5.1.1.1 The EIA has recommended that an EM&A for ecology is undertaken during the construction and operational / post-construction phases of the project. Certain construction phase mitigation measures and EM&A, such as surveys and subsequent transplantation of floral species, for example, would need to be undertaken in the pre-construction phase, or baseline phase of the works.
5.1.1.2
The
EM&A objectives are to ensure that the ecological contract works and
construction mitigation procedures recommended in the EIA are carried out as
specified and are effective. The baseline
phase EM&A will be carried pre-construction before any construction works
commence. The construction and operational / post-construction phase EM&A
will be carried out as part of the site monitoring and audit programme.
5.2.1.1
The
baseline construction phase ecological EM&A will entail the preparation of
plans and undertaking surveys required to ensure the baseline conditions are
confirmed with respect to species of conservation interest, together with the
implementation of species protection measures and transplantation/translocation
of species as necessary. In addition, a
broad walk-over survey of the Project Area is recommended to confirm the
existing habitats.
5.2.1.2
The
construction phase ecological audit is concerned with checking the
effectiveness of the implementation of the ecology transplantation/translocation
and protection measures, together with auditing the effectiveness of the
overall ecological site mitigation. The
audit of the re-establishment of the enhancement and compensatory planting
would extend into the post-construction phase and operational phase (the
Contractor’s one year maintenance period) and is discussed in Section
6 of this EM&A Manual. The overall procedures for the ecological
EM&A during pre-construction, construction and operation are shown in Figure 5.1.
5.3
Construction Phase Mitigation and
Enhancement Measures
5.3.1
Protection of Fauna and Floral Species of Conservation
Interest
5.3.1.1 Mitigation measures to preserve ecological resources within and at
the border of the site works area have been recommended by the EIA. Ecological mitigation and
enhancement measures recommended by the EIA are largely related to the
protection of key floral and fauna species as discussed below.
5.3.2
Enhancement Planting
5.3.2.1 With the design consideration, the habitats directly affected by the proposed Project have been reduced to a total of 0.47ha which is only about 0.3% of the habitat within the Study Area. The permanently affected total habitat, comprising developed land, plantation woodland, secondary woodland and shrubland, is a small proportion of this at 0.02ha, which is about 0.008% of the available habitat. The ecological impacts from the proposed project to the various habitats have been ranked between “insignificant” and “minor” and habitat compensation is considered not necessary.
5.3.2.2 Nonetheless, landscape compensatory planting is recommended as mitigation for the loss of landscape (refer to Section 7 of the EIA Report and Section 6 of this EM&A Manual), but, in addition, this will, also, serve the function as an enhancement to the tree and habitat loss as a result of drainage improvement works.
5.3.3
Surface Run-off
5.3.3.1 Minimisation mitigation measures required to
protect water quality and the three aquatic faunal species of conservation
would comprise controlling surface run-off.
A series of mitigation measures to effective
minimise water quality impacts potential arise from the project and accidental
spillage have been recommended in Section 5 of the EIA Report and Section
4 of this EM&A Manual. Strict compliance of these
recommendations will ensure the indirect impact to ecology, in particular the
aquatic system, will be minimal. These control measures largely follow the
Practice Note for Professional Persons on Construction Site Drainage,
Environmental Protection Department, 1994 (ProPECC PN 1/94). The more essential
recommendation are briefly summarised below:
· All works should be undertaken within the dry season, where practical;
· Perimeter cut-off drains to direct off-site water around the site should be constructed with internal drainage works and erosion and sedimentation control facilities implemented;
· Channels (both temporary and permanent drainage pipes and culverts), earth bunds or sand bag barriers should be provided to divert the stormwater to silt removal facilities;
· Oil interceptors should be provided in the drainage system downstream of any oil/fuel pollution sources;
· Stockpiled material shall be covered by tarpaulin and /or watered as appropriate to prevent windblown dust and surface run off;
· Overnight stockpiling of earthed material along the exposed trench shall be minimised as far as possible and excavated soil shall be transferred to the designated stockpiling area as soon as possible;
· All bentonite slurry shall be suitably stored in accordance with Section 5.8.8 of this EIA Report to minimise the chance of spillage;
· All fuel tanks and storage areas should be provided with locks and sited on sealed areas, within bunds of a capacity equal to 110% of the storage capacity of the largest tank to prevent spilled fuel oils; and
· Pipe jacking areas shall be closely monitored for frac-outs release of bentonite and frac-out area immediately cleaned if they occur.
5.3.3.2
The particular measures to protect the ecology of the
· Major stockpiled areas shall be sited outside of the country parks area (Works Section 6) and away from stream courses as far as practicable;
· All backfilling material and cement required for Works Section 6 shall be delivered only in the quantities required;
· No storage of chemical waste in Works Section 6; and
· No construction plant maintenance facilities in Works Section 6.
5.3.3.3 Also, as detailed in Section
2.5.6 of the EIA Report, the location of Stockpiling Area SA4, has been
relocated during the design evolution stage of the project to avoid floral
species of conservation interest. In addition to the above, to prevent stream
bank erosion and directly affect the stream ecology, treated site drainage
shall be discharged via the existing drainage system or diverted to the
artificial channel. No site drainage shall be allowed to be discharged at the
natural stream bank.
5.4 Operation Phase Mitigation Measures
5.4.1.1
The operation of the proposed drainage system will provide a by-pass
floodway during periods of high flows which will require minimal maintenance
requirements. Thus, the project is not anticipated to induce any adverse ecological
impacts during the operational phase and operational phase mitigation measures
are not required. Nevertheless, if desiliting works at the intakes are found to
be required, it is recommended as a precautionary
measure that works shall be conducted during the dry season to avoid any
secondary impacts due to temporary deterioration of water quality. No audit of these works would be required.
5.5
Pre-Construction
and Construction Phase EM&A
5.5.1.1 EM&A for ecology is required
during the pre-construction and construction phases only and comprises the
implementation by the ET of various measures including surveys and
transplantation works and the on-going auditing of these measures, together
with the Contractor implemented mitigation measures for habitat and species
protection, enhancement planting and construction run-off.
5.5.1.2 The key issue for the EM&A is
the species of conservation interest. During
the baseline ecology survey in the EIA stage, twenty three floral and faunal
species of conservation interest were found within the Study
Area, 10 floral species were noted within the Project Area of which two were noted
to be within designated working areas (WA/SA).
There is the potential for direct and indirect impacts on these species
and the EIA has recommended a series of pre-construction mitigation measures to
avoid and minimise the potential impacts. The success of these measures will, also, be
audited during the construction phase.
Pre-construction mitigation measures have also been recommended to protect
the potential impacts to the faunal species of conservation interest. A summary of potential construction impacts
to all species of conservation interest recorded is presented in Table 5.1.
Table
5.1 Overall Impacts to Species of
Conservation Interest
|
Species / Group |
Location Recorded |
Significance of
Potential Impacts |
|||
|
|
Study Area (excluding
PA) |
Project Area (PA) |
Designated Area in PA |
Direct |
Indirect |
|
Flora |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1. Incense Tree Aquilaria sinensis |
Secondary woodland |
|
|
No |
No |
|
2. Ambrosia Orchid Bulbophyllum ambrosia |
- |
Riparian shrubland |
- |
No |
Yes |
|
3. Eurya-leaved Camellia Camellia euryoides |
Riparian secondary woodland |
Riparian shrubland |
WA4 |
Yes |
No |
|
4. Tea Camellia sinensis |
Agricultural land, secondary woodland and shrubland |
Developed area |
- |
No |
No |
|
5. Lamb of Tartary Cibotium barometz |
Shrubland, secondary woodland |
- |
- |
No |
No |
|
6. Brown Rock-orchid Coelogyne fimbriata |
- |
Riparian shrubland |
- |
No |
Yes |
|
7. Heliotrope Ehretia Ehretia
acuminata |
Developed area |
|
|
No |
No |
|
8. Chinese New Year Flower Enkianthus quinqueflorus |
Shrubland |
Shrubland |
WA4 |
Yes |
No |
|
9. Walking-stick Orchid Geodorum densiflorum |
Shrubland |
Gabion channel |
- |
No |
No |
|
10. Small-fruited Honeylocust Gleditsia australis |
- |
|
|
No |
No |
|
11. Chinese Lily Lilium brownii |
Shrubland |
- |
- |
No |
No |
|
12. Hong Kong Pavetta Pavetta
hongkongensis |
|
- |
- |
No |
No |
|
13. Mrs. Farrer’s Rhododendron Rhododendron
farrerae |
Riparian plantation |
Shrubland |
- |
No |
Yes |
|
14. Rungia pectinata |
Secondary |
- |
- |
No |
No |
|
Mammals |
|
|
|
|
|
|
15. Himalayan Leaf-nosed Bat Hipposideros armiger |
Developed area |
- |
- |
No |
No |
|
16. Japanese Pipistrelle Pipistrellus
abramus |
Developed area and plantation |
- |
- |
No |
No |
|
Avifauna |
|
|
|
|
|
|
17. Eastern Cattle Egret Bubulcus coromandus |
Gabion channel |
- |
- |
No |
No |
|
18. Black Kite Milvus migrans |
Secondary
woodland and shrubland |
- |
- |
No |
No |
|
19. White-bellied Sea Eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster |
Shrubland |
- |
- |
No |
No |
|
20. Eurasian Eagle Owl Bubo bubo |
Shrubland |
- |
- |
No |
No |
|
Reptiles |
|
|
|
|
|
|
21. Reeves’ Terrapin Mauremys reevesii |
Stream (sampling point W8) |
- |
- |
Possible(1) |
Yes |
|
Amphibians |
|
|
|
|
|
|
22. Lesser Spiny Frog Quasipaa
exilispinosa |
Stream (sampling point R2, W1 and W2) |
- |
- |
Possible(1) |
Yes |
|
Freshwater
Macroinvertebrate |
|||||
|
23. Stream Crab Somanniathelphusa
zanklon |
Stream (sampling points R1, R2, R6, W2 and W8) |
- |
- |
Possible(1) |
Yes |
|
No of floral species of
conservation interest(1) |
11 |
10 |
2 |
2 |
3 |
|
No of faunal species
conservation interest(2) |
9 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
Notes (1): These
aquatic species have limited mobility and were not observed in the works area
during the baseline surveys for the EIA study. However, the directly
affected stream stretch is a suitable habitat for
them and they could be present when the construction works begin.
5.5.2.1 The recommended ecological mitigation requires
EM&A activities during both the pre-construction and construction stages
and should be prepared, implemented and audited by a qualified ecologist as part
of the ET and will consist of the
following items detailed in Table 5.2 below:
|
Reference |
Mitigation Measures |
Implementation Phase |
|
|
Pre-Construction |
Construction |
||
|
1 |
Audit of Enhancement
Planting |
- |
Y |
|
2 |
Audit of Run-off
control |
- |
Y |
|
3 |
Preparation of Updated Baseline Vegetation Survey |
Y |
- |
|
4 |
Preparation of Floral Protection Plan |
Y |
- |
|
5 |
Auditing of
Floral Protection Plan |
- |
Y |
|
6 |
Preparation of Floral Transplantation Plan |
Y |
- |
|
7 |
Floral
Transplantation Works |
Y |
- |
|
8 |
Auditing of
Transplantation Works |
- |
Y |
|
9 |
Preparation of Aquatic Fauna Translocation Plan |
Y |
- |
|
10 |
Aquatic Fauna Translocation Survey and Translocation Works |
Y |
- |
|
11 |
Audit of overall habitat protection measures |
- |
Y |
5.5.2.2 Further details of these EM&A requirements are provided below.
Enhancement Planting and
Construction Run-off – Items 1 & 2 (Table 5.2)
5.5.2.3 The Environmental Team (ET) (refer to Section 1 for a description of
the ET and duties) shall be responsible for auditing the Contractor’s compliance
with the recommended with respect to the enhancement planting works and the
implementation of the recommended mitigation measures to control construction
phase run-off. Auditing for these tasks
will be undertaken solely in the construction phase. Auditing will be undertaken at least weekly
in accordance with accordance with Section
9 of this EM&A Manual.
Updated Baseline Vegetation Survey –
Item 3 (Table 5.1)
5.5.2.4 As detailed in the EIA report (Table
6.27), there is predicted to be a direct loss of a few individuals of Camellia euryoides and Enkianthus quinqueflorus as a result of
Works Area WA4. Indirect impacts could
occur to the other individuals of Aquilaria
sinensis and Gleditsia australis
close to Stockpiling Area SA4 and to the orchids Bulbophyllum ambrosia, Coelogyne
fimbriata, Rhododendron farrerae,
Aquilaria sinensis and Ehretia acuminata close to Stockpiling
Area SA4 and WA4.
5.5.2.5 As there will be a time lapse until the start of the construction contract and given the dynamic nature of the natural environment, it is recommended that prior to the site clearance works, an “Updated Baseline Vegetation Survey” shall be conducted by a qualified ecologist and land surveyor of the Environmental Team (ET) to reconfirm the status of the floral species of conservation interest present in the Project Area within Works Section 6. This will allow a more focused plan of transplantation or protection to be formed. The position of each individual floral species of conservation interest, including those listed in Table 5.1 and any new species found, shall be precisely recorded in 1:500 topographical maps.
5.5.2.6 Based on the survey finding, the
Environmental Team (ET) ecologist, in association with the Contractor shall
review if these species can be preserved in-situ or have to be transplanted
based on the final design of the improvement works. Wherever possible, priority shall be given to
in-situ preservation over off-site transplantation. An evaluation of the recommended mitigation
measures are presented in the EIA Report (Table 6.28), although these will be
subject to confirmation following the Updated Baseline Vegetation Survey.
5.5.2.7 The ecologist(s) of the
Environmental Team shall seek the Engineer, the Independent Environmental
Checker (IEC), Environmental Protection Department and Agriculture, Fisheries
and Conservation Department’s approval on the “Updated
Baseline Vegetation Survey”. The “Updated
Baseline Vegetation Survey” report shall be undertaken in the pre-construction
phase and the report be submitted at least two months before the works commence.
Floral Protection Plan - Items 4 & 5 (Table 5.2)
5.5.2.8 Based upon the findings of the “Updated Baseline Vegetation Survey”, for the individual species of conservation
interest that can be in-situ preserved, the ET shall prepare a “Floral
Protection Plan” for each species in the pre-construction phase for submission
at least one month in advance of the works commencing to specifically define
the protection measures required in each case. The possible measures for
in-situ preservation include:
· Restricting access to the floral species of conservation interest by mean of fencing, railing or temporary barriers. Enclosing or bunding the species shall be considered as the last resort;
· Restricting the works activities to within designated works area by mean of fencing, railing or temporary barrier; and
· Controlling site-runoff if the species is located downstream of works area.
5.5.2.9 Whenever possible, it is
recommended that solid fencing be erected at the access entrance to the floral
species to be protected before the commencement of works to prevent vehicle
movements and encroachment of personnel into adjacent areas where these species
are located. All the proposed in-situ
preservation measures shall be audited by the ET at least monthly to ensure
that the approved “Floral Protection Plan” is properly implemented and that
damage does not occur to the flora being protected and, also, the surrounding
environment. In addition, environmental
briefing/training sessions should be provided and scheduled for site staff to
raise their awareness on environmental protection.
5.5.2.10 The ecologist(s) of the
Environmental Team shall seek the Engineer, the Independent Environmental
Checker (IEC), Environmental Protection Department and Agriculture, Fisheries
and Conservation Department’s approval on the “Floral Protection Plan” prior to
implementing the recommendations.
5.5.2.11 The on-going audit of the implementation
of the recommendations of the “Floral Protection Plan” will continue into the construction phase and the audit
schedule is detailed in Table
5.3 below.
Floral Transplantation Plan – Item 6, 7 & 8
(Table 5.2)
5.5.2.12 Based upon the findings of the
“Updated Baseline Vegetation Survey”, for those species that cannot be
preserved in-situ, each shall be transplanted. The ET shall submit a detailed
“Floral Transplantation Plan” for each species in the pre-construction phase for
submission at least two months in advance of the works commencing, which shall
include details such as the species and number to be transplanted, the
programme and reception site. If the affected individual is deemed not suitable
for transplantation due to factors such poor health or anticipated low
post-transplantation survival rate, compensatory planting may be considered as
an alternative.
5.5.2.13 The ecologist(s) of the
Environmental Team shall seek the Engineer, the Independent Environmental
Checker (IEC), Environmental Protection Department and Agriculture, Fisheries
and Conservation Department’s approval of the “Floral Transplantation Plan”,
including the receptor site(s), before implementing the recommendations of the
plan. The transplantation works will be undertaken
in the pre-construction phase and at least 1 week before works commence.
5.5.2.14 Following the transplantation, in
order to ensure the transplantation is providing an effective mitigation
measure, post-transplantation monitoring would be required during the
construction phase. The post-transplantation monitoring shall be conducted
monthly for the first 12 months and then quarterly for a further 12
months. Given the works contract is
approximately 30 months, all the post-transplantation monitoring would be
undertaken within the construction phase.
Should the survival rate of the transplanted individual be found to be
unacceptably low, then the Environmental Team shall propose alternative
compensation methods, such as seed collection or planting of new individuals of
the same species after the works area has been reinstated. If required, a
“Compensatory Planting Plan” shall be prepared by the ET and submitted to the
Engineer, the Independent Environmental Checker (IEC), Environmental Protection
Department and Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department’s for
approval before implementing the recommendations of the plan. The “Compensatory Planting Plan” shall
include details of the implementation programme and
methodology for any proposed compensatory planting for species of conservation
interest.
Aquatic Fauna Translocation Plan – Item 9 (Table 5.2)
5.5.2.15 Although the fauna species of
conservation interest in the natural streams were not recorded within the
Project Area, as the stream and tributaries are connected, these species could
be present in the Project Area at the time the works commence. Therefore, as an avoidance measure, it is
considered necessary to prepare an “Aquatic Fauna Translocation Plan”. A qualified ecologist as part of the ET shall
prepare and submit an “Aquatic Fauna Translocation Plan” in the
pre-construction phase at least two months in advance of the works commencing, which shall
include details such as the species, potential numbers, methodology for survey
and translocation for each species, the programme and reception sites.
5.5.2.16 The ET shall seek approval of the
“Aquatic Fauna Translocation Plan” by the Engineer, the Independent
Environmental Checker (IEC), Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation
Department’s and the DEP.
Aquatic Fauna Translocation Survey – Item 10 (Table 5.2)
5.5.2.17 Based upon the approval of the “Aquatic
Fauna Translocation Plan”, and “Aquatic Fauna Translocation Survey” will be conducted at the affected
sections of the stream courses, at Works Sections 1 and 6, prior to site
clearance works. The survey shall be
conducted by a qualified ecologist as part of the ET and cover the stretch of
the stream course 5m upstream and downstream of the works and identify
potential receptor sites. Any aquatic fauna species of conservation found shall
be collected and translocated to the approved translocation receptor site on
the same survey date. Since the species are mostly nocturnal, the translocation
survey shall be conducted at night-time.
However, the translocation works shall be undertaken in the
pre-construction phase no more than a week before the relevant site works.
5.5.2.18 An “Aquatic Fauna Translocation
Survey” report shall be prepared by a qualified ecologist of the Environmental
Team (ET) and submitted within 2 weeks of the translocation works for approved
by the Engineer, the Independent Environmental Checker (IEC), Agriculture,
Fisheries and Conservation Department’s and the DEP.
General Habitat
Protection – Item 11 (Table 5.2)
5.5.2.19 Audit of habitat protection
measures in order to avoid damage and disturbance to the species of
conservation interest in close proximity to the works and overall habitats will
be undertaken weekly during the construction phase as follows:
·
ensure
fencing around Works and Stockpiling Areas and hoarding around the Site Office
before commencement of works to prevent vehicle movements and encroachment of
personnel into adjacent areas;
·
ensure
that work site boundaries are not breached and that damage does not occur to
surrounding areas;
·
provided
and scheduled environmental briefing/training sessions for site staff to raise
their awareness on environmental protection;
·
ensure
placement of equipment is within designated areas within the existing disturbed
land;
·
ensure
construction activities are restricted to within the proposed works boundary;
·
ensure
spoil heaps are be covered at all times;
·
ensure
that disturbed areas are reinstated immediately after completion of the works;
·
ensure
all in the natural stream are undertaken during the dry season; and
·
ensure enhancement planting works undertaken.
5.5.2.20 The schedule for these works is provided
in Table 5.3
below.
Table 5.3 Audit Schedule for Ecological EM&A Works
|
Specification
Number (Table 5.2) |
Pre-Construction Phase |
Construction Phase |
|
1, 2 & 11 |
- |
Enhancement
planting implementation, construction run-off and habitat protection mitigation
measures. Weekly audit |
|
3 |
Updated Baseline Vegetation Survey. Submit for approval at least
two months before works commence. |
- |
|
4 |
Preparation of Floral Protection Plan. Submit for approval at least one month before works commence. |
- |
|
5 |
- |
Audit of Floral Protection Plan. Monthly audit of the
implementation of Floral Protection Plan until construction works completed
and the site is reinstated. |
|
6 |
Preparation of Floral Transplantation Plan. Submit for approval at least two
months before works commence. |
- |
|
7 |
Floral Transplantation Works Undertake at least one week
before works commence. |
|
|
8 |
|
Audit of Floral Transplantation Plan. Monthly audit of the
transplanted species in terms of number, health and survival rate of the
transplanted individual for the first 12 months after the transplantation. Quarterly audit the
transplanted species in terms of number, health and survival rate of the
transplanted individual between months 12 to 24 after the transplantation. |
|
9 |
Aquatic Fauna Translocation Plan. Submit for approval at least two months before works commence. |
- |
|
10 |
Aquatic Fauna Translocation Survey and Translocation Works To be conducted no more than
a week before works. Aquatic Fauna Translocation Survey Report Submit within two weeks after the translocation survey. |
- |
5.5.2.21 The Environmental Team (ET) (refer to Section 1 for a description of
the ET and duties) shall be responsible for conducting the EM&A programme
and ensuring the Contractor’s compliance with the project’s environmental
performance requirements and the approved flora and fauna conservation
requirement during the construction phase.
5.5.2.22 For the overall audit of habitat protection, in the event of
non-compliance, the Event /Action plan detailed in Table 5.4
below should be implemented.
Table 5.4 Event
/ Action Plan for Ecological Monitoring
|
Action
Level |
ET |
IEC |
ER |
Contractor |
|
Non-conformity
on one occasion |
Identify Source Inform the IEC and the ER Discuss remedial actions with the IEC, the ER and
the Contractor Monitor remedial actions until rectification has
been completed |
Check report Check the
Contractor's working method Discuss with the ET and the Contractor on possible remedial measures Advise the ER on effectiveness of proposed remedial
measures. Check implementation of remedial measures. |
Notify Contractor Ensure remedial measures are properly implemented Consider and instruct, if
necessary, the Contractor to slow down or to stop all or part of the works in
the case of a serious non-conformity until situation rectified. |
Amend working methods Rectify damage and undertake any necessary
replacement |
|
Repeated Non conformity |
Identify Source Inform the IC(E) and the ER Increase monitoring frequency Discuss remedial actions with the IC(E), the ER and the Contractor Monitor remedial actions until rectification has
been completed If exceedance stops, cease additional monitoring |
Check monitoring report Check the Contractor's working method Discuss with the ES and the Contractor on possible
remedial measures Advise the ER on effectiveness of proposed remedial
measures Supervise implementation of remedial measures |
Notify the
Contractor Ensure remedial measures are properly implemented Consider and instruct, if
necessary, the Contractor to slow down or to stop all or part of the works in
the case of a serious non-conformity until situation rectified. |
Amend working methods Rectify damage and undertake any necessary
replacement |
Note: ET –
Environmental Team, IEC – Independent Checker (Environmental), ER – Engineer’s
Representative