1. BACKGROUND

1.1 An application (No. ESB-074/2001) 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 18.4.2001 with a project profile (No. PP-126/2001) (the Project Profile).

1.2 The Project Profile proposed to provide sewage infrastructure to serve the entire Ngong Ping area on Lantau Island to meet the demands of both the existing and future developments in the catchment.

1.3 The Project will include the followings:

- Construction of a sewage collection system at Ngong Ping for the village houses, youth hostel, monasteries, proposed cable car terminal and associated developments;
- Construction of a sewage treatment works (STW) to provide biological and tertiary treatment with disinfection;
- Provision of sludge treatment and disposal facilities;
- Construction of an effluent pipeline to convey the treated effluent from the STW to Tai O for discharge.

1.4 The general layout of Ngong Ping Sewerage Scheme, the Sewage Treatment Layout, the Preliminary Effluent Export Route and the Ngong Ping village sewerage layout are shown in Annex B of the Project Profile.

1.5 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 for the Project.

1.6 The purpose of the EIA study is to provide information on the nature and extent of environmental impacts arising from the construction and operation of the Project and related activities that take 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 Project;

(ii) the conditions and requirements for the detailed design, construction and operation of the 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 Project and associated works together with the requirements for carrying out the Project;
(ii) to identify and describe elements of community and environment likely to be affected by the Project and/or likely to cause adverse impacts to the Project, including natural and man-made environment and the associated environmental constraints;
(iii) to provide information on the consideration of alternatives to avoid and minimize the environmental impacts, in particular on the Lantau North Country Park, the Ngong Ping SSSI, the Water Gathering Ground, the mangroves marsh at Tai O and the users of the future cable car system;
(iv) to identify and quantify emission sources and determine the significance of impacts on sensitive receivers and potential affected uses;
(v) to identify and quantify any potential landscape and visual impacts and to propose measures to mitigate these impacts;
(vi) to identify and quantify any potential losses or damage to flora, fauna and natural habitats and to propose measures to mitigate these impacts
(vii) to identify any negative impacts on site of cultural heritage and to propose measures to mitigate these impacts;
(viii) to propose the provision of mitigation measures so as to minimize pollution, environmental disturbance and nuisance during construction and operation of the Project;
(ix) to investigate the feasibility, effectiveness and implications of the proposed mitigation measures
(x) to identify, predict and evaluate the residual environmental impacts (i.e. after practicable mitigation) 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;
(xi) to identify, assess and specify methods, measures and standards, to be included in the detailed design, construction and operation of the Project which are necessary to mitigate the identified environmental impacts and cumulative effects and reduce them to acceptable levels;
(xii) to investigate the extent of the secondary environmental impacts that may arise from the proposed mitigation measures and to identify constraints associated with the mitigation measures recommended in the EIA study, as well as the provision of any necessary modification; and
(xiii) to design and specify environmental monitoring and audit requirements to ensure the effective implementation of the recommended environmental protection and pollution control measures.

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 Environmental Impact Assessment Process of the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (hereinafter referred to as "the TM") are fully complied with.

3.2 The Scope

3.2.1 The scope of this EIA study covers the project mentioned in section 1.3 above. The EIA study shall address any key issues identified during the course of the study and the cumulative environmental impacts of the Project, through interaction or in combination with other existing, committed and planned developments in the vicinity of the Project.

3.3 Technical Requirements

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 Alternative Consideration

3.3.1.1 The applicant shall provide information on the consideration and assessment on the capacity of the treatment plant to be provided for the Ngong Ping area. The information shall include the flow estimates and information on the future developments and the expected population that the system is designed for. When preparing the EIA report in accordance with the technical requirements below, the applicant shall provide information on the consideration of alternatives with a view to avoiding or minimizing the potential environmental impacts.

3.3.1.2 The EIA report shall include reference to the consideration of location of the sewage treatment work, pumping stations, effluent export route, discharge location and treatment level. The applicant shall provide the rationale for selecting the proposed final point of discharge for the effluent pipeline. The applicant shall compare the main environmental impacts of different options and provide reasons for selecting the proposed system and alignment, and the part environmental factors played in the selection shall be described.

3.3.1.3 The applicant shall take into account the location of the planned Tung Chung Cable Car project and minimize any potential impact, including odour and visual impact, to the cable car passengers on finalizing the location and layout of the Sewage Treatment Work.

3.3.2 Cumulative Environmental Impact

The Applicant shall assess and evaluate the cumulative environmental impacts arising from the project and other planned development in its vicinity, including but not limited to the planned cable car system, provision of the main public toilet at Ngong Ping, the provision of water supply at Ngong Ping and the Tai O Sheltered Boat Anchorage. Findings of relevant environmental studies shall be reviewed and incorporated into the EIA Report.

3.3.3 Air Quality Impact

General Requirement
3.3.3.1. 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.

3.3.3.2 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.

3.3.3.3. 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 Environmental Protection Department, HKSAR. (ref. EPD's home page under items for Air - http://www.info.gov.hk/epd) or other methodology as agreed by the Director.

Impact Assessment

3.3.3.4 The air quality impact 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 during construction stage of the project such as site formation that will likely give rise to dust emissions and those activities during operation stage of the project such as emission of odour from the proposed Sewage Treatment Works (STW).

(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 and alternative modes of operation to minimise the constructional and operational air quality impact. For example, include use of alternative construction materials transportation modes of less dust emission to avoid dust impact on ASRs due to haul road transport during construction and take into account the location of the planned Tung Chung to Ngong Ping Cable Car System when finalizing the location and layout of the proposed STW to minimize odour impact.

(iii) Present the background air quality levels in the assessment area for the purpose of evaluating the cumulative constructional and operational air quality impacts.

Identification of ASRs and examination of emission/dispersion characteristics

(iv) Identify and describe representative existing and planned/committed air sensitive receivers (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.

(v) Provide an exhaustive list of air pollutant emission sources, including any nearby emission sources which are likely to have impact on the project based on the analysis of the constructional and operational activities of the project in (i) above. Examples of constructional stage emission sources include stock piling, blasting, concrete batching and vehicular movements on unpaved haul roads on site,......etc. Examples of operational stage emission sources include emission of odour from the proposed STW, ......etc. Confirmation of the validity of the assumptions and the magnitude of the activities (e.g. volume of construction materials handled etc.) shall be obtained from the relevant government department/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. An audit and monitoring 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 the construction dust impact at the identified ASRs based on the emission strength of the emission sources identified in (v) above. The Applicant shall follow (ix) to (xiii) below when carrying out the quantitative assessment.

Operational air quality impact

(viii) The Applicant shall calculate the expected air pollutant concentrations including odour levels at the identified ASRs. Calculations for the expected impact shall be based on an assumed reasonably worst case scenario. The evaluation shall be based on the strength of the emission sources identified in (v) above. The Applicant shall follow (ix) to (xiii) below when carrying out the quantitative assessment.

Quantitative Assessment Methodology

(ix) The Applicant shall apply the general principles enunciated in the modelling guidelines (paragraph 3.3.3.3 above) while making allowance for the specific characteristic of each project. This specific methodology must be documented in such 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 modelling shall be presented in the report. The Applicant must ensure consistency between the text description and the model files at every stage of submission. Applicant is advised to obtain prior agreement of the general methodology from the Director before commencement of the assessments.

(x) The Applicant shall, based on the nature of the activities analysed in (v) above, 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.

(xi) 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.

Mitigating measures for non-compliance

(xii) 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 the proposed mitigating measures will comply the criteria stipulated in section 1 of Annex 4 in the TM.

Submission of model files

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

3.3.4 Noise Impact

3.3.4.1 The Applicant shall follow the criteria and guidelines for evaluating and assessing noise impact as stated in Annexes 5 and 13 of the TM respectively.

3.3.4.2 The noise impact assessment shall include the following :

(i) Determination of Assessment Area

The noise impact assessment shall include all areas within 300m from the project boundary. Subject to the agreement of the Director, the assessment area could be reduced accordingly if the first layer of noise sensitive receivers, closer than 300m from the project boundary, provides acoustic shielding to those receivers located further away.

(ii) Provision of Background Information

The Applicant shall provide all background information relevant to the project including relevant previous and current studies. Unless involved in the planning standards, no existing noise levels are particularly required.

(iii) Identification of Noise Sensitive Receivers

(a) The Applicant shall refer to Annex 13 of the TM when identifying the noise sensitive receivers (NSRs). The NSRs shall include all existing ones and all planned or committed noise sensitive developments and uses.

(b) The Applicant shall select assessment points to represent all identified NSRs for carrying out quantitative noise assessment described below. The assessment points shall be agreed with the Director prior to the quantitative noise assessment. A map showing the location and description including name of building, use, and floors of each and every selected assessment point shall be given.

(iv) Provision of an Emission Inventory of the Noise Sources

The Applicant shall provide an inventory of noise sources including construction equipment for construction noise assessment and fixed plant equipment for operational noise assessment. Confirmation of the validity of the inventory shall be obtained from the relevant government departments/authorities.

(v) Construction Noise Assessment

(a) The Applicant shall carry out assessment of noise impact from construction (excluding percussive piling) of the project during day time, i.e. 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., on weekdays other than general holidays in accordance with the methodology stipulated in paragraphs 5.3. and 5.4 of Annex 13 of the TM. The criteria in Table 1B of Annex 5 of the TM shall be adopted in the assessment.

(b) To minimize the construction noise impact, alternative construction methods to replace percussive piling shall be proposed as far as practicable. As helicopters will be used for construction, the selection of the flight path shall consider to minimize any possible disturbance to noise sensitive receivers.

(c) If the unmitigated construction noise levels are found to exceed the relevant criteria, the Applicant shall propose practicable direct mitigation measures (including movable barriers, enclosures, quieter alternative methods, re-scheduling and restricting hours of operation of noisy tasks) to minimize the impact. If the mitigated noise levels still exceed the relevant criteria, the duration of the noise exceedance shall be given.

(vi) Operational Noise

(a) Calculation of Noise Levels

The Applicant shall analyze the scope of the proposed system to identify noise sources for the purpose of noise impact assessment.

(b) Presentation of Noise Levels

The Applicant shall present the prevailing and future noise levels at the NSRs on tables and plans of suitable scale.

Quantitative assessment at the NSRs for proposed terminals and alignment shall be carried out and compared against the criteria set out in Table 1A of Annex 5 in the Technical Memorandum. The potential noise impact shall be quantified by estimating the total number of dwellings and other noise sensitive elements that will be exposed to noise levels exceeding the criteria set in Table 1A of Annex 5 in the Technical Memorandum.

(c) Proposals for Noise Mitigation Measures

The Applicant shall propose direct technical remedies in all situations where the predicted noise level exceeds the criteria set in Table 1A of Annex 5 in the TM by 1 dB(A) or more. Specific reasons for not adopting certain direct technical remedies in the design to reduce the noise to a level meeting the criteria in the TM or to maximize the protection for the NSRs should be clearly quantified and laid down. The total number of dwellings and other noise sensitive element that will be benefited by the provision of direct technical remedies should be provided.

The total number of dwellings and other noise sensitive elements that will still be exposed to noise above the criteria with the implementation of all recommended direct technical remedies shall be quantified.

In case where a number of the NSRs cannot all be protected by the recommended direct technical remedies, the Applicant shall consider alternatives to reduce the impacts.

(vii) Assessment of Side Effects and Constraints

The Applicant shall identify, assess and propose means to minimize any side effects and to resolve any potential constraints arising from the inclusion of any recommended direct technical remedies.

(viii) Evaluation of Constraints on Planned Noise Sensitive Developments/Land Uses

For planned noise sensitive uses which will still be affected even with all practicable direct technical remedies in place, the Applicant shall propose, evaluate and confirm the practicality of additional measures within the planned noise sensitive uses and shall make recommendations on how these noise sensitive uses will be designed for the information of relevant parties.

The Applicant shall take into account the agreed environmental requirements/constraints identified by the study to assess the development potential of the concerned sites which shall be made known to the relevant parties.

3.3.5 Water Quality Impact

3.3.5.1 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.

3.3.5.2 All physical, chemical and biological disruptions of marine, estuarine, fresh water or ground water system(s) arising during the construction, operation of the project shall be identified and analyzed in the impact assessment.

3.3.5.3 The water quality impact assessment shall address the followings:

(i) Collection and review of background information on the existing water system(s).

(ii) Characterization of water quality based on existing information or site surveys/tests as appropriate.

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

(iv) Identification of pertinent water quality objectives and establishment of other appropriate water quality criteria or standards for the water system(s) and all the sensitive receivers.

(v) Review the specific construction methods and operation of the proposed project. Identification of any alteration of watercourses.

(vi) Identification, analysis and quantification of all existing and likely future water pollution sources, including point discharges and non-point sources to surface water runoff. Field investigation and laboratory tests shall be conducted as appropriate. Establishment and provision of an emission inventory on the quantities and characteristics of all these pollution sources.

(vii) Prediction and quantification, by mathematical modeling, of impacts on the water system(s) and the sensitive receivers, including the portals and catchwaters of the water gathering ground, due to those alterations and changes identified in (v) above and the pollution sources identified in (vi) above. 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. The water quality model used shall comply with the following specification:

Modeling Software General

(a) The modeling software shall be fully 3-dimensional capable of accurately simulating the stratified condition, salinity transport, and effect of wind and tide within the model area.

(b) The modeling software shall consist of hydrodynamic, water quality and particle dispersion modules. The hydrodynamic and water quality modules shall have been proven with successful applications locally and overseas.

(c) The hydrodynamic and water quality modules shall be strictly mass conserved at all levels.

Model Details - Calibration & Validation

d) No field data collection is required for model calibration for this study. However, the models shall be properly calibrated and validated before its use in this study in the marine waters in the area including North Western Water Control Zone defined under the WPCO and the Pearl Estuary, with the field data collected by:

- Port and Airport Development Strategy - Enhancement of WAHMO Mathematical Models (1990)
- Strategy Sewage Disposal Scheme Stage II - Oceanic Outfall, Oceanographic Surveys and Modelling (1992)
- Update on Cumulative Water Quality and Hydrological Effect of Coastal developments and Upgrading of Assessment Tool
- EPD's routine monitoring data
- Tidal data form HK Observatory, Macau and relevant mainland Authorities.

(e) Tidal data shall be calibrated and validated in both frequency and time domain manner.

(f) For the purpose of calibration and validation, the model shall run for not less than 15 days of real sequence of tide (excluding model spin up) in both dry and wet seasons with due consideration of the time required to establish initial conditions.

(g) In general, the hydrodynamic models shall be calibrated to the following criteria:

Model Details - Simulation

(h) The water quality modeling results shall be qualitatively explainable, and any identifiable trend and variations in water quality shall be reproduced by the model. The water quality model shall simulate and take account of the interaction of dissolved oxygen, phytoplankton, organic and inorganic nitrogen, phosphorus, silicate, BOD, turbidity, conductivity, PH, iron, manganese, temperature, suspended solids, air-water exchange, contaminant release of dredged and disposed material, and benthic processes. It shall also simulate salinity and E. Coli. Salinity results simulated by hydrodynamic models and water quality models shall be demonstrated to be consistent.

(i) A fine grid model shall be used for detailed assessment of this study. It shall cover at least a 5km diameter circle centred at the proposed discharge location at Tai O. The model shall be extended to cover the tidal reach of Tai O creek. The fine grid model shall either be linked to a regional model or form part of the regional model by gradual grid refinement. The regional model shall at least cover the Hong Kong waters, the Pearl Estauary and the Lema Channel to incorporate all major influences on hydrodynamic and water quality.

(j) In general, grid size at the area affected by the project shall be less than 400m in open waters and less than 75m around sensitive receivers. The grid schematization shall be agreed with the Director.

Modelling Assessment

(k) Scenarios to be assessed shall cover all phases of development being considered. Corresponding pollution load, bathymetry and coastline shall be adopted in the model set up.

(l) Hydrodynamic and water quality models shall be run for (with proper model spin up) at least a real sequence of 15 days spring-neap tidal cycle in both dry season and wet season.

(m) The results shall be assessed for compliance of Water Quality Objectives. Daily sedimentation rate shall be computed and its ecological impact shall be assessed where appropriate.

(n) Assess the impact on all sensitive receivers including the application of bacterial dispersion module.

(o) All modelling input data and results shall be submitted in digital media to the Director.

(p) Cumulative impacts due to other projects, including the proposed Tai O Sheltered Boat Anchorage, activities or pollution sources within a boundary, subject to the agreement of the Director, shall also be predicted and quantified;

Waste Water and Non-point Sources Pollution

(viii) Analysis on the provision and adequacy of existing and planned future facilities to reduce pollution arising from the non-point sources identified in (vi).

(ix) Proposal of effective and practicable upgrading or provision, water pollution prevention and mitigation measures to be implemented during the construction, operation stages so as reduce the water quality impacts to within acceptable levels of standards. Requirements to be incorporated in the project contract document shall also be proposed.

(x) Best management practices to reduce storm water and non-point source pollution shall be investigated and proposed as appropriate. Attention shall be made to the water quality control and mitigation measures recommended in the ProPECC paper on construction site drainage.

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

Protection of Water Gathering Ground

(xii) Derive an emergency contingency plan for the construction and operational phase of the project with the aim to contain and remove all accidental spillage in short notice and to prevent and or to minimize the quantities of contaminants from reaching the water gathering ground.

(xiii) The Applicant shall assess the need for routine flow monitoring system, including details like the locations of the monitoring points and the frequency of monitoring, in order to ensure early detection of any major leakage

3.3.6 Waste Management Implications

3.3.6.1 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.

3.3.6.2 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, the Applicant shall fully evaluate opportunities for reducing waste generation and on-site or off-site reuse 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 maximizing waste reduction shall be separately considered.

(b) After taking taken into account all the opportunities for reducing waste generation and maximizing reuse, the Applicant shall estimate the types and quantities of the wastes required to be disposed of as a consequence and describe the disposal options for each type of waste in detail. The disposal options for each type of wastes shall take into account the result of the assessment in (c) below.

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

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

(d) The applicant shall review the need for and recommend appropriate measures to avoid any illegal or unplanned dumping of waste generated by the project, especially at those area close to ecological sensitive areas (ie, Ngong Ping SSSI, Mangroves at Tai O).

Ecological Impact (Terrestrial and Aquatic)

3.3.7.1 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.

3.3.7.2 In the ecological impact assessment, the Applicant shall examine the flora, fauna and other components of the ecological habitats within the assessment area, including the Lantau North Country Park. The assessment area for the terrestrial ecological impact assessment should cover 500m from the project boundary at Tai O and Ngong Ping and any area likely to be impacted by the effluent pipe route. The assessment area for the marine ecological impact assessment shall be the same as the assessment area for Water Quality Impact Assessment, or the area likely to be impacted by the project. The aim shall be to protect, maintain or rehabilitate the natural environment. The assessment shall identify and quantify as far as possible the potential ecological impacts associated with the project, including the potential impacts to the sensitive ecological habitats at Ngong Ping area.

3.3.7.3 The assessment shall include the following:

(i) review the finding 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 cover the wet and dry seasons), and investigations to verify the information collected in (ii), fill the information gaps identified and fulfill the objectives of the EIA study;

(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, seasonality and inter-dependence of the habitats and species, and presence of any features of ecological importance;

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

(e) investigate and describe the existing wildlife uses of various habitats with special attention to those wildlife groups and habitats with conservation interests; including woodlands; wetlands; natural stream courses and rivers; mangroves; vertebrates such as Romer's Tree Frog, wetlands birds and Chinese White Dolphins; macroinvertebrates, horseshoe crabs and any other habitats & wildlife groups identified as having special conservation interests by the study;

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

(v) describe all recognized sites of conservation importance in the proposed development site and its vicinity including Ngong Ping SSSI, Lantau North Country Park, the mangrove marsh and the proposed mangrove planting site at Tai O and assess how these sites will be affected by the proposed development;

(vi) using suitable methodology, identify 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, habitat fragmentation; and in particular the followings:

i) habitat loss and disturbance to wildlife during construction stage;
ii) deterioration of environmental qualities (e.g. water qualities) and the subsequent impacts to the biological communities, in particular the Tai O mangrove replanting area, during operation stage;

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

(viii) evaluate potential cumulative impacts on future mangrove planting site due to discharges from this project and other impacts arising from Tai O Sheltered Boat Anchorage project;

(ix) recommend all possible alternatives (such as modifications of pipeline alignment, layout and design) and practicable mitigation measures to avoid, minimize and/or compensate for the adverse ecological impacts identified, such as reinstatement of habitats temporarily affected by the proposed development to its original state and if possible with some enhancement features;

(x) 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;

(xi) determine and quantify the residual ecological impacts after implementation of the proposed mitigation measures;

(xii) evaluate the severity and acceptability of the residual ecological impacts using well-defined criteria; and

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

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 impacts for any above ground structures and work areas as stated in Annexes 10 and 18 of the TM, respectively. Both construction and operation impacts shall be assessed.

3.3.8.2 The assessment area for the landscape impact assessment shall include all areas within a 500m distance from the Project. The assessment area for the visual impact assessment shall be defined by the visual envelope from the Project which is generally the viewshed formed by natural/man-made features such as ridgeline and building blocks.

3.3.8.3 The Applicant shall review relevant outline development plan(s), outline zoning plan(s), layout plan(s) or planning briefs and studies, the documents may include the Ngong Ping Development Permission Area Plan No.DPA/I-NP/2, which identify areas of high landscape value and recommend conservation zone designation such as country park, site of special scientific interest, conservation area, open space and green belt. These documents may contain guidelines and control on development adjacent to landmarks and monuments, landscape framework, designated view corridors that may affect the appreciation of the project should also be reviewed. The aim is to gain an insight to the future outlook of the area so as to assess whether the project can fit into surrounding setting. Any conflict with statutory townplans should also be highlighted and appropriate follow-up action should be recommended.

3.3.8.4 The Applicant shall describe, appraise, analyze and evaluate the existing landscape resource and character of the assessment area. A system shall 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 Project with the existing landscape and planned landscape setting. The assessment shall quantify the potential landscape impacts as far as possible, so as to illustrate the significance of such impacts arising from the Project. Clear mapping of the landscape impact is required.

3.3.8.5 The Applicant shall assess the visual impacts of the Project. Clear illustrations of visual impact are required. The assessment shall include the following:

(i) Identification and plotting of visual envelope of the Project;

(ii) Identification of the key groups of sensitive receivers within the visual envelope. Sensitive receivers may involve the residential population in Ngong Ping, international tourist and visitors, passengers of the proposed cable car system and users of Country Parks;

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

(iv) The severity of visual impacts in terms of nature, distances and number of sensitive receivers. Night-time glare shall be considered in the assessment. The visual impacts of the Project with and without mitigation measures shall also be included so as to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed mitigation measures.

3.3.8.6 Alternative locations, design and construction methods that would avoid or reduce the identified landscape and visual impacts 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.

3.3.8.7 The mitigation measures shall include preservation of vegetation, transplanting of mature trees, provision of screen planting, revegetation of disturbed land, compensatory planting, reprovisioning of amenity areas and Country park Facilities, design of structures, provision of finishes to structures, colour scheme and texture of material used and any measures to mitigate the impact on existing land uses and on the Country Park. Parties shall be identified for the on-going management and maintenance of the proposed mitigation works to ensure their effectiveness throughout the operation phase of the Project. A practical programme and funding proposal for the implementation of the recommended measures shall be provided.

3.3.8.8 Coloured perspective drawings, plans and section/elevation diagrams, annotated oblique aerial photographs and computer-generated photomontage shall be adopted to fully illustrate the landscape and visual impacts of the Project. All computer graphics shall be compatible with Microstation DGN file format. The Applicant shall record the technical details such as system set-up, software, data files and function in preparing the illustration, which may need to be submitted for verification of the accuracy of the illustrations.

3.3.9 Impact on Cultural Heritage

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

3.3.9.2 The Applicant shall identify all sites of cultural heritage that might be adversely affected by the Project in order to avoid causing any negative effects. The impacts on sites of culture heritage include adverse archaeological impact in land or sea, negative visual impact, physical fabrics of historic buildings or landscape features, and impacts due to vibration and ground settlement associated with the construction activities of the Project.

3.3.9.3 The EIA study shall include both field survey and desk-top study. The assessment shall establish a comprehensive inventory of archaeological sites in land and sea, fung-shui landscapes, old villages, all pre-1950 historic buildings and structures, selected post-1950 buildings and structures of high architectural and historical significance and interest including pre-war/clan graves and shrines located within the project area and the areas likely to be impacted by the project. This may include the Tai O Archaeological Site, the Po Lin Monastery compound, structures in Ngong Ping, pre-war salt pans, the historic pavement of the lanes as well as some historic buildings and structures located underneath or along the proposed pipe alignment near the Tai O entrance.

3.3.9.4 Field survey including Archaeological Survey, Marine Archaeological Investigation (MAI) and Built Heritage Impact Assessment are required.

3.3.9.4.1 Archaeological Survey

As part of the work falls within the boundary of the Tai O Archaeological Site (Annex I), the applicant shall review the need for an archaeological survey and identify areas with archaeological interest that could possibly be affected by the project. Subject to the agreement of the Director, the scope of the survey could be reduced accordingly if the construction works only involved previously formed or disturbed areas (i.e., road covering materials).

The scope of the survey is as follows: