Policy Comments & Advocacy

Green Power would like to draw your kind attention to our comments about the above-captioned Project Profile.

1. The Project site encompasses a large portion of ecologically sensitive areas (i.e. Country Park and Conservation Area), therefore the Project proponent should take considerable efforts to minimize the potential environmental impacts.

2. The run-off and drainage from the ground investigation works should be carefully handled and treated. There should be no discharge to the nearby watercourses. Sewage, sludge and wastewater generated from temporary sanitary facilities should be fully collected and carried away from the Project site.

3. Sediments, soil, excavated materials should not be stockpiled near to the streams or water channels to avoid washing down to water bodies during rainstorms.

4. Any bare soil surfaces and temporarily stored loose materials should be covered and checked especially when rainstorms are anticipated, and kept away from rainfall or runoff.

5. General refuse should be appropriately stored, transported, and finally disposed of at the designated facilities and/or environmentally treated. The garbage bins should be cleaned on every working day and enclosed properly to prevent wildlife from rummaging. Unauthorized disposal of solid waste should be strictly prohibited.

6. We concern that the establishment of Plant Protected Zones (PPZs) will exposure the locations of the plants of conservation values and thus pose the risk of illegal plant collection. In this regards, PPZs should be kept away from the temporary assess paths and platforms as far as possible and workers should always stay on the working areas. Moreover, public access to the working paths and access ladders should be strictly prohibited.

7. The identity/names of tagged plants which is/are highly vulnerable to be commercially collected, e.g. Incense Tree, should not be displayed on-site and be informed to workers. All the fencings and plant tags should be removed from the PPZs at the end of the construction period.

8. Tree pruning works should be kept minimal and conducted under the supervision of certified arborist.

9. If there are lighting facilities of the working sites, glare impacts on surrounding areas and wildlife should be minimized if unavoidable by adjusting the light intensity and illumination angles.

10. The Project should not trigger hillfires and slope soil erosion. Therefore, activities including but not limited to open burning and unnecessary vegetation clearance should be prohibited in the Project site and its periphery. Moreover, smoking should be forbidden in the work sites.

11. The site staff should be trained to recognize the good site practices related to the proposed mitigation measures, as well as the regulations under the Country Park Ordinance and Wild Animals Protection Ordinance.

Thank you very much for your kind attention. For any inquiries, please contact the undersigned at Green Power (T: 3961 0200, F: 2314 2661, Email: info@greenpower.org.hk).