3^rd Post-Translocation Monitoring Report (October 2022)

Northeast New Territories Landfill Extension (NENTX) | Contract No. EP/SP/77/15

0092/22/ED/0256 05 | 6 February 2023

Formal Submission

Veolia Environmental Services Hong Kong Ltd.

Document Control

Document Information

Project Title	Northeast New Territories Landfill Extension (NENTX) \| Contract No. EP/SP/77/15
Document Title	3^rd Post-Translocation Monitoring Report (October 2022)
Fugro Project No.	0092-22
Fugro Document No.	0092/22/ED/0256
Issue Number	05
Issue Status	Formal Submission
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 Ltd.
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-EM-006-I01

Document History

Issue	Date	Status	Comments on Content	Prepared By	Checked By	Approved By
01	14 Nov 2022	Draft	Awaiting client’s comments	AY	FN	CY
02	21 Nov 2022	Formal Submission	For ET’s certification and IEC’s verification	AY	FN	CY
03	20 Jan 2023	Formal Submission	For ET’s certification and IEC’s verification	AY	FN	CY
04	27 Jan 2023	Formal Submission	For ET’s certification and IEC’s verification	AY	FN	CY
05	06 Feb 2023	Formal Submission	For ET’s certification and IEC’s verification	AY	FN	CY

Project Team

Initials	Name	Role
CY	Colin Yung	Project Manager
FN	Fenelyn Nabuab	Ecologist
KJB	Kalvin Jay Boregon	Ecologist
JPT	Jhomar Tillo	Ecologist
RL	Ray Li	Environmental Consultant
SMR	Sheila Marie Rabi	GIS Specialist/ Ecologist
AY	Andy Yuen	Assistant Environmental Consultant

1. Introduction

1.1.1 The North East New Territories Landfill Extension (the NENTX Project) is a designated project. The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Report was approved with conditions on 20 September 2007 (AEIAR-111/2007) and the Environmental Permit (EP) EP-292/2007 (the “EP) was issued on 26 November 2007. Additionally, a Further Environmental Permit FEP-01/292/2007 (the “FEP”) was also issued under the EIA Ordinance on 28 April 2022.

1.1.2 In order to fulfil FEP conditions 2.6 and 2.8 on the post-translocation monitoring of the endemic freshwater crab Somanniathelphusa zanklon, a survey shall be carried out to monitor the establishment and effectiveness of the measures for the endemic S. zanklon community in the translocated site.

1.1.3 The post-translocation monitoring methodology shall be in accordance with the approved Revised Translocation Proposal for the Endemic Freshwater Crab Somanniathelphusa zanklon (NENTX-FUG-RP-E-EM-I01 Revised Translocation Proposal) (the “approved Proposal”). The approved Proposal was agreed upon with the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) and Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD).

1.1.4 The NENTX Design-Build-Operate (DBO) Contractor, on behalf of EPD/LDG, is responsible for carrying out the post-translocation monitoring works in accordance with the approved Proposal.

1.1.5 The NENTX DBO contract was awarded to Veolia Environmental Services Hong Kong Ltd. (Veolia) and Fugro Technical Services Limited (Fugro) was appointed by Veolia to implement the post-translocation monitoring works in accordance with the approved Proposal.

1.3 Structure of the Report

1.3.1 Succeeding this Section 1 Introduction, the remainder of this Report is presented as follows:

§ Section 2 details the methodology of the mark-recapture activity;

§ Section 3 presents the survey results of mark-recapture activity;

§ Section 4 details the post-translocation monitoring schedule; and

§ Section 5 presents the summary and conclusion.

2. Mark-Recapture Methodology

2.1.1 This section presents the methodology and approach of the post-translocation mark-recapture monitoring in accordance with Section 4 of the approved Proposal; and in fulfilment of FEP conditions 2.6 and 2.8 and Conditions of EIAR Approval No. 4 for the NENTX Project.

2.2 The Monitoring Area

2.2.1 The Recipient Site (the “Monitoring Area”) (Appendix A) is the site where the eight individuals of S. zanklon were translocated during capture-translocation surveys conducted from 21 to 24 July 2022.

2.2.2 The Monitoring Area is located at the middle section of Ping Yuen River tributary, and adjacent to Ping Yuen Road, to the north of Ping Yeung Village. In this tributary, S. zanklon was previously recorded during the approved EIA studies (i.e., EIA-133/2007 and EIA-190/2010) (ERM, 2022) suggesting that this watercourse is suitable for S. zanklon.

2.2.3 Although channelisation features (e.g., concrete bank and gabions) and an inflatable water dam are present about 100m to the east, the monitoring area is still considered largely natural with a low gradient and low water flow (see Photo 2.1). The streambed is mainly covered by soil and stream banks are vegetated with grass. This area meets the habitat requirements of the species. The soft soil stream substrate and the availability of riparian vegetation are ideal for S. zanklon to create microhabitat to inhabit. In addition, the natural meander would also reduce the water flow, which is preferred by the S. zanklon. It is anticipated that pollution or disturbance would be in a low level in this section, considering there is limited roads and houses (and therefore limited human activities) until the stream reaches Kan Tau Wai and Tong Fong along Ping Che Road.


Photo 2.1: Section of the monitoring area with low gradient and low water flow

2.4 Mark-Recapture Activity

2.4.1.1 The third mark-recapture activity was conducted last 28 October 2022 during night-time period. Hand netting and kick sampling in the monitoring area were conducted. In addition, direct observation was also conducted along the stream riparian zone to search for S. zanklon in their potential hiding spaces (e.g. under rocks and fallen tree branches). Permit under Cap. 170 was obtained from AFCD before the use of nets to collect freshwater fauna in the streams (Appendix B).

2.4.2 Hand Netting

2.4.2.1 Hand netting (see Photo 2.2) was used to search the potential habitats along the watercourse. The sweeping motion of the hand netting scraped the layer of the stream bottom substrate into the net, e.g., soil and leaf litter where possible, as S. zanklon is likely to be among these substrates. After taking the hand net out of the water, it was allowed to drain, and the net content was emptied on to a large sorting tray. All caught S. zanklon, if any, would be carefully moved to a plastic container for marking.



Photo 2.2: Hand netting at a potential habitat (vegetation) along the watercourse

2.4.3 Kick-netting

2.4.3.1 Kick-netting (see Photo 2.3) was done along the watercourse by moving upstream with the net facing the water current. The surveyor disturbed the substrate by kicking the streambed substrate by kicking, such that the S. zanklon dislodged from the streambed would be trapped in the net. In order to maximise the survey effort within the stream, the surveyor moved up the stream in a zigzag direction to increase the kick sampling coverage. The net was checked after a maximum of one minute of kick sampling. Additionally, the net was checked more frequently if large amount of substrate was kicked into the net.


Photo 2.3: Surveyor kick-netting the substrate and checking the net’s contents

2.4.3.2 Similar to hand netting, the net content was emptied on to a large sorting tray. All caught S. zanklon, if any, were carefully moved to a plastic container for post-translocation marking.

2.4.4 Direct Observation

Direct observation (see Photo 2.4) to search for S. zanklon in their potential hiding spaces was also conducted.


Photo 2.4: Surveyor searching for S. zanklon on potential hiding space (under vegetation) along the watercourse

2.4.5 Marking

All captured S. zanklon individuals would be marked prior to releasing them back to the monitoring area. The marker would be an epoxy-resin based paint (Jotamastic Wintergrade) which contains a metallic component and cures in contact with water. Earlier laboratory and field trials had established that crab survival and behaviour was unaffected by paint marking on the carapace and that the marks persisted in field conditions (Eaton et. al., 2001). Recaptures, if any, would be re-marked with black numerals to indicate the month of capture.

3. Survey Results

3.1.1 There was no S. zanklon individual that was recaptured nor marked during the monitoring period (Appendix C). This could be attributed to the denser growth of the riparian vegetation in the monitoring area (see Photo 3.1). The dense vegetation could have provided further refuge and protection for the crabs, making them more difficult to capture during the monitoring activity. Moreover, the individuals could have moved to a different area in search for food and habitats. For example, areas further downstream are also suitable habitats for S. zanklon.


Photo 3.1: Dense growth of riparian vegetation in the monitoring area

4. Post-translocation Monitoring Schedule and Area

4.1.1 Continued post-translocation monitoring will be conducted to further monitor the establishment and effectiveness of the measures for S. zanklon community in the translocated site.

4.1.2 As the monthly monitoring for the first three months after the post-translocation activities have been concluded this monitoring period, the succeeding post-translocation monitoring should be, then, carried out quarterly. However, as no individuals were found in the August, September and October monitoring, Fugro has decided to continue the conduction of monthly monitoring until June 2023. This initiative was suggested by Fugro and will be implemented by Fugro. Further monthly monitoring will be conducted continuously until June 2023.

4.1.3 Furthermore, the survey area will also be extended in the upcoming monitoring surveys. As the report mentions that the individuals could have relocated further downstream in search for food and habitats, the upcoming survey area will also be extended further downstream in search for the individuals that could have possibly relocated. This initiative was also suggested by Fugro.

5. Summary and Conclusion

5.1.1 No S. zanklon individual was recaptured nor marked during the current monitoring period. The result could be due to the current denser growth of riparian vegetation in the monitoring area which could have consequently provided further refuge and protection for the crabs, making them more difficult to capture. Moreover, the individuals could have relocated to different areas in search for food and habitats. In response, the Monitoring Area will be extended further downstream and continuously monitored monthly until June 2023 in accordance to the recommendations of Fugro.

6. References

Eaton, D.R., J.T. Addison, S.P. Milligan, J. Brown and L.J. Fernand. 2001. Larvae surveys of edible crab (Cancer pagurus) off the east coast of England: implications for stock structure and management. ICES CM 2001/J:14. 10pp.

ERM. 2022. Aquatic Fauna Survey Findings included in previous Translocation Proposal (version 4.0).

Hong Kong Observatory (HKO). 2022. https://www.hko.gov.hk/en/wxinfo/climat/warndb/warndb1.shtml?opt=1&sgnl=1.or.higher&start_ym=202208&end_ym=202208&submit=Submit+Query