1. BACKGROUND

1.1 An application (No. ESB-064/2000) for an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) study brief under section 5(1) of the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (EIAO) was submitted by the Applicant on 21 December 2000 with a project profile (No. PP-110/2000).

1.2 The Applicant proposes to construct and operate the Project which comprises:

• a 18 hole public golf course on the east side of the island, south of the existing golfing area;
• a new reservoir on the east side to deliver a self contained supply of irrigation water for the new course; and
• other recreational facilities including floodlighting of the first 9 holes on the existing southern course, linkage and upgrading of hiking trails, recreational area adjacent to the ferry pier and hostel to accommodate "early bird" golfers.

The project is a Designated Project under Schedule Part I of the EIAO:

• Item C.6 - A dam more than 10m in height;
• Item F.4 - An activity for the reuse of treated sewage effluent from a treatment plant;
• Item I.1(b)(iv) - A drainage channel or river training and diversion works which discharges or discharge into an area which is less than 300 m from the nearest boundary of an existing or planned fish culture zone;
• Item O.1 - An outdoor golf course and all managed turf areas.

1.3 Figure No. 1.1 indicates the project location and key features.

1.4 Pursuant to section 5(7)(a) of the EIAO, the Director of Environmental Protection (the Director) issues this EIA study brief to the Applicant to carry out an EIA study.

1.5 The purpose of this EIA study is to provide information on the nature and extent of environmental impacts arising from the construction and operation of the proposed designated projects and related activities taking place concurrently. This information will contribute to decisions by the Director on:

(i) the overall acceptability of any adverse environmental consequences that are likely to arise as a result of the proposed project;

(ii) the conditions and requirements for the detailed design, construction and operation of the proposed project to mitigate against adverse environmental consequences wherever practicable; and

(iii) the acceptability of residual impacts after the proposed mitigation measures are implemented.

2. OBJECTIVES OF THE EIA STUDY

2.1 The objectives of the EIA study are as follows:

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

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

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

(iv) to identify and quantify any potential losses or damage to flora, fauna and natural habitats;

(v) to identify any negative impacts on sites of cultural heritage and to propose measures to mitigate these impacts;

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

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

(viii) to identify, predict and evaluate the residual (i.e. after practicable mitigation) environmental impacts 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;

(ix) to identify, assesses 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 reducing them to acceptable levels;

(x) to investigate the extent of side-effects of proposed mitigation measures that may lead to other forms of impacts;

(xi) to identify constraints associated with the mitigation measures recommended in the EIA study;

(xii) to design and specify the environmental monitoring and audit requirements, if required, to ensure the implementation and the effectiveness of the environmental protection and pollution control measures adopted;

(xiii) to consider alternative site(s) and to compare the environmental benefits and dis-benefits of each of the site in selecting a preferred site.

3. DETAILED REQUIREMENTS OF THE EIA STUDY

3.1 The purpose of this study brief is to scope the key issues of the EIA study. The Applicant has to demonstrate in the EIA report that the criteria in the relevant sections of the Technical Memorandum on the EIA Process of the EIAO (thereafter referred to as the TM), are fully complied with.

The Scope

3.2 The scope of this EIA study covers the proposed project mentioned in sections 1.2 and 1.3 above.

Technical Requirements

3.3 The Applicant shall conduct the EIA study to address all environmental aspects of the activities as described in the scope as set out above. The EIA study shall include the following technical requirements on specific impacts:

3.3.1 Air Quality Impact

3.3.1.1 The Applicant shall follow the criteria and guidelines for evaluating and assessing air quality impact as stated in section 1 of Annex 4 and Annex 12 of the TM respectively.

3.3.1.2 The assessment area for air quality impact shall generally be defined by a distance of 500 m from the boundary of the project site, yet it may be extended depending on the circumstances and the scale of the project.

3.3.1.3 The Applicant shall assess the air pollutant concentrations in accordance with the latest set of Guidelines for Local-Scale Air Quality Assessment Using Models issued by the Modeling Section, Air Policy Group, Environmental Protection Department, HKSAR. (ref.: EPD's home page under items for Air - http://www.info.gov.hk/epd).

3.3.1.4 The air quality assessment shall include the following:

Background and analysis of activities

(i) provide background information relating to air quality issues relevant to the project, e.g. description of the types of activities of the project;

(ii) give an account, where appropriate, of the consideration/measures that had been taken into consideration in the planning of the project to abate the air pollution impact. That is, the Applicant should consider alternative construction methods/phasing programmes to minimize the constructional air quality impact;

(iii) present the background air quality levels in the assessment area for the purpose of evaluating the cumulative air quality impacts;

Identification of ASRs and examination of emission/dispersion characteristics

(iv) identify and describe representative existing and planned/committed ASRs that would likely be affected by the project. The Applicant shall select the assessment points of the identified ASRs such that they represent the worst impact point of these ASRs. A map showing the location and a description including the name of the buildings, their uses and height of the selected assessment points shall be given. The separation distances of these ASRs from the nearest emission sources should also be given. For phased development, the Applicant should review the development programme to take into consideration the construction stages so as to include occupiers of early as ASRs if they may be affected by works at later phases;

(v) provide an exhaustive list of air pollutant emission sources, including any nearby emission sources which are likely to have impact on the project. Examples of constructional stage emission sources include stock piling, blasting, concrete batching and vehicular movements on unpaved haul roads on site, etc.. Confirmation of the validity of the assumptions and the magnitude of the activities (e.g. volume of construction materials handled) shall be obtained from the relevant government/authorities and documented;

Constructional Air Quality Impact

(vi) the Applicant shall follow the requirements of the Air Pollution Control (Construction Dust) Regulation in dust control to ensure construction dust impacts are controlled within the relevant standards as stipulated in section 1 of Annex 4 of the TM. A monitoring and audit program during constructional stage shall be initiated to verify the effectiveness of the control measures and to ensure that the construction dust levels be brought under control;

(vii) if the Applicant anticipates a significant construction dust impact that will likely cause exceedance of the recommended limits in the TM at the ASRs despite incorporation of the dust control measures stated in (vi) above, a quantitative assessment should be carried out to evaluate then construction dust impact at the identified ASRs. The Applicant shall follow the methodology below when carrying out the quantitative assessment;

Quantitative Assessment Methodology

(viii) the Applicant shall apply the general principles enunciated in the modeling guidelines while making allowance for the specific characteristic of each project. This specific methodology must be documented in such a level of details (preferably with tables and diagrams) to allow the readers of the assessment report to grasp how the model is set up to simulate the situation at hand without referring to the model input files. Details of the calculation of the emission rates of air pollutants for input to the modeling shall be presented in the report. The Applicant must ensure consistency between the text description and the model files at every stage of submission. Prior agreement of the general methodology between the Applicant and the Director is advised;

(ix) the Applicant shall identify the key/representative air pollutant parameters (types of pollutants and the averaging time concentration) to be evaluated and provide explanation for choosing these parameters for the assessment of the impact of the project;

(x) the Applicant shall calculate the cumulative air quality impact at the identified ASRs and compare these results against the criteria set out in section 1 of Annex 4 in the TM. The predicted air quality impacts (both unmitigated and mitigated) shall be presented in the form of summary table and pollution contours, for comparison with relevant air quality standards and examination of the land use implications of these impacts. Plans of suitable scale should be used for presentation of pollution contour for determining buffer distances required;

(xi) the Applicant shall propose remedies and mitigating measures where the predicted air quality impact exceeds the criteria set in section 1 of Annex 4 in the TM. These measures and any constraints on future land use planning shall be agreed with the relevant government departments/authorities and documented. The Applicant shall demonstrate quantitatively that the resultant impacts after incorporation of proposed mitigating measures will comply with the criteria stipulated in section 1 of Annex 4 in the TM; and

(xii) all input and output file(s) of the model run(s) shall be submitted to the Director in electronic format.

3.3.2 Water Quality Impact

3.3.2.1 The Applicant shall follow the criteria and guidelines for evaluating and assessing water pollution as stated in Annexes 6 and 14 of the TM, respectively.

3.3.2.2 The assessment area for the purpose of this water quality impact assessment shall cover the project area(s) as shown in Figure No. 1.1 of the Project Profile (No. PP-110/2000), plus any stream courses and the associated water system in the vicinity that may be affected by the project.

3.3.2.3 The Applicant shall identify and analyse in the assessment all physical, chemical and biological disruptions of marine, estuarine, fresh water or ground water system(s) arising from construction and operation of the project.

3.3.2.4 The Applicant shall include the following in the water quality impact assessment:

(i) collection and review of background information on the existing water system(s) and the respective catchment(s);

(ii) characterization of water and sediment quality based on existing information or site surveys/tests as appropriate;

(iii) identification and analysis of all existing and future activities and beneficial uses related to the water system(s) and identification of all water sensitive receivers;

(iv) identification of pertinent water and sediment quality objectives, criteria and standards for the water system(s) and all the sensitive receivers;

(v) identification of any alteration of any water courses, natural streams/ponds, wetland, change of shoreline or bathometry, change of flow regimes, change of ground water levels, change of catchment types or areas;

(vi) identification, analysis and quantification of all existing and future water and sediment pollution sources, including point discharges and non-point sources to surface water runoff, and analysis of the provision and adequacy of future facilities to reduce such pollution. An emission inventory on the quantities and characteristics of all these existing and future pollution sources in the assessment area shall also be provided. Field investigation and laboratory tests, as appropriate, shall be conducted to fill in any relevant information gaps. Possible impacts include application of chemicals, such as pesticides, herbicides, insecticides, fertilizers etc., associated with the operation and maintenance of golf course development on the nearby streams, mangroves, waterbodies, fish culture zones and other sensitive uses;

(vii) prediction and quantification, by mathematical modeling or other technique subject to approval of the Director, of impacts on the water system(s) and the sensitive receivers due to those alterations and changes identified in (v) above and the pollution sources identified in (vi) above. The predication shall adopt historical record of rainfall in the area of period not less than 10 years. Possible impacts include changes in hydrology, flow regime, sediment erosion or deposition, water and sediment quality and the effects on the aquatic organism due to such changes. The prediction shall include possible different construction stages or sequences, and different operation stages,

cumulative impacts due to other projects, activities or pollution sources within a boundary around the assessment area, subject to the agreement of the Director shall also be predicted and quantified;

(viii) assessment and quantification of all existing and future waste water generation activities and analysis on the adequacy of existing and future sewerage infrastructure;

(ix) identification and quantification of all dredging, fill extraction, filling, reclamation, mud/sediment transportation and disposal activities and requirements. Potential fill source and dumping ground to be involved shall also be identified. Field investigation, sampling and laboratory tests to characterise the sediment/mud concerned shall be conducted as appropriate. The ranges of parameters to be analyzed; the number, type and methods of sampling; sample preservation; laboratory tests; and the laboratory to be used shall be subject to the approval of the Director,

prediction, quantification and assessment of impacts on the physical regime, water and sediment quality of the water system(s) and the sensitive receivers due to the activities identified in above. The prediction and quantification of impacts caused by, amongst others, sediment re-suspension and contaminants release shall be carried out with mathematical modeling or other techniques subject to the approval of the Director,

identification and evaluation of the best practicable dredging and reclamation methods to minimise dredging and dumping requirements and demand for fill sources based on the criterion that existing marine mud shall be left in place and not be disturbed as far as possible,

cumulative impacts due to other dredging, filling or dumping activities within a boundary around the Study Area shall also be predicted and quantified;

(x) proposal for upgrading or providing any effective infrastructure, water pollution prevention and mitigation measures to be implemented during the construction, operation stages so as to reduce the water and sediment quality impacts to within standards. Requirements to be incorporated in the project contract document shall also be proposed;

(xi) formulation through an effective measure to reduce potential silty run off, in addition to scheduling work to dry season;

(xii) best management practices to reduce storm water and non-point source pollution shall be investigated and proposed as appropriate. The proposed management practices shall also include preparation and application of chemicals, such as pesticides, herbicides, insecticides, fertilizers etc., in the area; and

(xiii) evaluation and quantification of residual impacts on the water system(s) and the sensitive receivers with regard to the appropriate water and sediment quality objectives, criteria, standards or guidelines.

3.3.3 Waste Management Implications

3.3.3.1 The Applicant shall follow the criteria and guidelines for evaluating and assessing waste management implications as stated in Annexes 7 and 15 of the TM, respectively.

3.3.3.2 The assessment of waste management implications shall cover the following:

(i) Analysis of Activities and Waste Generation

The Applicant shall identify the quantity, quality and timing of the waste arising as a result of the construction and operation activities, based on the sequence and duration of these activities.

(ii) Proposal for Waste Management

(a) Prior to considering the disposal options for various types of wastes, opportunities for reducing waste generation and on-site or off-site re-use shall be fully evaluated. Measures which can be taken in the planning and design stages e.g. by modifying the design approach and in the construction stage for maximising waste reduction shall be separately considered.

(b) Having been taken into account all the opportunities for reducing waste generation and maximising re-use, the types and quantities of the wastes required to be disposed of as a consequence shall be estimated and the disposal options for each type of waste described in detail. Pretreatment process of slurry before disposal shall be addressed in details. The disposal method recommended for each type of wastes shall take into account the result of the assessment in (c) below.

(c) The impact caused by handling (including labelling, packaging & storage), collection, and disposal of wastes shall be addressed in detail and appropriate mitigation measures proposed. This assessment shall cover the following areas:

- potential hazard;
- air and odour emissions;
- noise;
- wastewater discharge; and
- public transport.

3.3.4 Land Contamination Impact

3.3.4.1 The Applicant shall investigate whether there is potential land contamination problem arising from the former artillery range.

3.3.4.2 If the potential for land contamination exists, an assessment shall be conducted in accordance with the guidelines for potential contaminated land issues as given in section 3 of Annex 19 of the TM as appropriate and remedial measures shall be proposed if necessary.

3.3.5 Ecological Impact (both Aquatic and Terrestrial)

3.3.5.1 The Applicant shall follow the criteria and guidelines for evaluating and assessing ecological impact as stated in Annexes 8 and 16 of the TM, respectively.

3.3.5.2 The assessment area for the purpose of this ecological impact assessment shall include all areas within 500 m distance from the project area as shown in Figure No. 1.1 of the Project Profile (No. PP-110/2000), or the area likely to be impacted by the project.

3.3.5.3 In the ecological impact assessment, the Applicant shall examine the flora, fauna and other components of the ecological habitats within the assessment area. The aim shall be to protect, maintain or rehabilitate the natural environment. In particular, the proposed project shall avoid impacts on recognised sites of conservation importance and other ecological sensitive areas. The assessment shall identify and quantify as far as possible the potential ecological impacts associated with the project.

3.3.5.4 The assessment shall include the following:

(i) review the findings of relevant studies and collate all the available information regarding the ecological characters of the assessment area;

(ii) evaluate the information collected and identify any information gap relating to the assessment of potential ecological impacts to the terrestrial and aquatic environment;

(iii) carry out necessary field surveys (the duration of which shall be at least 9 months and shall cover the wet and dry seasons) and investigations to verify the information collected, fill the information gaps identified and fulfill the objectives of the EIA study; the field surveys shall include survey of freshwater fish and dragonflies since rare species have been reported on Kau Sai Chau;

(iv) establish the general ecological profile and describe the characteristics of each habitat found; major information to be provided shall include:

(a) description of the physical environment;

(b) habitat maps of suitable scale (1:1000 to 1:5000) showing the types and locations of habitats in the assessment area;

(c) ecological characteristics of each habitat type such as size, vegetation type, species present, dominant species found, species diversity and abundance, community structure, seasonal patterns, inter-dependence of the habitats and species, and presence of any features of ecological importance;

(d) representative colour photos of each habitat type and any important ecological features identified; and

(e) species found that are rare, endangered and/or listed under local legislation, international conventions for conservation of wildlife/habitats or red data books;

(v) investigate and describe the existing wildlife uses of various habitats with special attention to those wildlife groups and habitats with conservation interests, including:

(a) wetland,
(b) natural stream courses,
(c) birds,
(d) stream fauna,
(e) dragonflies,
(f) freshwater fish,
(g) mammals,
(h) and other habitats and wildlife groups identified as having special conservation interests by the study;

(vi) describe all recognized sites of conservation importance in the proposed development site and its vicinity and assess whether these sites will be affected by the proposed development or not;

(vii) using suitable methodology, identify, evaluate and quantify as far as possible any direct, indirect, on-site, off-site, primary, secondary and cumulative ecological impacts such as destruction of habitats, reduction of species abundance/diversity, loss of feeding grounds, reduction of ecological carrying capacity and habitat fragmentation and in particular the following:

(a) impacts associated with dredging, fill extraction, filling, reclamation, mud/sediment transportation and disposal activities during construction stage;

(b) habitat loss and disturbance to wildlife during construction stage;

(c) deterioration of environmental qualities (e.g. water quality) caused by contaminants release and the subsequent impacts to the biological communities during operation stage; and

(d) potential adverse ecological/behavioural impacts of floodlighting on wildlife such as bats, birds and nocturnal mammals;

(viii) evaluate the significance and acceptability of the ecological impacts identified using well-defined criteria;

(ix) recommend all possible alternatives (such as modifications of layout and design) and practicable mitigation measures to avoid, minimize and/or compensate for the adverse ecological impacts identified such as:

(a) to address the impacts of reservoir construction especially with regard to the removal of the existing transplanted mangrove area and the possible failure to relocate the mangrove plants, and objectively compare against the impacts of other possible alternatives for irrigation, such as enhancing the capacity of the current reservoir;

(b) to investigate other options of the future site for the proposed reservoir; taking into account the ecological importance of the areas affected;

(x) undertake a comprehensive review of the turfgrass management plan for the existing golf course, based on which the future EIA should develop a new turfgrass management regime for the operation of the proposed golf course, and such a turfgrass management plan should be included in the future EIA report for further review;

(xi) evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of the recommended mitigation measures and define the scope, type, location, implementation arrangement, subsequent management and maintenance of such measures;

(xii) determine and quantify as far as possible the residual ecological impacts after implementation of the proposed mitigation measures;

(xiii) evaluate the severity and acceptability of the residual ecological impacts using well-defined criteria. If off-site mitigation measures are considered necessary to mitigate the residual impacts, the guidelines and requirements laid down in the PELB Technical Circular No. 1/9 shall be followed; and

(xiv) review the need for and recommend any ecological monitoring programme required.

3.3.6 Fisheries Impact

3.3.6.1 The Applicant shall follow the criteria and guidelines for evaluating and assessing fisheries impact as stated in Annexes 9 and 17 of the TM.

3.3.6.2

(i) the assessment area for the purpose of this fisheries impact assessment shall include all areas within 500 m distance from the project area as shown in Figure No. 1.1 of the Project Profile (No. PP110/2000), or the area likely to be impacted by the project; and

(ii) the above should include the potential fishery impact on any proposed Fisheries Protection Area (Port Shelter) from the captioned project to protect fishery resources there.

3.3.6.3 The fisheries impact assessment shall include the following:

(i) description of the physical environmental background;

(ii) description an quantification as far as possible existing fisheries activities (e.g. capture fisheries, aquaculture, shellfish farming/collection, etc.);

(iii) description and quantification as far as possible the existing fisheries resources (e.g. major fisheries products and stocks);

(iv) identification of parameters (e.g. water quality parameters) and areas (e.g. breeding/spawning grounds, nursery grounds, reefs) that are important to fisheries;

(v) identification and quantification as far as possible any direct/indirect impacts to fisheries (e.g. deterioration of fishing grounds/fish culture zones, loss of breeding grounds, reduction of catch/productivity);

(vi) evaluation of impacts and make proposals for any environmental mitigation measures with details on justification, description of scope and programme, feasibility as well as staff and financial implications including those related to subsequent management and maintenance requirements of the proposals; and

(vii) review the need for monitoring during the construction and operation phases of the project and, if necessary, propose a monitoring and audit programme.

3.3.7 Impact on Cultural Heritage

3.3.7.1 The Applicant shall follow the criteria and guidelines for evaluating and assessing impact on cultural heritage as stated in Annexes 10 and 19 of the TM, respectively.

3.3.7.2 The assessment area for the purpose of the impact on cultural heritage shall be defined as the project area(s) as shown in Figure No. 1.1 of the Project Profile (No. PP-110/2000) and the area(s) in the vicinity that may be affected by the project.

3.3.7.3 The historical, archaeological and cultural heritage impact study should take into account the importance of cultural heritage in Hong Kong and address the potential impacts to the historical, archaeological and cultural resources within the assessment area.

3.3.7.4 The examination of the assessment area should also allow a more general appraisal of archaeology, architectural history and historic landscapes of the areas that the development will take place. The project should be modified and, if necessary, supplemented to accommodate off-site areas of spoil disposal, construction sites and traffic routes which could affect archaeological, historic and cultural resources as these are identified during the evolution of the engineering design.

3.3.7.5 The historical, archaeological and cultural heritage impact assessment should focus on:

(i) Investigation of archaeological potential of the study area by:

(a) developing a field evaluation programme to identify areas to be investigated;

(b) producing field evaluation protocols to determine the sampling technique, the sample rational to be applied and the site record forms to be used, the evaluation protocols should be compatible with the data capture requirements of the Antiquities and Monuments Office (AMO); and

(c) undertaking field evaluations.

(ii) Identification of historical buildings and structures which will be affected by the remaining development within the study area :

(a) historic buildings and structures include a variety of forms with a wide range of different functions like domestic, working and cultural uses; places of worship, houses, agricultural buildings, boundary and milestones, industrial buildings and workshops; and

(b) landscape features include sites of historical events, historic field patterns, tracks and fish ponds and cultural elements such as fung shui woodlands and clan grave sites.

(iii) Evaluation of impacts on cultural heritage and proposals for any mitigation measures with detailed elaboration on scope of work and financial implications.

(a) heritage resources within the Study Areas should be identified through reference to appropriate records, such as the archives of the AMO, and through consultations with relevant village representatives, appropriate academic sources and other Government sources, including the Lands Department, District Offices, etc.;

(b) if the consultants identifies any additional buildings and structures within the study area which are of potential historic or cultural importance and not recorded by AMO, the office should be reported as soon as possible. The historic and cultural value of the items will be further assessed by the AMO; and

(c) the criteria to be adopted to assess the level of direct and indirect impacts to the heritage resources and to develop appropriate mitigation measures, should be established in close liaison with the relevant specialists within the EIA Study Team and should be agreed by the AMO prior to application.

3.3.8 Landscape and Visual Impact

3.3.8.1 The Applicant shall follow the criteria and guidelines for evaluating and assessing landscape and visual impact as stated in Annexes 10 and 18 of the TM, respectively. Both construction and operation impacts within the study area shall be assessed.

3.3.8.2 The assessment area for the landscape impact assessment shall include all areas within a 500 m distance from the proposed project. The assessment area for the visual impact assessment shall be defined by the visual envelope of the proposed project.

3.3.8.3 The Applicant shall describe, appraise, analyse and evaluate the existing landscape resources and character of the assessment area. A system should be derived for judging landscape and visual impact significance as required under the TM. The sensitivity of the landscape framework and its ability to accommodate change shall be particularly focused on. The Applicant shall identify the degree of compatibility of the proposed project(s) with the existing landscape. The landscape impact assessment shall quantify the potential landscape impact as far as possible so as to illustrate the significance of such impacts arising from the proposed development. Clear mapping of the landscape impact is required.

3.3.8.4 The Applicant shall assess the visual impacts of the proposed project. Clear mapping of the visual impact is required. The assessment shall include the following:

(i) identification and plotting of visual envelope of the proposed project within the assessment area;

(ii) identification of the key groups of sensitive receivers within the visual envelope with regard to views from both ground level and elevated vangate points;

(iii) description of the visual compatibility of the project with the surrounding and the planned setting, and its obstruction and interference with key views of the adjacent areas;

(iv) the severity of visual impacts in terms of distance, number of sensitive receivers shall be identified. Night time glare to be generated from floodlighting shall be considered in the assessment. The visual impacts of the project with and without mitigation measures shall be included so as to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed mitigation measures; and

(v) detail description of the locations of streams to be affected, and the degree of impacts as a result of such regrading, as proposed in Paragraph 5.7 of the submitted Project Profile (No. PP-110/2000) to "regrade currently silted streams".

3.3.8.5 Alternative design that would avoid or reduce the landscape and visual impact shall be evaluated for comparison before adopting other mitigation or compensatory measures to alleviate the impacts. The mitigation measures proposed shall not only be concerned with damage reduction but should also include consideration of potential enhancement of existing landscape. The Applicant shall recommend mitigation measures to minimize the adverse effects identified above, including provision of a landscape design.

3.3.8.6 The mitigation measures shall also include preservation of vegetation, transplanting of mature trees, design of structures, provision of finishes to structures, colour scheme and texture of materials used, provision of screen planting, re-vegetation of disturbed land, compensatory planting, and any measures to mitigate the disturbance of the existing land use. Parties shall be identified for the on-going management and maintenance of any proposed mitigation measures to ensure their effectiveness throughout the operation phase of the proposed project. A practical programme and funding proposal for the implementation of the recommended measures shall be provided.

3.3.8.7 Coloured perspective drawings, plans and section/elevation diagrams, annotated oblique aerial photographs, photographs taken at vantage points, photo-retouching and photomontage shall be adopted to illustrate the landscape and visual impacts of the proposed project. The Applicant shall record the technical details in preparing the illustration, which may need to be submitted for verification of the accuracy of the illustration.

3.3.8.8 To facilitate the landscape and visual impact assessment, a plan showing the nature and layout of different uses within the golf course including key architectural/design features, building heights, development intensities, circulation system and broad landscaping proposals would also be required.

3.3.9 Earthwork Impact

3.3.9.1 The cumulative impacts of earthwork in both the golf course construction and the reservoir construction programmes should be properly assessed, and preventive measures devised.

4. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING & AUDIT (EM&A) REQUIREMENTS

4.1 The Applicant shall identify in the EIA study whether there is any need for EM&A activities during the construction and operation phases of the project and, if affirmative, to define the scope of the EM&A requirements for the project in the EIA study.

4.2 Subject to the confirmation of the EIA study findings, the Applicant shall comply with the requirements as stipulated in Annex 21 of the TM.

4.3 The Applicant shall prepare a project implementation schedule (in the form of a checklist) containing all the EIA study recommendations and mitigation measures with reference to the implementation programme.

5. SUMMARY OF ENVIRONMENTAL OUTCOMES

5.1 The EIA report shall contain a summary of the key environmental outcomes arising from the EIA study, including the population and environmentally sensitive areas protected, environmentally friendly designs recommended, key environmental problems avoided, and environmental benefits of environmental protection measures recommended.

6. DURATION OF VALIDITY

6.1 This EIA study brief is valid for 24 months after the date of issue. If the EIA study does not commence within this period, the Applicant shall apply to the Director for another EIA study brief afresh before commencement of the EIA study.

7. REPORT REQUIREMENTS

7.1 In preparing the EIA report, the Applicant shall refer to Annex 11 of the TM for the contents of an EIA report. The Applicant shall also refer to Annex 20 of the TM which stipulates the guidelines for the review of an EIA report.

7.2 The Applicant shall supply the Director with the following number of copies of the EIA report and the executive summary:

(i) 40 copies of the EIA report in English and 80 copies of the executive summary (each bilingual in both English and Chinese) as required under section 6(2) of the EIAO to be supplied at the time of application for approval of the EIA report.

(ii) when necessary, addendum to the EIA report and the executive summary submitted in (i) above as required under section 7(1) of the EIAO, to be supplied upon advice by the Director for public inspection.

(iii) 20 copies of the EIA report in English and 50 copies of the executive summary (each bilingual in both English and Chinese) with or without Addendum as required under section 7(5) of the EIAO, to be supplied upon advice by the Director for consultation with the Advisory Council on the Environment.

7.3 In addition, to facilitate the public inspection of the EIA Report via the EIAO Internet Website, the Applicant shall provide electronic copies of both the EIA Report and the Executive Summary Report prepared in Hyper Text Markup Language (HTML) (version 4.0 or later) and in DynaDoc Format (version 3.0 or later) [for Chinese documents] and in Portable Document Format (PDF) version 3.0 or later) [for English documents], unless otherwise agreed by the Director. For the HTML version, a content page capable of providing hyperlink to each section and sub-section of the EIA Report and the Executive Summary Report shall be included in the beginning of the document. Hyperlinks to all figures, drawings and tables in the EIA report and executive summary shall be provided in the main text from where the respective references are made. All graphics in the report shall be in interlaced GIF format unless otherwise agreed by the Director.

7.4 The electronic copies of the EIA report and the Executive Summary shall be submitted to the Director at the time of application for approval of the EIA Report.

7.5 When the EIA Report and the Executive Summary are made available for public inspection under section 7(1) of the EIAO, the content of the electronic copies of the EIA Report and the Executive Summary must be the same as the hard copies an the Director shall be provided with the most updated electronic copies.

8. OTHER PROCEDURAL REQUIREMENTS

8.1 During the EIA study, if there is any change in the name of the Applicant for this EIA study brief, the Applicant mentioned in this study brief must notify the Director immediately.

8.2 If there is any key change in the scope of the project mentioned in sections 1.2 and 1.3 of this EIA study brief and in Project Profile (No. PP-110/2000), the Applicant must seek confirmation from the Director in writing on whether or not the scope of issues covered by this EIA study brief can still cover the key changes, and the additional issues, if any, that the EIA study must also address. If the changes to the project fundamentally alter the key scope of the EIA study brief, the Applicant shall apply to the Director for another EIA study brief afresh.

EIA Study Brief No. ESB-064/2000
January 2001