Question No. 3
REPLY BY THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE TO A QUESTION BY THE HON. TAI CHIN-WAH IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON WEDNESDAY, 14 JANUARY 1987
Question
Will Government inform this Council whether it will request the China Light & Power Co. Ltd. to release to the public its environmental impact report on the dumping/storage of coal ash at Tsang Tsui and will Government make a statement on the questions of pollution and environment impact in relation to the setting up of a coal ash lagoon at Tsang Tsui?
Sir,
There are numerous reports and other documents
covering various aspects of China Light & Power's
Environmental Impact Assessment of the pulverised fuel ash
(PFA) lagoons at Tsang Tsui, none of which are comprehensive
in themselves. To present a full picture, it would be
necessary to study at least 11 detailed documents,
representing a vast amount of material.
The Environmental
Protection Department has, however, produced a summary report
which contains the main findings of the study. This report is
available to members of the public upon request, and I will
arrange to send a copy to the OMELCO office.
2.
A very comprehensive assessment of the possible
environmental effects of the PFA lagoon at Tsang Tsui has been
undertaken. The Government and the China Light & Power Co.
Ltd. have made clear statements on the environmental impact of
the Tsang Tsui lagoons in various presentations, particularly
at the Tuen Mun District Board meetings in May, June and
November 1986. Of particular concern has been the need to
protect the health of local residents from the possible
effects of aerial emissions of PFA dust and liquid emissions
(or leachate) together with the safeguarding of local
mariculture and wildlife.
Page 75Page 76