Tung Chung New Town
Extension – Salt Water Supply System
Detailed Preservation and/or Translocation
Plan
for Plant Species of Conservation Importance for
Tung Chung East
November 2021
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1 introduction.. 3
1.1 General 3
1.2 Background. 3
1.3 The Project 4
1.4 Scope of Works. 5
2 Target Species.. 6
2.1 Target Species. 6
2.2 Methodology for Pre-construction
Surveys. 6
2.3 Methodology for Preservation of
Transplanted and Retained Plant Species of Conservation Importance. 7
3 PRE-CONSTRUCTION vegetation survey
results.. 9
4 Review of Receptor Site.. 10
5 transplantation proposal. 11
5.1 Transplantation Program.. 11
5.2 Transplantation Methodology. 11
5.3 Post-transplantation Maintenance. 13
5.4 Post-transplantation Monitoring. 14
6 Conclusion.. 15
7 Reference.. 16
Figures
Figure 1.1
|
General Layout of
Contract No. NL/2017/03
|
Figure 1.2
|
General Layout of
Contract No. NL/2020/02
|
Figure 1.3
|
General Layout of
Contract No. NL/2020/03
|
Figure 1.4
|
General Layout of
Contract No. NL/2020/04
|
Figure 1.5
|
General Layout of
Contract No. NL.2020/07
|
Figure 2
|
– Location and layout plan of proposed SWSR
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Figure 2.1
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– Location
and recommendation of recorded plants of conservation importance (Sheet 1 of
3)
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Figure 2.2
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– Location and recommendation of recorded plants of
conservation importance (Sheet 2 of 3)
|
Figure 2.3
|
– Location
and recommendation of recorded plants of conservation importance (Sheet 3 of
3)
|
Figure 3
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– Location of receptor site for the transplanted
plants of conservation importance
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Appendices
Appendix A
|
Photographic Record of
Representative Habitat Conditions in the Group Survey at or adjoining the
Project Site
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Appendix B
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Group Assessment Schedule of
Plants of Conservation Importance
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Appendix C
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Photographic Record of the
Affected Plants of Conservation Importance
|
Appendix D
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Photographic Record of Receptor
Site
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Appendix E
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Implementation Schedule
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Appendix F
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Method Statement of Transplanting
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1
introduction
1.1
General
1.1.1
AECOM Asia Co Ltd has been
commissioned by the Civil Engineering and Development Depart (CEDD) to
undertake Agreement No. CE 69/2015 (CE) – Tung Chung New Town Extension (East)
– Design and Construction. The Agreement commenced on 16 June 2016 and is
scheduled to be completed in June 2027.
1.1.2 The development of Tung Chung New Town
Extension (TCNTE), comprising Tung Chung East (TCE) and Tung Chung West (TCW),
is a mega-scale and complex project aiming to provide land to meet the future
housing economic and social development needs of Hong Kong. Due to the
fact that the proposed works are geographically separated, the implementation
of mega-scale Project is divided into two packages, namely TCE and TCW
respectively. In accordance with the tight delivery programme, the
Project will be implemented in phases under separate contracts for the
developments of TCE and TCW. This Plan only covers the work in TCE.
Detailed Preservation and/or Translocation Plan for Plant Species of Conservation
Importance for TCW can be found at dedicated project website: www.env.tcnte-west.hk/ep-submissions.html.
1.2
Background
1.2.1 The study in North Lantau including
Tung Chung area has been started since Port and Airport Development Strategy in
1989 for the study on the construction of replacement international airport at Chek Lap Kok.
1.2.2 Various studies have been continued after
1989 including North Lantau Development Study in 1990, Territorial Development
Strategic Review in 1996 and Remaining development in Tung Chung and Tai Ho -
Comprehensive Feasibility Study (CFS) in 1997. The latest CFS showed that it was
feasible for Tung Chung and Tai Ho areas to accommodate a population target of
about 334,000 in anticipation of the projected territory-wide demand by 2011.
1.2.3 Initial
phase of development for Tung Chung has been completed and the housing
developments of the Tung Chung area have a total capacity to accommodate 108,000
people upon full occupation
1.2.4 According
to the latest Revised Concept Plan for Lantau, Tung Chung would be a
comprehensively planned new town with a capacity to accommodate a total
population of about 220,000.
1.2.5 The
Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) and the Planning Department
(PlanD) jointly commissioned Agreement No. CE
32/2011(CE) - Planning and Engineering Study on the Remaining Development in
Tung Chung (P&E Study) in 2012. The P&E Study aims at identifying development
potentials and opportunities to extend Tung Chung into a distinct community to
meet housing, social, economic, environmental and local needs. Under the
P&E Study, various planning, engineering and environmental studies were
carried out to formulate a development scheme to extend existing Tung Chung to
the east and the west (i.e. TCE and TCW).
1.2.6
The TCE is proposed to be developed in phases. An implementation programme with phasing and packaging of works for the TCE
project has been recommended under the P&E Study.
1.3
The Project
1.3.1 The Project of this Assignment (the Project)
includes reclamation, site formation and engineering infrastructure works
(including construction of Road P1) for the developments of TCE, provision of
salt water supply to TCNT and SHW topside and infrastructure works in Tung
Chung Area 58 in the existing TCNT.
1.3.2 The scope of Works under this Project
comprises:
a) Works in TCE
(i) Reclamation of about 120 hectares of seabed
abutting the coastal area between Tung Chung Phase 3A and Tai Ho Bay Inlet and
associated site formation works for the proposed developments;
(ii)
Engineering infrastructure
works including roads, drainage, sewerage including sewage pumping stations,
and waterworks to support the proposed developments;
(iii)
Provision of a marina;
(iv) Provision of a cycle track network;
(v)
Construction of a salt
water pumping station for flushing use in TCNT, TCE, TCW and SHW topside;
(vi) Landscaping, streetscaping and ancillary works; and
(vii)
Provision of environmental
mitigation measures for the works mentioned in (i) to
(vi) above;
b) Works in the existing TCNT or SHW
(i) Construction of a FWSR near Chek
Lap Kok New Village or at Siu Ho Wan for TCE and TCW;
(ii)
Construction of a SWSR near
Chek Lap Kok New Village
for flushing use in TCNT, TCE, TCW and SHW topside;
(iii)
Site formation works
including natural terrain hazards mitigation measures for the works mentioned
in (i) and (ii) above;
(iv) Changeover of salt water supply for toilet flushing in TCNT;
(v)
Waterworks for salt water
supply for toilet flushing in SHW topside; and
(vi) Engineering infrastructure works including roads, drainage, sewerage and waterworks
to support the land allocation at Area 58 of the existing TCNT.
c) Works related to Road P1
(i) Reclamation of about 9 hectares of seabed for Road
P1 (section between TCE and Tai Ho);
(ii)
Construction of Road P1
with cycle track (section between TCE and Tai Ho) and associated engineering
infrastructure works including drainage, sewerage and waterworks;
(iii)
Site formation works for a
cycle park of about 2 hectares near Tai Ho Interchange;
(iv)
Improvement works to
existing Tung Chung Waterfront Road and Ying Hei
Road, including construction of noise barriers and footbridges, resurfacing of
road pavement, etc., for upgrading them to a primary distributor as part of
Road P1;
(v)
Construction of an elevated
interchange near Tai Ho connecting Road P1 to NLH and Cheung Tung Road (Tai Ho
Interchange);
(vi) Landscaping, streetscaping works and ancillary works; and
(vii)
Provision of environmental
mitigation measures for the works mentioned in (i) to
(vi) above.
1.4
Scope of Works
1.4.1 The Preservation and/or Translocation Plan
for Plant Species of Conservation Importance of TCNTE development will be split
and implemented under TCE and TCW respectively.
1.4.2 This Plan deals with potential impacts to
plant species of conservation importance associated with all contracts in TCE,
and CEDD has submitted another “Preservation and/or Translocation Plan for Plant
Species of Conservation Importance” for TCW under the same environmental permit
condition in the 3rd Quarter in year 2021 for approval. It was
confirmed that there were no plant species of conservation importance except
for NL/2020/02 Salt Water Supply System under TCE. The location and
general layout of the extend of TCE are provided in Figure 1.1 to
1.5 respectively.
1.4.3 This Plan is prepared in accordance with the
EP (Environmental Permit No. EP-519/2016) Condition 2.21 - Submission of Detailed
Preservation and/or Translocation Plan for Plant Species of Conservation
Importance.
1.4.4 To ensure the proposed measures are in
compliance with the EIA requirements, relevant sections of the report
addressing the EP requirements are tabulated in Table 1.1 below:
Table 1.1 EP Requirements
Requirements
|
Report Section
|
Submission of Detailed
Preservation and/ or Translocation Plan for Plant Species of Conservation
Importance
Condition
2.21 - The
Permit Holder shall, no later than 3 months before the commencement of
construction works at Tung Chung Valley, submit 3 hardcopies and 1 electronic
copy of a Preservation and/ or Translocation Plan (The Plan) for the plant
species of conservation importance, including but not limited to Aquilaria sinensis,
Pavetta hongkongensis
and Gmelina chinensis,
that could be affected by the Project to the Director for approval. The Plan
shall include at least the following information:
|
-
|
(i) the target species;
|
·
Section 2.1
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(ii) methodology for pre-construction survey,
preservation and /or translocation for each species;
|
·
Section 2.2, 2.3
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(iii) identification of suitable receptor sites;
|
·
Section 4,
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(iv) an implementation programme; and
|
·
Appendix E
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(v) a post-translocation
monitoring programme.
|
·
Section 5.1, Appendix F
|
2
Target
Species
2.1
Target Species
2.1.1 According to the Condition 2.21 of the EP,
this Plan should include plant species of conservation importance, including
but not limited to Aquilaria sinensis, Pavetta hongkongensis and Gmelina
chinensis, that could be affected by the Project.
2.1.2 A
numbers of individuals of Aquilaria sinensis and Gmelina
chinensis were recorded from the indicative SWSR works area in the Ecological Impact
Assessment and Landscape Visual Impact Assessment under the EIA Report (Figure 9.5b and
Appendix 11.1 of the EIA Report refers), and associated site formation works.
A group vegetation survey was conducted in August 2020 under the consultancy
agreement for the SWSR works area, in
which 3 no. of Aquilaria sinensis and 35 no. of Gmelina
chinensis were identified, (in which 4 no. of Gmelina chinensis,
RT03, RT06, RT07 and RT08 were proposed to be transplanted) under the group
vegetation survey conducted in August 2020. Photographic record of
representative habitat conditions in the group survey is presented in Appendix
A, Appendix B and Appendix C respectively.
2.1.3 Further to the tree inspection conducted in
August 2021 by the Contractor, it was recorded that 2 no. of Gmelina chinensis,
RT03 and RT06 proposed to be transplanted were missing. Please refer to Appendix
F for the abstract of the detailed tree survey report regarding the
findings for the captioned trees.
2.2
Methodology for Pre-construction Surveys
2.2.1 In accordance with the EP requirement, a
group vegetation survey was conducted by certified arborists in August 2020
before the commencement of construction to identify the potentially affected
individual plant species of conservation interest within the latest works area
of the proposed SWSR. Identification of vegetation species was made with
reference to Flora of Hong Kong – Vol. 1 – 4 (Hong Kong Herbarium and South
China Botanical Gardens, 2007; 2008; 2009; 2011).
2.2.2 In the group vegetation survey, all
identified individuals with conservation value were labelled on-site and
mapped. The following characteristics were also recorded for each identified
individuals:
·
Estimate overall height
(m);
·
Estimate trunk diameter
(mm);
·
Estimate crown spread (m);
·
Amenity value
(good/fair/poor);
2.2.3 Form (good/fair/poor);
·
Health (good/fair/poor);
·
Structural condition
(good/fair/poor);
2.2.4 Suitability for transplanting
(high/medium/low);
·
Conservation status;
·
Recommendation
(retain/transplant/remove);
·
Justification; and
·
Remarks.
2.3
Methodology for Preservation of Transplanted and
Retained Plant Species of Conservation Importance
2.3.1 Regular preservation should be implemented in
order to ensure the health condition of the transplanted trees during the
establishment period and maintenance period.
2.3.2 The following regular preservation works
shall carry out during the establishment period in order to subjoin the
condition of the transplanted trees:
·
Watering shall be carried
out daily during the dry season (September to April) and as requested during
wet season to maintain a health growing condition.
·
Stakes shall be applied to
firm up the transplanted trees and supporting materials shall be undertaken
from time to time during the period and particularly after inclement weather.
·
Organic mulching shall be
applied to improve the preservation environment and the plant health. The
recommended mulching depth is 50mm, extending 150mm beyond the perimeter of the
tree pit and covering at least the entire root ball zone.
·
Slow-release fertilizer
shall applied as instructed by certified Arborist and shall carried out in
March and September each year.
·
Tree pruning to remove dead
or dangerous branches as required by tree technician.
·
Pest and fungal control
including regular inspection on pest and infection, removal of diseased plant
and application of pesticide if necessary.
2.3.3 Apart from the transplanted individuals,
retained individuals plant species of conservation importance should be fenced
off prior to the commencement of construction if they are located in close
proximity to the proposed works. Monthly monitoring of retained individuals by
the Contractor’s Qualified Personnel should also be carried out throughout the
construction period in order to check their conditions and report any
injuries/damages. Photographic record of the retained individuals should
be taken during every monitoring visit.
Erection of Protective Fencing
2.3.4
Prior to the commencement of site clearance works and during the whole
of the construction period, protection zone should be set up around the
existing plants of conservation importance including 3 no. of Aquilaria
sinensis and 33 no. of Gmelina
chinensis which were recorded in the updated
vegetation survey conducted in August 2021 (in which 2 no. of Gmelina chinensis,
RT07 and RT08, are to be transplanted). In locations where site hoarding
is not erected, protective fencings with sufficient buffer zone will be
provided. Signposts should also be erected and regular tool box talk
should be provided to inform the workers about the precautionary measures for
protecting the concerned plant individuals and their root system. The
Contractor should keep the protection zone clean and tidy without building
materials, waste and excess soil. No digging, trenching, compaction, or
other soil disturbance should be allowed in the protection zone.
Dust Control
2.3.5
During periods of drought, trunks, limbs and foliage should be sprayed
with water to remove any accumulated construction dust.
Reporting Injury
2.3.6
Any damage or injury to the retained / transplanted plants should be
reported to the Project Manager, ET and IEC
immediately. The Contractor should arrange a Qualified Personnel
to inspect and conduct appropriate arboricultural / horticultural operation as
necessary to the damaged / injured trees.
3
PRE-CONSTRUCTION vegetation
survey results
3.1.1 The SWSR works area largely comprises natural
slope next to the existing Tung Chung Fresh Water Service Reservoir (FWSR). The
vegetation is dominated by pine trees Pinus
massoniana, Lophostemon
confertus, Canthium
dicoccum, Itea
chinensis and Aporusa
dioica scattered with other native trees such as Mallotus paniculatus,
Schefflera heptaphylla,
and some other common exotic plantation species, e.g. Acacia confusa and Casuarina equisetifolia
along the vehicular access. Photographic record of representative habitat
conditions in the group survey is presented in Appendix A.
3.1.2 Under the group vegetation survey conducted
in August 2020, 35 no. of Gmelina chinensis and 3 no. of Aquilaria
sinensis were identified, in which 2 no. of Gmelina chinensis, RT03
and RT06 were missing during the tree inspection conducted in August
2021 respectively, as plant species with conservation importance at or
adjoining the Project Site. Detailed information and locations of each of the
recorded individuals are presented in Appendix B and Figure 2.1 to
Figure 2.3 respectively.
3.1.3 Based on the layout of the SWSR, none of the Aquilaria sinensis
and only two of the Gmelina chinensis individuals (i.e. RT07 and RT08) are located
within the area that would be affected by the proposed works (refer to Figure
2.1 to Figure 2.3). The photographic record, abstract of the detailed tree
survey reporting regarding the findings of the two affected Gmelina
chinensis is shown in Appendix C and
Appendix F respectively. The affected individuals are in fair health
condition, so it is proposed to be transplanted.
4.1.1 In order to provide consistent habitat
characteristics (i.e. soil condition, topography, dominant plant species,
degree of exposure to wind/sunlight, overhead/ground space for tree growth, and
degree of human disturbance) allowing quick adaptation, the affected
individuals are proposed to be transplanted within the project boundary of the
SWSR Site. Indicative location of the receptor site is shown in Figure 3
and a photograph is presented in Appendix D.
4.1.2 The receptor site is located at the existing
planting area to the west of the proposed SWSR. The site is within WSD’s
purview with some existing trees proposed to be retained in the Tree
Preservation and Removal Proposal. In between the retained trees, it is mainly
covered with grass, vines and self-seeded invasive species Leucaena
leucocephala below <95mm DBH. Site preparation
works such as clearance and removal of existing vegetation, preparation of
planting pits and importing of soil mix are required prior to the actual
transplanting works.
4.1.3 The receptor site will be reassessed by the
Qualified Personnel (e.g. an Arborist in the List of Minimum Personnel
Requirements for Landscape Works, Tree Management Works and Vegetation
Maintenance Contracts) and agreed with ET/IEC, Project Manager and the future
maintenance party prior to the commencement of transplantation taking into
account the latest site condition. Habitat characteristics of the alternative
sites should be similar to that of their original locations. Should any changes
in the location of final receptor site be proposed afterwards, agreement from
the Qualified Personnel, Project Manager, ET and IEC should be sought before
informing the Director of Environmental Protection (DEP).
5
transplantation proposal
5.1
Transplantation Program
5.1.1 According to the tentative construction
program, two of the affected individuals of Gmelina chinensis would
be uplifted and transplanted in mid-November 2021 and would last for 14 working
days tentatively subject to the approval of this Plan as required in EP
Condition 2.21 and after one month root pruning period, of which three stages
at two weeks interval. (i.e. root pruning works to be
commenced in mid-October 2021 to mid-November 2021 tentatively). After
uplifting, these individuals would be transplanted immediately to the tentative
receptor sites on the same day.
5.1.2 The Contractor shall engage a Qualified
Personnel to prepare and submit and detailed method statement and works
programme for transplanting the existing trees, outlining the method,
sequencing, timing of operations, and the location and type of machinery to be
used for the following operations, prior to submit to the Project Manager. The
transplanting operation of each tree should be documented in a report with
photographic record.
5.1.3 Transplanting operations including root
pruning stages should refer to Guidelines on Tree Transplanting by DEVB.
Preparation for root pruning should ideally begin several months before the
transplanting operation is required.
5.1.4 The transplanting method statement
incorporated the methodology for pre-construction survey, preservation and
translocation for each species, implementation programme and post translocation
monitoring programme is shown in Appendix F.
5.2
Transplantation Methodology
Preparation of Receptor Site
5.2.1
Before transplanting, site
clearance at the receptor sites should be carried out and overgrown weeds
should be removed. Planting holes should be marked with individual tree numbers
before the transplant and chosen to provide adequate growth space for future
growth. Any large stones and concrete materials in and around the selected
planting holes should be removed. Soil at the receptor sites should be ploughed
and conditioned before the transplant as necessary. Preparation of
receptor site should be done carefully so that the root systems of the nearby
vegetation are not damaged.
Preparation of Rootball
and Root Pruning
5.2.2 Root pruning should normally take place
during the wet season with a minimum of one month allowed for root regeneration
between each stage of root pruning.
5.2.3 Further to the inspection conducted in August
2021 by the Contractor’s Qualified Personnel, it was confirmed the root pruning
would be carried out in mid-October 2021 to mid-November 2021 and subsequently
transplanting works tentatively, subject to the approval of this Plan.
5.2.4 The period of root pruning may be adjusted to
suit specific tree species and/or imposed contract constraints.
5.2.5 The diameter of the rootball
to be cut shall be determined by the Qualified Personnel. Normally, the rootball to be cut should be ten times the trunk diameter
at breast height and not less than 1500mm diameter, and 600 – 1200mm deep to
enhance survival rate for transplanting. Method statements should be
submitted by the Contractor taking into account the size and species of trees,
site constraints, arboricultural practices, etc for particular tree(s).
5.2.6 After determining the size of the rootball, the proposed circumference of the rootball shall be marked on the ground around the tree.
5.2.7 The trenches that are made for rootball preparation shall be backfilled with backfilling
materials, to encourage new growth of root tips. Rootball
shall be kept moist from time to time during the preparatory period to
stimulate new-root.
5.2.8 Roots shall be cut with a clean sharp knife
or similar sharp implement to prevent tearing of the roots.
5.2.9 The Contractor’s Qualified Personnel shall
make regular checks to ensure the stability of the tree and adjustments made
accordingly throughout the entire root pruning/crown pruning stages.
5.2.10
Transplanted plants shall
be inspected monthly by the Qualified Personnel to check the health of the
tree. Any sign of deterioration shall be notified to the Project Manager, ET
and IEC and remedial action shall be taken. The Contractor shall water
regularly, remove weed growth, fertilize, aerate the soil, folia feed, carry
out insecticide treatment and any other horticultural work as necessary and as
instructed by Qualified Personnel.
Tree Lifting and Protection
5.2.11 Transplanting shall be carried out during early
morning or late afternoon when the sun is not directly overhead. No
lifting shall take place during rainfall. Tree shall be transplanted
within twenty-four hours of lifting.
5.2.12 Wrap trunk and lower branches with accepted hessian
and tie with jute string at least one day prior to rootball
preparation. Before lifting, the outer edge of the previously dug trenches
shall be loosened from the surrounding soil and the rootball
undercut to allow the tree to be lifted free from the ground with the rootball intact.
5.2.13 A crane or lifting device shall be used to secure
the tree and support its full weight when lifted without damaging the branches
or trunk. No items of hardware shall be inserted into the trunk or
branches for lifting or other purposes. Cables used for lifting shall be
wrapped with protective rubber sheaf to prevent damage.
5.2.14 Plants shall be lifted carefully to avoid damage to
rootball. Roots shall be cut free from ground, not
pulled, using a suitable implement to give a clean cut.
5.2.15 A board shall be placed under the rootball or a rootball box shall
be constructed to support the full width and depth of the rootball.
5.2.16
The Qualified Personnel
shall be present to supervise the work.
Planting
5.2.17 Prior to the lifting of the trees, tree pits at their
receptor sites shall be already prepared and agreed on site. All pits shall be
300-500mm greater than the size of the rootball of
the tree to be transplanted at all sides and bottom. Tree pit base shall be
scarified to a depth of 150mm. Loosen the base and sides of the tree pit
and fill with water twenty-four hours before planting to ensure free drainage.
Trees shall be transplanted to the new tree pits within twenty-four hours after
being lifted. All transplanted individuals should be saturated with water.
5.3
Post-transplantation Maintenance
Maintenance Duration
5.3.1
All of the transplanted Gmelina chinensis
individuals should be maintained by the Contractor for 12 months (establishment
period) after planting into their final receptor sites.
Watering
5.3.2
These receptor sites should
be thoroughly watered immediately after planting. During the
establishment period, the soil should be regularly monitored to prevent drying
out. The individuals should be watered properly and adequately or daily, if
required. After that, watering frequency should be conducted at least twice a
week until the end of the establishment period. Frequency of watering should be
adjusted accordingly so that the soil is kept moist. The Qualified Personnel
would be responsible for determining and advising the Contractor the suitable
moisture level and the frequency of watering.
Use of Mulch
5.3.3 Mulches help conserve moisture, maintain
moderate soil temperature, and control weeds around plants. If required,
organic mulches such as peat moss, thoroughly dried grass clippings or small
wood chips could be placed on the soil surface over the plant root system.
Pruning/Weeding
5.3.4 Insect/fungal infested stems, or those
infected with disease would be removed after transplantation. Pruning may also
be required after transplantation to remove any broken stems. The receptor
sites should be kept free from weeds throughout 12-months establishment period.
Any unwanted weeds found in these areas should be removed by the Contractor once
identified and/or when instructed by the Project Manager. Weeding should
be carried out by hand as much as possible and removed weeds should be disposed
of appropriately by the Contractor.
5.4
Post-transplantation Monitoring
Performance
5.4.1 Health conditions of the transplanted
individuals should be monitored by the Qualified Personnel in the presence of
ET for two years at the receptor sites. Monitoring of the transplanted
individuals should be conducted once per monthly for the first year, and then
quarterly for the second year as stipulated in EM&A
Manual Section 11.4.4, given that the health conditions during the
establishment period remained fair to good. Should problems relating to the
transplanted tree health arise during the establishment period, monitoring
frequency during post establishment period (throughout construction phase)
would be subject to the situation and the advice of the ET.
5.4.2 Any post-transplantation monitoring findings
should be included in the monthly inspection checklist/report and it should be
submitted to the Project Manager, Environmental Team Leader and Independent
Environmental Checker for review and record.
5.4.3 The Contractor shall be responsible if any Gmelina chinensis
die during the transplantation process, within the two years monitoring period
due to negligence or non-compliance of this Plan. Replacement planting of
new trees of the same species, or other species to the satisfaction of the
Project Manager, at the Contractors’ expense would be deemed necessary under
these conditions.
Construction Activities
5.4.4
Any construction activities
that may adversely affect the identified individual plant species of
conservation importance should be reported in advance to the Project Manager
for planning of preventive measures to avoid possible damage.
Photographic Record
5.4.5 The Contractor should submit a photographic
record for the two Gmelina chinensis individuals to be transplanted during each of
the following stages for record purpose:
5.4.6 Before transplantation - recording the
existing growth angle and compass orientation of the plant, in order to allow
replication during transplanting;
5.4.7 During Transplantation - recording each
procedure, including digging and root pruning, any stems/branches pruning,
formation of rootball, preparation works at all
receptor sites, transportation of uplifted individuals to the receptor sites,
planting of individuals at the receptor sites and after transplanting into the
receptor sites; and
5.4.8
Post-Transplantation Period – recording the status
of transplanted individuals during the 12-month establishment period and until
the end of construction phase, following the aforementioned monitoring
schedule.
6
Conclusion
6.1.1
To fulfill the requirement of EP
Condition 2.21, prior to commencement of construction of SWSR, a
detailed vegetation survey was conducted in August 2020, in order to identify
and record potentially affected plant species of conservation interest
6.1.2
During this group vegetation survey in August 2020, a total of 35
individuals of Gmelina chinensis
and 3 individuals of Aquilaria sinensis were recorded within the proposed SWSR works
area.
6.1.3 Based on the proposed layout of the SWSR,
none of the Aquilaria sinensis
and only two of the Gmelina chinensis individuals are located within the area that
would be affected by the proposed works. It is proposed that the two directly
affected Gmelina chinensis
trees are transplanted.
6.1.4
To provide consistent habitat condition, receptor site would be located
within the project
boundary of SWSR and would receive the two potentially affected Gmelina chinensis
individuals. Although potential receptor site has been proposed, the Contractor
should review the actual conditions before transplantation and propose suitable
alternative receptor sites where necessary by Qualified Personnel and agreed
with ET/IEC and Project Manager. Appropriate transplantation techniques, and
post-transplantation care and monitoring are recommended and should be adopted
as far as practicable. In addition, protective measures for the retained /
transplanted individuals should also be adopted during the construction phase.
7
Reference
Hong Kong Herbarium and South China Botanical
Garden (2007). Flora of Hong Kong. Volume 1. Agriculture, Fisheries and
Conservation Department, Government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
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