Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance

Technical Memorandum

Annex 1

ANNEX 1 - PROJECT PROFILE FOR DESIGNATED PROJECTS

Use of the following checklist for preparing a project profile shall ensure that most of the important environmental factors of a proposed project are to be considered by the Director in deciding what matters an EIA study shall address or whether the applicant can proceed directly to apply for an environmental permit.

2. If the applicant feels that additional or alternative types of information would also be useful, this information shall also be provided in the profile. The information shall include all existing and planned pollution sources or sensitive receivers or sensitive parts of the natural environment to the best knowledge of the applicant at the time of the submission. The provision of details may vary from case to case.

3. Wherever appropriate, the information shall be accompanied by plans, process flowcharts, diagrams, illustrations and other information which may assist in deciding what matters an EIA study shall address and what requirements an EIA study shall meet, or whether an applicant can proceed directly to apply for an environmental permit.

BASIC INFORMATION

Project title

Purpose and nature of the project

Name of project proponent

Location and scale of project (include plans) and history of site

Number and types of designated projects to be covered by the project profile

Name and telephone number of contact person(s)

OUTLINE OF PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAMME

How will the project be planned and implemented ? (consultant, contractor or in-house)

What is the project time-table ? (e.g. for appointment of consultants, finalizing of design, commencement of construction, commissioning and operation)

Are there any interactions with broader programme requirements or other projects which shall be considered ?

POSSIBLE IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT

Outline any processes involved, including process flow diagrams, site plans, storage requirements, and information on emissions and discharges

Describe the environmental impacts or issues that may arise during the construction, operation or decommissioning of the project, where applicable:

  • gaseous emissions
  • dust
  • odour
  • noisy operations
  • night-time operations
  • traffic generation
  • liquid effluents, discharges, or contaminated runoff
  • generation of waste or by-products
  • manufacture, storage, use, handling, transport, or disposal of dangerous goods, hazardous materials or wastes
  • risk of accidents which would result in pollution or hazard
  • disposal of spoil material, including potentially contaminated material
  • disruption of water movement or bottom sediment
  • unsightly visual appearance
  • ecological impacts

MAJOR ELEMENTS OF THE SURROUNDING ENVIRONMENT

  1. Outline existing and planned sensitive receivers and sensitive parts of the natural environment which might be affected by the proposed project, such as:

    • residential developments temporary housing areas
    • educational institutions, including schools, kindergartens and nurseries
    • health care facilities, including hospitals, clinics, and homes for the aged
    • places of worship, including temples, churches, amphitheatre
    • agricultural areas
    • water courses, nullahs and confined bodies of water
    • beaches, gazetted or otherwise
    • water catchment areas and gathering grounds
    • ground-water resources
    • marine water resources including those for industrial uses, recreational uses or fisheries activities such as fishing grounds, shellfish harvesting/culture areas, fish spawning and nursery areas or fish culture zones
    • industries which are sensitive to pollution
    • airsheds with limited capacity to disperse pollution
    • areas of conservation value, including Country Parks, Special Areas, Marine Reserves, Marine Parks, Ramsar Site, Sites of Special Scientific Interest and ecologically significant areas such as woodland, wetland and other wildlife habitats
    • places of high visual value
    • sites of cultural heritage

  2. Outline the major elements of the surrounding environment and existing and/or relevant past land use(s) on site which might affect the area in which the project is proposed to be located, such as:

    • existing pollution blackspots
    • nearby existing and/or discontinued industrial operations
    • nearby trunk roads, and primary or secondary distributors
    • nearby noisy commercial, community or recreational activities
    • aircraft noise, helicopter noise, rail noise
    • existing or planned waste handling, treatment and disposal facilities
    • potentially hazardous installations
    • noisy or dusty open storage uses
    • existing and past land uses of the project site and environs

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION MEASURES TO BE INCORPORATED IN THE DESIGN AND ANY FURTHER ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS

  1. Describe measures to minimize environmental impacts, including the following:

    • pollution control technology
    • source control
    • waste management systems and practices
    • potential for waste and wastewater minimization
    • risk mitigation measures and accident emergency response plans
    • acoustic barriers and insulation
    • buffer zones and landscaping
    • different siting of activities
    • site layout and building design
    • retention of natural environmental features
    • control of construction work practices
    • application of the Deep Bay Guidelines for dredging, reclamation & drainage works
    • application of Chapters 9 and 10 of the Hong Kong Planning Standards & Guidelines (version available at the time the Ordinance comes into force)

  2. Comment on the possible severity, distribution and duration of environmental effects, where applicable:

    • beneficial and adverse effects
    • short and long term effects
    • secondary and induced effects
    • cumulative effects
    • transboundary effects

  3. Comment on any further implications, such as :

    • history of similar projects
    • public consultation to date
    • public interest and political sensitivity

USE OF PREVIOUSLY APPROVED EIA REPORTS

Where a previous EIA report was prepared for a project of similar nature and the subject EIA report has been approved by the Director and deposited in the register under the Ordinance, the applicant may make reference to or use the results of that EIA report. The following information is to be provided:
  • state the title of the approved EIA Report
  • state the date of its approval
  • state what environmental aspects of the project were addressed in that approved EIA report
  • refer to the findings on environmental impacts, and state the relevance of such findings to this project
  • state the measures recommended in the approved EIA report and their relevance to this project

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