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THE ENVIRONMENT
October was drier than usual, with 61.3 mm of rainfall recorded during the month, representing only 51 per cent of the normal amount. On the morning of October 18, Typhoon Ellen approached from the southeast and passed about 150 km to the south- southwest of Hong Kong, causing only minor damage. On October 28, an intense surge of the winter monsoon brought noticeably cooler weather for the rest of the month.
After three consecutive months of below normal rainfall, November was wetter than usual. Although the total monthly rainfall of 112.6 mm was more than three times the normal amount, the accumulated rainfall from January 1 was only four per cent above normal. Severe Tropical Storm Ida, which affected the northern part of the South China Sea around the middle of the month, accounted for most of the month's rainfall.
December was characterised by a significant cold snap from December 18 to 20, followed by an unseasonable warm period leading up to Christmas and New Year.
Consultation and Collaboration
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This chapter has reviewed the physical, climatic and living environment of Hong Kong, the government's strategy for its protection, and the various monitoring and investigative activities, including weather monitoring. But this is not the work of the government alone. Environmental problems, and action taken to pre-empt or alleviate them, affect all sectors of the community. District boards and the Urban and Regional councils are taking an increasing interest in both local and territorial environmental matters. Major environ- mental protection initiatives, such as the proposals to control noise and agricultural waste, are subject to consultation with these bodies as well as with organisations such as the Federation of Hong Kong Industries, the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce, the Chinese Manufacturers Association, the Conservancy Association and Friends of the Earth.
In many cases, the final forum of consultation on environmental protection proposals, prior to submission to the Executive Council and the legislature, is the Environmental Pollution Advisory Committee, EPCOM. This committee advises the government on all aspects of pollution and helps to ensure that proposed legislative and other measures balance the need for environmental improvement with industrial viability. EPCOM is composed entirely of members who are not civil servants, but who are prominent citizens or representatives of industrial and environmental interests.
An important aspect of consultation and collaboration on environmental matters is the liaison established with the Guangdong Environmental Protection Bureau, the South China Environmental Research Institute, and the Shenzhen authorities. During 1986, a two-year collaborative study on the air and water quality in Deep Bay was concluded. This study identified a number of specific problems, and its findings will be used to guide future developments in the area. In concluding the study, representatives from Guangdong and Hong Kong confirmed the commitment of both administrations to environmental improvement.