Executive summary

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 11^th Monthly EM&A Report for the operation phase of the Project summarising the findings on EM&A during the period from 1 to 30 September 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): 23 September 2022

● Landscape and visual monitoring (bi-monthly): 22 September 2022

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 11^th Operation Phase Monthly EM&A Report summarising the monitoring results for the Project during the reporting period from 1 to 30 September 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

● Updated Woodland Compensation Plan

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 23 September 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 in the EEA include Chinese Bulbul (Pycnonotus sinensis), Crested Myna (Acridotheres cristatellus), Red Collared Dove (Streptopelia tranquebarica) and Swinhoe's White-eye (Zosterops simplex). Butterfly species Common Tiger (Danaus genutia) and odonate species Blue Percher (Diplacodes trivialis) (see Figure 2.2) were also recorded within the EEA. Apart from that, two small 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 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 Odonate species Blue Percher (Diplacodes trivialis)	Figure 2.3 Short-nosed Fruit Bat roosting on frond of Chinese Fan-palm

Point count survey was conducted covering the period from one hour before sunset until nightfall (17:17 to 18:58). 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. Outside the EEA, two individuals of Little Egret were resting at the seawall at the opposite side of the Aberdeen Channel. During sunset hour, an individual of Great Egret was observed flying towards the typhoon shelter. After sunset, three individuals of Black-crowned Night Heron were observed flying from the typhoon shelter and perching on the Ocean Park Tai Shue Wan Pier and Tai Shue Wan seawall.

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, landscape and visual site inspection was conducted on 22 September 2022 with references to recommended mitigation measures provided in Appendix D. The implementation status of the landscape and visual mitigation measures are summarised in Table 3.1. Representative photos showing the implementation of the mitigation measures are presented in Appendix E.

Follow-up measures by the Project Proponent were observed. Conditions of health and leaning of trees have improved. Removal work of invasive species at the Roof and Platform Level is currently under coordination and shall be conducted once a new Contractor has been appointed.

Deterioration and poor health conditions were observed in several trees. Regular watering and close monitoring of these trees are recommended.

Table 3.1: Landscape and Visual Audit Summary for Operation Phase

Landscape and Visual Mitigation Measures during Operation Phase	Implementation Status
OP01 - Sensitive Design and Disposition	The implementation of mitigation measures was checked by ET during the bi-monthly site inspection. Implementation of the measures OP01 to OP05 and most of the OP06 was observed. Major observations for follow-up include: · Several trees were found in deterioration or poor health condition. · Invasive species such as Leucaena leucocephala were observed on the green roof floor. It is recommended to monitor closely of the weaker trees, and remove weedy species to avoid further spreading.
OP02 - Compensatory Tree Planting
OP03 - Enhancement Planting
OP04 - Green Roofs and Vertical Greening
OP05 - Reprovision of Flamingo Pond
OP06 - Responsive Lighting Design
OP07 - Woodland Compensation	To be implemented during planting phase and post-planting phase in accordance with the approved Updated Woodland Compensation Plan

4 Conclusions

Operation phase EM&A works including the monitoring of the EEA and landscape planting 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 23 September 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.

Bi-monthly landscape establishment monitoring was conducted on 22 September 2022. Major observations for follow-up include: (1) Several trees were found in deterioration or poor health condition, and (2) Weeds found in the green roof areas. It is recommended to monitor closely of the weaker trees, and remove weedy species to avoid further spreading.

[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.