Repositioning and Long Term Operation Plan of Ocean Park Environmental Impact Assessment Study 11. CULTURAL HERITAGE IMPACT ASSESSMENT Introduction 11.1 This section presents a cultural heritage impact assessment of the project, identifying cultural heritage resources such as archaeological sites, built heritage structures and assessing potential direct and indirect impacts from proposed works on these resources, and recommending mitigation measures where required. Project Location 11.2 This project will largely be located within the existing Ocean Park area at Aberdeen, and will extend to cover the existing bus terminus and part of the existing Hong Kong School of Motoring (HKSM) site adjacent to the existing Ocean Park. 11.3 The current Ocean Park is built on the northern and southern sides of Nam Long Shan and is composed of three areas – Lowland, Headland and Tai Shue Wan. The Lowland is situated on the northern side of Nam Long Shan whereas both the Headland and Tai Shue Wan are on the southern side. The main entrance of the Park is at the Lowland and there is another secondary entrance at Tai Shue Wan. A cable car system serves as the main mode of transport for the visitors between the Lowland and the Headland. Proposed Works 11.4 Under the project, a new entry plaza will be constructed partly on the existing HKSM site, for plans please refer to Figure 1.1. A section of the Ocean Park Road will be constructed at the existing City Bus Depot site adjacent to the proposed Entry Plaza. 11.5 The proposed works for the Lowland, see Figure 1.1, which will be renamed the Waterfront under the project, will be redeveloped with the reconstruction and addition of new attractions and facilities, including new aquarium, shark tanks, lagoons, and new rides. 11.6 The Headland, proposed works shown in Figure 1.1, which will be renamed the Summit under the project, will be extended to cover part of the hill slope adjacent to Nam Long Shan. New attractions and facilities such as Ocean Dome Whale Stadium, new Panda House, brand new theatres for shows, new rides, and accommodations for new animals will be incorporated. Some of the existing facilities such as Ocean Theatre and Pacific Pier will be upgraded. Overall, the amount of attractions will be doubled under the project. 11.7 The project will also include a new Summit Express (funicular train) in tunnel to provide an alternative connection between the Waterfront and the Summit for the visitors. The service facilities for the Park will also be upgraded. These facilities include administration offices, back-of-house facilities, service roads, utility services, life supporting systems for animals, drainage, sewerage, waterworks, retail shops, and restaurants. The existing cable car system, which is already a signature mode of transport of the Park, will be retained as an alternative mode of transport between the Waterfront and the Summit for the visitors. 11.8 The Study Brief highlights that special attention should be paid to the archaeological potential of the area currently underneath the HKSM and visual impacts or impacts arising from vibration to historical buildings in particular at Wong Chuk Hang San Wai. Environmental Legislation and Standards 11.9 Legislation, Standards, Guidelines and Criteria relevant to the consideration of Cultural Heritage impacts under this study include the following: • Antiquities and Monuments Ordinance P:\A02105\Reports\Final_2\EIA\S11_5CH.doc 11-1 Repositioning and Long Term Operation Plan of Ocean Park Environmental Impact Assessment Study • Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance • Hong Kong Planning Standards and Guidelines • Technical Memorandum on Environmental Impact Assessment Process. Antiquities and Monuments Ordinance (Cap.53) 11.10 The Antiquities and Monuments Ordinance provides the statutory framework to provide for the preservation of objects of historical, archaeological and palaeontological interest. 11.11 The Ordinance contains the statutory procedures for the Declaration of Monuments. The proposed monument can be any place, building, site or structure, which is considered to be of public interest by reason of its historical, archaeological or palaeontological significance. 11.12 Under section 6 and subject to subsection (4) of the Ordinance, the following acts are prohibited in relation to certain monuments, except under permit; • To excavate, carry on building works, plant or fell trees or deposit earth or refuse on or in a proposed monument or monument • To demolish, remove, obstruct, deface or interfere with a proposed monument or monument 11.13 The discovery of an Antiquity, as defined in the Ordinance must be reported to the Antiquities Authority, or a designated person. The Ordinance also provides that, the ownership of every relic discovered in Hong Kong after the commencement of this ordinance shall vest in the Government from the moment of discovery. The Authority on behalf of the government may disclaim ownership of the relic. 11.14 No archaeological excavation may be carried out by any person, other than the Authority and the designated person, without a licence issued by the Authority. A licence will only be issued if the Authority is satisfied that the applicant has sufficient scientific training or experience to enable him to carry out the excavation and search satisfactorily, is able to conduct, or arrange for, a proper scientific study of any antiquities discovered as a result of the excavation and search and has sufficient staff and financial support. Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (Cap.499) 11.15 The Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (EIAO) was implemented on 1 April 1998. Its purpose is to avoid, minimise and control the adverse impact on the environment of designated projects, through the application of the EIA process and the Environmental Permit (EP) system. Hong Kong Planning Standards and Guidelines 11.16 HKPSG (Chapter 10) covers planning considerations relevant to conservation. Chapter 10 details the principles of conservation, the conservation of natural landscape and habitats, historic buildings and archaeological sites. It also addresses the issue of enforcement. The appendices list the legislation and administrative controls for conservation, other conservation related measures in Hong Kong, and Government departments involved in conservation. Technical Memorandum on Environmental Impact Assessment Process 11.17 The general criteria and guidelines for evaluating and assessing impacts are listed in Annexes 10 and 19 of the Technical Memorandum on Environmental Impact Assessment Process (EIAO-TM). The guidelines state that preservation in totality and measures for the integration of sites of cultural heritage into the proposed project will be a beneficial impact. It also states that destruction of a site of cultural heritage must only be undertaken as a last resort. P:\A02105\Reports\Final_2\EIA\S11_5CH.doc 11-2 Repositioning and Long Term Operation Plan of Ocean Park Environmental Impact Assessment Study Archaeology Assessment Methodology Desk-top Assessment 11.18 Desk-top searches were conducted to analyse, collect and collate extant information. The following were reviewed: • Background information of sites of cultural heritage within and in close proximity to the Study Area (AMO files, Public Records Office, map libraries, university and public libraries, published and unpublished government and non-government documents, cartographic and pictorial documents, existing geo-technical studies) • Legislation (i.e. Antiquities and Monuments Ordinance etc.) • Areas proposed for construction and operation activities and potential impacts generated by the proposed project • Identification of sensitive receivers (i.e. archaeological sites and areas of archaeological potential). Impact Assessment and Evaluation 11.19 Cultural heritage impact assessment was undertaken to identify potential impacts on the sites of cultural heritage. This included: • Identification of potential impacts, both direct and indirect, on sites of cultural heritage. • Assessment of impacts according to the requirements of Annexes 10 and 19 of the EIAO-TM. • Evaluation of impacts using methodology continued in the EIAO-TM. • The scope for the investigation, if required, will be set out in consultation with the Antiquities and Monuments Office (AMO) prior to implementation. The scope and requirement of the investigation is to be fully designed and implemented by the project proponent. Any archaeological field investigation should be conducted by qualified archaeologist engaged by the project proponent. The archaeologist should apply for Licence under the provision of the Antiquities and Monuments Ordinance (Cap.53), which will normally take at least two months time to process. Baseline Conditions Geological and Topographical Review of the Study Area Ocean Park 11.20 Ocean Park is located on the south of Hong Kong Island; the theme park covers a part of Nam Long Shan, a large eutaxite hill with fine vitric ash tuff at the lower foot slopes. Nam Long Shan has two peaks; at 284 metres PD and at 186 metres PD. 11.21 The facilities at Tai Shue Wan have been constructed on reclaimed land and a small valley area of Pleistocene debris flow deposits; steep slopes surround the valley. The facilities at the Headland were constructed on the two flattest areas near the peak of Nam Long Shan. 11.22 The Lowland area between the Main Ocean Park entrance building and Kid’s World was constructed on Pleistocene debris flow deposits and