3D tools facilitate public participation in EIA process

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The environmental impact assessment (EIA) process moves another step forward with the Environmental Protection Department introducing the concept of three-dimensional (3D) EIA public engagement tools and encouraging their adoption by proponents of large-scale projects.

The Assistant Director of Environmental Protection (Environmental Assessment and Noise), Mr Elvis Au, said today (October 17) that Hong Kong was the first place in the world to do so to enable better communication of EIA issues, make it easier for people to understand complex projects and issues, and thus promote continuous public involvement and stakeholder engagement.

He said that this was in line with the recent government policy to promote public dialogue on major development projects and involve them throughout project planning and implementation.

The first project adopting such tools in the EIA process will be the department's Northeast New Territories Landfill Extension.

Traditionally, graphic outputs are used to illustrate the various development scenarios. Likely impacts and mitigation options put forward as part of the EIA process are in the form of two-dimensional hardcopy plans or described in text.

This type of presentation, while sufficient to communicate information to a technical audience, is not easily understood by non-technical people. Thus, the public often find it difficult to understand a project, give comments or offer suggestions.

With 3D public engagement tools, baseline environmental condition can be illustrated by digital 3D models with easy-to-understand visualisations.

As different options and their environmental performance can be presented in 3D models through various coloured illustrations, graphics or multi-media images or videos, people can easily visualise and compare their advantages and disadvantages.

Mitigation measures can also be visualised prior to their construction and implementation. People can appreciate the effects of such measures and after having a better understanding of a project, they can make use of the tools to offer suggestions, alternative options and mitigation measures.

"Consensus can be developed through such information exchange, engagement and informed dialogue process offered by the tools.

"Such an interactive process not only increases the transparency of the EIA process but also facilitates scenario testing and more efficient problem-solving," Mr Au said.

To promote the application of the 3D EIA public engagement process and to disseminate the tools, the department, in conjunction with various professional bodies and government departments, organised two major seminars in May and June this year for more than 400 professionals, officials, academics, consultants, community group members and interested individuals. The responses were positive and encouraging.

The tools and the process were also presented to the Advisory Council on the Environment in May this year. The council welcomed and supported the tools and the continuous public involvement process.

To increase public awareness of the 3D EIA public engagement tools, demonstrations for two fictitious projects including a road project and a dredging project have been uploaded on the EIA Ordinance website at www.epd.gov.hk/eia/3deia/index.html.

Copies of the disk containing the 3D demonstration of the EIA public engagement tool can be obtained from the EIA Ordinance Register Office on 27/F., 130 Hennessy Road, Southorn Centre, Wan Chai, Hong Kong.

3D animations are used to illustrate the EIA for these two different development scenarios that could potentially have noise, air, water quality, visual and ecological impacts.

People are welcome to try out the 3D tools to experience the essential phases of the EIA process, including baseline condition studies, alternative option studies, impact assessment and mitigation measures.

Apart from the 3D EIA public engagement tools, Hong Kong is among the first few places in the world to provide web-based information on environmental performance and EIA of major projects for access by the public.

Hong Kong is the first and only place where the general public can have access to full EIA reports and comprehensive environmental monitoring and audit information through the Internet.

The use of real-time web cameras for EIA follow-up is also a world first. Real-time cameras have been installed at selected major construction sites since April 2002 so that the general public, the project proponents, government departments and net surfers can monitor construction progress and compliance with the EIA Ordinance.

Ends/Sunday, October 17, 2004