|
|
14th Post-transplantation Monitoring and
Audit Report (15th September 2023)
Northeast New Territories Landfill Extension (NENTX)
| Contract No. EP/SP/77/15
0092/22/ED/0440
01 | 28 September 2023
Draft
Veolia Environmental Services Hong Kong
Limited
ET
certification letter
IEC
verification letter
|
|
Document Control
Document Information
Project Title
|
Northeast New Territories Landfill Extension (NENTX)
|
Document Title
|
14th Post-transplantation Monitoring and
Audit Report (15th September 2023)
|
Fugro Project No.
|
0092-22
|
Fugro Document No.
|
0092/22/ED/0440
|
Issue Number
|
01
|
Issue Status
|
Draft
|
Fugro Legal Entity
|
Fugro
Technical Services Limited
|
Issuing Office Address
|
13/F,
Fugro House – KCC2, 1 Kwai On Rd, Kwai Chung, NT, Hong Kong
|
Client Information
Client
|
Veolia Environmental Services Hong Kong
Limited
|
Client Address
|
40/F.,
One Taikoo Place, Taikoo Place, 979 King's Road, Quarry Bay, Hong Kong
|
Client Contact
|
Mr. William Wan
|
Client Document No.
|
NENTX-FUG-RP-E-ZZ-014-I01
|
Document History
Issue
|
Date
|
Status
|
Comments on Content
|
Prepared By
|
Checked By
|
Approved By
|
01
|
28 Sep 2023
|
Draft
|
Awaiting client’s comments
|
AY
|
FN
|
FN
|
Project Team
Initials
|
Name
|
Role
|
CY
|
Colin Yung
|
Project Manager
|
FN
|
Fenelyn Nabuab
|
Ecologist/ ISA Certified Arborist
HK1821A/TRAQ
|
RL
|
Ray Li
|
Environmental Consultant/ ISA Certified
Arborist HK1838A/TRAQ
|
JT
|
Jhomar Tillo
|
Ecologist
|
AY
|
Andy Yuen
|
Assistant Environmental Consultant
|
SR
|
Sheila Rabi
|
Ecologist
|
Contents
1.1 Background of the Project 1
1.2 Purpose of this Document 2
1.3 Structure of this Document 2
2.1 Condition of the Transplanted Individuals 3
2.2 Key Maintenance Activities Conducted in The Reporting
Month 3
2.3 Recommendation on Post-Transplantation Maintenance 4
Appendices
Appendix A Conditions
of Transplanted Plant Species of Conservation Importance
Appendix B Photographic
Records of Transplanted Plant Species
B.1 Incense
Tree Aquilaria sinensis
B.2 Lamb
of Tartary Cibotium barometz
B.3 Bottlebrush
Orchid Goodyera procera
1.1.2
The
transplantation works were conducted in fulfilment of Conditions 2.7 and 2.9 of
the EP and Conditions 2.5 and 2.7 of the FEP and in accordance with the
approved Transplantation Proposal for Plant Species of Conservation Importance
(Rev.1) (NENTX-FUG-RP-E-EM-002-I02) (the “approved Proposal”). The Transplantation Report (NENTX-AURE-RP-ZZ-E-007-I-I01) was
prepared by a qualified ecologist certified by the Environmental Team (ET)
Leader and Independent Environmental Checker (IEC) in accordance with Condition
2.7 of the EP and Condition 2.5 of the FEP.
1.1.3
The Transplantation Report details the methodology of the transplantation activities. The actual
transplantation works for the plant species of conservation importance was
described along with the post-transplantation maintenance. The post-transplantation
monitoring and audit and the implementation programme was also detailed. The vegetation
survey which investigated the plant species of conservation importance before
the transplantation work was detailed in the approved Transplantation Proposal.
1.1.4
Before the transplantation activities, a detailed vegetation
survey was conducted by direct observation to record the plant species of
conservation importance present in NENTX. A total of four floral species of
conservation importance were identified within the Project Site, namely Incense
Tree Aquilaria sinensis, Endospermum Endospermum chinense, Lamb
of Tartary Cibotium barometz and Bottlebrush Orchid Goodyera procera.
Individuals that were directly impacted by the proposed construction of NENTX
Landfill had been selected for transplantation. More details to be found in the
approved Transplantation Proposal.
1.1.5
Based
on the findings of the detailed vegetation survey and verification survey, three
plant species of conservation importance were considered suitable for
transplantation, i.e., two nos. of Incense Tree saplings, one cluster of Lamb
of Tartary, and 19 clusters of Bottlebrush
Orchid. The transplantation works was
carried out by a landscape contractor and supervised by a qualified ecologist.
The qualified ecologist has at least five years of relevant experience in
transplantation and/or vegetation survey and assessment and is also an ISA
Certified Arborist.
1.1.6
The three plant species of conservation
importance were transplanted to suitable receptor sites. To further safeguard these species, the selected
receptor sites were within or adjacent to the facilities managed by the
Contractor. Moreover, the similarity in site conditions between the collection
site and receptor site and the accessibility of the receptor for future
maintenance and monitoring were also considered in the selection.
More details to be found in the Transplantation
Report.
1.1.7
All
the transplanted individuals will be maintained by the Contractor for 12 months
(establishment period) after planting to the receptor sites in accordance with
Section 4 of the approved Proposal. Moreover, their survival and growth will be
monitored by a qualified ecologist or botanist of Fugro in accordance with
Section 5 of the approved Proposal.
Succeeding this introductory section,
the remainder of this Report is presented as follows:
n
Section 2 details the
monitoring results, including the key maintenance activities conducted this reporting
month;
n
Section 3 presents the
succeeding post-transplantation monitoring schedule; and
n
Section 4 summarizes the
findings of the post-transplantation monitoring and way forward.
Following the transplantation works on
10 November 2022, the 14th post-transplantation monitoring and audit
was carried out on 15 September 2023 to check the condition of the transplanted
plant individuals.
2.1.2
Twelve individuals (GP02–05, GP09, GP11-15, GP18, GP19) are
missing in the current monitoring period. This could be due to the Tropical
Cyclone Saola, which triggered the T10 alert on 1 September 2023 and the
following black rainstorm.
2.1.3
The Lamb of Tartary Cibotium barometz is in good condition.
The new foliage is now very established and have been growing steadily.
2.1.4
One saplings of the Incense Tree Aquilaria sinensis (AS02) is
dead. This could also be due to the recent rainstorm and tropical cyclone. The
other (AS03) demonstrated poor health conditions with no foliage and fungi
growing.
2.1.5
Albeit strict compliance of the transplantation works and
post-transplantation maintenance to the approved Transplantation Proposal,
transplanted individuals would require time to adapt and establish in the new
environment/substrate of the receptor site. Hence, signs of leaf discoloration
and/or wilting, dehydration, and even die-off are expected. Thus, succeeding post-transplantation
maintenance and monitoring and audit are crucial to assess the progress of
recovery and establishment of transplanted individuals in the receptor site.
n
Watering frequency of the two
Incense Tree saplings was 2-3 times per week. The watering dates were 18 Aug,
21 Aug, 25 Aug, 28 Aug, 31 Aug, 4 Sep, 11 Sep.
n
The watering frequency of the
cluster of Lamb of Tartary was 2 times a week. The
watering dates were 18 Aug, 21 Aug, 25 Aug, 28 Aug, 31 Aug, 4 Sep, 11 Sep.
n
Once a week watering of Bottlebrush
Orchid. The watering dates were 18 Aug, 25 Aug, 28Aug,
4 Sep, 11 Sep.
n
Manual removal of weeds when
observed during watering activities; and
n
Checking of insect attacks and/or
fungal infestation during watering activities.
n
Pruning of wilted foliage of the
cluster of Lamb of Tartary.
n Reinforcing
fence of the two Incense Tree saplings.
Immediately after the monitoring and audit activity, the following
post-transplantation maintenance was discussed with the Contractor for their
prompt implementation:
n The watering frequency for the two saplings of Incense Tree should be maintained at 2-3 times a
week. Improve/place organic mulch around the two saplings of Incense Tree to
retain soil moisture, protect damaged roots against extreme temperatures, and
improve soil quality.
n The
watering frequency of the cluster of Lamb of Tartary should be maintained at twice
a week.
n The
watering frequency for all clusters of Bottlebrush Orchid should remain the
same. During watering activities, the surrounding dead branches and dry leaves
should be removed to ensure no plants are damaged by them.
n
Fencing around individual AS-03
should be reinforced.
4.1.1
The
health of seven of the transplanted individuals of Bottlebrush Orchid were in
fair to good condition, but the rest of the individuals are missing. The
missing of individuals could be caused by the Tropical
Cyclone Soala and the following black rainstorm. One
individual of Incense Tree saplings was in poor health condition and the other
one is now dead. The
poor health condition could be due to transplantation shock brought about by
the changes in the environment and the individual has not acclimated to these
changes yet. The dead individual could also be caused by the recent natural
disasters. Lastly, the transplanted cluster of Lamb of Tartary is now in good
health condition. The new foliage is growing steadily and are becoming more
established. As aforementioned, it takes time for newly transplanted plants to
grow accustomed to the new environment of the recipient site. Therefore, signs
of leaf discoloration and/or wilting, dehydration, and even die-off are
expected.
It is recommended to pay
additional attention to the health conditions of the Bottlebrush
Orchid and
the Incense Tree saplings. Moreover, should there be drastic change in the
heath conditions of these individuals observed during post-transplantation
maintenance activities, the Contractor is advised to immediately advise the
ecologist to discuss possible remedial actions.
[This is the bookmark for the end of the main section. Do not
put content past this point]