Landscape and Visual Impact Audit

1.0 INTRODUCTION

This is a Landscape and Visual Audit conducted to fulfill the requirements of the EIA during the Operational Phase of the project, and is based on the procedures and requirements as set out in the Environmental Monitoring and Audit Manual prepared under Agreement No. CE98/98 Preliminary Design and Ground Investigation for Widening of Yuen Long Highway between Lam Tei and Shap Pat Heung Interchange.

Under the Environmental Impact Assessment for the above, the proposed mitigation measures included both the compensatory planting works and treatment to structures. As stated in paragraphs 5.3.2 & 5.3.3 of the EM&A Manual, all landscape mitigation measures undertaken by the Contractor during the first 12 months of the Operational Phase shall be audited on a bi-monthly basis to ensure compliance with the intended aims of the mitigation measures.

2.0 SCOPE OF AUDIT

The broad scope of the audit on mitigation measures is as detailed below:

2.1 Compensatory Planting

Operation Phase:

· Monitoring of the maintenance operations to ensure all plants are well developed and grow during the Establishment Period.

3.0 INSPECTIONS

3.1 Summary of Inspection – 14^th August 2008

3.1.1 Planting Works and Maintenance Operations

General Observations:

· It was generally observed that the Contractor had carried out the followings works since the last inspection in June:

- replacement of many of the dead / broken / missing trees;

- carried out grass cutting to all slope areas;

- planting of additional shrubs into shrub planting areas;

- carried out woodland mix planting to some outstanding areas.

· It was observed that the Contractor had partially updated the as-built drawings to reflect the actual site conditions of all trees planted on site.

· It was observed a number of trees on site were rocked loose by the recent Typhoon, the Contractor was requested to re-stake all loose / leaning trees.

· A detailed summary of the inspection was noted on the drawings enclosed under Appendix A.

Woodland Mix Planting:

· It was observed that no planting work was carried out as replacement for missing tree and shrub species as specified in the Woodland Mix.. Also, new planting of Woodland Mix carried out at the verge area of slope feature 6NW-D/F5 was observed to be without the seedling trees of specified Mallotus paniculatus (MP) & Schefflera Octophylla (SO) species. The Contractor was requested to rectify as soon as possible.

· Planting of Woodland Mix for other slope areas identified to be devoid of vegetation at the last inspection was still outstanding.

Amenity Tree Planting:

· It was observed that the Contractor had carried out trees replacement planting for some of the dead and missing trees. However, it was noted that there are still quite a number of trees still to be replaced. The Contractor was reminded to replace all dead and undersized trees as soon as possible.

Amenity Shrub Planting:

· It was observed that the Contractor had carried out additional planting of shrubs to planting areas as previously identified. However, it was still considered that the additional shrub quantities planted as replacement to be insufficient. The Contractor was reminded to rectify the shrubs to quantities as specified on drawings.

Berm Planters:

· It was observed that the Contractor had replaced some of the dead trees previously found on berm planters. However, a number of dead and broken trees were still observed on site. The Contractor was reminded to replace all remaining trees as soon as possible.

· It was observed that the Contractor had planted whips, shrubs, and climber plants of Berm Planter Mixes to all Berm Planter areas. However, there were some dead plants observed. The Contractor was reminded to replace all dead plants as soon as possible.

Transplanted Trees:

· It was observed that the Contractor had revised the drawings to show actual locations of the transplanted trees.

Existing Retained Trees:

· It was observed that the Contractor had transplanted back the trees 1044 and 1046 which are stated as Existing Tree to be Retained on the drawing.

3.1.2 Recommendations

· The Contractor was reminded to perform all landscape maintenance operations as stipulated in the General Specification and Particular Specification to ensure the healthy establishment of all the trees, shrubs, and groundcover plants.

· The Contractor was reminded to replace all remaining dead and undersized trees and any other trees found to be in poor conditions prior to the next site inspection.

· The Contractor was again reminded to rectify all woodland mix planting areas through infill planting for all missing trees and shrub species to the specified quantities. Also, the Contractor was reminded to carry out planting of woodland mix plants to the outstanding areas.

· The Contractor was reminded to further rectify all shrub amenity planting areas by re-planting all missing shrubs and where the actual quantities are less than that specified.

· The Contractor was reminded to carry out regular inspection of all tree stakes, especially trees on berm planters where it could be easily blown over in strong wind conditions, and rectify all defects as soon as possible.

· The Contractor was reminded to replace all dead plants of ‘Berm Planter Mixes’ on Berm Planters.

· The Contractor was reminded to continue grass cutting and weeding of all slopes, including removal of undesired self-seeded Leucaena leucocephala species on a regular basis. Also, the Contractor to carry out fertilizing of plants, etc.

4.0 AUDIT SCHEULE

4.1 Bi-monthly Audit Schedule during Establishment Period

The next bi-monthly audit is scheduled to be conducted on 16^th October 2008.

Appendix A