Geographical Location

Adjacent to Ecologically Sensitive Area

YLEPP is located in the vicinity of recognized sites of conservation importance. They include Inner Deep Bay Site of Specific Scientific Interest (SSSI), Mai Po Marshes SSSI, Mai Po Marshes Nature Reserve and Mai Po Inner Deep Bay Ramsar Site, nearby fishponds and mangrove/mudflat along the embankments and at the confluence of Shan Pui River and Kam Tin Main Drainage Channel. According to pre-construction survey, active night roost areas were observed. Four ardeid species including the Chinese Pond Heron Ardeola bacchus, Great Egret Ardea alba, Little Egret Egretta garzetta, and Grey Heron Ardea cinerea were observed utilizing the roosting sites.

Environmental Impact Assessment

YLEPP Project is a designated project under Schedule 2 of the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (EIAO) (Cap. 499). The statutory Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) was conducted and the EIA report and Environmental Monitoring and Audit (EM&A) Manual was approved by EPD (Register No.: AEIAR-220/2019) on 25 April 2019. An Environmental Permit (EP) (EP No. EP-565/2019) was issued by EPD on 26 April 2019.

The EIA report and EM&A Manual has addressed the environmental concerns holistically in various aspects. For further details, please refer to Environmental Protection Department’s website: https://www.epd.gov.hk/eia/english/alpha/aspd_737.html

Environment Permit and EM&A Manual requirements

The major requirements imposed during construction phase of YLEPP are summarized as follows:

• All percussive piling works and demolition using excavator-mounted breakers shall not be carried out from November to March to avoid construction noise impact to the overwintering / migratory waterbirds;
• Minimize overspill of light to ecological sensitive areas, use of directional down lighting, tight control of lighting periods and intensity to reduce potential impact to nearby ardeid night roost and waterbirds;
• No construction works with Powered Mechanical Equipment (PME) within 100m from the night roost after 18:00 during wet season and after 17:30 during dry season;
• Noise barriers with absorptive materials of at least 4m high shall be erected along the northern, eastern and western sides of the Project boundary.