Prior to development of Discovery Bay North (Siena, Chianti, Amalfi, etc) Hong Kong Resort Company Limited (HKR) was required to conduct a detailed Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of the proposed development area. The following extracts are taken from the chapter on Ecology from the final EIA report:

7.3.1 The initial studies were conducted in autumn 1994 to identify the key ecological issues. Field surveys were performed on the proposed Discovery Bay North development site on 17 and 23 November, 1994. The rocky shore of Yi Pak Wan and Yi Pak Hill were surveyed non-systematically. Major habitats of terrestrial vegetation were noted and dominant flora were recorded. The objective was to establish the conservation significance of the study area, and particularly to determine whether species of plants which are protected by local regulations or international convention occur in the study area. Plants were identified to species level where possible.

… and,  a few pages later, the Consultant wrote:

7.4.2 In general, the site is a frequently disturbed area. Much of the vegetation in the area has been subject to surface disturbance by construction or fire in recent years. The most recent fire occurred between November 14 to 16, 1994. This fire extensively burned the study area including Tai Che Tung, Yi Pak Au and down to Lau Fa Tung. Only the relatively mesic habitats such as the backshore, ravine, riparian and foothill regions survived the fire. The plant species recorded during the 1994 and 1995 surveys are listed in Table 7.1.

The EIA report was prepared by AXIS Environmental Consultants Limited and published in February 1996. Click to download the full chapter on Ecology.