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4th Post-transplantation Monitoring and
Audit Report (13th January 2023)
Northeast New Territories Landfill Extension (NENTX)
| Contract No. EP/SP/77/15
0092/22/ED/0316 02 | 3 February 2023
Formal
Submission
Veolia Environmental Services Hong Kong Limited
ET certification letter
IEC verification letter
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Document Control
Document Information
Project Title
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Northeast New Territories Landfill Extension (NENTX)
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Document Title
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4th Post-transplantation Monitoring and
Audit Report (13th January 2023)
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Fugro Project No.
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0092-22
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Fugro Document No.
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0092/22/ED/0316
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Issue Number
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02
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Issue Status
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Formal Submission
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Fugro Legal Entity
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Fugro
Technical Services Limited
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Issuing Office Address
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13/F,
Fugro House – KCC2, 1 Kwai On Rd, Kwai Chung, NT, Hong Kong
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Client Information
Client
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Veolia Environmental Services Hong Kong
Limited
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Client Address
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40/F.,
One Taikoo Place, Taikoo Place, 979 King's Road, Quarry Bay, Hong Kong
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Client Contact
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Mr. William Wan
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Client Document No.
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NENTX-FUG-RP-E-ZZ-004-I01
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Document History
Issue
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Date
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Status
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Comments on Content
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Prepared By
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Checked By
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Approved By
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01
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03 Feb 2023
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Draft
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Awaiting client’s comments
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Various
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FN
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FN
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02
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03 Feb 2023
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Formal Submission
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For ET’s certification and IEC’s
verification
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Various
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FN
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FN
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Project Team
Initials
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Name
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Role
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CY
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Colin Yung
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Project Manager
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FN
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Fenelyn Nabuab
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Ecologist/ ISA Certified Arborist
HK1821A/TRAQ
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RL
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Ray Li
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Environmental Consultant/ ISA Certified
Arborist HK1838A/TRAQ
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JT
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Jhomar Tillo
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Ecologist
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AY
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Andy Yuen
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Assistant Environmental Consultant
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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 4th
post-transplantation monitoring and audit was carried out on 13 January 2023 to
check the condition of the transplanted plant individuals.
2.1.2
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 23 Dec,
28 Dec, 30 Dec, 2 Jan, 4 Jan, 6 Jan, 10 Jan, 13 Jan.
n
The watering frequency of the
cluster of Lamb of Tartary was 2 times a week. The
watering dates were 23 Dec, 28 Dec, 30 Dec, 4 Jan, 6 Jan, 10 Jan, 13 Jan.
n
Once a week watering of Bottlebrush
Orchid. The watering dates were 23 Dec, 30 Dec, 6 Jan,
13 Jan.
n
Manual removal of weeds when
observed during watering activities; and
n
Checking of insect attacks and/or
fungal infestation during watering activities.
n
Prevention of human disturbance by fencing
off area around 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. Wilted leaves should be pruned away.
n The
watering frequency for all 19 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.
4.1.1
The
health of the transplanted individuals of Bottlebrush Orchid were all in fair
to good condition. The minor deficiencies on some individuals did not have a
large impact on their health. The two
individuals of Incense Tree saplings were both in poor health condition. The
individuals had dieback and fallen leaves. This could be due to
transplantation shock brought about by the changes in the environment and the
individual has not acclimated to these changes yet. Lastly, the transplanted
cluster of Lamb of Tartary was also under poor health condition with more of
its leaves have wilted and showed discoloration. 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.
4.1.2
It
is recommended to pay additional attention to the health conditions of the Lamb
of Tartary cluster 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]