9.                  LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL IMPACT

 

9.1              General

 

The EIA has recommended that EM&A for landscape and visual resources is undertaken during both construction and initial operational phases (post –construction) of the project.  The implementation and maintenance of landscape mitigation measures (Appendix E) 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 practical date and without compromise to the intention of the mitigation measures.

　

9.2              Construction and Post-construction Phase

 

A specialist Landscape Sub-Contractor should be employed for the implementation of landscape construction works and subsequent maintenance operations during a 12-month establishment period.  A Registered Landscape Architect should be employed to supervise the specialist Landscape Sub-contractor for the implementation of landscape works, both hard and soft, involved.

 

Measures undertaken by both the Contractor(s) and the specialist Landscape Sub-Contractor during the construction phase and first year post-construction will be audited by the Registered Landscape Architect of the ET, to ensure compliance with the intended aims of the measures.  Site inspections should be undertaken at least once every two weeks throughout the landscaping plants establishment period when planting works are being undertaken. 

 

A tree survey should be prepared, for DLO submission, and for the purpose of existing trees protection. Removal of existing trees should be minimized. The Contractor should consider to employ a certified arborist when sizable and valuable existing tree(s) protection of transplant is required.

 

Post-construction phase auditing will be restricted to the 12-month establishment works of the landscaping proposals and thus only the items in the list below related to this period are relevant to the post-construction audit; the remainder are for the construction phase site inspections.  The broad scope of the audit/inspections is detailed below but should also be undertaken with reference to the more specific checklist provided in Table 9.1.

 

·         the extent of the agreed works areas should be regularly checked during the construction phase.  Any trespass by the Contractor(s) outside the limit of the works, including any damage to existing trees will 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;

·         existing trees and vegetation within the study area which are not directly affected by the works are retained and protected to the extent safely practical;

·         the methods of protecting existing vegetation proposed by the Contractor(s) are acceptable and enforced;

·         preparation, lifting transport and re-planting operations for any transplanted trees;

·         landscaping works are carried out in accordance with the specifications; 

·         the planting of new trees, shrubs, groundcover, climbers, ferns, grasses and other plants, together with the replanting of any transplanted trees are carried out properly and within the right season; and 

·         necessary horticultural operations and replacement planting are undertaken throughout the Establishment Period to ensure the healthy establishment and growth of both transplanted trees and newly established plants.

             Table 9.1 Construction/Post-Construction Phase Audit Checklist

NSR

Location

Advance planting

monitoring of implementation and maintenance of planting, and against potential incursion, physical damage, fire, pollution, surface erosion, etc.

Protection of trees to be retained

identification and demarcation of trees / vegetation to be retained, erection of physical protection (e.g. fencing), monitoring against potential 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 reduce damage, monitoring of adjacent areas against potential incursion, physical damage, fire, pollution, surface erosion, etc.

Transplanting of trees

identification and demarcation of trees / vegetation to be transplanted, monitoring of extent of pruning / lifting works to reduce damage, timing of operations, implementation of the stages of preparatory and translocation works, and maintenance of transplanted 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 potential incursion, physical damage, fire, pollution, surface erosion, etc.

Architectural design and treatment of all structures (where practicable), retaining walls, elevated road structures and other engineering works.

implementation and maintenance of mitigation measures, to ensure conformity with agreed designs.

Erection of Site Hoardings/Fences

Erection of site hoardings/fences during the construction phase to reduce visual impacts.

Establishment Works

monitoring of implementation of maintenance operations during Establishment Period

 

In the event of non-compliance from the Environmental Permit, EIA Study, EM&A Manual and Landscape Plan, the responsibilities of the relevant parties is detailed in the Event /Action plan provided on Table 9.2.

Table 9.2   Event and Action Plan for Landscape and Visual Monitoring during Construction Phase

EVENT

ACTION

ET

IEC

ER

Contractor

Non-compliance   on one occasion

1.  Identify Source

2. Inform the Contractor(s),  IEC and ER

3. Discuss remedial actions with the IEC, ER and the Contractor(s)

4.  Monitor remedial actions until rectification has been completed

1.  Check report

2.  Check the Contractor(s)'s working method

3.  Discuss with the ET and the  Contractor(s) on practical remedial measures

4.  Advise ER on effectiveness of proposed remedial measures.

5.  Check implementation of remedial measures.

1.  Notify Contractor(s)

2.  Ensure remedial measures are properly implemented

1.  Amend working methods

2.  Rectify damage and undertake any necessary replacement

Repeated Non-compliance

1. Identify Source

2. Inform the Contractor(s), IEC and ER

3. Increase monitoring frequency

4. Discuss remedial actions with the IEC, ER and the Contractor(s)

5. Monitor remedial actions until rectification has been completed

6. If non-compliance stops, cease additional monitoring

1. Check monitoring report

2. Check the Contractor(s)'s working method

3. Discuss with the ET and the Contractor(s) on practical remedial measures

4. Advise ER on effectiveness of proposed remedial measures

5.  Supervise implementation of remedial measures.

1.  Notify the  Contractor(s)

2.  Ensure remedial measures are properly implemented

1.  Amend working methods

2.  Rectify damage and undertake any necessary replacement
ET – Environmental Team, IEC – Independent Environment Checker, ER – Engineer Representative, DEP – Director of Environmental Protection

 9.3              Mitigation Measures

 

The Landscape and Visual Assessment of the EIA recommended a series of mitigation measures for the construction and operation phase to ameliorate the landscape and visual impacts of the project.  Details of the recommended mitigation measures are included within the Implementation Schedule provided in Appendix E.

　

9.4              Audit Requirement

 

Implementation of the mitigation measures for landscape and visual resources recommended by the EIA will be monitored through the site audit programme.  Section 10 of this EM&A Manual sets out the requirements of the auditing programme.