A |
§ To be implemented upon early stage of construction works for dredging/jetting operations for FEP-02/558/2018/A (1) and FEP-03/558/2018/A |
Construction Phase Monitoring |
FEP-02/558/2018/A FEP-03/558/2018/A |
§ To be implemented upon commencement of construction works for dredging/jetting operations for FEP-02/558/2018/A (1) and FEP-03/558/2018/A |
Post-Construction Monitoring |
FEP-02/558/2018/A FEP-03/558/2018/A |
§ To be implemented upon completion of construction works for the Project |
Monitoring for Hydrotesting for the Subsea Gas Pipelines |
FEP-02/558/2018/A FEP-03/558/2018/A |
§ To be implemented during hydrotesting for the subsea gas pipelines |
First-year of LNG Terminal Operation |
FEP-01/558/2018/A |
§ To be implemented during LNG Terminal operation |
Maintenance Dredging |
FEP-01/558/2018/A |
§ To be implemented during maintenance dredging |
Waste Management |
||
Audit of Waste Management Practice |
FEP-01/558/2018/A FEP-02/558/2018/A FEP-03/558/2018/A |
§ On-going for FEP-01/558/2018/A and FEP-03/558/2018/A § To be implemented upon commencement of construction works for FEP-02/558/2018/A (1) |
Ecology |
||
Baseline Monitoring (Vessel-based Line Transect Survey and Passive Acoustic Monitoring) |
FEP-01/558/2018/A
|
§ Completed |
Construction Phase Monitoring (Vessel-based Line Transect Survey and Passive Acoustic Monitoring) |
FEP-01/558/2018/A |
§ On-going (for percussive piling works for construction of Jetty between July and December) |
Post-Construction Monitoring (Vessel-based Line Transect Survey and Passive Acoustic Monitoring) |
FEP-01/558/2018/A |
§ To be implemented upon completion of construction works for the Project |
Marine Mammal Exclusion Zone Monitoring |
FEP-01/558/2018/A FEP-02/558/2018/A FEP-03/558/2018/A |
§ On-going for FEP-01/558/2018/A (marine mammal exclusion zone with 500 m radius) § To be implemented when marine dredging / jetting operations (under FEP-02/558/2018/A (1) / FEP-03/558/2018/A) are undertaken |
Environmental Site Inspection |
||
Regular Site Inspection |
FEP-01/558/2018/A FEP-02/558/2018/A FEP-03/558/2018/A |
§ On-going for FEP-01/558/2018/A and FEP-03/558/2018/A § To be implemented upon commencement of construction works for FEP-02/558/2018/A (1) |
Records of Operating Speeds and Marine Travel Routes for Working Vessels |
FEP-01/558/2018/A FEP-02/558/2018/A FEP-03/558/2018/A |
§ On-going for FEP-01/558/2018/A § To be implemented upon commencement of marine-based construction works for FEP-02/558/2018/A (1) and FEP-03/558/2018/A |
Environmental Log Book |
FEP-01/558/2018/A FEP-02/558/2018/A FEP-03/558/2018/A |
§ On-going
|
Remark: (1) The preparation works for marine-based works for FEP-02/558/2018/A (e.g. approval of marine dumping permit) were undertaken in December 2020. Therefore, no marine-based works for FEP-02/558/2018/A were undertaken in December 2020. Marine-based works for FEP-02/558/2018/A are expected to commence in January 2021.
The environmental licenses and permits, including further environmental permits, registration as chemical waste producer, construction noise permits, which were valid in the reporting period. No non-compliance with environmental statutory requirements, including FEP conditions (status of submission) under the EIA Ordinance was identified. The status of statutory environmental requirements is presented in Annex D.
The potential environmental impacts arising from the major construction activities undertaken in the reporting period provided in Table 1.3 were mainly associated with dust emission from construction activities and stockpiles, waste management, site surface runoff, wastewater discharge and disturbance to marine mammals due to jacket and piling installation works. There were no breaches of Action and Limit Levels and no non-compliance of environmental statutory requirements identified for the environmental monitoring and auditing works conducted in the reporting period, including regular site inspections of construction works conducted by the ET, audit of implementation of Waste Management Plan and review of the acceptability of operating speeds and marine travel routes of working vessels. The recommended environmental mitigation measures were properly implemented in the reporting period. Excessive variation between the EIA study predictions and the EM&A monitoring results was not found and therefore no investigation and follow-up procedures were considered necessary.
The environmental mitigation implementation schedule (EMIS) is presented in Annex C.
The EM&A programme for the Project required environmental monitoring for marine water quality and marine mammals as well as environmental site inspections for air quality, construction noise, water quality, waste management, marine ecology, landscape and visual, and hazard to life impacts. As presented in Section 1.6, environmental site inspections and audit on waste management practice were conducted for FEP-01/558/2018/A and FEP-03/558/2018/A while marine mammal monitoring (i.e. vessel-based line transect survey and passive acoustic monitoring) and marine mammal exclusion zone monitoring with 500 m radius were conducted for FEP-01/558/2018/A during the reporting period, and the findings are presented below.
Regular environmental site inspections were carried out with the Contractor and Project Proponents to confirm the implementation of appropriate environmental protection and pollution control mitigation measures for air quality, construction noise, water quality, waste management, marine ecology, landscape and visual, and hazard to life impacts under the Project. In the reporting period, 14 environmental site inspections were carried out on 30 September, 7, 14, 21, 28 October, 5, 11, 18, 25 November, 2, 8, 16, 23 and 30 December 2020. The Independent Environmental Checker (IEC) attended the environmental site inspections as the IEC audits on 30 September, 14 October, 11 November and 16 December 2020 during the reporting period. The key observations from site inspections and Contractors follow-up actions are summarized in Table 2.1. The environmental mitigation implementation schedule (EMIS) is presented in Annex C.
Table 2.1 Key Observations from Site Inspections and Contractors Follow-up Actions
Item |
Description |
Contractors Follow-up Action(s) Taken |
FEP-01/558/2018/A |
||
November 2020 (1) |
||
|
N/A |
N/A |
December 2020 |
||
|
Nil observation. |
N/A |
FEP-03/558/2018/A |
||
September 2020 |
||
|
Nil observation. |
N/A |
October 2020 |
||
|
Nil observation. |
N/A |
November 2020 |
||
|
Nil observation. |
N/A |
December 2020 |
||
1 |
The storage area for chemical waste at GRS in BPPS was not properly secured/locked with an appropriate door/gate. |
The storage area for chemical waste at GRS in BPPS was secured/locked with an appropriate door/gate. |
Remark: (1) The piling installation vessel for construction of the jetty was under quarantine from 19 November 2020 to 2 December 2020 in Hong Kong waters. Therefore, no marine-based works for FEP-01/558/2018/A was undertaken in November 2020. Marine-based works for FEP-01/558/2018/A commenced in December 2020. |
Waste management audits were performed with reference to the Waste Management Checklists for the corresponding Waste Management Plans detailed in Annex E of the associated Monthly EM&A Reports during the regular environmental site inspections carried out in the reporting period. No non-compliance for Contractors waste management practices was identified during the audits.
The quantities of different types of waste and marine sediment generated for the three FEPs are summarised in Tables 2.2, 2.3 and 2.4 with reference to the waste flow tables prepared by the Contractor. General refuse was generated under FEP-01/558/2018/A in the reporting period. Detailed waste flow tables can be referred to Annex F of the associated Monthly EM&A Reports for the reporting period.
Table 2.2 Quantities of Waste Generated for FEP-01/558/2018/A
Inert C&D Materials Generated (in 000m3) |
||||||
Month/Year |
Total Quantity Generated |
Hard Rock and Large Broken Concrete |
Reused in the Contract |
Reused in other Projects |
Disposed as Public Fill |
Imported Fill |
Nov 2020 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Dec 2020 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
C&D Wastes Generated |
||||||
Month/Year |
Metals (in 000kg3) |
Paper / Cardboard Packaging (in 000kg3) |
Plastics (in 000kg3) |
Chemical Waste |
Other (e.g. general refuse) (in 000kg) |
|
(in 000kg3) |
(in 000L) |
|||||
Nov 2020 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Dec 2020 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
6.910 |
Table 2.3 Quantities of Waste and Marine Sediment Generated for FEP-02/558/2018/A
Inert C&D Materials Generated (in 000m3) |
||||||||||
Month/Year |
Total Quantity Generated |
Hard Rock and Large Broken Concrete |
Reused in the Contract |
Reused in other Projects |
Disposed as Public Fill |
Imported Fill |
||||
Dec 2020 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
||||
C&D Wastes Generated |
||||||||||
Month/Year |
Metals (in 000kg3) |
Paper / Cardboard Packaging (in 000kg3) |
Plastics (in 000kg3) |
Chemical Waste |
Other (e.g. general refuse) (in 000kg) |
|||||
(in 000kg3) |
(in 000L) |
|||||||||
Dec 2020 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
||||
Marine Sediment Generated (in 000m3) |
||||||||||
Month/Year |
Total Quantity of Type L Generated |
Total Quantity of Type M Generated |
Reused in the Contract |
Reused in other Projects |
||||||
Dec 2020 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
||||||
Table 2.4 Quantities of Waste and Marine Sediment Generated for FEP-03/558/2018/A
Inert C&D Materials Generated (in 000m3) |
||||||||||
Month/Year |
Total Quantity Generated |
Hard Rock and Large Broken Concrete |
Reused in the Contract |
Reused in other Projects |
Disposed as Public Fill |
Imported Fill |
||||
Sept 2020 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
||||
Oct 2020 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
||||
Nov 2020 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
||||
Dec 2020 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
||||
C&D Wastes Generated |
||||||||||
Month/Year |
Metals (in 000kg3) |
Paper / Cardboard Packaging (in 000kg3) |
Plastics (in 000kg3) |
Chemical Waste |
Other (e.g. general refuse) (in 000kg) |
|||||
(in 000kg3) |
(in 000L) |
|||||||||
Sept 2020 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
||||
Oct 2020 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
||||
Nov 2020 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
||||
Dec 2020 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
||||
Marine Sediment Generated (in 000m3) |
||||||||||
Month/Year |
Total Quantity of Type L Generated |
Total Quantity of Type M Generated |
Reused in the Contract |
Reused in other Projects |
||||||
Sept 2020 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
||||||
Oct 2020 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
||||||
Nov 2020 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
||||||
Dec 2020 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
||||||
In accordance with the Updated EM&A Manual, vessel-based marine mammal survey by means of systematic line-transect boat survey was undertaken to examine the distribution and encounter rate of Finless Porpoise (FP) in southern Lantau where a majority of Project construction works would take place. Survey transects covered three survey areas for line-transect boat surveys, namely Southwest Lantau (SWL), Southeast Lantau (SEL) and Lamma (LM) are presented in Figure 2.1. The methodology of the survey is consistent and compatible with that adopted in the EIA baseline surveys as well as the long-term marine mammal monitoring programme conducted by AFCD since 1995 to allow potential comparisons and pooling data for analysis. Vessel-based line transect marine mammal surveys are conducted during construction of the LNG Terminal. Each transect line is surveyed twice per month. The detailed methodology is presented in the Updated EM&A Manual.
In accordance with the Updated EM&A Manual, underwater PAM survey using C-POD (Cetacean-Porpoise Detector) was conducted at five locations as presented in Figure 2.2. C-PODs are left in place during construction of the LNG Terminal. Such duration should allow for a robust record of marine mammal usage of the area to be obtained and allow for the inter-seasonal differences already known for finless porpoises. The C-PODs have to be serviced every two to four months, subject to review on an as-needed basis, to download accumulated data and replace batteries.
The Action and Limit Levels for marine mammal monitoring are established using encounter rate calculated from the six-month baseline vessel-based line transect surveys from the three survey areas as a whole in accordance with the Updated EM&A Manual. The combined baseline encounter rate will be used to compare with the encounter rate obtained during construction phase monitoring calculated from last three months monitoring data (i.e. running quarterly value). This approach would allow natural seasonal fluctuations in FP encounter rate to be accounted for, and allow data to be reviewed every month such as appropriate remedial actions could be taken timely if the threshold values are triggered. The Action and Limit Levels are provided in Table 2.5.
Table 2.5 Action and Limit Levels for Marine Mammal Monitoring
Monitoring Area |
Action Level |
Limit Level |
SWL, SEL and LM as a whole |
Running quarterly STG < 1.12 & ANI < 2.18 |
Two consecutive running quarterly STG < 1.12 & ANI < 2.18 |
Notes: STG = Encounter Rate of Number of Porpoise Sightings ANI = Encounter Rate of Number of Porpoises Action / Limit Levels will be triggered if both STG and ANI fall below the criteria. |
The Event and Action Plan for marine mammal monitoring can be referred to Annex H of the Monthly EM&A Report for December 2020.
Vessel-based line transect surveys were conducted on 16, 17, 18, 21, 22 and 23 December 2020 durign the reporting period. A total of 437.98 km of survey effort was collected from the surveys, which included 138.45 km in SWL, 135.53 km in SEL and 164 km in LM. The total survey effort conducted on primary and secondary lines were 359.98 km and 78.00 km respectively. 50.2% of the total survey effort was conducted in condition of Beaufort Sea State 2 or below with good visibility, and such data can be utilised for the encounter rate analysis. The raw data of vessel-based line transect surveys can be referred to Annex G of the Monthly EM&A Report for December 2020.
A total four groups of ten FPs were sighted among the three survey areas and all of them were sighted during on-effort search. Among these FP sightings, a total of three groups of seven FPs were sighted at Beaufort Sea State 2 or below, which can be utilised for encounter rate analysis.
The four porpoise groups were scattered in the southern portion of the three survey areas, which were located to the west of Tai A Chau, the offshore waters in SEL near the works area of the LNG Terminal, to the south of Shek Kwu Chau, and about 5 km to the south of Lamma Island respectively (see Figure 2.3).
The monthly STG and ANI for the combined survey areas from SWL, SEL and LM during the reporting period are summarised in Table 2.6.
Table 2.6 Monthly STG and ANI for Finless Porpoise
Survey Period |
On-effort (km) |
No. of Sighting |
No. of Porpoise |
STG |
ANI |
Dec 2020 |
219.3 |
3 |
7 |
1.36 |
3.18 |
Note: Only data collected at Beaufort Sea State 2 or below were included for encounter rate analysis. |
As only one month vessel-based marine mammal survey data is available, running quarterly values of encounter rate in terms of STG & ANI were not available for comparison against the Action and Limit Levels. Therefore, there were no breaches of Action and Limit Levels for marine mammal monitoring in the reporting period
Five C-POD units have been deployed at the five locations since the commencement of construction for FEP-01/558/2018/A on 27 November 2020. These units will be serviced every two to four months, subject to review on an as-needed basis, to download accumulated data and replace batteries.
According to Condition 3.7 of FEP-01/558/2018/A, Section 9.11.3 of the approved EIA Report and Section 7 of the Updated EM&A Manual, marine mammal exclusion zone monitoring with 500 m radius is required during the course of percussive piling works for construction of Jetty. Marine mammal exclusion zone requirements for percussive piling works for construction of Jetty are presented in Table 2.7.
Table 2.7 Marine Mammal Exclusion Zone Requirements
Activity |
Exclusion Zone |
Requirement |
Percussive Piling Works for construction of Jetty |
500m |
Before percussive piling commences, the exclusion zone must have been continuously clear of marine mammals for 30 minutes. During percussive piling, if marine mammals are spotted within the exclusion zone, percussive piling works will cease and will not resume until the observer confirms that the zone has been continuously clear of marine mammals for a period of 30 minutes. |
Marine mammal exclusion zone monitoring with 500 m radius was undertaken during the reporting period when percussive piling works for construction of Jetty was conducted. No sightings of marine mammals were observed during marine mammal exclusion zone monitoring in the reporting period.
The operating speeds and marine travel routes of working vessels for construction of the Project within the reporting period were checked and reviewed. Four working vessels were used for the construction of Jetty under FEP-01/558/2018/A from 11 to 21 December 2020 during the reporting period. All these working vessels were operated at a speed lower than 10 knots and followed the relevant marine travel requirements stipulated in the FEP. No non-compliance on the operating speeds and marine travel routes of working vessels was identified. Records of operating speeds and marine travel routes of working vessels for construction of the Project provided by the Contractor can be referred to Annex L of the Monthly EM&A Report for December 2020.
A summary of the Environmental Mitigation Implementation Schedule (EMIS) is presented in Annex C. The necessary mitigation measures were implemented properly for the Project.
Since there were no construction activities conducted in the reporting period requiring impact monitoring of marine water quality in accordance with the Updated EM&A Manual, there were no breaches of Action and Limit Levels for marine water quality monitoring in the reporting period.
As only one month vessel-based marine mammal survey data is available, running quarterly values of encounter rate in terms of STG & ANI were not available for comparison against the Action and Limit Levels. Therefore, there were no breaches of Action and Limit Levels for marine mammal monitoring in the reporting period.
Cumulative statistics on exceedance is provided in Annex E.
There were no environmental complaints, notification of summons and successful prosecutions recorded in the reporting period.
Statistics on environmental complaints, notification of summons and successful prosecutions are summarised in Annex E.
This Quarterly EM&A Summary Report presents the key findings of the EM&A works during the reporting period from 23 September to 31 December 2020 for the construction works for the Project in accordance with the Updated EM&A Manual and the requirements of the Further Environmental Permits (FEP-01/558/2018/A, FEP-02/558/2018/A & FEP-03/558/2018/A).
Environmental auditing works, including regular site inspections of construction works conducted by the ET, audit of implementation of Waste Management Plan and review of the acceptability of operating speeds and marine travel routes of working vessels were conducted in the reporting period. No non-compliance of environmental statutory requirements was identified.
Marine mammal monitoring (vessel-based line transect survey and passive acoustic monitoring) was conducted during the reporting period in accordance with the Updated EM&A Manual. No breaches of Action and Limit Levels were recorded.
There were no environmental complaints, notification of summons and successful prosecutions recorded in the reporting period.
The recommended environmental mitigation
measures for the Project were effectively implemented and the EM&A
programme undertaken by the ET has effectively monitored the construction
activities as well as ensured proper implementation of mitigation measures in the
reporting period.
([1]) Application for variation of an environmental permit for FEP-01/558/2018 was undertaken and the latest FEP (FEP-01/558/2018/A) was issued on 6 November 2020.