6. LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL

6.1 Introduction

6.1.1.1 The EIA Report has recommended that the EM&A for landscape and visual resources is undertaken during both the construction and operational phases of the Project. The implementation and maintenance of landscape compensatory planting 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, implementation of the mitigation measures recommended by the EIA should be monitored through the construction phase site audit programme.

6.2 Mitigation Measures

6.2.1.1 The landscape and visual impacts assessment of the EIA Report recommended a series on mitigation measures to ameliorate the landscape and visual impacts of the project. These measures include:

Ha Tsuen Pumping Station

During construction: Prior to construction work the detailed tree survey should have been completed and, if appropriate, trees to be transplanted moved to their final positions. The transplants and existing trees to be retained should be properly protected from damage by stout hoarding positioned as directed by a qualified Landscape Architect. Hoarding will help screen the construction work from the view of passers by. Typically a minimum of 4 months should be allowed prior to construction to prepare trees for transplanting. During construction regular inspections of the retained and transplanted trees should be made to ensure the effectiveness of the hoarding. Any topsoil excavated in the course of the works shall be stored and protected on site for reuse for restoration and screen planting works.

During Operation: Upon completion the new building should be relatively unobtrusive by being of similar scale, height, mass and colour / finishes to the existing building complex. As many as possible of the trees along the site boundary will be retained and supplementary trees would be planted to fill gaps between existing trees and provide a continuous screen belt. All transplants and new planting would be maintained by the contractor for 12 months to ensure proper establishment. Figure 11.7 of the EIA Report indicates the proposed supplementary planting design.

San Wai STW

During construction: Prior to construction work the detailed tree survey should have been completed and trees to be transplanted moved to their final positions clear of the construction site. Site hoarding will help screen the construction works from the view of passers by as well as protect adjacent vegetation from damage. Typically a minimum of 4 months should be allowed prior to construction to prepare trees for transplanting. During construction regular inspections of the transplanted trees should be made to ensure the effectiveness of the hoarding. Any topsoil excavated during the course of the works will be stored and protected on site for reuse for the restoration and screen planting works.
During operation: Upon completion the new building should be relatively unobtrusive by being of similar height, mass and colour / finishes to the existing low-rise building complex. A planting reserve around the site perimeter of approximately 5m width would be provided to allow a continuous belt of trees to be planted as a visual screen. This would complement the boundary planting to the existing sewage treatment works (refer Figure 11.12 of the EIA Report). All new planting would be maintained by the contractor for 12 months to ensure proper establishment

6.2.1.2 The Works Bureau Technical Circular No. 14/2002 Management and Maintenance of Natural Vegetation and Landscape Works, and Tree Preservation should be referred to in implementing the above measures. The Technical Circular defines the management and maintenance responsibilities for natural vegetation and landscape works, including both softworks and hardworks, and the authorities for tree preservation and felling.

6.3 Baseline Monitoring

6.3.1.1 Baseline monitoring for the landscape and visual resources should comprise a vegetation survey of the entire selected route and within compounds undertaken on an "area" basis. Representative vegetation types should be identified along with typical species composition. An assessment of landscape character should be made against which future change can be monitored. The landscape resources and elements of particular concern are to be noted.

6.3.1.2 The landscape and visual baseline should be determined with reference to the habitat maps included in the EIA Report.

6.4 Construction and Operational Phase Audit

6.4.1.1 A competent landscape architect should be employed by the Contractor for the implementation of landscape construction works and subsequent maintenance operations during the 12 month establishment period. The establishment works should be undertaken throughout the Contractor's one year maintenance period which will be within the first operational year of the Project.

6.4.1.2 All measures undertaken by both the Contractor and the Landscape Contractor during the construction phase and first year of the operational phase should be audited by a Landscape Architect, as a member of the ET, 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.

6.4.1.3 The broad scope of the audit is detailed below. Operational phase auditing will be restricted to the 12 months establishment works of the landscaping proposals, with LCSD taking over the maintenance and monitoring after this period, 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 should be noted;
· 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;
· The tree and shrub planting operation;
· 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 Contractors are acceptable and enforced;
· All landscaping works are carried out in accordance with the specifications;
· The planting of trees and shrubs are carried out properly and within the right season;
· The species and mix of the new trees and shrubs to be planted are suitable; and
· The newly planted trees and grasses areas are maintained throughout the establishment period, particularly in respect of the following: