Agreement No. CE 29/2008 (EP) Engineering Investigation and Environmental Studies for Integrated Waste Management Facilities Phase 1 – Feasibility Study Environmental Impact Assessment Report 7b. ECOLOGICAL IMPACT (BOTH TERRESTRIAL AND AQUATIC) (ARTIFICIAL ISLAND NEAR SKC) 7b.1 Introduction 7b.1.1.1 This section presents the baseline ecological resource conditions within the study area, and the results of assessment of the potential ecological impacts resulting from the IWMF at an artificial island near SKC. Baseline conditions for ecological components of the terrestrial and marine environment were evaluated based on information from available literatures and field surveys conducted for the purposes of this EIA. Measures required to mitigate any identified adverse impacts are recommended, where appropriate. 7b.1.1.2 The proposed Project Site is located at the southwest of the Shek Kwu Chau Island, where reclamation works would take place under this Project. Based on literature review, Shek Kwu Chau supports various species of herpetofauna, and that 3 out of 5 records of a very rare and endemic reptile species, Bogadek’s Burrowing Lizard (Dibamus bogadeki), has been previously recorded at Shek Kwu Chau (Lazell, 2002). It is therefore considered that reclamation is a suitable option for the siting of the IWMF. 7b.2 Environmental Legislation, Policies, Plans, Standards and Criteria 7b.2.1.1 Guidelines, standards, documents and ordinances / regulations listed in the following sections were referred to during the course of the ecological impact assessment. x The Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (Cap. 499) provides guidelines on the environmental impact assessment process. x The Country Parks Ordinance (Cap. 208) provides for the designation and management of country parks and special areas. Country parks are designated for the purpose of nature conservation, countryside recreation and outdoor education. Special Areas are created mainly for the purpose of nature conservation. x The Forests and Countryside Ordinance (Cap. 96) prohibits felling, cutting, burning or destroying of trees and growing plants in forests and plantations on government land. Related subsidiary regulations prohibit the selling or possession of listed restricted and protected plant species. x Under the Wild Animals Protection Ordinance (Cap. 170), designated wild animals are protected from being hunted, whilst their nests and eggs are protected from injury, destruction and removal. All birds and most mammals, including marine cetaceans, are protected under this Ordinance. x The Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance (Cap. 586) provides protection for certain plant and animal species through controlling or prohibiting trade in the species. Certain types of corals are listed in Schedule 1 of the Ordinance, including Blue coral (Heliopora coerulea), Organ pipe corals (family Tubiporidae), Black corals (order Antipatharia), Stony corals (order Scleractinia), Fire corals (family Milleporidae) and Lace corals (family Stylasteridae). Cetacean including whales, dolphins, porpoises, and rorquals are also listed under Schedules 1 & 2 of the Ordinance. The import, export and possession of scheduled corals, no matter dead or living, is restricted. x The amended Town Planning Ordinance (Cap. 131) provides for the designation of coastal protection areas, Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), Conservation Area, Country Park, Green Belt or other specified uses that promote conservation or protection of the environment. AECOM 7b-1 February 2011 Agreement No. CE 29/2008 (EP) Engineering Investigation and Environmental Studies for Integrated Waste Management Facilities Phase 1 – Feasibility Study Environmental Impact Assessment Report x Chapter 10 of the Hong Kong Planning Standard and Guidelines (HKPSG) covers planning considerations relevant to conservation. This chapter details the principles of conservation, the conservation of natural landscape and habitats, historic buildings, archaeological sites and other antiquities. It also describes enforcement issues. The appendices list the legislation and administrative controls for conservation, other conservation related measures in Hong Kong and government departments involved in conservation. x Annex 16 of the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance – Technical Memorandum on Environmental Impact Assessment Process (EIAO-TM) sets out the general approach and methodology for assessment of ecological impacts arising from a project or proposal, to allow a complete and objective identification, prediction and evaluation of the potential ecological impacts. Annex 8 recommends the criteria that can be used for evaluating habitat and ecological impact. x Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (EIAO) Guidance Note No. 3/2002 provides general guidelines for assessing the recommended environmental mitigation measures in Environmental Impact Assessment reports. x EIAO Guidance Note No. 6/2010 clarifies the requirements of ecological assessments under the EIAO. x EIAO Guidance Note No. 7/2010 provides general guidelines for conducting ecological baseline surveys in order to fulfill requirements stipulated in the EIAO-TM. x EIAO Guidance Note No. 10/2010 introduces general methodologies for conducting terrestrial and freshwater ecological baseline surveys. x EIAO Guidance Note No. 11/2010 introduces general methodologies for conducting marine ecological baseline surveys. x The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species provides taxonomic, conservation status and distribution information on taxa that have been evaluated using the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria. This system is designed to determine the relative risk of extinction, and the main purpose of the IUCN Red List is to catalogue and highlight those taxa that are facing a higher risk of global extinction. The IUCN Red List also includes information on taxa that are either close to meeting the threatened thresholds or that would be threatened were it not for an ongoing taxon-specific conservation programme. x The Key Protected Wildlife Species List details Category I and Category II protected animal species under the PRC’s Wild Animal Protection Law. 7b.3 Assessment Methodology 7b.3.1 Study Area 7b.3.1.1 As required under Clause 3.7.5.2 of the EIAO Study Brief, the study area for the purpose of terrestrial ecological impact assessment includes all areas within 500 m from the site boundary of the land based works areas, or the area likely to be impacted by the Project (Figure 7b.1 for Shek Kwu Chau; Figure 7b.2 for Cheung Sha). 7b.3.1.2 As required under Clause 3.7.5.2 of the EIAO Study Brief, the study area for marine ecological impact assessment shall be the same as the water quality impact assessment, covering the Southern, Southern Supplementary, Second Southern Supplementary, North AECOM 7b-2 February 2011 Agreement No. CE 29/2008 (EP) Engineering Investigation and Environmental Studies for Integrated Waste Management Facilities Phase 1 – Feasibility Study Environmental Impact Assessment Report Western, North Western Supplementary, and Western Buffer Water Control Zones (WCZs), or the area likely to be affected by the Project 7b.3.1.3 After referring to the Water Quality Impact Assessment, in addition to the implementation of the proposed water quality control measures, with the proposed phasing of works, and low impact construction method, potential adverse impact on water quality is predicted to be minimised and localized in the vicinity of the Project. Marine ecological impact assessment for this study will therefore confine to the area where adverse water quality impact is predicted within and in vicinity of the Project Site (Figure 7b.3). 7b.3.2 Literature Review 7b.3.2.1 In accordance with Clause 3.7.5.4(i) of the EIAO Study Brief, collation and review of relevant studies and available information regarding the ecological character of the study area were carried out. Evaluation of the collected information was conducted to identify any information gap relating to the assessment of potential ecological impacts to the terrestrial and marine environment. 7b.3.3 Ecological Surveys 7b.3.3.1 Based on review of the findings from relevant studies and available information, field surveys were carried out to fill information gaps identified, and to verify the information collected, in order to fulfill the objectives of this EIA according to Clause 3.7.5.4 (iii) of the EIAO Study Brief. The methodologies for ecological surveys and impact assessment presented below were prepared in accordance with the criteria and guidelines in Annexes 8 and 16 of the EIAO-TM, EIAO Guidance Note No. 7/2010, 10/2010 and 11/2010. Ecological Survey Programme Shek Kwu Chau 7b.3.3.2 An eleven-month ecological survey programme was conducted from December 2008 to October 2009 covering both dry and wet seasons. The details of the survey programme are summarized in Table 7b.1. Table 7b.1 Ecological Survey Programme at Shek Kwu Chau Shek Kwu Dry Season Wet Season Chau Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sept Oct 08 09 09 09 09 09 09 09 09 09 09 Habitat and ¥ ¥ Vegetation Survey Avifauna ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ Survey (Day) Avifauna ¥ ¥ Survey (Night) Butterfly, ¥ ¥ ¥ Dragonfly and Damselfly Survey Herpetofauna ¥ ¥ ¥ Survey (Day) Herpetofauna ¥ ¥ Survey (Night) Wooden ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ Cover Board AECOM 7b-3 February 2011 Agreement No. CE 29/2008 (EP) Engineering Investigation and Environmental Studies for Integrated Waste Management Facilities Phase 1 – Feasibility Study Environmental