Executive Summary English

1 INTRODUCTION

The Pilot Project for Public-Private Partnership Conservation Scheme, Sha Lo Tung Valley, Tai Po is proposed to be one of the pilot projects under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) scheme. This Project establishes the framework for a public-private partnership to conserve the Sha Lo Tung Valley in Tai Po. Endorsement of the Project will ensure long-term active conservation management of the ecologically sensitive areas currently located on private land owned by the Sha Lo Tung Development Company (SLTDC). More importantly, the Project will provide a source of funds to sustain such conservation action. The Project is fully in line with Government’s policy intentions for conserving high priority sites such as Sha Lo Tung, by packaging long term conservation action with sustainable, compatible commercial activities within the conservation area and suitable development on adjoining land. With appropriate development concessions granted in non-sensitive areas (as identified as the Development Site) adjoining the Conservation Area, the capital and ongoing costs of establishing and managing conservation operations and infrastructure in the Valley are assured. This balance between development and conservation expectations will enable the Valley to become a unique nature attraction and educational resource for both locals and tourists, which can be achieved quickly and without Government funding.

This Project responds directly to the former Environment, Transport and Works (ET&W) (now Environment) Bureau’s invitation to submit proposals for areas selected as potential “pilot projects” for “Public-Private partnership” schemes under the Government’s Conservation Policy announced in November 2004. The conservation objectives espoused in the Project are directed at conservation, ecological enhancement, sustainable use and education. The landowner’s commitment to these objectives is achieved through management and funding obligations provided by development concessions located in non-sensitive parts of the statutory plan area. With 96% of the private land within the Valley owned by the SLTDC, the commitment of Green Power and co-operation of Government, such a partnership can be established immediately to establish early conservation action within the Valley and ensure its sustainability over the long term. This Project identifies the steps necessary in such a partnership, especially the institutional arrangements of the key stakeholders, namely the landowner (SLTDC), Government and the NGO (Green Power).

The Project identifies three critical reasons for endorsement of a pilot priority project within the Sha Lo Tung Valley under the new conservation policy, namely:-

1. The Valley Is Accorded High Priority for Nature Conservation and Management

In the announcement of the Conservation Policy on 12 November 2004, the Environment, Transport & Works Bureau (ETWB) (now Environment Bureau) identified that the Sha Lo Tung Valley scored 2.7 out of 3.0 on the Bureau’s scoring of ecologically important sites in Hong Kong. This places the Valley as No.2 in the ranking of the twelve most ecologically important sites in Hong Kong. The streamcourse and riparian habitats have been the subject of many local and international specialist studies and the ecological significance of the area is reflected in the Outline Zoning Plan (No. S/NE-SLT/4) which states “the primary planning intention is to conserve the areas of ecological significance, to preserve the natural landscape, to promote conservation and to maintain the rural character of the area”. Sha Lo Tung was also identified as one of the 12 priority sites for enhanced conservation under the Conservation Policy. The Project will protect the habitats through active management to maintain preferable successional stage and hence suitability as a dragonfly habitat, and prevent anthropogenic threats such as use of four wheel drive vehicles, wargames and vegetation removal and undesirable natural succession which are unfavourable to the existing wildlife.

2. Nature Conservation Must Be Beneficial to the Biodiversity, Successfully Planned and Sustainable Alongside Limited Compatible Development

The Project sets out the framework for a new partnership known as the Sha Lo Tung Conservation Management Board (SCMB) – a tripartite entity formed between the Government, the SLTDC and Green Power. Within this framework, long term conservation management is the responsibility of Green Power, the NGO, who has provided assurance that this will be carried out in a professional manner and will operate with transparent and auditable processes. Green Power has a proven track record of suitable experience through operation of conservation and education activities at their Guangzhou Green Country Ecological Education Centre.

3. Institutional Arrangements and Funding Must Be Realistic and Achievable

The Conservation Policy encourages commitment from the landowner (the SLTDC) through encouraging compatible development concessions on less ecologically sensitive land under the “pilot project” that will fund conservation facilities and operations. The “Public-Private partnership” between Government, the SLTDC and Green Power operating in the form of the Sha Lo Tung Conservation Management Board (SCMB) will oversee start-up operations and administer on-going funding through a new Conservation Trust Fund. The SLTDC will inject upfront “seed capital” to construct and equip all conservation, educational, recreational and public facilities, with such capital repaid from income generated by the SLTDC’s Multi-Cultural Education Retreat cum Columbarium development in the green belt zone adjoining the Conservation Area. With the Government as an active partner in the “pilot project”, the Government will facilitate the SLTDC’s submission to fulfil statutory requirements and procedures.

1.3 Objectives and Scope of the Environmental Assessment

Although the Project will preserve Sha Lo Tung Valley, the associated construction works at the Development Site and Sha Lo Tung Road Improvement have the potential to cause environmental impacts to the ecologically sensitive Sha Lo Tung Valley if not controlled properly. Notwithstanding that the Project is not classified as a Designated Project (DP) under the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (EIAO), the SLTDC committed to provide information on the nature and extent of environmental impacts arising from the Project; to recommend appropriate mitigation measures to control the potential environmental impacts in meeting the standards and criteria established in the Technical Memorandum on Environmental Impact Assessment Process of Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (EIAO-TM), and to confirm the environmental acceptability of the Project.

The Environmental Assessment (EA) Report addresses the nature and extent of the identified potential environmental impacts associated with the construction and operation of a Pilot Project for Public-Private Partnership Conservation Scheme, Sha Lo Tung Valley, Tai Po, including an Ecological Reserve, Nature Interpretation Centre, Multi-Cultural Education Retreat cum Columbarium and Sha Lo Tung Road Improvement (hereafter referred to as the Project).

The specific objectives of the EA Study are listed below.

(i) to describe the Project and associated works together with the requirements for carrying out the Project;

(ii) to identify and describe elements of the community and environment likely to be affected by the Project and/or likely to cause adverse impacts to the Project, including the natural and man-made environment and, the associated environmental constraints;

(iii) to provide information on the consideration of alternatives to avoid and minimise the potential environmental impacts to the ecologically sensitive areas and other sensitive uses; to compare the environmental benefits and dis-benefits of each of the different options; to provide reasons for selecting the preferred option(s) and to describe the part that environmental factors played in the selection;

(iv) to identify and characterise emission sources and determine the significance of impacts on sensitive receivers and potentially affected uses;

(v) to identify and quantify any potential losses or damage and other potential impacts to flora, fauna and natural habitats and to propose measures to mitigate these impacts;

(vi) to identify and quantify any potential landscape and visual impacts and to propose measures to mitigate these impacts;

(vii) to propose the provision of mitigation measures so as to minimize pollution, environmental disturbance and nuisance during construction and operation stages of the Project;

(viii) to investigate the feasibility, practicability, effectiveness and implications of the proposed mitigation measures;

(ix) to identify, predict and evaluate the residual environmental impacts (i.e. after practicable mitigation) and the cumulative effects expected to arise during the construction and operation stages of the Project in relation to the sensitive receivers and potential affected uses;

(x) to identify, assess and specify methods, measures and standards, to be included in the construction and operation stages of the Project which are necessary to mitigate these environmental impacts and cumulative effects and reduce them to acceptable levels;

(xi) to investigate the extent of the secondary environmental impacts that may arise from the proposed mitigation measures and to identify constraints associated with the mitigation measures recommended in the EA study, as well as the provision of any necessary modification; and

(xii) to design and specify environmental monitoring and audit requirements to ensure the effective implementation of the recommended environmental protection and pollution control measures.

As specified above, the EA Study addressed the following key environmental issues due to the construction and operation of the Project:

· potential aquatic and terrestrial ecological impacts during construction and operation stages of Project development, including the loss of habitats, removal of vegetation and disturbance to wildlife, in particular the Sha Lo Tung SSSI, Pat Sin Leng Country Park and any other sensitive areas that have been identified during the course of the EA study;

· potential water quality impacts during construction and operation stages of Project development, in particular to the Sha Lo Tung SSSI and streams;

· potential air quality impacts (including the dust, gaseous emission and odour impacts along the Sha Lo Tung Roads due to traffic generated from the Project) to the identified Air Sensitive Receivers (ASRs) during construction and operation stages of Project development;

· potential noise impacts (including the traffic noise impact along the Sha Lo Tung Roads with traffic generated from the Project) to the identified Noise Sensitive Receivers (NSRs) during construction and operation stages of Project development;

· potential environmental impacts associated with the handling and disposal of wastes during construction and operation stages of Project development, in particular the disposal of surplus excavated materials arising from site formation works;

· potential landscape and visual impacts due to the Project during construction and operation stages of Project development, in particular the potential impact to the landscape value and recreational interests of the Pat Sin Leng Country Park; and

· potential sewerage impacts due to the proposed Project development.

1.4 Approach to the Study

The EA Study was conducted in accordance with the guideline on assessment methodologies provided in the Technical Memorandum on Environmental Impact Assessment Process (EIAO-TM). The general approach for the assessment included:

· Description of the baseline environmental conditions for the impact assessment;

· Identification of potential impacts;

· Evaluation of potential impacts; and

· Recommendation of mitigation measures and environmental and monitoring programme.

The assessments in this EA Study are conducted using well-proven and internationally accepted methods based on the worst-case conditions associated with the construction and operation of the Project.

2 PROJECT DESCRIPTION

2.1 The Project

The Project includes three components: Ecological Reserve, Development Site and Sha Lo Tung Road Improvement (Figure 1). Sha Lo Tung Development Company (SLTDC) and Green Power (GP) propose to set up an Ecological Reserve (approximately 52 ha, accounting for more than 90% of the entire Valley) in Sha Lo Tung (SLT) Valley, through surrendering private housing lots (approximately 0.8 ha) and private agricultural lots (approximately 26 ha) in the Valley and agricultural lots in the adjacent Country Park (approximately 2 ha) to Government. The proposed Development Site and Sha Lo Tung Road Improvement are outside of the Country Park and Conservation Area. The Ecological Reserve will maintain, protect, restore and enhance the ecological resources of the SLT Valley. This will be achieved by preventing unauthorised incompatible activities, managing and restoring habitats at the “best” succession state, and by enhancing grassland and woodland habitat. An additional benefit will be the provision of nature education activities which will promote awareness, appreciation and understanding of the ecological value of the area. The scheme is enabled by allowing the development of a Nature Interpretation Centre, and a Multi-Cultural Education Retreat cum Columbarium (with a footprint of approximately 1.5 ha) within the Development Site (of approximately 5.5 ha, which comprises less than 10% of the SLT Valley area) in a lower ecological value area at the entrance to the Valley. The initial set up and long term operation funding of the Ecological Reserve will come primarily from the sale of niches in the Columbarium. The existing Sha Lo Tung Road (approximately 2.3 km) will .be upgraded to Single Track standard with minimum number of passing bays to meet the requirements of the Buildings Department and Fire Services Department at SLTDC’s own cost.

2.2 Ecological Reserve

The Ecological Reserve, of approximately 52 ha, provides an opportunity to enhance Sha Lo Tung Valley’s environment for the benefit of the community and boost its ecological value. Biodiversity conservation is the core focus of the Public Private Partnership (PPP) programme where value-added activities such as conservation education, and preservation of cultural heritage will be integrated into the management strategy of Sha Lo Tung Valley, when appropriate. It can be achieved by adopting a Conservation Management Plan (CMP), which prescribes management to safeguard the ecological value of the area in perpetuity for the people of Hong Kong. A summary of the CMP is presented in the following sections.

2.2.1 Conservation Management Plan

The CMP will serve as a guideline for action covering the first 5-year period and will evolve as time passes and experience is gained. The key objectives are:

· Objective 1: Conserve and Enhance Dragonfly Biodiversity

· Objective 2: Enhance Upland Habitats by Removal of Exotic Vegetation

· Objective 3: Enhance Quality and Area of Secondary Woodland Habitat

· Objective 4: Restore and Rehabilitate Abandoned Farmlands

· Objective 5: Sustainably Manage Visitors

· Objective 6: Conserve Target Species

· Objective 7: Enhance Conservation Education Opportunities

The plan will be implemented by a Sha Lo Tung Conservation Management Board (SCMB) which will include three major stakeholders, including the Project Proponent (SLTDC), the management contractor (Green Power) and the HKSAR Government, which may include representatives from other green groups and academic representatives.

2.2.2 Ecological Benefit

The Development Site is located in area of less ecological concern (mainly shrubland grassland mosaic) and avoids all of the ecologically sensitive areas, including Country Park, SSSIs and Sha Lo Tung streams. Further to the detailed assessment presented in the EA Study, no unacceptable ecological impacts during the construction and operational phases of the proposed development at Development Site and Sha Lo Tung Road are predicted..

With the implementation of the Conservation Management Plan, human disturbance will be largely reduced/ controlled. Disturbance due to hillfire, visitors and vandalism would be controlled by pro-active management, including patrolling and conservation education. Under the Sha Lo Tung pilot project, an aggressive fire-suppression programme will be implemented to prevent the occurrence of hill fires (regularly recorded within Sha Lo Tung Valley). Rubbish and illegal traps would also be constantly removed by site managers. As a consequence, the proposed development will expect to obtain ecological gain.

The PPP pilot scheme will not only avoid and minimise ecological impacts but will enhance the conservation value of Sha Lo Tung Valley through the following actions:

· It removes large scale village expansion as a threat to the ecological integrity and conservation value of the valley; and,

· It protects the area by controlling site access and enhances the ecological values by active management.

2.3 Development Site

2.3.1 Master Plan of the Development Site

Due to the sensitivity of the Sha Lo Tung Valley and the potential construction impacts to the Sha Lo Tung Stream, the design of the Master Plan of the Development Site has adopted the following considerations, in order to avoid potential impacts to the existing trees and Sha Lo Tung Stream.

· Provision of a minimum Additional 20 m wide Non-Building Buffer from the Sha Lo Tung SSSI

· Maximising the Utilisation of the Existing Profile and Natural Topography

· Locating Facilities away from the Sha Lo Tung SSSI and Stream

· Preservation of Existing Trees

With the adoption of the above considerations, the Master Plan as presented in Figure 2 can avoid or minimise potential water quality and ecological impacts to the stream and SSSI, as well as impacts to woodland and trees.

The preliminary Master Plan and the concept of the Nature Interpretation Centre, and a Multi-Cultural Education Retreat cum Columbarium is presented in Figure 2. The proposed development comprises the following:

· Nature Interpretation Centre;

· Large open landscaping areas;

· Open car park;

· Path;

· Multi-Cultural Education Retreat;

· Confucius Halls

· Security/ Staff Quarters, and

· Columbarium to accommodate maximum 60,000 niches.

2.4 Sha Lo Tung Road Improvement

2.4.1 Alignment of the Sha Lo Tung Road Improvement

The existing Sha Lo Tung Road between Ting Kok Road and Sha Lo Tung Valley (approximately 2.3 km) is the only vehicular access to Sha Lo Tung Valley and the Development Site. The reason for the proposed improvements is to upgrade the existing roadway to the minimum requirement of a safe Single Track Access Road that would also enable emergency access for fire engines. In the absence of the road improvements, delivery of emergency services would not be practicable. In order to meet the traffic demand during construction and facilitate the transportation of construction plants or raw materials to/from the Development Site, it is proposed to complete the road improvement works with drainage and sewerage systems prior to commencement of site formation works.

The principles of the design for the road improvement works are: -

· Minimize disturbance to the existing landscape and trees;

· Preserve woodlands of ecological value;

· Provide a safe access road; and

· Enable emergency vehicle access to the Ecological Reserve, Nature Interpretation Centre, Multi-Cultural Education Retreat cum Columbarium.

Following the principles of the improvement works, the impacts arising from the upgrading of Sha Lo Tung Road will be kept to a minimum, and the improved road will be able to provide emergency service access, serve the conservation facilities, Pat Sin Leng Country Park and Water Services Department (WSD) Service Reservoirs etc. In light of the low volume of traffic forecast, the access road shall remain a single track access road with basic improvements to satisfy the Transport and Planning Design Manual (TPDM) requirements. These include:

· Widening the existing access road to a minimum width of 4.5 m, which according to TPDM is suitable for use of emergency vehicles;

· Providing additional inter-visible passing places at maximum spacing 60 m for 2-way traffic;

· Appropriate local widening at bends of up to 6 m wide to cater for travel of emergency vehicles from Ting Kok Road to the proposed conservation facilities;

· The access road shall follow the existing road alignment and profile to minimise earthworks and impacts to the existing environment. Nevertheless, the road shall be re-profiled to ensure a maximum gradient less than 16% because a gradient more than 16% is not suitable for use of emergency vehicles;

· The road will be widened towards the eastern side through cutting the uphill slopes to avoid disturbing the woodland dominating on the western side;

· The soil nailing, if required to stabilise slopes particularly downhill, can be implemented carefully to avoid damage to trees and the slope surface can be planted to maintain a green landscape after the improvement works are finished;

· Provision of a vehicle turn round facility at the entrance of Sha Lo Tung Valley suitable for the use of fire engines;

· Provision of drainage system with additional verges and sewer along the route;

· No encroachment to Conservation Area and Pat Sin Leng Country Park; and

· Appropriate landscape design along the access road.

2.5 Works Programme

The works programme and the work sequence of the Project will be undertaken as follows:

· Ecological Reserve – The enhancement work will be undertaken immediately once the commencement of the Project is confirmed in order to provide the greatest conservation and ecological benefit.

· Sha Lo Tung Road Improvement – The road improvement works will be divided into three phases. Each phase of the road works will be constructed in sequence with each will take approximately 6 to 7 months.

· Development Site – The site formation works will be carried out in three stages after Sha Lo Tung Road Improvement: Stage 1 (approximately 7 months), Stage 2 (approximately 6 months) and Stage 3 (approximately 6 months). The duration of each of the three stages will overlap at certain periods of time so that the earthworks (soil and excavation and filling works) will only be undertaken during the dry season (November to March).

3 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS

The environmental impacts associated with the construction and operation of the Project are summarised in the following sections.

3.1 Ecology

The ecological impact assessment has been prepared using the results of comprehensive literature reviews and ecological field update surveys conducted between 2004 and 2008. The Ecological Reserve covers areas within Sha Lo Tung Valley and is considered of high ecological significance. Habitats recorded include Fung Shui Woods, secondary woodlands, grassland shrubland mosaic, streams, abandoned agricultural land and developed area (abandoned village). However, the habitat quality within Sha Lo Tung Valley is degrading due to threats such as the use of four wheel drive vehicles, hill fires, wargames and vegetation removal.

The Development Site is mainly covered by grassland-shrubland mosaic with a small part of the area occupied by secondary woodland (of moderate to high ecological value). The grassland-shrubland mosaic is frequently disturbed by hill fire and is considered to have low ecological value. The secondary woodland is dominated by climax native tree species such as Schima superba with densely vegetated understorey and is considered of moderate to high ecological value. Species of conservation interest recorded within the Development Site included Greater Coucal, Hwamei and Crested Serpent Eagle.

Habitats within the Sha Lo Tung Road Improvement area include secondary woodland, plantation, grassland-shrubland mosaic, abandoned agricultural land, and developed area. Aside from the secondary woodland of moderate to high ecological value, all of the remaining habitats are of low ecological value. Species of conservation interest recorded within the Construction Works Boundary along the Sha Lo Tung Road Improvement included Incense Tree Aquilaria sinensis, Lamb of Tartary Cibotium barometz, Pavetta Pavetta Hongkongensis Rhodoleia Rhodoleia championii, Common Tutcheria Tutcheria spectabilis and Willow-leaved Camellia Camellia salicifolia, bird species Crested Serpent Eagle, Greater Coucal, Lesser Coucal and HwameI.

The enhancement works for the establishment of the Ecological Reserve and the implementation of the Conservation Management Plan will enhance the conservation value of Sha Lo Tung Valley. In addition, human disturbance such as hill fire will be largely reduced/ controlled. As a consequence, the proposed Project is expected to bring about long term and sustainable benefits to the ecology of Sha Lo Tung Valley and the habitats and associated wildlife.

Direct habitat loss may result from the land taken for the construction of proposed buildings and facilities as well as the Sha Lo Tung Road improvement works. The majority of the proposed development will be constructed on the grassland-shrubland mosaic and thereby reduce the impacts on the secondary woodland.

With the provision of a 20 m building buffer from Sha Lo Tung SSSI, the riparian woodlands which served as wildlife (particularly Family Gomphidae dragonflies) foraging/ roosting grounds are significantly preserved. The small-sized habitat loss due to the proposed development is not predicted to cause adverse impacts to the wildlife using the SLT SSSI and associated habitats. The ecological impacts on the larval stage of the dragonfly community in the SSSI due to the water quality impacts from the construction activities are likely to be avoided through water pollution control measures. No unacceptable ecological impacts during the construction and operational phases are expected based on the current design given that appropriate mitigation measures are properly implemented, including:

· completion of the Sha Lo Tung Road improvement (with well designed drainage systems) before any construction works for the Development Site;

· scheduling the earth works in the dry season;

· provision of an additional 20 m non-building buffer between the works area and Sha Lo Tung SSSI;

· adoption of a phased schedule;

· compensatory planting;

· good construction practice;

· a well designed temporary drainage system;

· erection of site hoarding in advance of the commencement of any works;

· proper visitor control (particularly during special festivals); and,

· restricting the workers within the Development Site during construction.

No adverse residual water quality or associated ecological impacts were predicted to occur due to construction of the Project on the basis that the recommended mitigation measures are adopted in full.

3.2 Water Quality

3.2.1 Environment and Water Quality Sensitive Receivers

Sha Lo Tung Valley comprises water quality sensitive receivers including Sha Lo Tung SSSI and stream, which are also considered of high ecological and conservation significance. It has been identified that the water quality sensitive receivers (WSRs) of the Development Site and Sha Lo Tung Road Improvement include Sha Lo Tung SSSI, Fung Yuen Valley SSSI and streams.

3.2.2 Ecological Reserve

The enhancement works will include installation of a drop bar at the road entrance to Sha Lo Tung Valley, weed removal, enhancement planting, marsh restoration, plantation, trail enhancement, provision of alternative country park access and enhancing the existing damaged footpath alongside the natural streams. These works will be carried out with hand tools only. No major excavation works will be required and no water quality impact is anticipated.

Only minor works will be required during emergencies or routine maintenance. No wastewater generating activity will occur and no water quality impact is expected during the operational phase.

3.2.3 Development Site

During the construction phase of the Project water quality impacts have the potential to arise from construction runoff, general construction activities and domestic sewage discharge. To avoid ecological risk to the downstream Sha Lo Tung Valley, any discharge of construction runoff from the Development Site is prohibited. The following practices and measures to be proposed are targeted to ensure no discharge of construction runoff to the downstream ecological sensitive areas and Sha Lo Tung Stream:

· Complete the Sha Lo Tung Road improvement (with well designed drainage and sewerage systems) before any construction works are undertaken within the Development Site;

· Restrict earthworks to the dry season;

· Manage the construction sequences, in particular during the wet season;

· Provide temporary drainage channels with sedimentation tanks to divert the site runoff to the sandtrap before discharging it from the site;

· Provide silt removal facilities such as sedimentation tanks and sand traps;

· Provide a separate temporary drainage system to divert the natural runoff away from the site and minimise the site runoff;

· Erect a continuous site hoarding with seal along the northern boundary of the Development Site; and

· Carry out daily inspection.

It is anticipated that if effective controls, including but not limited to the construction of peripheral channels and erection of the site hoarding (with any gaps to be filled and cemented) in advance of site formation works and earthworks which are only to be undertaken during the dry season, are applied, the potential water quality impacts are expected to be minimal.

During the operational phase, the identified water quality impacts will be surface runoff from the paved road and platform (ie car park), and the disposal of domestic sewage. With the installation of grit and oil interceptor for paved areas, and no discharge of sewage to WSRs, no adverse impacts to the WSRs are anticipated.

3.2.4 Sha Lo Tung Road Improvement

During the construction phase of the Sha Lo Tung Road Improvement, the water quality impacts have the potential to arise mainly from construction runoff and general construction activities. It is anticipated that the effects on water quality from the construction activities are likely to be minimal, provided that major earthworks are undertaken during dry season, and that good construction practices and well designed temporary drainage system are implemented.

Vehicles will enter the Ecological Reserve, Nature Interpretation Centre, and a Multi-Cultural Education Retreat cum Columbarium along the improved Sha Lo Tung Road to the car park which will be situated at the western side of the Development Site. The road runoff may contain minimal amounts of oil, grease and grit that may cause water quality impacts to the watercourses, if uncontrolled. With the installation of grit and oil interceptors for the road, no adverse impacts to the WSRs are anticipated. Furthermore, it is anticipated that the number of vehicles entering the area will be relatively low when compared to the main roads and this will further minimise water quality impacts.

3.3 Air Quality

3.3.1 Ecological Reserve

The enhancement works will include the installation of a drop bar at the road entrance to Sha Lo Tung Valley, weed removal, enhancement planting, marsh restoration, plantation, trail enhancement, provision of signage and enhancing the existing damaged footpaths alongside the natural streams. These works will be carried out with hand tools only. No major excavation works will be required and no dust impact is anticipated.

Only minor works will be required during emergencies or routine maintenance. No air pollution generating activity is required and no air quality impact is expected during the operational phase.

3.3.2 Development Site

The construction works at the Development Site will be carried out in three stages. Dust nuisance from construction works and gaseous emissions from diesel-powered equipment are the potential air quality concerns during the construction of the Multi-Cultural Education Retreat cum Columbarium. Dust may be generated from materials handling, excavation and filling, wind erosion and truck movements during site formation works. The scale of the construction works is likely to be small and the rate of excavated soil generation will also be low (ie 52 m3/day on average). With the implementation of recommended dust control measures and good site practices, dust impact is not expected. The number of diesel-powered construction equipment to be operated at any one time will be limited owing to the small scale of the works and the diversion of the works into phases. Gaseous emissions from the operation of diesel-powered equipment are expected to be minor and no adverse air quality impact is anticipated.

The number of visitor during public holidays and festival holidays will be increased. However, burning of effigies and paper offerings will not be allowed at the future development; therefore no adverse air quality impact is anticipated during the operation of the development. In-house management measures such as signage to remind visitors on the prohibition on burning effigy should be provided.

Vehicular emissions from Sha Lo Tung Road are the key air quality concern during the operation of the columbarium. In view of the large separation distances between ASRs and the future columbarium and compliance with HKPSG recommendations, no adverse air quality impact is anticipated.

3.3.3 Road Improvement Works

Dust nuisance from construction works and gaseous emissions from diesel-powered equipment are the potential concerns during the road improvement works. Materials handling, wind erosion and truck movements are expected to be the major sources of construction dust. The road improvement works will be conducted over a period of 14 months and the works will be carried out in phases, each of which covers only a road section of approximately 800m in length, and therefore the works area will be small. In view of the large separation distances between ASRs and the works area, no adverse dust impact is anticipated. The number of diesel-powered equipment to be used for the works will be limited owing to the small size of the works area. The air emissions from diesel equipment are expected to be minor and no adverse air quality impact is expected. With the implementation of the recommended dust control measures and good site practices, the dust impact is expected to comply with the dust criteria.

Vehicular emissions are envisaged to be the only air quality concern during the operation of the widened Sha Lo Tung Road. In view of the large separation distances between ASRs and the widened road and compliance with HKPSG recommendation, no adverse vehicular emission impact is anticipated.

3.4 Noise

With the identified NSRs located more than 780 m from the Development Site and Ecological Reserve, together with the implementation of construction mitigation measures, it is anticipated that noise from the construction and operational activities to be carried out at the Development Site and Ecological Reserve will not adversely affect the NSRs.

A construction assessment was carried out to assess the potential noise impact from the road improvement works. The assessment results indicate that the predicted construction noise levels at the NSRs comply with the daytime construction noise limit of 75 dB(A). During the operational phase of the Project, the induced traffic on Sha Lo Tung Road will not cause any adverse noise impact to the NSRs. Noise monitoring is not required during either construction phase or operational phase. A detailed noise impact assessment should be undertaken during the detailed design of the fixed plant items for the development.

3.5 Waste Management

3.5.1 Ecological Reserve

The enhancement works will include installation of a drop bar at the road entrance to Sha Lo Tung Valley, weed removal, enhancement planting, marsh restoration, plantation, trail enhancement, provision of signage and enhancing the existing damaged footpath alongside the natural streams. No excavation works will be required. Green waste will be generated and with the implementation of good waste management and on-site waste minimisation practices, no adverse impact associated with the management of green waste is expected.

Limited green waste will be generated during the maintenance and operation of the ecological reserve. With the implementation of good waste management, no adverse impact associated with the management of green waste is expected.

3.5.2 Development Site

Approximately 7,500 m³ of inert soft materials will be excavated during site formation and approximately 7,000 m³ of public fill are required for filling to the required level. The in-situ excavated materials will be reused for the backfilling, and the cutting and filling activities for the site formation and slope works will be planned and arranged in such a way that the requirement for stockpiling will be minimised. The waste management assessment is based on the worst case scenario assuming there is no reuse of materials on-site. The average rate of excavated soil generation and filling rate will be low (ie 52 m³/day and 49 m³/day, respectively). About 17 trucks and 8 trucks will be required per day on average to dispose to public filling facilities and to import fill materials, respectively. About 1,500 m³ of construction waste will be generated from new building construction. Given the implementation of recommended mitigation measures (ie waste management programme) and good site practices, no adverse environmental impact is expected during the construction phase.

Limited quantities of general refuse and chemical wastes are expected during the operation of the Nature Interpretation Centre, Multi-Cultural Education Retreat cum Columbarium. With good site practices, the potential environmental impacts associated with the storage, handling, collection, transport and disposal of a small quantity of general refuse and chemical wastes arising from the operation of the Multi-Cultural Education Retreat will meet the relevant EIAO-TM criteria and no adverse impact associated with waste management is anticipated.

3.5.3 Road Improvement Works

The road improvement works will be divided into three phases. The three phases of the road improvement works will be undertaken in consecutive sequence with some overlap between phases. A total of 11,000 m³ of soil will be excavated over the14-month construction period. About 25m³ of soil is estimated to be generated per day. Even if a peak factor of 2 is applied to cater for the potential increase in spoil generation during the overlapping of two phases, the estimated peak volume of spoil to be generated per day (ie 50 m³) is still considered small. Assuming a capacity of 7.5 m³ per truck and a bulk factor of 1.2, about 8 trucks per day will be required to dispose to public filling facilities. A small volume of fill materials (ie, 1,000 m³) will be required. Assuming 24 working days a month, a capacity of 7.5 m³ per truck and a bulk factor of 1.2, the filling rate, on average, will be 3 m³ per day and about 1 truck will be required to import the fill materials. With such a small number of truck trips generated, the effect on the existing traffic on Sha Lo Tung Road would be minimal.

Chemical waste generated from maintenance of construction equipment will be generated during the construction phase. Given the implementation of the recommended mitigation measures, no adverse environmental impact is expected during the construction phase.

3.6 Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment

3.6.1 Landscape Impacts for the Development Site

Landscape Character and Resources

The Landscape Resources and Character Areas of the Development Site comprise:

· LR 1 Secondary Woodland;

· LR 2 Grassland Shrubland Mosaic;

· LR 3 Abandoned Agricultural Land;

· LR 4 Natural Stream;

· LR 5 Developed Area, and;

· LCA1 Upland and Hillside Landscape.

There will be Negligible impacts on the Abandoned Agricultural Land and the Stream. Following the construction of new streams, there will be a Slight Beneficial impact on this LR.

Secondary Woodland will experience Moderate Adverse un-mitigated impacts during construction and operation. Following mitigation, these will reduce to Slight and Neither Beneficial nor Adverse at year 10 of operation.

Grassland Shrubland Mosaic will experience Slight-Moderate Adverse un-mitigated impacts during construction and operation. Following mitigation, these will reduce to Negligible at year 10.

The Developed Areas will experience Slight Neither Beneficial nor Adverse un-mitigated impacts during construction and operation. Following mitigation, these will reduce to Slight Beneficial at year 10 of operation.

The Upland and Hillside Landscape Character Area will experience Moderate Adverse un-mitigated impacts during construction and operation reducing to Slight Adverse during year 10 of operation year 10 of operation.

The loss of the 41 trees will be compensated on-site by planting native heavy standard size tree at a ratio of 5:1. The newly planted trees will be maintained by the Contractor for 12 months after planting and any dead trees found during the maintenance period will be replaced by healthy plants of the same species and same size.

3.6.2 Landscape Impacts for the Sha Lo Tung Road Upgrade Works

The Landscape Resources and Character Areas of the Sha Lo Tung Road Upgrade Works comprise:

· LR 1 Secondary Woodland

· LR 2 Grassland Shrubland Mosaic;

· LR 3 Abandoned Agricultural Land;

· LR 4 Plantation

· LR 5 Developed Area, and;

· LCA1 Upland and Hillside Landscape.

Secondary Woodland will experience Moderate Adverse un-mitigated impacts during construction and operation. Following mitigation, these will reduce to Slight Adverse at year 10.

Grassland Shrubland Mosaic, Abandoned Agricultural Land, and Plantation will experience Slight-Moderate Adverse un-mitigated impacts during construction and operation. Following mitigation, these will reduce to Negligible at year 10.

The Developed Areas will experience Slight Neither Beneficial nor Adverse un-mitigated impacts during construction and operation. Following mitigation, these will reduce to Negligible at year 10.

The Upland and Hillside Landscape Character Area will experience Moderate Adverse un-mitigated impacts during construction and operation reducing to Slight Adverse following mitigation.

327 trees are considered to be conflict with the development within the Road Upgrade works area. The loss of the 327 trees will be compensated on-site by planting native trees at a ratio of 3:1.

3.6.3 Visual Impacts for the Development site

The three VSR’s were identified as:

· VSR 1 Cloudy Peak;

· VSR 2 Wilson Trail; and,

· VSR 3 Residents of the Tai Po residential estate.

VSR1 Cloudy Peak will experience Moderate Adverse un-mitigated and mitigated construction impacts. The un-mitigated operation impacts will be Moderate Adverse, reducing to Slight Adverse following mitigation at year 10.

VSR2 Wilson Trail will experience Slight Adverse un-mitigated and mitigated construction impacts. The un-mitigated operation impacts will also be Slight Adverse. Mitigation measures will reduce these impacts, however they will remain Slight Adverse at year 10 of operation.

VSR3 Tai Po estate will experience Slight-Adverse un-mitigated and mitigated construction impacts. The mitigated operation impacts will also be Slight Adverse reducing to Negligible following mitigation at year 10.

Mitigation Measures. There is to be a high level of landscape treatment associated with this proposed development which will not only mitigate any potential landscape or visual impacts, but will vastly improve the proposed Development Site from the existing condition.

The development will be visible at night, however due to the long distances to the VSRs, the light impact will be very low intensity and is considered acceptable.

The Landscape and Visual Impacts associated with the development site are considered acceptable with mitigation.

3.6.4 Visual Impacts for the Sha Lo Tung Road Upgrade Works

The three VSR’s were identified as:

· VSR 1 Cloudy Peak;

· VSR 2 Wilson Trail; and,

· VSR 3 Residents of the Tai Po residential estate.

VSR1 Cloudy Peak will experience Slight-Moderate Adverse un-mitigated construction and operation impacts. The un-mitigated operation impacts are also assessed as Slight-Moderate Adverse reducing to Slight Adverse following mitigation at year 10.

VSR2 Wilson Trail will experience Negligible impacts during both construction and operation.

VSR3 Tai Po estate will experience Slight-Moderate Adverse un-mitigated construction and operation impacts. The un-mitigated operation impacts are also assessed as Slight-Moderate Adverse reducing to Slight Adverse following mitigation at year 10.

A number of mitigation measures are proposed to reduce the landscape and visual impacts of the road improvement works and improve the overall amenity of the upgraded road. These include cut-slope finishing, retention of trees and compatible colouring of site hoardings.

The Landscape and Visual Impacts associated with the development site are considered acceptable with mitigation.

3.7 Sewerage Impact Assessment

Taking into consideration the constraints of the Development Site, and the existing and planned sewage network in the region, three sewage disposal options for the development of the Site have been investigated. In broad terms, the three proposed sewage disposal options are discharging to Tai Po Sewage Treatment Works, treatment on Site and removal off site.

Among the three options, the option of discharging the sewage to Tai Po Sewage Treatment Works is recommended. The option of provision of on-site sewage treatment plant and removal of the sewage off site by tanker are not recommended. The recommended option is considered feasible and practical given that the impacts to the downstream sewer and the Tai Po Sewage Treatment Works are considered insignificant. The details of the recommended sewage disposal scheme will be further confirmed at the detailed design stage and close liaison will be carried out with relevant departments to approve the scheme.

An assessment of the impacts of sewage generation during festival days has also been considered. With the following measures to manage the increase in sewage generation, no adverse impacts to the sewerage system are expected:

· Provision of adequate permanent water closets and urinals in the complex;

· Emptying of the sewage storage tank before and immediately after the festivals; and

· Provision of portable toilets for contingency purpose.

3.8 Tree Assessment

3.8.1 Development Site

A Tree survey has been conducted to record the abundance, species name, location, trunk diameters and circumference, height, crown spread, tree form, health condition and amenity value of the trees found within the Development Site. A total of 505 individual trees were found, most of which are native secondary woodland plants dominated by a few native tree species including Schima superba, Schefflera heptaphylla, Castanopsis fissa and Ilex ficoidea. Most of the trees have reached maturity but due to overcrowding they were recorded in poor to fair tree form with low to medium amenity value. 41 of them were recommended to be felled, 463 of them were proposed to be retained on site and one of them is recommended to be transplanted. The felled trees will be compensated by planting heavy standard size tree at 5: 1 ratio. The newly planted trees will be maintained by the Contractor for 12 months after planting.

3.8.2 Road Improvement Works

A Tree survey has been conducted to record the abundance, species name, location, trunk diameters and circumference, height, crown spread, tree form, health condition and amenity value of the trees found along the Sha Lo Tung Road. A total of 672 individual trees were found, most of which are native secondary woodland plants and dominated by a few native tree species including Schima superba, Schefflera heptaphylla and Cinnamomum camphora. Most of the trees have reached maturity but due to overcrowding they were recorded in poor to fair tree form with low to medium amenity value. 327 of them may require to be felled, 341 of them were proposed to be retained on site, and four of them will be transplanted to a non-impacted area. The felled trees will be compensated by planting heavy standard size tree at a 3:1 ratio. The compensatory planting will be conducted on-site, either at the new cut slope along the road or within the Development Site or the Ecological Reserve. The newly planted trees will be maintained by the Contractor for 12 months after planting.

3.9 Environmental Monitoring and Audit

Ecological, stream and water quality monitoring and construction site audits will be carried out during the construction phase to check for compliance with the relevant criteria. Water quality monitoring will be undertaken during the first twelve months of the operation phase.

3.10 Overall Conclusion

3.10.1 Environmental Outcomes

The environmental assessment (covering ecology, water quality, air quality, noise, waste management, landscape and visual, and sewerage) has concluded that no unacceptable residual environmental impacts are envisaged due to the construction and operation of the Project.

3.10.2 Environmental Benefit

With Project Scenario

An Ecological Reserve (approximately 52 ha) in Sha Lo Tung Valley will be set up by the Sha Lo Tung Development Company (SLTDC) and Green Power (GP), through surrendering of private housing lots (approximately 0.8 ha) and private agricultural lots (approximately 26 ha) in the Valley and agricultural lots in the adjacent Country Park (approximately 2 ha) to the government. The Ecological Reserve is anticipated to enhance to the ecology of the Sha Lo Tung Valley, including protection against unauthorized and incompatible activities, management/ restoration of habitats to avoid degradation due to natural succession, to enhancement to grassland/ woodland for habitat improvement, and provision of nature education to promote awareness, appreciation, understanding and supporting action among the public. The scheme is enabled by allowing the development of a Nature Interpretation Centre, and a Multi-Cultural Education Retreat cum Columbarium (the Development Site, of approximately 5.5 ha) in a lower ecological value area at the entrance to the Valley. The initial set up and long term operation funding of the Ecological Reserve primarily comes from the sale of niches in the Columbarium. The existing Sha Lo Tung Road (approximately 2.3 km) will be upgraded to Single Track standard at SLTDC’s own cost.

The Pilot Project for Public-Private Conservation Scheme, Sha Lo Tung Valley, Tai Po is proposed to be one of the pilot projects under the scheme of Public-Private Partnership (PPP). This proposal establishes the framework for a public-private partnership to conserve the Sha Lo Tung Valley. Under the current proposal, Sha Lo Tung Valley will be ensured of long-term active conservation management in which the ecologically sensitive areas currently located on private land owned by the SLTDC will be protected.

The Development Site is located in areas of less ecological concern (mainly shrubland grassland mosaic) and avoids all of the ecological sensitive areas, including Country Park, SSSIs and Sha Lo Tung streams. Further to the detailed assessment presented in the above sections, ecological impacts due to the proposed development at Development Site and the widening works of Sha Lo Tung Road, no unacceptable ecological impacts are expected during the construction and operational phases.

With the implementation of the Conservation Management Plan, human disturbance of the Ecological Reserve will be largely reduced/ controlled. Disturbance due to hill fire, visitors and vandalism would be controlled by pro-active management, including patrolling and conservation education. Under the Sha Lo Tung pilot project, an aggressive fire-suppression programme will be implemented to prevent the occurrence of hill fires (recently recorded within Sha Lo Tung Valley). Rubbish and illegal traps would also be constantly removed by site managers. As a consequence, the proposed development is expected to bring about long term ecological benefits to Sha Lo Tung Valley.

The PPP pilot scheme will not only avoid and minimise ecological impacts but will enhance the conservation value of Sha Lo Tung Valley through the following actions:

· It removes large scale village expansion as a threat to the ecological integrity and conservation value of the valley; and,

· It protects the area by controlling site access and enhances the ecological values by active management.

Without Project Scenario

The remnants of three village settlements, Cheung Uk, Lei Uk and Lo Wai, which were settled over 500 years ago, now lie abandoned surrounded by mature woodland and abandoned agricultural fields. A recognised village burial ground exists on the eastern knoll at the entrance of the Valley. While the villagers have left, their traditional rights to New Territories Exempt Housing (NTEH) in the Sha Lo Tung Valley, are still valid. In 1996, the District Officer/Tai Po advised that these rights would require some 160 NTEH sites. On top of these, the villages include building lots totaling some 9849.4 sq m of land, which allows development of housing as of right up to some 29,000 sq m Gross Floor Area (GFA).

Being served by an access road and as one of the major entrances to the Pat Sin Leng Country Park, Sha Lo Tung Area is a nodal point of a number of popular walking trails. However, being excluded from the Country Park itself, four wheel drive enthusiasts and war-gamers have also made the abandoned villages and farmland their haven. Illegal immigrants have also been found removing vegetation or even robbing hikers and the remaining inhabitants (who were then operating small shops serving weekend visitors).

Despite widespread appreciation amongst the public, conservationists and the scientific community that the specialised and diverse dragonfly fauna associated with the stream course and riparian habitats here are in urgent need of active conservation, and despite of the paper statutory protection afforded by the OZP, these and other habitats in the Valley are and continue to be abused by incompatible recreation activities. Neglect of the site in terms of a total lack of conservation management is also taking a steady toll, with natural succession slowly but relentlessly altering the open habitats so prized by the dragonfly fauna. Eventually these habitats will become so densely vegetated that Hong Kong will lose one of its most unique ecological settings.

Reconciling the needs of nature conservation on the one hand with human use expectations on the other can not realistically be achieved without this Project, leaving the Valley currently unmanaged and effectively unprotected. It should also be noted that the habitat quality within Sha Lo Tung Valley is degrading due to threats such as use of four wheel drive vehicles, hill fires, wargames and vegetation removal.

Figure 1	Three Components of the Project: Ecological Reserve, Development Site and Sha Lo Tung Road Improvement
Figure 2	Master Plan