MITIGATION MEASURES

Key mitigation measures are presented below.  For full details on mitigation measures, please refer to the EIA Report.

Avoidance

	Five different extension options have been reviewed. With reference to Annex 16, Section 3.1(a) of the EIAO-TM, areas of ecological importance (in this case the Country Park) shall be conserved as far as possible. Options without the encroachment of CWBCP were considered first. However, these options can only provide limited void capacity which will not be able to accommodate the waste generated in the forecast period, even with effective waste reduction and recycling measures as stated in the Policy Framework for the Management of MSW (2005-2014). Extending the SENT Landfill with these options would not enable the Government to make adequate provision for future waste management in the catchment area and at strategic level. Engineering measures have been considered to maximize the void space offered by these non-encroachment options. However, it was found that massive retaining wall/earth bunds (in the order of 40m) will be required which will be visually intrusive and technically very challenging and would still not increase the void space to meet the demand. Furthermore, the feasibility of this solution is uncertain as there is no precedent of building a sanitary landfill with such a depth of retaining structure. TKO Area 137 is designated for deep waterfront uses and the ongoing landuse planning reveals that the demand for land within this area is high and only 15 ha can be allocated for the landfill extension. With the 15 ha of available land in TKO Area 137 plus using the piggyback approach onto the existing SENT Landfill to maximize the available void space for the Extension, the landfill extension can only provide around 10Mm3 (around 4 years of landfill life), which does not allow sufficient time for the new generation of waste management facilities to be developed.
	It is understood that there is a public need for both adequate landfill space and Country Parks. Landfill disposal at SENT is necessary until such time as South East Kowloon Transfer Station and Construction Waste Handling Facility are all operational. Under an optimistic set of conditions to form a target programme at the present stage, they could all be in place by 2017, at the earliest. With SENT expected to be full by 2012, at least six years of additional void space is necessary. This can only be achieved by the encroachment option 3b. It is important to extend the lifespan of the SENT Landfill based on Option 3b so that the Government can have time to plan and develop these new waste handling facilities.
	The proposed encroachment area of approximately 5.1 hectares of land into the CWBCP, is primarily a coastal slope that is not easily accessible. The habitats (grassland and shrubland) are not of high ecological value. All of the species of conservation interest recorded within the area were found to be of high mobility and were found to have access to large extent of similar habitats close by and within the CWBCP area. Hence, no adverse ecological impacts are expected. When the encroached area is restored together with the fully restored landfill after the completion of landfilling operation, it is anticipated that the whole restored areas would be enriched to enable a higher amenity value for public enjoyment and higher ecological value under a proper planting scheme and management.
	Hence, while encroachment cannot be avoided, an encroachment of 5.1 ha into the CWBCP is considered to be a balanced option, maximizing void capacity to meet the landfill space demand while minimizing disturbance to natural habitats. It should be noted that the boundary of CWBCP will not be changed and access to the affected area will only be temporarily restricted. The habitat quality will be enhanced as a result of habitat enhancement, compensatory planting and proper management which will form an integral part of the SENT Landfill Extension Project.

Minimise

	Measures will be implemented to control construction runoff.
	Good construction practices will be implemented to minimise any construction impacts
	Measures will be  implemented to control leakage of landfill leachate and landfill gas.

Compensation

	Provision of 6 hectares of mixed woodland planting to compensate for the loss of shrubland.
	Provision of a mosaic of grassland and shrubland in the remaining areas of the Extension Site.
	Compensatory planting and restoration of the Extension can be implemented progressively according to the filling plan of the Extension. Planted and restored areas will serve their ecological function once completed.