1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background

The Pilot Project for Public-Private Partnership Conservation Scheme, Sha Lo Tung Valley, Tai Po establishes the framework for a public-private partnership to conserve the Sha Lo Tung Valley in Tai Po. The Project intends to 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 announced policy intentions for conserving Priority Sites for Enhanced Conservation such as Sha Lo Tung, by packaging long term conservation management at the ecologically sensitive area with sustainable, commercial activities within the ecologically non-sensitive area within the site. 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. The balance between development and conservation expectations is expected to 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.

ERM-Hong Kong, Ltd (ERM) has been commissioned by the SLTDC to undertake the Environmental Impact Assessment for the Pilot Project for Public-Private Partnership Conservation Scheme, Sha Lo Tung Valley, Tai Po. The EIA Study has been undertaken in accordance with the EIA Study Brief (No. ESB-206/2009) issued under the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (EIAO).

This Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) 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).

1.2 Objectives of The EIA Study

The Project involves earthworks (building a footbridge crossing stream at Ecological Reserve) within Sha Lo Tung Site of Special Scientific Interest. It is classified as a Designated Project under Schedule 2, Part I, Category Q, Item Q.1 of the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (Cap. 499) and therefore the construction and operation of the Project will require an Environmental Permit. The overall objectives of the EIA Study are 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 so that it complies with the requirements of 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 specific objectives of the EIA Study described in the EIA Study Brief 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 community and environment likely to be affected by the Project and/or likely to cause adverse impacts to the Project, including natural and man-made environment and the associated environmental constraints;

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

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

(v) to identify and quantify any potential loss or damage to flora, fauna and wildlife habitats;

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

(vii) to identify any negative impacts on site of cultural heritage, historic buildings and structures and to propose measures to mitigate these impacts;

(viii) to propose provision of mitigation measures so as to minimize pollution, environmental disturbance & nuisance during construction & operation of Project;

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

(x) 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 phases of the Project in relation to the sensitive receivers and potential affected uses;

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

(xii) 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 EIA study, as well as the provision of any necessary modification; and

(xiii) 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 EIA Study will address the following key environmental issues due to the construction and operation of the Project:

· potential air and noise impacts on sensitive receivers located within and near the Project site arising from construction and during operation of the Project;

· potential water quality and hydrological impacts on sensitive receivers located within and near the Project site including Sha Lo Tung Stream, Fung Yuen Stream, Sha Lo Tung Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), Fung Yuen Valley SSSI, Water Gathering Ground, etc. during construction and operation of the Project;

· potential ecological impact on habitats located within and near the Project site including the Sha Lo Tung Stream, Fung Yuen Stream, Sha Lo Tung SSSI, Fung Yuen Valley SSSI, Pat Sin Leng Country Park and conservation areas, etc. due to the construction and operation of the Project;

· waste arising as a result of the construction and operation activities of the Project;

· potential landscape & visual impacts from construction and operation of the Project;

· potential impacts on sites of cultural heritage, historic buildings and structures likely to be affected by the construction and operation of the Project and its associated works;

· cumulative impacts of the existing, committed and planned developments in the vicinity of the Project on the Sha Lo Tung SSSI and the adjacent conservation areas; and

· the short-term and long-term conservation and management of the proposed Ecological Reserve within the project area including the financial arrangement.

1.3 Structure of the Environmental Assessment Report