|
Prevention
and Mitigation through Environmental Impact Assessment
The
EPD seeks to intervene at the earliest stages of projects to protect
people and the environment from adverse impacts. It also aims to
engage stakeholders in the process by creating opportunities for
them to give their views and gain access to information about specific
projects.
Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance
The
Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (EIAO) came into effect
in 1998 and requires all designated projects to undergo EIAs. In
2001, the EPD received 146 applications for projects worth $62 billion,
processed 13 environmental reports and issued 61 environmental permits.
The EIAO aims to avoid or mitigate against impacts before projects
are built, and the impact avoidance measures contained in the applications
approved in 2001 will eventually benefit approximately 157 000 people.
The EPD also managed 163 environmental monitoring and audit programmes.
Examples
of EIAs in action in 2001 include the requirement for land at the
old Kai Tak
airport site to be decontaminated to protect more than 130 000 present
and future residents, and the requirement of noise control measures
for the new Kowloon Stadium. A retractable roof is being recommended
so noise can be contained. In July 2001 the EIAO Appeal Board upheld
the EPD's decision not to approve the EIA report for a rail spur
line to run through Long Valley in a viaduct form, and therefore
not to issue an environmental permit.
Chart
of Figures on the applications trend
|