8 LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL IMPACT

8.1 Introduction

8.1.1 The EIA has recommended landscape and visual mitigation measures to be undertaken during design and construction phases of the Project. This Section defines the Environmental Monitoring and Audit (EM&A) requirements that have been recommended to ensure that the proposed landscape and visual mitigation measures are effectively implemented.

8.2 Environmental Monitoring and Audit Requirements

8.2.1 In addition to the Landscape Mitigation Measures set out below, tree felling operations shall be carried out just before commencement of works and tree debris to be removed immediately after felling. In order to speed up the restoration of greenery of the environment, advance compensatory planting shall be carried out as far as practicable.

8.2.2 A key landscape design issue during detailed design shall be the need for a high level of co-ordination and liaison between the design consultants and government to ensure that all recommended mitigation measures are effectively incorporated into the Project. The proposed works would are unlikely be acceptable in landscape and visual terms if these mitigation measures are not incorporatedThe following landscape mitigation measures would need to be monitored incorporated: as follows

· Landscape Mitigation Measure 1 - Grassing of Drainage Channel Slopes and Edges and Planting of Aquatic Plant Species Gabions with Pits to Plant Riparian Vegetation. During detailed design, there should be co-ordination between the designers to ensure that slopes and channel edges incorporate low-level grassing which shall be compatible with the existing landscape baseline, suitable aquatic species are used at specific locations along the channel Planting pits should be incorporated into gabions with sufficient soil for the planting of riparian vegetation. .

· Landscape Mitigation Measure 2 - Rip Rap Treatment to Channel Base. The channel base should be covered in rip-rap which is considered to be more aesthetically appropriate than fair-faced concrete Rip Rap and Riffles Treatment to Channel Base. Where the existing channel base requires engineering treatment, the channel base should be covered in rip-rap. Riffles with different water depths should be created incorporating aquatic plants.

· Landscape Mitigation Measure 3 - Surface Treatment of Flood Walls and Retaining Walls. At the design stage, there should be comprehensive planning by the designers to ensure that the The appearance of flood walls should incorporate aesthetic textured treatments. as illustrated in the EIA Report, which is considered to be aesthetically appropriate than fair-faced concrete.

· Landscape Mitigation Measure 4 – Compensatory Planting. At the detailed design stage Woodland Ttree and shrub planting should be included by the designer, using incorporated onto amenity species along footpath areasor woodland seedling tree and shrub on and slopes. The minimum compensatory ratio should be one new heavy standard-sized tree for every tree felled for the Project.

· Landscape Mitigation Measure 5 – New Roadside Tree Planting along Access Roads. During detailed design allowance should be made for The planting of heavy standard size trees should be incorporated next to access roads.

· Landscape Mitigation Measure 6 – Grass Concrete Slab. Grass concrete slabs should be used in maintenance access over covered culverts and access ramps to produce a more pronounced greening effect.

8.3 Baseline Monitoring

8.3.1 Baseline monitoring for the landscape and visual resources shall comprise a vegetation survey of the entire selected channel undertaken on an 'area' basis. Representative vegetation types shall be identified along with typical species composition. An assessment of landscape character shall be made against which future change can be monitored. The landscape resources and elements of particular concern are to be noted.

8.3.2 The landscape and visual baseline shall be determined with reference to any prepared Tree Survey Report, habitat maps and the landscape and visual impact assessments included in the EIA Report

8.3.3 Baseline monitoring during operation should be every three months for the first two years, and then once a year thereafter. Baseline monitoring during construction should be once a month.

8.4 Construction and Operation Phase Audit

8.4.1 A specialist landscape sub-contractor should be employed by the Contractor for the implementation of landscape construction works and subsequent maintenance operations during the establishment period. There shall be at least 12 months establishment period for the planting works.

8.4.2 All measures undertaken by both the Contractor and the specialist landscape sub-contractor during the construction phase and first year of the operational phase shall be audited by a Registered Landscape Architect, as a member of the Environmental Team, on a regular basis to ensure compliance with the intended aims of the measures. Site inspections should be undertaken at least once every two weeks throughout the construction period and once every two months during the operational phase. The broad scope of the audit is detailed below but should also be undertaken with reference to the more specific checklist provided in Table 8.1. Operational phase auditing shall be restricted to the last 12 months of the establishment works of the landscaping proposals and thus only the items below concerning this period are relevant to the operational phase.

8.4.3 The extent of the agreed works areas should be regularly checked during the construction phase. Any trespass by the Contractor outside the limit of the works, including any damage to existing trees and woodland shall be noted.

a. 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;

b. all existing vegetation, graves, rock formations and other features within the study area which are not directly affected by the works are retained and protected;

c. the methods of protecting existing vegetation proposed by the Contractor are acceptable and enforced;

d. preparation, lifting transport and re-planting operations for any transplanted trees;

e. all landscaping works are carried out in accordance with the EIA and with specifications;

f. the planting of new trees, shrubs, groundcover, climbers, ferns, grasses and other plans, together with the replanting of any transplanted trees are carried out properly and within the right season; and

g. all necessary horticultural operations and replacement planting are undertaken throughout the Establishment Period to ensure the healthy establishment and growth of both transplanted trees and all newly established plants.

Table 8.1 Construction and Operation Phase Audit Checklist

Area of Works	Items to be Monitored
Protection of all trees and woodland blocks to be retained	Identification and demarcation of trees and vegetation to be retained, erection of physical protection, monitoring against possible incursion, physical damage, fire, pollution, surface erosion, etc.
Clearance of existing vegetation	Identification and demarcation of trees and vegetation to be cleared, checking of extent of works to minimize damage, monitoring of adjacent areas against possible incursion, physical damage, fire, pollution, surface erosion, etc.
Transplanting of trees	Identification and demarcation of trees and vegetation to be transplanted, monitoring of extent of pruning and lifting works to minimize damage, timing of operations, implementation of all stages of preparatory and translocation works, and maintenance of transplanted vegetation, etc.
Topsoil stripping	Ensuring existing topsoil is stripped and stored under recognized good practice and is regularly turned to prevent anaerobic conditions
Night-time lighting	Ensuring night-time lighting is shielded away from VSRs.
Plant supply	Monitoring of operations relating to the supply of specialist plant material (including the collecting, germination and growth of plants from seed) to ensure that plants shall be available in time to be used within the construction works.
Landscape treatments generally	Check that designs conform to intent of mitigation measures and agreed designs.
Soiling, planting, etc.	Monitoring of implementation and maintenance of soiling and planting works and against possible incursion, physical damage, fire, pollution, surface erosion, etc.
Establishment Works	Monitoring of implementation of maintenance operations during Establishment Period.

8.5 Event and Action Plan

8.5.1 Should non-compliance of the landscape and visual criteria occur, actions in accordance with the action plan stated in Table 8.2 should be carried out.

Table 8.2 Event and Action Plan for Operation / Construction Phase

Action Level	Environmental Team Leader	Independent Checker (Environment)	Engineer’s Representative	Contractor
Non-conformity on one occasion	1. Identify Source 2. Inform the IC(E) and the ER 3. Discuss remedial actions with the IC(E), the ER and the Contractor 4. Monitor remedial actions until rectification has been completed	1. Check report 2. Check the Contractor's working method 3. Discuss with the ER and the Contractor on possible remedial measures 4. Advise the ER on effectiveness of proposed remedial measures. 5. Check implementation of remedial measures.	1. Notify Contractor 2. Ensure remedial measures are properly implemented	1. Amend working methods 2. Rectify damage and undertake any necessary replacement
Repeated Non-conformity	1. Identify Source 2. Inform the IC(E) and the ER 3. Increase monitoring frequency 4. Discuss remedial actions with the IC(E), the ER and the Contractor 5. Monitor remedial actions until rectification has been completed 6. If exceedance stops, cease additional monitoring	1. Check monitoring report 2. Check the Contractor's working method 3. Discuss with the ER and the Contractor on possible remedial measures 4. Advise the ER on effectiveness of proposed remedial measures 5. Supervise implementation of remedial measures.	1. Notify the Contractor 2. Ensure remedial measures are properly implemented	1. Amend working methods 2. Rectify damage and undertake any necessary replacement