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Our
Contribution to the Environment
Effective
Legislation and Enforcement
Our
aim is to establish an effective legislative and efficient
control framework in order to safeguard the health and welfare
of the community from any adverse environmental effects "
Image
of Task force enforcement operation against construction activities
in December 1999 caught 78 non-compliance cases
Map of Boundary map for the six Local Control Offices
Image of EPD hotlines handled 22,761 pollution complaints
in 1999
Image of Seminars are organised to promote compliance with
environmental laws
The EPD
enforces the environmental ordinances dealing with various
types of pollution, whether it be air, water, waste and noise
pollution. We also assess the environmental impact of development
projects, respond to complaints and regulate specific polluting
activities through strict licensing procedures.
To improve
our efficiency and effectiveness in enforcement, we have introduced
in 1999 at our Local Control Offices, integrated enforcement
teams with staff members trained to deal with all types of
pollution control in a single site visit. This has also resulted
in a more customer-oriented service.
We have
also set up task forces to tackle specific pollution problems.
In June 1999, a one-week round-the-clock surveillance and
ambush operation against livestock farmers netted 43 cases
of illegal dumping of liquid wastes into rivers and streams.
In December 1999, a similar targetted operation against construction
activities was conducted with 1,049 inspections identifying
78 instances of noise, air and water pollution violations.
Through
more efficient and effective enforcement between 1995 and
1999, there have been an increasing number of convictions
in court, and the associated level of fines has also increased.
This trend has had deterrent effect. In 1999, we handled 22,761
pollution complaints and carried out nearly 73,500 inspections.
Prosecutions led to 1,681 convictions (a 28% increase on 1998)
and fines of $22.9 million (a very slight increase on 1998)
were collected. More first time offenders were convicted,
which accounted for the stagnant amount in fines because they
tend to attract lower fines. However, these figures also suggest
a drop in repeat offenders.
Figures
of Greater efficiency and effectiveness with integrated enforcement
Chart of Increased number of
convictions with similar level of fines suggest a drop in
repeat offenders
Chart of Rising environmental concerns and community expectations
result in increasing number of pollution complaints
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Our
rigorous enforcement has contributed to the following:
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An estimated 80% dust emission reduction from construction
sites since the regulation came into operation in
1998
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Noise control inspections of construction works increased
to 4,500 in 1999, compared with 450 per year in the
early 1990s, resultiing in a quieter environment for
around one million people
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90% reduction in river pollution in the HKSAR's 10
major waterways from the original 120,000 kg BOD/day
(Biochemical Oxygen Demand) discharged in the early
1990s
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An 80% decrease in the total toxic metals discharged
into Victoria Harbour from 5,000 kg/day in 1995
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A 98% reduction of the livestock waste discharged
into our rivers from 840,000 tonnes annually in the
late 1980s, the equivalent of sewage waste generated
by 1.6 million people
Chart
of Strict enforcement of environmental laws results
in significant reduction of organic pollution load in
the North District
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Although
the number of pollution complaints received by EPD has increased
four-fold during the past decade, we responded to 99% of the
complaints within three working days. In 1999, we commissioned
an independent survey by A.C. Nielsen (China) Ltd. to gauge
feedback by users of our hotline service - 89% were satisfied.
We recognise
the importance of promoting self-regulation and self-policing
of environmental performance by business and industry. To
promote this, we will continue to arrange more seminars and
workshops to explain legal requirements and continue to share
information on good practices for preventing and controlling
pollution. As for those trades with poor compliance records,
we will enhance communication.
We will
also continue to improve the efficiency and effectiveness
of our pollution control activities through full implementation
of integrated enforcement and the wider application of information
technology.We will also strengthen the technical training
of our enforcement staff while concurrently emphasising customer
relations.
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