7 COMPARISON BETWEEN THE TWO OPTIONS of the proposed reclamation on water sensitive receivers (WSRs) and ecological sensitive receivers (ESRs) in the North Western Water Control Zone (WCZ). According to the assessment, during the construction phase, except for a marginal exceedance predicted at Sha Chau and Lung Kwu Chau Marine Park which can be addressed when mitigation measures are applied, the predicted suspended solids concentrations at all WSRs and ESRs resulting from the proposed reclamation are expected to be in compliance with the Water Quality Objectives. As to the preliminary assessment for the operation phase, the expanded airport footprint has been simulated and is shown to have no significant large-scale impact on the tidal flow regime, although some local impacts are projected, for example small increases in flow speed at the western end of the third runway. No significant change in the flushing capacity of the channel between the airport platform and North Lantau is anticipated, nor in the major channel from Urmston Road to Ma Wan Channel. As a result, no large-scale changes in water quality within the North Western WCZ are anticipated. A desktop literature review has established a good understanding of both the physical and marine ecological environments in the areas that could be impacted by the proposed reclamation. In terms of marine ecology, most ecologically sensitive areas (such as coral sites, intertidal habitats of horseshoe crabs and coastal sea-grass beds) are located quite a significant distance from the proposed reclamation, along the North Lantau coastline. Preliminary assessment has also indicated that despite a significant loss in soft bottom seabed areas, the significance of impacts will be low insofar as the direct loss of marine lives living on the seabed and intertidal flora and fauna is concerned – in particular given that much of the proposed reclamation footprint has been subject to substantial human disturbance in the past (note: around 40% of the footprint is located above the CMPs) and is not known to be inhabited by species of conservation importance, other than Chinese White Dolphins. The preliminary fisheries impact assessment has looked into those areas sensitive to the proposed 52