6.                  TERRESTRIAL AND MARINE ECOLOGY

 

Terrestrial Ecology

 

6.1              In the EIA report, although there is no special requirement about EM&A program for the ecological impact of this project, predicted the substantial impact on the ecosystem in the vicinity, site inspection is required to ensure the mitigation measures are fully implemented.  

 

Potential Impacts

 

6.2              Potential impacts to terrestrial ecological resources are not expected to be high since most of the habitats impacted are generally of low ecological importance.

 

6.3              For the direct impacts to the bird community within the study area due to increased background noise during construction and operation phases, it is anticipated there could be no long-term adverse impact.

 

Mitigation Measures

 

Habitat / Vegetation loss

 

6.4              On-site planting should be provided if there are loss of vegetation due to construction activities.  Species used for planting should take reference from the species identified in the tree survey identified in the EIA report and be native to the Hong Kong situation.

 

Construction Practice

 

6.5              Erect fences where practical along the boundary of construction sites before the commencement of works to prevent tipping, vehicle movements, and encroachment of personnel into adjacent areas, particularly where the rare/protected species are located.

 

6.6              Reinstate temporary work sites / disturbed areas to its original condition immediately after completion of the construction.

 

6.7              Check the work site boundaries regularly to ensure that they are not exceeded and that no damage has been caused to the surrounding natural habitats.

 

6.8              Prohibit and prevent open fires within the site boundary during construction and provide temporary fire fighting equipment in the work areas.

 

6.9              The implementation schedule of the recommended mitigation measures is presented in Appendix 2e.

 

Marine Ecology

 

6.10          The constraints on dredging and filling operations defined within the water quality section of the EIA Report will act as appropriate mitigation measures to control the environmental impacts to marine ecological resources to within acceptable levels. If there are actual impacts due to the construction activities, then it will be monitored through impacts to water quality (see Section 4 of this EM&A Manual). However, due to the limited impact on the marine water, no specific monitoring measures on marine ecology envisaged. 

 

Potential Impact

 

6.11          Marine ecological impact associated with proposed road improvement works is considered to be low.

 

Mitigation Measures

 

6.12          Apart from the purpose use of armour stone random by placed seawall construction, no mitigation measure is required since no unacceptable ecological impact is anticipated.

 

Fisheries

 

6.13          According to the EIAO TM, the order of priority for mitigating impacts should be avoidance, minimization and compensation. Fisheries impacts have been avoided by minimising the reclamation area and scale of dredging. Since no insurmountable fisheries impacts have been identified, mitigation measures are not necessary.

 

6.14          The monitoring and audit activities designed to detect and mitigate any unacceptable impacts to water quality and marine ecology will also serve to protect against unacceptable impacts to fisheries resources.  However, due to the limited impact on the marine water, no specific monitoring and audit activities are needed.

 

Site Inspection

 

6.15          Site inspection checklist should be developed to check the performance of the Contractor.