6a.1.1.1 The EIA Report predicted the construction of the IWMF would cause minor impact on the breeding ground of Little Grebe in the study area. Potential indirect impact on the adjacent natural habitats and associated wildlife due to increased human disturbance/activities and traffic noise would be resulted.
6a.1.1.2 Mitigation measures have been recommended to minimize potential direct and indirect impacts to ecological resources. With the recommended mitigation measures implemented, no unacceptable impact on wildlife is expected from the construction and operation of the Project. This section describes the requirements for the monitoring and auditing of ecological impacts arising from the Project.
6a.2 Site Inspection for Avoidance of Mortality of Little Grebe
6a.2.1.1
Breeding activities of Little
Grebe were recorded within the Middle Lagoon.
Juvenile and chicks of Little Grebe which have lower mobility could be
killed by construction activities if unmitigated. As a precautionary measure, the whole Project
site should be thoroughly inspected twice at the earliest two weeks prior to
the commencement date of construction activities to confirm no breeding
activities of Little Grebe (including their eggs, chicks and juveniles) would
be affected by the construction activities.
The inspection should be performed by experienced ecologist(s) with over
seven year of experience in the relevant aspect. Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation
Department (AFCD) should be informed in writing about the suitability of
commencing construction work at the Project site before the commencement of any
site activities.
6a.2.1.2 If breeding activities of Little Grebe are found during the site inspection, the construction programme and method should be reviewed to identify the practicable measures to minimize impact to the breeding birds through:
· Careful phasing of construction work: postpone the works that are located within and near the breeding area(s).
· Minimization of disturbance to the breeding birds due to construction activities: hoarding should be set up around the breeding ground to screen off construction works and human activities before the commencement of construction phase. Sufficient buffer zone should be given between the breeding bird and the hoarding without hindering their feeding, foraging and roosting activities. The fenced-off area should be inspected once a week to review the effectiveness of the mitigation measure and make adaptive actions promptly. The inspection would terminate after the chick(s) or juvenile(s) leave the fenced-off area.
6a.3.1.1
To minimize the disturbance impact on the natural habitat and wildlife,
the implementation of the mitigation measures recommended in Sections
6a.3.1.2 If breeding activities of Little Grebe are found during the pre-construction phase site inspection, no personnel shall be allowed to enter the breeding area without any written permission from the Resident Engineer. The fenced-off area should be inspected once a week by experienced ecologist(s) with over seven year of experience in the relevant aspect to review the effectiveness of the mitigation measure and make adaptive actions promptly.
6a.3.2
Operation Phase
6a.3.2.1
To minimize the disturbance impact on the natural habitat and wildlife,
the implementation of the mitigation measures recommended in Sections
6a.4 Ecological Monitoring of Avifauna and their Habitat
6a.4.1.1
To assess the effectiveness of
the mitigation measures recommended in Sections
6a.4.2.1
To monitor the effectiveness of
the mitigation measures recommended in Sections
6a.4.2.2 The ecological monitoring during construction and operation phase should be performed by experienced ecologist(s) with over seven year of experience in the relevant aspect. Should any unpredicted indirect ecological impacts arising from the proposed Project be detected, remedial measures should be recommended and implemented by the Contractor.
6a.5 Ecological Monitoring of Additional Compensatory Habitat and Enhanced Wetland Habitat
6a.5.1.1
An
additional compensatory habitat would be constructed,
and an enhanced wetland habitat at the southern unoccupied
Middle Lagoon portion would be maintained to compensate
for the loss of breeding habitat for Little Grebe. The optimal condition of the
additional pond and the
enhanced wetland area should be maintained for the use
by Little Grebe. The condition
of the pond and the wetland as well as the utilization
by Little Grebe and other wildlife should
be monitored in the first two years of
its operation phase to review the
performance of ecological function. The need and requirements of monitoring
should be reviewed after the completion of the monitoring programme. The implementation details of the monitoring
programme should be described in Detailed Habitat Creation and Management Plan
(HCMP) of the recreated pond and the
enhanced wetland prepared by experienced
ecologist possesses at least a Bachelor’s degree in relevant
discipline and at least 7
years relevant professional experience. The HCMP should
be circulated to relevant departments including AFCD prior to the
construction.
6a.5.1.2
Parameters, such as the water
level, water quality, coverage of emergent or floating vegetation and coverage
of exotic invasive and undesirable plants cover, would determine the habitat condition of the pond and the
wetland in the Middle Lagoon and
thus influence the effectiveness of the mitigation measures. Monitoring of the above parameters and
implementation details of the monitoring programme should be defined in
HCMP.