6.1.1.1 The EIA has recommended that EM&A for landscape and visual resources is undertaken during the construction and operational phases of the project. The design, implementation and maintenance of landscape mitigation measures is a key aspect of this and should be checked to ensure that they are fully realised and that potential conflicts between the proposed landscape measures and any other project works and operational requirements are resolved at the earliest possible date and without compromise to the intention of the mitigation measures. In addition, the implementation of the mitigation measures recommended by the EIA will be monitored through the site audit programme.
6.2.1.1
The
Landscape and Visual Assessment of the EIA recommended a series of mitigation
measures to ameliorate the landscape and visual impacts of the project. These measures include the following:
·
adoption of
construction methods to minimise both landscape and
visual impacts, particularly in sensitive locations;
·
localized refinement
of the Project Area and drainage alignment to minimise
loss of landscape resources, where practical;
·
minimising
working areas as far as possible;
·
protection
and retention of existing vegetation where possible; and
·
reinstatement of disturbed areas and compensatory planting.
6.2.1.2 The measures for both the construction and operation stages as recommended in the EIA are summarised in Table 6.1 and 6.2 below and provided in the Environmental Mitigation Implementation Schedule in Appendix A:
Table 6.1 Proposed Construction Stage Mitigation Measures
|
ID No.* |
Landscape / Visual Mitigation Measure |
|
CM1 |
No-intrusion Zone To maximize protection of
existing resources including watercourses existing trees, ground vegetation
and the associated understory habitats a “No-intrusion Zone” will be
designated to various areas within and along the site boundary with rigid and
durable fencing for each individual no-intrusion zone. Regular checks will be
carried out to ensure that the work site boundaries are not exceeded,
hoarding is properly maintained and that no damage is being caused to these protected
areas. |
|
CM2 |
Erection of Screen
Hoardings A temporary screen
hoarding shall be erected around the north side of the Site Office (SO) area
to screen activities from local receivers. It shall be designed and to be
compatible with the existing rural context, with visually unobtrusive design
and colours where appropriate. |
|
CM3 |
Control of
night-time lighting No night time work shall
be programmed avoiding light pollution to visual receivers. |
Notes: * CM = Construction Mitigation;
Table
6.2 Proposed Operation Stage Mitigation
Measures
|
ID No.* |
Landscape / Visual Mitigation Measure |
|
OM1 |
Compensatory Tree Planting Suitable land pockets
within the project area will be used for the implementation of compensatory
mitigation to offset the net loss of key landscape resources and improve
visual amenity. A compensatory tree planting proposal including
locations of tree compensation will be submitted separately to seek relevant
government department’s approval, in accordance with ETWB TCW No. 3/2006. |
|
OM2 |
Horizontal Greening Following installation of underground culverts, pit excavation or
utilization of land for works or stockpiling, the ground shall be backfilled,
leveled and soiled as necessary for reinstatement prior to hydroseeding. |
|
OM3 |
Reinstatement of Natural
Water Courses Where water courses have
been affected by the works new, naturalised streams
paths shall be provided as far as applicable, using excavated local rocks and
stones in order to create a pleasing visual impression and potential enhanced
ecological habitat. |
Notes: * CM = Construction Mitigation;
6.3 Construction and Operational Phase Audit
6.3.1.1 A specialist Landscape Sub-Contractor should be employed by the Contractor for the implementation of landscape construction works and subsequent maintenance operations during the establishment period. It is proposed that the planting works will be on-site and the planting should be completed during the construction contract. The monitoring of the planting establishment should be undertaken for a 12 month period which could extend throughout the Contractor’s one-year maintenance period, which will be within the first operational year of the project.
6.3.1.2
All
measures undertaken by both the Contractor and the specialist Landscape
Sub-Contractor during the construction phase and first year of the operational
phase shall be audited by a Registered Landscape Architect, as a member of the
Environmental Team (ET) (see Section 1), on a regular basis to ensure
compliance with the intended aims of the measures. Site inspections should be undertaken at least once every two
weeks throughout the construction period and once every two months during the
operational phase, which will comprise the 12 months of the Contractor’s
maintenance period. The broad scope of
the audit is detailed below but should also be undertaken with reference to the
more specific checklist provided in Table 6.3.
Operational phase auditing will be comprise
monitoring of the establishment of the landscape planting only and, thus, only
the items below concerning this period are relevant to the operational phase.
·
the
extent of the agreed works areas should be regularly checked during the
construction phase. Any trespass by the
Contractor outside the limit of the works, including any damage to existing
trees and woodland shall be prohibited;
·
the
progress of the engineering works should be regularly reviewed on site to
identify the earliest practical opportunities for the landscape works to be
undertaken;
·
all
existing trees and vegetation within the study area which are not directly
affected by the works are retained and protected;
·
the methods
of protecting existing vegetation proposed by the Contractor are acceptable and
enforced;
·
preparation,
lifting transport and re-planting operations for any transplanted trees;
·
all
landscaping works are carried out in accordance with the specifications;
·
the
planting of new trees, shrubs, groundcover, climbers, ferns, grasses and other
plans, together with the replanting of any transplanted trees are carried out
properly and within the right season; and
·
all
necessary horticultural operations and replacement planting are undertaken
throughout the Establishment Period to ensure the healthy establishment and
growth of both transplanted trees and all newly established plants.
Table
6.3 Construction/Operational Phase Audit
Checklist for Ecology Issues
|
Area of Works |
Items to be
Monitored |
|
Advance planting |
Monitoring of implementation and maintenance of
planting, and against possible incursion, physical damage, fire, pollution,
surface erosion, etc. |
|
Protection of all trees and woodland blocks to be
retained |
Identification and demarcation of trees / vegetation
to be retained, erection of physical protection (e.g. fencing), monitoring
against possible incursion, physical damage, fire, pollution, surface
erosion, etc. |
|
Clearance of existing vegetation |
Identification and demarcation of trees / vegetation
to be cleared, checking of extent of works to minimise damage, monitoring of
adjacent areas against possible incursion, physical damage, fire, pollution,
surface erosion, etc. |
|
Pruning of trees |
Identification and demarcation of trees / vegetation
to be pruned, monitoring of extent of pruning to minimise damage, timing of
operations, implementation of all stages of preparatory and pruning works,
and maintenance of pruned vegetation, etc. |
|
Plant supply |
Monitoring of operations relating to the supply of
specialist plant material (including the collecting, germination and growth
of plants from seed) to ensure that plants will be available in time to be
used within the construction works. |
|
Soiling, planting, etc. |
Monitoring of implementation and maintenance of
soiling and planting works and against possible incursion, physical damage,
fire, pollution, surface erosion, etc. |
|
Site fencing and hoarding |
Implementation and maintenance, to ensure compliance
with agreed designs and check that it matches the surrounding environment and
does not cause visual intrusion. |
|
Architectural treatment of engineering works. |
Implementation and maintenance of mitigation
measures, to ensure compliance with agreed designs as applicable. |
|
Establishment Works |
Monitoring of implementation of maintenance
operations during Establishment Period |
6.3.1.3
In the
event of non compliance the responsibilities of the relevant parties is
detailed in the Event /Action plan provided on Table 6.4.
Table 6.4 Event / Action Plan
for Construction/Operational Phase for Ecology Issues
|
Action Level |
ET |
IEC |
ER |
Contractor |
|
Non-conformity on one occasion |
1. Identify Source 2. Inform the IEC and the ER 3. Discuss remedial actions with the IEC, the ER and the Contractor 4. Monitor remedial actions until rectification has been completed |
1. Check report 2. Check the Contractor's
working method 3. Discuss
with the ET and the Contractor on
possible remedial measures 4. Advise the ER on effectiveness of proposed
remedial measures. 5. Check implementation of remedial measures. |
1. Notify Contractor 2. Ensure remedial measures are properly implemented |
1. Amend working methods 2. Rectify damage and undertake any necessary replacement |
|
Repeated
Non-conformity |
1. Identify Source 2. Inform the IEC and the ER 3. Increase monitoring frequency 4. Discuss remedial actions with the
IEC, the ER and the Contractor 5. Monitor remedial actions until rectification has been completed 6. If exceedance stops, cease additional monitoring |
1. Check monitoring report 2. Check the Contractor's working method 3. Discuss with the ET and the Contractor on
possible remedial measures 4. Advise the ER on effectiveness of proposed
remedial measures 5. Supervise implementation of remedial measures. |
1. Notify the
Contractor 2. Ensure
remedial measures are properly implemented |
1. Amend working methods 2. Rectify damage and undertake any necessary replacement |
Note: ET – Environmental Team, IEC – Independent Environmental
Checker, ER – Engineer’s Representative