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Organisation,
Programmes and Responsibilities
Our
Vision
is of
a Hong Kong
- which
enjoys an environment that is both healthy and pleasant
- in
which the community places a premium on sustaining such
an environment for both themselves and future generations
Our
Mission
is to
make our contribution towards realising this vision by applying
our professional knowledge and judgement and drawing on our
experience in the environmental field
- to
formulate and implement plans to improve and safeguard the
environment
- to
increase community awareness of environmental issues
- to
implement environmental protection legislation
- to
participate in the town planning process with a view to
achieving and maintaining a high standard of environmental
quality
The Environmental
Protection Department (EPD) provides direct support to the
Environment and Food Bureau which is responsible for the development
of environmental policy. The department's job is to administer
environmental policy and develop new initiatives.
Established
on 1 April 1986 with staff and resources from six government
departments, the EPD's remit was to bring the majority of
pollution prevention and control activities under one organisation.
The department
is responsible for proposing policies; enforcing environmental
legislation; monitoring environmental quality; providing collection,
transfer, treatment and disposal facilities for many types
of waste; advising on the environmental implications of town
planning and new policies; and handling pollution complaints
and incidents. These responsibilities are organised under
seven programme areas.
The department
employs 1,650 staff, a quarter of whom are professional staff,
and half are technical-grade staff - the remainder being administrative
and support staff.
In 1999,
out of the departmental budget of about $2.1 billion, about
60% was for contract payments for the treatment and disposal
of municipal and chemical wastes, some 34% on staffing, and
6% for equipment and general operating expenses.
Organisation
Chart of Environmental Protection Department
Waste
Facilities Programme
- prepare
plans and programmes for the minimisation of waste
- provide
facilities for managing any residual waste in a cost-effective
and environmentally acceptable manner
- coordinate
and manage the implementation of these plans and programmes
Air
Programme
- achieve
and maintain satisfactory air quality through intervention
in the planning process
- participate
in the programme of risk management of potentially hazardous
installations and matters related to energy and global warming
- enforce
the Air Pollution Control and Ozone Layer Protection Ordinances
Noise Programme
- prevent,
minimise and resolve noise problems through intervention
in the planning process
- enforce
the Noise Control Ordinance
Waste Programme
- establish
a framework of legislative and institutional controls to
safeguard the health and welfare of the community from the
adverse environmental effects associated with the improper
handling and disposal of waste
- enforce
the Waste Disposal and Dumping at Sea Ordinances
Water
Programme
- ensure
the quality of freshwater and seawater meets with our conservation
goals
- ensure
the sewerage system operates safely and effectively
- enforce
the Water Pollution Control Ordinance
Environmental Assessment and Planning Programme
- pre-empt
environmental problems associated with projects, plans,
policies and strategies by assessing their environmental
implications and implementing preventive and mitigatory
measures where potential problems are identiifed
- strive
for the best possible environmental performance in both
the public and private sectors
- enforce
the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance
Community Relations Programme
- promote
community awareness through environmental campaigns, publicity,
education and action programmes
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