%20June%202022_files/image002.gif)
%20June%202022_files/image004.gif)
Contents
1.3 Environmental Status and Programme
2 Monitoring of Ecological Enhancement Area
3 Landscape & Visual Monitoring
Appendix B Project Organisation
Appendix C Location of Vantage Point
Mott MacDonald Hong Kong Ltd. (“MMHK”) has been commissioned by the Ocean Park Corporation to undertake the Environmental Team (ET) services to carry out environmental monitoring and audit (EM&A) for the operation phase of Ocean Park Tai Shue Wan Water World (the Project).
This is the 8th Monthly EM&A Report for the operation phase of the Project summarising the findings on EM&A during the period from 1 to 30 June 2022, and is submitted under the Environmental Permit (No. EP-487/2014/A).
Environmental Monitoring and Audit Progress
A summary of the operation phase monitoring activities during the reporting period is listed as below:
● Monitoring of the Ecological Enhancement Area (monthly): 20 June 2022
● Landscape and visual monitoring (bi-monthly): To be conducted during the next reporting period.
1
Introduction
1.1
Background
On 27 August 2014, the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Report and Environmental Monitoring and Audit (EM&A) Manual (Register No.: AEIAR-184/2014) for the “Tai Shue Wan Development at Ocean Park” (the Project) was approved and an Environmental Permit (EP) (Permit No.: EP-487/2014) was issued to the Ocean Park Corporation (Project Proponent). Based on the Application for Variation of Environmental Permit No. VEP-539/2017, the current valid EP (Permit No.: EP-487/2014/A) was issued on 10 January 2018. The location and layout of the Project are presented in Appendix A.
Upon the completion of construction of the Project in May 2021 and the approved termination of construction phase EM&A programme in July 2021, the Water World opened on 21 September 2021. Mott MacDonald Hong Kong Ltd. (“MMHK”) has been commissioned by the Project Proponent to undertake the Environmental Team (ET) services to carry out operation phase EM&A for the Ocean Park Tai Shue Wan Water World Project.
Under the requirements of Section 3 of EP and the EM&A Manual, environmental monitoring of ecology, landscape and visual are required for one year during operation phase. This is the 8th Operation Phase Monthly EM&A Report summarising the monitoring results for the Project during the Reporting Period from 1 to 30 June 2022.
1.2
Project Organisation
The project organisation and the contacts of key personnel of the Project are shown in Appendix B.
1.3
Environmental
Status and Programme
The current monitoring is under the operation phase of the Project with all construction activities completed, thus there were no construction works involved.
Monitoring of ecological enhancement area was conducted with a monitoring programme for once per month for 12 months during operation phase.
Landscape and visual monitoring was conducted with a monitoring programme for once in bi-monthly intervals throughout the 12-month establishment period in operation phase.
Submissions required under the EP that were approved by the EPD and deposited to the EIA Ordinance Register Office are as listed below:
● Detailed Vegetation Survey Report
● Woodland Compensation Plan
● Ardeid Inspection Report
● Short-nosed Fruit Bat Inspection Report
● Baseline Monitoring Report
● Ecological Enhancement Plan
● Visual and Landscape Plan
● Detailed Design Report for the Sewerage Facilities
● Noise Audit Report
2
Monitoring of
Ecological Enhancement Area
2.1
Monitoring Requirement
As required under the Section 8.3.2.4 of the approved EM&A Manual and the approved Ecological Enhancement Plan under EP Condition 2.8, the Ecological Enhancement Area (EEA) should be monitored monthly after establishment, for one year during operation phase to check the effectiveness of the setting.
Direct observation and counting of ardeids was made from a vantage point (i.e., point count method) at the evening time from an hour before sunset, and last until the nightfall. Before conducting point count survey, the EEA was also inspected and searched for any ardeids, other birds or faunal groups utilising the habitat. Any aggregation of night roosting ardeids in the EEA or adjacent area would be located, and the ardeid species would be identified and counted throughout the monitoring. Moreover, day roost of Black-crowned Night Heron in the EEA or adjacent area would also be recorded if any.
2.2
Monitoring Findings
Monitoring of the EEA was undertaken on 20 June 2022. The condition of vegetation in the EEA was generally well-maintained, while the pond was also maintained with suitable water level and continuous water inflow (see Figure 2.1). The EEA was inspected, but no ardeids or day roost of Black-crowned Night Heron were found in the EEA. Individuals of Black Kite (Milvus migrans) were observed soaring over the area. Other bird species observed within the EEA include Black-collared Starling (Gracupica nigricollis), Crested Myna (Acridotheres cristatellus), Eurasian Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus), Oriental Magpie-Robin (Copsychus saularis), Red-billed Blue Magpie (Urocissa erythroryncha), and Red-whiskered Bulbul (Pycnonotus jocosus). Butterfly species Blue-spotted Crow (Euploea midamus) was recorded within the EEA (see Figure 2.2). Field signs i.e., diggings left by wild boars were observed next to the pond within the EEA. Apart from that, two groups of Short-nosed Fruit Bat (Cynopterus sphinx), which is a species listed as “Near Threatened” in Red List of China's Vertebrates (Jiang et al., 2016)[1], were also observed roosting under Chinese Fan-palms within the EEA (see Figure 2.3), which echoes the findings of the Short-nosed Fruit Bat Inspection Report submitted prior the construction phase.
|
|
|
|
Figure 2.1 General view of the freshwater pond and vegetation in the EEA |
|
|
|
|
|
Figure 2.2 Butterfly species Blue-spotted Crow (Euploea midamus) |
Figure 2.3 Short-nosed Fruit Bat roosting on frond of Chinese Fan-palm |
%20June%202022_files/image001.jpg)
%20June%202022_files/image002.jpg)
%20June%202022_files/image003.jpg)
%20June%202022_files/image004.jpg)
Point count survey was conducted covering the period from one hour before sunset until nightfall (18:03 to 19:28). Direct observation was made at the vantage point next to the EEA with an unobstructed view covering the EEA, seawall at Tai Shue Wan, Aberdeen Channel and a portion of the East Lamma Channel. The location of the vantage point is indicated in Appendix C. Throughout the monitoring period, no ardeids were noted roosting within or flying towards the EEA. An individual of Little Egret was observed resting at the seawall of Water World, while another individual was foraging at the rocky shore to the southwest of the project area. On the other hand, there were around four Little Egrets resting at the seawall at the opposite side of the Aberdeen Channel. During sunset hour, two groups of Great Egret were observed flying pass the Aberdeen Channel towards typhoon shelter.
3 Landscape & Visual Monitoring
3.1
Monitoring Requirement
Landscape and visual mitigation measures for the operation phase are listed in Table 9.2 of the Approved EM&A Manual, while the detailed implementation plans are presented in the approved Visual and Landscape Plan.
According to Section 9.1 of the approved EM&A Manual, a Registered Landscape Architect (RLA), as a member of the ET team, would be responsible for monitoring the implementation of landscape and visual measures during the operation phase.
As required under the Section 9.5 of the approved EM&A Manual, all landscape planting shall be monitored bi-monthly during the first year of the operation phase to ensure proper establishment and its effectiveness as landscape and visual mitigation measures. The scope of the site audit during this 12-month establishment period in operation phase shall include the following:
● All necessary horticultural operations and replacement planting are undertaken throughout the 12-month establishment period to ensure healthy establishment.
Any observation of unsatisfactory horticultural maintenance works, failure of establishment of soft landscape or poor condition of established planting shall be recorded for Ocean Park operator to undertake any necessary actions to improve the conditions of the landscape planting.
3.2
Audit Summary
In the reporting period, no landscape and visual site inspection was conducted. Landscape and visual site inspection was last conducted on 19 May 2022, while the next site inspection will be conducted tentatively on 22 July 2022 for the next reporting period.
4
Conclusions
Operation phase EM&A works including the monitoring of the EEA were conducted in accordance with the EM&A Manual during the reporting period.
In this month of monitoring of the EEA, survey was conducted on 20 June 2022 covering the period from one hour before sunset until nightfall. No ardeids were noted roosting in the EEA, while a species of conservation importance, Short-nosed Fruit Bat, was observed within the EEA.
[1] Jiang, Z. G., Jiang, J.-P., Wang, Y. Z., Zhang, E., Zhang, Y. Y., Li, L.L., Xie, F., Cai, B., Cao, L., Zheng, G. M., Dong, L., Zhang, Z. W., Ding, P., Luo, Z. H., Ding, C. Q., Ma, Z. J., Tang, S. H., Cao, W. X., Li, C. W., Hu, H. J., Ma, Y., Wu, Y., Wang, Y. X., Zhou, K. Y., Liu, S. Y., Chen, Y. Y., Li, J. T., Feng, Z. J., Wang, Y., Wang, B., Li, C., Song, X. L., Cai, L., Zang, C. X., Zeng, Y., Meng, Z. B., Fang, H. X. and Ping, X. G. (2016). Red List of China’s Vertebrates. Biodiversity Science, 24(5): 500–551.